Repairing Sheetrock
Interior walls can become damaged over time due to fire, mold and other circumstances. When this happens they need to be patched or replaced using sheetrock. All Star Plumbing and Restoration does this for homeowners as part of their restoration services.
Before it was used in homes for ceilings, walls, arches, and other interior surfaces, plaster was used. Plaster took weeks to complete because it had to be built up layer by layer and each layer had to dry completely before the next was applied. It was also harder to repair any damage that occurred. Once sheetrock was invented, the process was shortened drastically. An entire home of sheetrock can be installed in a few days rather than weeks.
The installation of sheetrock involves three steps:
1. Hanging the Drywall
This is when All Star Plumbing and Restoration cuts the drywall and fits it to the wall. Then it is lifted and hung against the walls boards, before being attached to it.
2. Taping
“Mud” is lathered across the seams of the drywall to seal any cracks. After the first layer of mud, tape is added to the seams before two additional layers of mud.
3. Sanding
After everything has dried, All Star Plumbing and Restoration uses a pole sander to smooth the mud for a polished finish.
The interior walls of a home are important to its structural integrity, so they need to be in good shape. If the walls have sustained damage, All Star Plumbing and Restoration can fix, hang, tape, and texture sheetrock as part of their restoration services.
No-Touch Toilet Technology
Most people encounter touchless toilets in public bathrooms, but now this technology is coming into the home. The most notable company to bring this technology to the residential arena is Kohler. They offer two types of touchless toilets, along with a kit to make current commodes touchless as well.
Is it time to replace your dated or worn out toilet? Consider upgrading it with a modern touchless toilet. If the current toilet is in pristine shape, the touchless kit allows homeowners to install the technology onto their existing toilet.
Why go touchless? Here are some of the benefits of using touchless technology in the bathroom:
- Spread of germs
This is probably the most obvious reason. Without a handle, there are fewer germs being spread person-to-person. This could be especially beneficial in homes with children or those with compromised immune systems.
- Efficiency
Touchless appliances in bathrooms make the whole process easier, less wasteful, and faster. While efficiency might not be as necessary at home as it is in a commercial area, it is a bonus.
- Maintenance Free
Toilet handles are also subject to breaking or coming loose from wear and tear. The touchless toilet from Kohler is essentially maintenance free. It is battery power, and uses 4 AA batteries, which are included in the touchless kit. The only maintenance required is a change of batteries about once a year.
Considering a touchless toilet? Have All Star Plumbing and Restoration install it. Plumbing can be a hassle to deal with, so leave it to the professionals.
Choosing the Right Showerhead
When people travel, they often compare the showerhead in their hotel bathroom, or wherever they might be staying with their home shower. People definitely have a preference when it comes to the pressure, type, and height of showerheads. When looking for a new showerhead, keep these things in mind:
- Type
The first thing homeowners need to look at when getting a new showerhead is the type. Showerheads come in three varieties:
- Fixed- permanently mounted to the wall, usually height adjustable
- Hand-held- Connected to the wall with a flexible tube, allowing for a range of motion
- Showerheads with Hand Showers- 2-in-1 type of unit where the handheld unit is attached to the fixed showerhead
- Materials and Finishes
Consider the material and finish of the showerhead so that it matches or complements the rest of the bathroom. There are a range of finishes available including:
- Oil-rubbed bronze
- Brushed/polished chrome
- Brushed/polished nickel
- Copper
- Polished/antique brass
- White
- Off white
- Spray Pattern
Some showerheads only have one spray pattern. Homeowners should look for a showerhead with multiple spray patterns to accommodate individual preferences. Most variable showerheads offer these three patterns:
- Wide coverage like drenching rain for everyday use
- Drenching spray pattern good for rinsing shampoo out of hair
- A targeted pattern for a sharper spray
Some homeowners are also starting to consider energy savings when looking at showerheads. If they are concerned with water conservation and cost savings, they should look for a showerhead with a WaterSense label. They are low-flow showerheads and use less water than standard models.
All Star Plumbing and Restoration can fix or install bathroom fixtures such as showerheads. If it isn’t spraying right, have them take a look at it. They’ll determine if it is fixable or in need of a replacement.
Cleaning Shower Doors and Curtains
Shower curtains and doors often become streaked with hair products and dried soap. They are also a prime place for mold and mildew to grow. Luckily, it is pretty easy to clean shower curtains of all materials.
Plastic Curtain:
Wash plastic curtains and liners in the washing machine on the highest water level with a regular amount of detergent. Add two or three bathroom towels to the load for extra agitation. Remove and hang up to dry.
Fabric or Decorative Curtains:
This type of curtain generally has washing instructions on the care label. If it just needs freshened, it can be popped into the dryer on air or fluff with a fabric softener sheet.
Glass Door:
The best defense against soap buildup and hard water is to squeegee the surface of the glass door. Or, use a microfiber cloth to wipe it down after each use. The microfiber cloth should be wrung out afterwards and laundered once a week.
To prevent mildew from forming on the curtain, try these tips:
1. Ventilate
Turn on the fan when the shower is in use and for about forty-five minutes after the shower. It helps the bathroom to dry at a faster rate and eliminates the moisture buildup that causes mildew. If there is no fan, opening the window could help ventilate the room too.
2. Open the Curtain
Opening the curtain wide enough for air circulation will help any trapped moisture on the wet side to escape and the curtain to dry faster.
3. Dry the Curtain
After each use, take a washcloth or towel and wipe down the curtain to dry it. This helps prevent the buildup of soap scum.
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