Great Steps to Get More Energy Efficient Windows

Replacing your current window with energy-efficient windows can be so costly. Though the windows share about 30 % of heat loss for a typical home, you can do something to enhance your home’s comfort and reduce your energy bills. You can try sealing air leaks, investing in better insulation and repairing windows. You may also try the following simple steps to make your windows even more energy efficient.

Preparing Your Existing Windows

To decide if it’s necessary to add storm windows or not, examine every existing window to make sure that there’s no rotting wood, missing or broken glass or air and water leakage. Weatherization and rehab would be necessary if you see evident leaks around the windows frame prior installation of the storm windows.

Install High Efficiency Low-E Coating Storm Windows

If you’re still concerned regarding the comfort, air leakage and heat loss, you may set a low-e storm window as the existing window’s exterior attachment. All kinds of storm windows which are constructed and installed properly, whether it’s coated or not, can decrease air infiltration through the window. But, low-e coating lessens more radiation and conduction heat losses as well as improving overall energy savings by 10-15% over standard storm windows with no coating.

Where to Find Low-E Storm Windows

Several big-box retailers store storm window of standard sizes. To make sure that the storm windows could fit well to your existing windows, it should be custom ordered. Low-e storm windows have to be customized too and are available for order from big-box retailers and independent window dealers.

If you have issues with water leakage aside from your windows, you can go to any plumbing shop in Australia.

For more information, kindly visit us at info@youplumbing.com.au.

We’ll be glad to help you.

Smart Steps in Setting up Your Kitchen

Setting up a kitchen is an essential part in cooking and other kitchen works to put up easy and efficient movement. Given the sizes and arrangements of the kitchen nowadays, setting up your kitchen could be useful as working zones. To guide for a better kitchen set up, here are the following tips that you may apply to your kitchen irrespective of size or shape.

1. Divide the kitchen into 5 working zones.

The following are basic working zones for your kitchen:

·         Consumables zone - this area for storage of most food.

·         Non-consumables zone – This area is for storage of daily dishes such as plates, glasses, bowls and silverware.

·         Cleaning zone - this area contains the sink and dishwasher.

·         Preparation zone – this is where you do your kitchen prep.

·         Cooking zone – this area is for the stovetop, range or oven and maybe microwave.

2. Store items as close to their related zone as possible.

The reason why we make divisions in your kitchen is to store kitchen things in the proper place to hasten cooking procedures. For instance, cooking utensils, pans, and bake ware should be stored near the stove or oven.

3. Store everyday dishes in the cabinet nearest to dishwasher or the sink.

You should store your daily dishes, the non-consumables, right next to the cleaning area, or the place where you store sink and dishwasher. Well, obviously, you unload your everyday plates, silverware and glasses most often. So, find a cabinet closest to your dish rack or your dishwasher and store your dishes in that cabinet.

4. Make prep space as close as possible to the stove.

One of the most essential things for your kitchen set up is securing enough counter space near to the stove. As much as possible you should have taken just few steps in putting your prepped food into a cooking pot on stovetop or in the oven. In case you don’t have available countertop space located next to your stove, you can have any space and save it for your prep space.

You might need some tool and materials in setting up your kitchen; you may come to any plumbing shop in Australia. For more information, please visit us at info@youplumbing.com.au

The Disadvantages of Using Liquid Drain Cleaners

For clogged or slow draining, people often use commercial and cheaper liquid drain cleaners. These can be easy to use, however, there are a lot of reasons not to do so. Read the following:

Mind the Pipes

Basically, the majority of liquid drain cleaners operate through a chemical reaction which happens within the drain pipe and usually with the help of hydrochloric acid. The reactions produce heat which can cause unexpected damage to the pipe. This is even more damaging if the cleaner failed to complete the task of dissolving the clog. The liquid chemicals will only sit on top of the clog and the chemical reaction happens on one small part of pipe.

Think of your Health First

Think of yourself before you think of your pipe. Drain chemical cleaners can do harm to you the same way it harms your pipes. Using these products can give off fumes that are proven to cause nose, eye, throat and lung irritations.

Drain cleaners come in various formulas but some of them can cause burns if they contact your skin and even worse if it contacts your eyes. It is a good safety precaution to wear safety goggles and rubber gloves at a minimum. Buy these from any plumbing or hardware shop in Australia.

Consider your Money’s worth

There’s no assurance that using a drain cleaner will be effective enough to solve your drain problem, especially if the cause of the problem is quite serious. The best thing about hiring a licensed plumber to clear a drain is their capacity to diagnose the real cause of the problem. If a part of the pipe is broken this can lead to more problems, that no drain cleaner will be able to fix. If you have blocked drains, please don’t hesitate to contact the licensed plumbers at You Plumbing, and we’ll get to the real issue.

For more information about this issue please visit us at info@youplumbing.com.au

Steps in sanitizing your kitchen sink

One of the items that are frequently used is the kitchen. For the entire day, a common sink handles messy dishes, leftover, and standing rinsing water. This everyday chores cause waste to accumulate inside and on the sink leading to stains and odor making it a community for gems.

In order to get rid of these problems and avoid the danger they pose to you and to your family, learning a kitchen sink well will resolve the dirty issue.

·         Get rid of all dirty dishes and food leftover from your sink first before you start scrubbing your sink.

·         Wash down the sink’s whole surface with the use of soft cloth, gentle soap and warm water to sanitize the faucets, the drain as well as the outer rim. Do this cleaning every after you use the sink.

·         Pour down hot plain water into the drain to help eliminating foul odor and soften hard and sticky materials that clogged in the drain. Make sure to wash down the whole part of the sink by this process. Do the same process a number of times every week.

·         Pour 1 tsp. of baking soda and a quarter cup of lemon juice over the sink’s surface and down the drain weekly. Allow the mixture to stand for about 10 minutes and use hot water in order to rinse away the remaining residue.

·         Mix together a half cup of baking soda, a quarter cup of lemon juice, and directly pour the solution into the sink drain. When the mixture is already in the drain, pour down a half cup of white vinegar. Use the mixture of these ingredients every week to loosen and remove clogs and clean the drain. You can find these ingredients in any plumbing shop in Australia.

For more information about kitchen sink cleaning, please visit us at https://www.youplumbing.com.au

Tips to Achieve a Contemporary Kitchen Design

image source: www.dekrisdesign.com

Today, a lot of Australian families are spending most of their time in the kitchen whether it is cleaning, cooking, eating or just helping the kids with homework. If you’re one of these families, you might already ask yourself if your current space work for all these various functions.

Contemporary kitchen designs provides a space that is not only attractive, but also conducive to cooking and entertaining. It also has storage that is convenient and well-planned. As they say, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Contemporary designs will make you feel that it really is.

If you are planning to transform your current kitchen into a contemporary one or want to install a brand new contemporary ktichen, some of the important factors to consider are ergonomics, spatial practicality and efficiency, suitability, aesthetics, quality, and budget.

Meanwhile, take a look at the following elements to achieve a contemporary design in your kitchen:

Door style
Less is more is one of the characterisics of modern designs. Modern kitchens typically have very minimalist doors. Your goal here is strong and clean lines. Some examples of door styles with a modern feel are Broadway, Chandler, Fifth Avenue, and Metro.

Wood choice
To have a contemporary flare in your kitchen, try to opt for darker wood species like walnut and mahogany. An eco-friendly vibe is also great. Thus, bamboo cabinets or even a super-sleek, all-white look will suit well.

Hardware
When it comes to hardware, finger pulls are often favored instead of more traditional decorative pulls.  With finger pulls, you have a cut into the actual lip of the door, which preserves its sleek look.

Integrated, enclosed appliances
One of the trends in modern kitchens is integrated appliances that blend well into the surrounding cabinets. Here, you’ll have clean lines of the cabinets by appearing to simply be part of them.

Great islands
One of the highlights in a modern kitchen is a large, multi-purpose island. An island can accommodate both prep work and dining. Thus, reducing the clutter in the area.

On the other hand, redesigning or installing a new kitchen for a contemporary look may also require some plumbing tasks. As you are trying to achieve a sleek and minimal look, your plumbing system must be installed properly as well. For high quality service, work it out with one of the best plumbing services in Sydney. Visit this website at http://www.youplumbing.com.au for more info of their services. They deliver high quality service that’s worth your money.

“Say NO to Mistakes” – The Common Kitchen Renovation Mistakes

image source: www.hgtv.com

A mother’s hardest tasks can be found within the kitchen, the hardest working spot in your home. Kitchen renovation requires a long process before a child can tell that it is safe enough for them. Mistakes really do happen when remaking the kitchen. But how would you avoid it without harming yourselves? Here are some of the common mistakes:

1. The Budget

First things first: the budget. Budget has always been a person’s first problem on whether or not to spend it. But when it comes to a person’s safety, we practically should consider the things that need to be avoided. If a lot of money needs to be invested, so be it. In kitchen renovation, set a realistic budget and stick to it. If you can’t afford your first choice, it’s time for you to make it up with your second option.

2. Measure Twice

An exact measurement leads not to perfection but rather to improvement. Before your kitchen bench tops and appliances does not fit because of wrong measurements, ensure that the spaces are equally divided and measured correctly. Money will be a wasted if measurements fail.

3. Succumbing to Trends

Resist the temptation to succumb to the latest trends.  What looks good now may not look good in a few years time, and you want the renovation to last.  Make your design as classic and timeless as possible.  If you insist on using the latest trends, use them in areas that can easily be changed, such as in feature walls or with ornaments.

4. The Right Professionals

Choosing a professional worker is as difficult as paying them. Choose those whom you can trust and can easily get along with you, those that do not expect much with how you repay them, and most importantly, those that would never fail you. Because the right professionals work not only for their pockets, but also for your sake.

5. The Details

One tiny piece of wood that fails makes it possible for a ten-storey building to break into pieces. That’s what details is all about. Details of the kitchen include power points, where the lights are, and so on. People often forgot about the details of their kitchen because they are so concerned with the overall look of it. Also think about how your appliances work, not just how they look. Good looking appliances are fine at the start but you will soon get annoyed if they don't do the things that you need.

6. Storage

Nothing is more irritating than a kitchen that does not have enough storage space for everything that you need, so you need to ensure that you build in plenty of storage in the planning stages.  Don't just think about what you need now - try and take your future requirements into account.

7. Commonly Used Appliances

Commonly used appliances include the oven, stove, dishwasher, fridge, and the microwave. Ensure that these are within comfortable distance of each other and that they are also located close to food preparation areas. Online plumbing supplies Australia

8. Design with the End in Mind

Who will be using your kitchen the most? Design according to who will use it. There is no point having a fancy kitchen if it is uncomfortable and annoying to use.We, the You Plumbing, Sydney’s number one choice of plumbing services, can make no mistakes in kitchen renovation. Need more advices? Just visit our site: http://www.youplumbing.com.au

Specifying Your Kitchen Space

 image source: home-partners.com

Modern homes these days consider kitchens as the focal point. That’s why most homeowners want their kitchens to look best aside from being functional. There are a lot of choices you can have when planning your own kitchen, from earth-friendly, high-tech, and colorful designs, the choice is up you. However, don’t forget as well that it’s all about convenience-meets-functionality.

Planning Your Kitchen Space

One of the things that you should achieve for your kitchen is that it is functional. Try to consider as well that it will be in daily use for many years to come. Thus, when installing one for your home, have a careful plan beforehand. Here are some tips to look at when planning:

- Try to create a work triangle around the sink, oven and fridge.
- Look at the working height of your surfaces.
- See to it that it has enough lighting coverage for all your work surfaces.
- Determine your storage requirements first and then plan accordingly.
- Make sure that your cupboards, drawers and appliances work together for a more functional space.
- Also, opt for energy-efficient appliances for your kitchen.

Trends in Kitchen Designs

You may consider your kitchen as the heart of your home. When designing one, you’ll need some tips on to make it unique, fresh, and completely personalized. Here are the following kitchen trends that you may want to consider:

- To achieve a modern look, try to have some stone bench tops and kitchen islands. Granite the stones are the top choice too.
- Many homeowners opt for laminates because of their attractive price point and they have ease of maintenance as well.
- Gloss is also one of the trends these days.
- To meet your specific requirements, have a customised kitchen.
- Soft closing hinges and drawers are getting popular. Plumbing maintenance Australia

If you’re in Sydney and you want to create a brand new kitchen or renovate an old one, make sure that you give this site http://www.youplumbing.com.au a whistle. They have fully qualified plumbers to give you one of the best plumbing services in Sydney. You will be guaranteed that the plumbing work gets done on time and of the highest quality.

Renovating VS a Brand New Kitchen

Comparing a Brand New and a Renovation Kitchen

When you find that your old kitchen is no longer doing the job, you might be on a dilemma to renovate it or rip it all out and have a brand new kitchen. This article will discuss the pros and cons of both.

Pros and Cons of Renovating a Kitchen

Once you decided that you go for kitchen renovation, try to have a look at the condition of your existing kitchen first. If your kitchen is still in good condition, then, a facelift might be all you need for it to look good.

You can replace the benchtops, cabinet doors and drawer fronts first. Then, you can have a new splashback, new paint, and maybe even consider new flooring and appliances. With all of these, you have to do your own research for its costs and make sure that you will save money by renovating as compared to having a brand new one. Otherwise, opt for a brand new kitchen. Online plumbing supplies Australia

Pros and Cons of a Brand New Kitchen

The main advantage with having a brand new kitchen is that you are able to start all over again from the ground up. With this, you get to make all the decisions regarding colors, style, layout, etc. If you found something that is not working properly, you can change it at ease without incurring too much cost especially for the plumbing and electrical wiring jobs.

Moreover, you can pick the appliances that are best suited according to your needs. Also think in advance in order to get the most out of your new kitchen. If you might need a larger oven or fridge later, make sure that you allow enough space for such appliances.

Having an entirely new kitchen can be very expensive. Thus, set a budget in your planning stage and stick to it.

The Benefits of Installing a Kitchen Island

If you love cooking, then it’s no doubt that you spend a lot of time preparing food in the kitchen. But have you ever think of installing a kitchen island? You may already have seen several kitchens with islands installed but for those who use them on a daily basis, they may have some feedbacks and insights that will help us evaluate if it’s really worth having them.

Efficiency in Your Kitchen
If you are familiar with the kitchen work triangle, then you know that one of these is the preparation area. The stove and the refrigerator are the other two areas. If you install an island into your kitchen properly, you may benefit from the fluid movement between these three points. As a result, you will save energy and time.

It Gives You Extra Storage
An island in your kitchen area will also give you extra storage. While it would look fantastic, it is also very practical as well. You can have both large and small storage areas. You may use the larger area to store cooking pots and pans, while the smaller area can be used for various utensils that are usually used in the preparation of meals. Plumbing company services Australia

Improved Kitchen Decor
Moreover, adding a kitchen island also gives the average-looking kitchen an improved look. As it gives your kitchen a facelift, it can increase the value of your home as well. It definitely gives that different look and feel as it is the section of the kitchen that is usually seen by a visitor.

Having a kitchen island makes a beautiful addition to any home. Just do your research beforehand for you to know exactly the options that best suit you. But while considering this option, it may require some sort of plumbing job. To end up with quality results, consider hiring a professional plumber. Around Sydney, check out this site http://www.youplumbing.com.au. With our services, you are saving money and time, and you will have a plumbing system that you can use without any problem for a longer period of time.

Kitchen Renovation Tips You Shouldn’t Miss

Kitchen renovation companies offer free design services and online cost calculators for a reason. They are frequently asked, ‘how much does a kitchen renovation cost?’ While there are a lot of variables to consider, it's impossible to give an accurate answer. We can't give you a direct answer. However, we can give you a few reasonable estimates. This can serve as your guide before you start getting quotes.

Average Kitchen Renovation Costs

With regards to the average kitchen renovation costs, it can be misleading because the averages are based on high and low prices paid for a renovation. Generally, kitchens can be divided into three categories: budget, luxury and ultimate. The following are the average cost of a kitchen reno in each of these categories, according to the experts and it includes all new appliances, installation, plumbing and electrical work:

1. Budget: $22,000
2. Luxury: $34,000
3. Ultimate: $40,000+

As you’ll notice, the gap between a budget and luxury kitchen is large. This is because of the materials and appliances included in the kitchen. Budget kitchens basically have melamine doors, laminate benchtops, standard tiles and lower cost appliances while luxury and ultimate kitchens usually have solid timber, composite stone or granite benchtops.

Getting More Luxury for Less

Meanwhile, having luxury kitchen at a budget price is still possible as there are a number of things that you can do to save on costs such as the following:

• Choose a flat pack kitchen and do the installations yourself.
• Avoid moving your sink and electrical outlets from their current position in order tosave on plumbing and electrical installation costs.
• Instead of expensive wall tiles, opt for stylish acrylic splashbacks.
• Install lay vinyl flooring instead of ceramic or porcelain tiles.
• If the existing appliances are still in good condition, try not to replace it.

A stylish flat pack kitchen from IKEA cost less than $3,000. If you replace your oldkitchen and hire a kitchen installer to help you, it will cost you around $1,000 to $2,000 more. Then, add $40 to $60 per square meter to have vinyl flooring installed. There it is. You now have a budget kitchen renovation for around $6000 to $8000. It would be higher for a larger kitchen, but even with appliances included, the total cost is much less than the average price of $22,000.

Remember that quality and style doesn't have to cost you more if you choose carefully. You
might also a kitchen designer to show you all your options, not just the most expensive alternatives. Try to get quotes, and compare them by price and quality to have your dream
kitchen renovation. Plumbing fittings online australia

How much is My Kitchen Remodel Worth?

Some homeowners usually ask how much is my kitchen remodel worth? However, this is a

question which is often asked at the wrong time. A better question would be, “how much

will my kitchen remodel be worth?" Remember that remodeling a kitchen can either add to

the value of your home or might be a costly mistake.

Common Kitchen Remodeling Mistakes

Whether you're remodeling your kitchen for your own use or to enhance it to add value to

your entire home, try to avoid these common kitchen remodeling mistakes:

 Avoid fads such as bold colour schemes, gaudy lighting, and built-in appliances you will

rarely use. Take note that your kitchen should be functional first. Being stylish is just

secondary.

 While some kitchen building materials look great, they aren't designed for families.

Glossy doors and drawer fronts in the kitchen showroom may look elegant. However,

think twice before you install these items.

 Marble and granite may look stunning as benchtop materials, but they are also

expensive materials. If you're remodeling to sell, this can be a risk because not all

potential buyers will like it and those who do will probably not be willing to pay a

premium price for them.

 One of the right ways to renovate your kitchen is to know when to get professional

help. The wrong way is to try to do the job all by yourself.

How to Make Your Kitchen Remodel Worth More

The following are the 2 rules that experienced renovators for profit follow with kitchen

remodels:

1. See the kitchen through the eyes of your market.

2. Don't overspend.

Home stylists as well as professional home renovators never rely on their own style

preferences when they remodel kitchens. They think about what the average buyer in their

market is looking for in a kitchen. It is also imperative that the needs to be clean. If the

kitchen cabinet interiors are still in pristine condition, you can just reface it instead of

replacing it entirely.

With regards to colours, choose a colour scheme that will appeal to the broadest range of

people. You can also hire a colour consultant to help you choose a colour scheme that will

make your remodel worth more.

You can avoid overspending on your kitchen remodel without making the mistake of trying

to save money by tackling jobs you're not qualified to do. For example:

 Buy and install a flat pack kitchen instead of trying to make your kitchen cabinets from

scratch.

 Another example is hiring a resurfacing expert to resurface worn surfaces instead of

replacing them. Items like wall tiles, splashbacks, benchtops and even sinks can be

resurfaced. However, only a professional one can achieve a good looking and long-

lasting results.

To save even more on your kitchen remodel, try to get quotes from all the trades and

services you need at www.youplumbing.com.au. Choose the services of

licensed professionals who have the expertise to get the job done right. Online plumbing supplies australia