VIP plumbers for your remodelling

Bathroom Remodelling

 A bathroom makeover is an easy way to brighten up your home. But before you start taking measurements for an open shower, you should take the time to plan out your bathroom renovation step-by-step in order to know exactly what you’re getting yourself into.

Prep for Your DIY Bathroom Remodel

Before you do any bathroom remodelling yourself, you should settle on a new design that fits your vision and your pocket, as well as your skill set. There are different ways to approach a bathroom makeover, ranging from swapping out the vanity to gutting the space and starting over from scratch.

Here are a few elements you absolutely need to nail down before you start your bathroom renovation:

Colour scheme

Will the colour of the paint, fit the rest of your décor? Know ahead of time to make sure your new bathroom tiles don’t clash with your choice of paint.

New fixtures

Will you replace or remodel your shower/tub? Are you installing a new basin? Replacing one or both of these fixtures will add to your project time and budget.

Storage spaces

Where will you keep your towels and toiletries post-remodel? If you’re removing a closet to expand the room, make sure you have shelving or cabinets to make up for the lost storage space.

Location of utilities

Do you know where the electrical wiring and plumbing pipes are located? Make sure you have accurate measurements for each of these so that you don’t end up needing expensive repairs.

Gather Your Tools and Supplies

 You may need a few things outside your tool collection, but the exact tools required will vary based on your renovation plans. But these are a few essential tools to have on hand for any bathroom renovation.

• Safety mask
• Gloves
• Goggles
• Caulking gun
• Silicone sealant
• Hammer
• Tape measure
• Putty knife
• Trowel
• Metal detector

• Power drill
• Pry bar
• Bucket
• Chisel
• Adjustable wrench
• Flat head screwdriver
• Hacksaw
• Utility knife
• Chalk line
• Extension cord   

 Many people forget about the plumbing until they start the project and realize that they do not have the tools or the skills to run the piping through the walls, in the walls or underground or to fix the utilities. Once laid, the pipes need to be attached to the water supply and fixtures. If you are unsure of sizes, lengths and fittings, you could create more problems for yourself.

You might have a bathroom-remodelling project in mind, you will want to remember one thing, the plumbing? Should you plan on re-routing you're plumbing or upgrading the pipes and fixtures, you might consider VIP plumbers to save some time and have the job done correctly. Many do-it-yourself bathroom-remodelling projects result in leaky pipes, improper materials and frustration. If you are planning to do the project yourself, you still need VIP plumbers to come in and do the piping.

It is important that all pipes and fixtures are the right size and have the right fittings. When VIP plumbers do the job, they will also seal the fittings and make sure that all fixtures are free from any leaks. Bathroom remodelling projects almost always require some type of plumbing work and if the pipes in the walls need to be replaced, who better than VIP plumbers who have all the tools and training to do it the proper way.

Something that most people forget about when doing a home plumbing project, is that plumbers use certain material to seal all fittings when tightening them up. They are trained on how to tighten pipes and fittings without making them too tight or too loose. If you would over tighten the fitting and pipes, you could end up spending more money for new fittings and piping When planning your bathroom remodelling project include VIP plumbers to prevent future problems that could arise in your newly remodelled bathroom. 

 

Home Plumbing Projects You Can Do on Your Own

1. Turn Off Your Home’s Water Supply

What You’ll Need: Your bare hands

What It’ll Cost: R0,00

What You Could Save: N/A

How Long will it Take: 5 minutes

How to Do It: If this sounds like a straightforward task to you, that’s because it usually is. However, it’s essential that you know how to get it done.

Every modern home has a main water shut-off valve somewhere on the property. The valve’s location depends on where the main water line enters the home:

How to Do It: If this sounds like a straightforward task to you, that’s because it usually is. However, it’s essential that you know how to get it done.

Every modern home has a main water shut-off valve somewhere on the property. The valve’s location depends on where the main water line enters the home:

• On the outside of your home: the water line usually enters through the wall. The valve should be near the entry point.

• Exterior: If you can’t locate your valve inside the yard then look at the entry point near the fence where the line enters or on the outside of the fence at the water meter.

Depending on the type of valve your valve should have an obvious flow handle. If the water is on, this handle will be parallel to the pipe. Turn the water off by rotating the handle 90 degrees, so that it’s perpendicular to the pipe. Reverse to turn the water back on.

Geyser Inspection Repairs Services

GEYSER

Geyser inspection is one of the most important tasks every homeowner should do. Geysers are one of the appliances we rely on every day. In fact, we are so used to it that we never even think about it let alone inspect it until the day you need hot water and there is no hot water, or even worse is when you find water pouring down through the ceiling.

When this happens it normally comes with other damages to walls, ceiling, carpets. Cupboards and floors. Water heaters are generally very dependable and quiet until the day it reminds you of a splash.
Although good Geysers can last up to 15 years (Depending on the type of water used) you can extend the life of your water geyser even further with a proper inspection and maintenance plan and save money in the process.

The annual inspection and maintenance plan

You can significantly extend the life of your Geyser if you follow a simple inspection and maintenance plan

• Check for water leaks indications
• Set down the temperature
• Test the T&P relief valve

Check for water leaks

If your Geyser is installed inside the ceiling, be careful where you step some beams inside the ceiling will not
carry weight, rather get a platform to step on which you can move along the
beams inside your roof a 150mmx50mmx1.5m beam will do the trick. While other
ceilings will be too small to crawl in you will have to gain entrance through
the roof. If you are unable to climb into the ceiling call VIP Plumbers in
Pretoria to do the inspection for you.

Start the inspection all around the Geyser looking for signs of corrosion or leaks pay attention to connections like cold water inlet connection, shutdown valve, hot water outlet connection, vacuum breakers, T&P valve also the housing of the water heater. If you are unsure about anything, rather call VIP Plumbers in Pretoria to do this for you.
Check that the drip-tray is dry and no water is inside the drip tray. Should you find water in the tray this indicates that you have a leak on or near the water heater. Do not take chances with your plumbing system, this could end up in disaster, rather call a Plumber.

A sign of corrosion is in most cases a warning of a upcoming problem.

Check that your drip_tray has a 50mm PVC pipe leading to the outside of the building. The T&P valve should also have a 20mm metal pipe leading to the outside of the building. (NOT INTO THE DRIP_TRAY) This is a must be in all buildings that are fitted with a Geyser in the roof.

Check that the Geyser is positioned in the center of the drip tray and no part or parts overlapping the sides of the tray.

Switch off the electric supply (Circuit breaker next to the Geyser) then remove the electrical cover plate the wires, element and thermostat will now be visible. Check for any signs of leaks or damp around the element. Inspect the wires for signs of melt or burned wires.

Set down the temperature

On the thermostat check, the temperature on the dialer is set to 60° Celcius.(If not reset it) This can be done with a small flat screwdriver insert to a slot on the dialer. Reducing the temperature setting on your Geyser saves money and wear and tear. This lowered setting will protect the tank from overheating and will reduce the energy used by the Geyser.

REMEMBER any sign of leakage or corrosion must get immediate attention.

Test the T&P relief valve

The T&P valve is essential for the safe operation of your Geyser and must be in 100% working condition. It is also very important that it is installed correctly.
The temperature and pressure relief valve is critical to the safety and proper operation of your Geyser. It's a simple but important valve and can be easily checked:

• To test the T&P valve simply turn the black knob part situated on top of the valve, this will allow it to open and rapidly snap back. (Depending on the model T&P valve you have installed) this knob will be a black round plastic head on the top of the valve)
• You should hear a gurgling sound as the valve allows some water to be released down into the drain tube towards the outside of the building.
• If the T&P valve did nothing then it is bad and needs to be replaced.

Safety valve

This simple inspection will not only help you to identify upcoming problems, on your 

plumbing system but also helps you to do in time repairs, which otherwise would have you end up with huge damage and expensive repairs which could have been avoided.

Some Plumbing problems are easy to be repaired while on the other hand others are tricky and should rather be left to be done by a Plumber.

If you are in doubt of any plumbing issue or you would like a plumber to do the inspection for you, call VIP Plumbers in Pretoria to do it for you.