John Parker asked:


Plumbing is the Skilled trade of working with pipes and tubing for fluids such as water, sewage, steam and natural gas. Plumbing originated during the ancient civilizations such as Persian, Chinese, Indian and Roman civilizations as they developed public baths and needed to provide fresh water and drainage. The piping used to convey the water and waste was often made of lead. Because lead is very toxic, nearly all modern manufactured plumbing products and materials are lead free.

A plumber is someone who installs or repairs piping systems, plumbing fixtures and equipment such as water heaters and boilers.

A plumbing fixture is a device which is part of a system to deliver and drain away water, but which is also configured to enable a particular use.

Your house has several separate plumbing systems: Sinks, toilets, washers, bath tubs, and related fixtures. Plumbing is something we use every day and which most of us know little about. Shopping for your own plumbing fixtures rather than getting them through your plumber allows you choose from a wider selection and save money.

Plumbing systems are composed of pipes and fittings. Metal or plastic pipes are joined by a variety of fittings designed to couple lengths in a straight line, turn corners, branch in two directions, reduce or enlarge pipe size, or connect to some type of fixture. Pipes are made from several different metals and plastics. You often can identify a pipe’s purpose by its size and makeup: indoor water supply pipes generally are copper or galvanized iron pipe.

The plumbing system in your home is designed to direct fresh water and wastewater to where you want it to go, without incident. You want wastewater to leave your home down a drain instead of overflow into your home and you want fresh water to come out of a spout rather than leaking somewhere within the walls. The plumbing trade has adopted a number of basic strategies and conventions to keep water controlled and go where we want it. It is a good idea to understand how your plumbing system works before tackling any plumbing project.

If your plumbing fixtures drain slowly, the problem may be a clogged vent. This happens when vents are improperly located and when birds or animals deposit debris in the vent where it exits the roof.

Whatever your intended plumbing projects, the first step is to familiarize yourself with the water system in your home. At the very least it is important to know where to switch off the mains in case of an emergency.



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Stephen Campbell asked:


It is always nice to see our home well-designed. It brings a wonderful feeling because as we go home from a tiring office work, it gives us relaxation we need–a cool home decor can make it. From, living room to dining; from bedroom to kitchen– all these have to be neat and clean. However, this time, we are discussing a particular part of our house that should not be taken for granted– the bathroom.

Bathroom redesign tips are available almost everywhere. You can get inspiration for your bathroom decor from the patterns of a leaf in your yard or from looking at your neighbor’s bathroom. You can obtain bathroom redesign ideas from the internet as well.

There is a range of shower heads that you can select from the help give your bathroom that revamped look. You can purchase shower heads that are handheld and have chromatherapy. Some shower heads have a low rain quality function that can make showering a pleasurable experience.

With the right bathroom redesign ideas, you can turn your bathroom into a haven that you can relax in when the world’s stress is getting to you. A bathroom that does not have an appealing aura can further dampen already low spirits. Redesigning your bathroom is more for your benefit than others.

If you are looking for bathroom plumbing fixtures that are classy without being frivolous, go for minimalist designs. Minimalist designed bathroom plumbing fixtures are simple and sophisticated at the same time. You can get minimalistically designed bathroom plumbing fixtures from designers such as Enzo mar.

Home improvement stores are an excellent source of bathroom fixtures. You can also get bathroom vanity cabinets from retail stores near you. Garage sales make an excellent place to get fixtures for your bathroom redesign project.

Redesigning your bathroom can be a simple matter of changing the color of your bathroom wall. Peeling bathroom walls can be an eyesore and can make your bathroom look drab and unappealing. Changing the color of your bathroom can help to revamp the overall look of your bathroom.

Redesigning your bathroom may be for a variety of reasons. You may decide to redecorate your bathroom in order to break any cycle of monotony that you are caught up in. A person may opt to change the face of their bathroom to make it reflect their personality more.

The right selection of bathroom cabinets can help you solve the problem of storage. When choosing a bathroom cabinet, take into consideration its functional value as well as its aesthetic appeal. The right bathroom cabinet can make your bathroom look startlingly different.



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Chuck Warrender asked:


Home building cost overruns can plague any home building or remodeling project. This occurs so frequently that it is recommended you include a 5 - 10% contingency fund in your budget. This will be used for items that you will have no control over, such as problems found with the land once excavation has begun.

Use the 5 tips in this article to control home building costs & minimize cost overruns.

Tip 1: Planning Your Home Building Costs Take the time to plan on paper what you want your house to look like. When doing your budget, visit stores to look at appliances, fixtures, cabinets, flooring, etc. In doing so, you will have a clearer idea of what you want and more importantly, what it will cost. Then, build that amount into your budget so there are no surprises later.

Tip 2: Specify Home Building Materials When working with a contractor, be sure that the specific materials you expect to be used are included in the bid and subsequently, in the contract. If your plans say wood floors and you are expecting teak and get oak, your recourse is limited because you did not specify it in writing.

Tip 3: Change Orders If you take the time to plan your home building project on paper before breaking ground, you can minimize the number of Change Orders. Change Orders frequently increase the cost of your project because they were not planned for in the original budgeting. If you agree to a change order and there is an expense involved, you are responsible for those costs unless the contractor has agreed he will pay for the change. Depending upon the extent of the change, it can involve modifying the original plans and having the local building authority review the changes including the labor and materials. Always keep an eye on any changes to the original plan and design and take the time to determine the financial impact of the change on your project. Changes to construction projects represent the single most common reason a project goes over budget and/or the completion is delayed. Take the time to plan before you build.

Tip 4: Size, Style and Shape of the Home These three factors can significantly contribute to the cost of building your dream home.

Size - Work with even numbers and have your home size rounded up or down to increments of two (2) feet. This reduces wasted materials. Also, build a home no deeper than 32 feet to eliminate the need for specially designed trusses. Style - Typically, it will cost less to build a two-story home than a one-story home of similar square footage. A two-story home will have a smaller roof and foundation. In addition, plumbing and ventilation are more compact in two-story homes. Shape - Having more corners and angles will increase the amount of labor and materials needed to build your dream home. A rectangular or box shaped home will cost less to build.

Tip 5: Two Most Common Times for Cost Overruns The beginning of your home building & construction project - when you are doing excavation and possibly putting in a well. You won’t know what is under the ground until you begin to excavate. If you are drilling for a well, you will have no control over how far down you will need to drill for water. This is where having a contingency fund is essential.

The second most common time for a cost overrun is near the end of the project when you are selecting your finishes, i.e., cabinets, counter-tops, lighting and plumbing fixtures, flooring, appliances, etc. If you took the time to shop around before you did your budget, you can more easily stay within your budget when you do your final selections.

Cost overruns are common in any home building project, but with knowledge and planning they can be kept within manageable boundaries.



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Russel asked:


Consumers have a lot of choices when purchasing a house. They can build a new one, buy an existing property on resale, or buy a foreclosure home. Every purchase has its pros and cons. nevertheless; many people are often choosing new homes because they want to have more options than they can find in an existing property. However, more options mean more decisions when buying a brand new home. It can be one of the most puzzling - not to mention pricey - things a home buyer can do. Yet one of the easiest decisions is quite often overlooked - having a specialized home inspection performed to verify the eminence of the overall workmanship and construction of a new house.

Dependence on the builder’s 1 or 2 year warranty is the most general reason, why buyers of new homes miss out on home inspections. In many cases, this has proved to be a pricey error. Buyers assume that all noteworthy defects will become perceptible during the warranty period. However, how many people crawl through the garret of their brand new home to verify the insulation, wiring, ductwork, framing, and plumbing are in proper condition?

Faulty foundations, moisture, faulty ductwork, and drainage are some of the most common issues inspectors find in new home construction today. Many times these defects show up months or even years, after the buyer has moved in.

Many home inspectors offer to inspect the home for faults to the buyer at the various faces of construction to ensure nothing is unnoticed. Once the drywall is installed it is very difficult to find issues within the walls such as wiring or insulation inadequacies.

Some builders hire home inspectors themselves to generate a better quality home. Home inspectors, while working directly with the builders or the promoters, provide an impartial, 3rd-party evaluation, verifying a builder’s quality of construction. Occasionally builders hire an inspector to only inspect certain areas of the home such as the attic, or they may hire the inspector to do a full home inspection at various phases of the construction. New home inspections can significantly reduce customer call backs and reinforce a builder’s reputation, ultimately helping consumers buy better homes.

Buyers habitually assume brand new homes are excused from any defects. But when making such a large deal, why not invest in a home inspection to discover defects that might otherwise become hidden or not easy to repair? A small investment of a few 100 dollars could potentially save tens of thousands of dollars in the long run. Houston Homes does exactly this for you. At Houston Home they inspectors will take care that your new house or the old one is inspected properly and evaluates it. This in turn will help the buyer in choosing the right kind of house for him.



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Maria Mbura asked:


Building a house is a landmark event in any person’s life. The decision to build a house comes after a long analysis of the sources of funds to facilitate the process. Luckily, there are a lot of lending companies that offer loans targeted at new home construction. New home construction loans and stated income construction loans are the two types of loans that are offered to people in the process of constructing a new home. Both types of loans offer funding for new home construction, but the difference lies in the way in which they can be obtained.

The first and very crucial step in obtaining a home construction loan is choosing a lender. New home construction loans are offered by all major national lenders and can also be obtained from regional banks or mortgage companies. The important point to note is that the lender must be kept informed of anything and everything that has been planned about the home construction. Typically, the interest for a new construction loan is paid over a period of 12 months, and then replaced by a mortgage, once the home’s construction has been completed.

New construction loans themselves are of two types. The first type is known as the all-in-one loan, in which the loan is automatically converted to a regular mortgage on completion of the construction of the home. The second type is the construction-only loan, which as the name suggests covers only the construction costs of the home. This type of loan is due as soon as the construction is done and must either be paid off or replaced by a mortgage. Lenders have very specific ways of paying for the construction of the home. The payment of funds is divided in to several “draws”. The home-owner must draw up a plan at each stage of the building process clearly stating how much funding was used at that particular stage of construction. For example, a draw can be done after the pouring of the foundation of the home, or maybe during the framing of the home. This drawn up plan is then sent to the lender, who examines it and allocates the funds to be paid.

The other type of home construction loan, called the stated income construction loan is a loan that does not require the verification of the home owner’s income. This type of loan is a boon and is best suited for self employed individuals. Anyone who cannot produce verification documents for their income, or chooses not to reveal their earnings can benefit from this kind of loan. The benefit of a stated income construction loan is that it is generally approved much faster than other kinds of loans. The downside to this type of loan is that the interest rates associated with it are much higher than other loans. Correspondingly, the down payments are also significantly higher. The procedure to apply for a stated income loan is quite simple and all it requires is an online application or a direct application at the office of the chosen lender.



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James Copper asked:


There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of courses in plumbing, for a variety of time periods, specializations and certifications or other levels of training. They can be found in many countries and parts of the world. Lets look at one of these offered in the UK.

In the UK one four week course prepares you for certification to work as a union or government worker. One of the advanced courses in plumbing the course work includes the study of copper piping installation for residences, the study of sanitary bathroom facilities, a course in tiling and in plastering and certification for three specialties. The specialties certified courses in plumbing include a certificate in water system regulation, one in energy efficient systems and a third in unvented storage systems for water heating. The price for this particular course in plumbing is 3790.37 including tax. You may also opt, after the completion of this or other courses in plumbing sign up for an additional apprenticeship hands-on week or work.

This plumbing course includes lessons in formal labor union and municipal plumbing qualifications, residential copper piping installation and bathroom fixture installation. After you’ve taken this and the other required courses in plumbing towards the certificate for water regulations you can apply with the local UK water company as an approved plumbing contractor, as part of earning your water regulations certificate.

For some courses in plumbing, such as the one on water regulations, you must expect to study at home. The least time you will spend studying this course is three weeks on a part time basis. The exam will be given a few weeks after the end of your final fourth week course. You’ll get the home study pack of materials in your first of the four week courses in plumbing. You’ll then have plenty of study time before the exam. For your hot water unvented storage certification you’ll get a home study manual as well. This course is mostly classroom lecture with topics on frozen pipes, flushing problems in the bathroom, lifting of floor boards, maintenance of water pipes and taps, and other relevant plumbing Skills.

Once you’ve successfully completed these courses in plumbing you are welcome to sign on for one week with a designated plumbing firm. During this time you’ll shadow an experienced and registered plumbing professional as she or he goes about daily plumbing jobs. It is possible to secure a job offer as a result of this successful completion of courses in plumbing and your own week of work.

Week one of this four week program is the study of the plumbing industry as a whole - an overview and a look at its history and growth. You’ll study the basics of plumbing materials and the plumbing science itself. You’ll learn about bending tubes, working with pipes and relevant material and become familiar with the various Skills of the plumbing trade at which you’ll need to become adept. You’ll learn about keeping yourself safe and healthy, and maintaining the health of your plumbing clients, as well as how to install and maintain a variety of household appliances.



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Julia Ritzenthaler asked:


You have decided to remodel your bathroom, but need to set a budget. Before you can do this, you will need to have some expectation of what an average remodel costs. For the do it yourselfer, you can save a lot in labor costs alone. But it depends on your experience too. There are some elements to remodeling that are simple, and there are some that require Skilled trades. This article provides some average costs for the major items involved in a typical bathroom remodel.

Cabinetry

This can vary widely. For low end, paint grade unfinished cabinets, you can spend an average of $75/linear ft, to the upper end of $250/linear foot with an additional $100/foot to finish.

Plumbing

The average price of the plumbing will depend on how much work is involved. Do you plan to just install new fixtures, or will you need to move the toilet or shower from the existing location? If you are just changing fixtures, you can expect to spend an average of $600; if you need to make major plumbing changes, you could spend up to $2,600. Adding a Jacuzzi tub can add at least $1,000 to the budget.

Mirrors

Budget $200-$500 for mirrors. Mirrors can be as simple as standard size mirrors with no framing to custom cut mirrors from a glass shop or decorative mirrors that match your design.

Lighting & Electrical

Changing out light fixtures can start at an average of $100 and up; to change the layout of the existing lighting, adding recessed can lights and installing quiet exhaust fans can cost up to $1,500.

Flooring

The average floor labor install can cost between $4-$6/square ft, and the material can cost $2-$20/square ft. Most bathrooms have tiled floor, but concrete, vinyl and wood are also alternatives.

Shower

An average one piece surround shower will cost $400; if you plan to add a tile shower, you can expect the averages to be similar to the flooring averages outlined above. This will be highly dependant on the material you choose. Adding a frameless shower door can average $1,000.

Drywall/Paint

For simple textured walls, an average budget is $600, while an artistic or plaster finish can cost up to $2,500.

Countertops

A prefabricated cultured marble top with integrated sink can cost $100. A natural stone top, such as granite or marble can cost an average of $65/square ft, which includes material, fabrication and installation.

Accessories

Accessories include towel bars, toilet paper holders and hooks. A good budget amount is $100-$500 depending on the finish. Simple chrome fixtures are at the lower end; oil rubbed bronze is considered higher end.

Labor costs will be the biggest factor to consider, and is dependent on your labor market. Before starting any remodel project, make a list of all planned changes, and prepare a detailed budget for each item. It is easy to go over budget on any remodel project.



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Jeff Blackwell asked:


More consumers are investing in manufactured homes and are hiring builders to construct their homes, piece by piece, in an off-site location. There are many advantages to choosing a manufactured home, besides the relatively lower cost. Extended periods of time spent in construction out of doors can cause damage to valuable materials; woods can buckle or be ruined, and you would have to pick up the bill. Nowadays, off-site manufacturers and builders will involve the consumer in every phase of the building process, from fitting their construction to the floor plan and models that they choose, to consulting with the buyer during the installation process.

Among the finest builders of manufactured homes are Silvercrest, Champion, Cavco, Redman and Fuqua. All of these home manufacturers can guarantee quality and reliability and their builders have the well-deserved reputation of being the best in the business. After you have selected your floor plan, the manufacturer will show you a model of how your home will look. Based on this model, you will be able to get an idea of your new home.

Of manufactured home builders, Champion is perhaps the largest and best-known name in the manufactured home construction business. Champion can build a home as small as 800 square feet or as large as 2,400 square feet. With Champion builders, you can find the kind of features that are not often seen in manufactured homes, such as fireplaces, skylights, luxury bathrooms and tailor-made cabinetry. Champion manufacturers have a network of builders located all over the country, all with excellent credentials.

Silver crest is another popular choice among home manufacturers. Most models are two to three bedrooms and are known for their superior construction. You can count on a rapid completion of your project, and at the same time, you can be assured that the best builders are constructing your home. Every home is approved by HUD, and you will experience no zoning headaches or other technical problems.

Cavco is the home manufacturer that is known for its fine selection of RVs and vacation homes. You can also find builders to work on the construction of your regular home, whether it is in a subdivision, a planned lease community, for your private property or located in an urban setting. You can find many special features that many home manufacturers can’t provide.

Redman and Clayton are also quality home manufacturers, and Redman specializes in classical construction styles, and Clayton builders guarantee your home’s sturdiness, fire safety, energy efficiency and insulation. When Clayton homes are constructed off-site, the builders inspect every section during every phase to ensure that there are no minor flaws that can create serious problems later on.

Fuqua is another well-known name in home construction. Fuqua manufacturers offer many special features, such as a 12 foot floor truss, that is stronger than the typical joists that are used. Fuqua builders use 50% more lumber than other brands, and they can guarantee their crack resistant ceilings. The roof insulation and the windows provided by Fuqua manufacturers reduce heat loss and the shingles have a 30 year warranty.

Once you have selected your home manufacturer, you might want to double-check with friends who have used the same company. Usually, word of mouth is best indication of whether or not you will be satisfied with a particular company, and a builder’s reputation is the best indication of good construction. Make sure that you are happy with the model and the floor plan before construction begins; it is always more difficult to change things later on.



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Matt Barker asked:


Prefabricated homes are on the rise and home buyers are taking notice. A prefabricated home is built in a factory, disassembled and shipped to the property where it is erected. More “prefabs” are being purchased as people see that this type of home is a far cry from some of the shoddily constructed buildings of the past. Advantages of the prefabs are their quick construction and installation, the option for “green” materials and construction and the customizability of many models on the market today. Now that they are coming into vogue, prefabs are definitely an option for the property buyer, as more and more lenders are starting to include the purchase and placement of a prefab homes in their mortgage options.

The prefab has gotten a bad rap from shoddy building practices in the past, due to mass-produced, low-quality buildings of the past. Also, prefabs have been erroneously associated with mobile homes, which have their own stigma. It has taken interest in economical, customizable and “green” buildings to overcome the perception that homes manufactured in a factory are inherently ugly and poorly constructed.

A prefabricated home is, as the name indicates, built before it is placed on the property where it is to stand. Some of the advantages that people cite are that the factory process results in less waste, less chance of environmental damage, less overhead from stolen tools and equipment (that might be left during the building process of a traditional home), and less chance that structural faults will be overlooked. Once built, most prefabs don’t look different from “stick-built” or traditionally constructed houses. High quality prefabs also age and appreciate in value similarly to stick-built houses, making them a viable choice for the property owner who wants to have a home constructed according to their specifications.

Recently, a number of award-winning environmentally sound designs and structures have awakened the public’s interest in manufactured homes. There are now a number of reputable companies producing these buildings for a market increasingly aware of their “footprint” in the world. Many prefab homes are being sold as “green” due to their efficient method of construction, their adherence to “green” codes and their space saving design. Some prefabs use a large amount of recycled material for the structure and interior features, like recycled glass tiles for bathrooms and countertops made from recycled plastic resin. Solar power and other alternative forms of “green” energy have also been utilized in some prefabs for exceptional savings on heat, light and power.

Most manufacturers can customize standard designs or build custom homes to meet clients’ needs. This can mean extra costs, but it results in a home designed to your needs. It also means that you can solve some problems, for instance, building a home for a property that is on a slope. You can add or take away rooms and features, leaving you with the space you need, designed for what you need it for.

Prefabs need property to stand on that is zoned for the type of building you are planning to put on it. Also, most companies do not provide foundation laying; you will have to organize that yourself. However, once the foundation is laid to the specifications of the building and the prefab is completed, the prefab can be set up in a matter of days instead of months. This helps prevent weather damage that can be sealed up inside the building and end up causing further damage that is only found years later.

These structures are not for everybody, of course. There are some situations where a home built on the property is best. Also, today’s prefabricated homes are not all to everyone’s taste in their design and function. In many cases, the prefabricated home can cost just as much or more as a home built onsite. Also, you need to take into consideration that plumbing and electricity setup may require an extra outlay of cash.

Prefabs are worth checking out if you are considering a likely property that needs a home on it. Consult with your real estate professional for more information about your area’s zoning requirements and the permits you may need for the erection of such a structure.



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