By Kitchens are often the most highly customized area in a house, so they are perfect place to start with for home improvement. However, they also include some of the strictest regulation and development laws in home improvement. We’ve given an oversight of these considerations, and a brief outline of the process involved in re-fitting a kitchen.
Sprucing up kitchens, or even going the whole hog and fitting a brand new kitchen can be a lot of fun for the home improvement enthusiast. The process of improving kitchens can be a long and arduous one though, and something which shouldn’t be undertaken lightly. Many varied skills are required in kitchen building, and there are likely to be government or state imposed safety requirements to consider.
Still, as long as the risks and various safety precautions are kept in mind, some home improvement should be a worthwhile and cost effective way to improve kitchens everywhere. There are a few key things to undertake when upgrading kitchens.
- Measure up for your new fittings. Make sure you include space for under-worktop fridges, laundry machines, dish washers and so on
- Kitchens are full of old parts and furnishing which you won’t need. You’ll have to rip out everything you don’t want to keep
- Use a sealant and filler to cover any holes left by previous fittings. Kitchens don’t look so good with lots of holes in their walls!
- Clean thoroughly. Kitchens accumulate lots of hidden dirt and grease in the most surprising places and this will make it difficult to work if it is left on walls. Sand down any areas which have old filler on them.
- Now paint your walls. Kitchens look great with a fresh set of paint. Consider formulas specially created to work in damp environments.
- Now begin fitting the new cabinets and fittings. Kitchens need high quality water resistant surfaces, and a snug fit is essential to the long life of your investment.
- Last comes the plumbing and electrical wiring. It’s possible that you’ve had special sockets fitted for appliances earlier in the build, if that’s the case then there is very little to do at this point.
Once kitchen is complete, there is usually a settling stage. Cupboard hinges settle, as do pipes and appliances. Be prepared to tighten the odd bold here and there as your kitchen settles.
As mentioned, kitchens require a range of skill sets to safely and effectively build. Though the lone DIY enthusiast will find large quantities of the work possible, it is wise (and in some cases required by law) that you use qualified tradespeople for certain complex parts of the process. If you are undertaking any large build, it’s worth considering using home improvement financing and a home improvement contractor to the process smooth. You can also take help from Omni Home Ideas on Facebook to improve your kitchen.
The ultimate luxury! Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs make great additions to any home with the available space to support them.
In this article we look at the environmental requirements for these luxurious devices along with providing some pointers on exactly which styles might benefit your home.
Pools, spas and hot tubs are an investment in luxury, health and good living, but their installation could have you pulling your hair out! Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs have a substantial list of requirements, not least of which are their complex care and maintenance routines. There are a number of things to consider before you even buy Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs.
For hot tubs and spas, you must consider how many people you want to accommodate. Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs are uniquely multi-user experiences, so try to get something big enough that you don’t have to disappoint any friends who won’t be able to join in! We suggest going for a 5 – 7-seater as some of the largest, but you may be more conservative.
Carefully select the location of the hot tub. Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs require adequate spacing in an outside or very large inside space.
Choose any audio equipment you require. Though not typically available in Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs, some will have equipment ready installed.
Once you have your feature list figured out for Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs, the next step is to choose a safe and secure location for your investment. Home improvement enthusiasts will probably require professional plumbing help, but most other steps can be undertaken by a novice. Consider these points:
- If outside, do not place Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs within 10 feet of overhead powerlines.
- Do not block the equipment panels or utility access to Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs.
- Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs should have sufficient drainage systems that excess water and overflow can drain away without damaging surrounding property.
- When filled with water Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs become extremely heavy. If you are installing these in/on anything but solid ground we strongly advice speaking with a home improvement contractor or architect.
- Pools, spas and hot tubs produce a lot of moisture in the air. Select fixtures and fittings which can be maintained and withstand high moisture levels.
These simple tips should see you through the correct placement and fitting of your Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs. Be sure to consult skilled tradesmen if the home improvement task requires qualified workers, otherwise many stages can be undertaken by any capable DIY enthusiast. We suggest you visit our sections on landscaping, flooring and windows for further information on issues which could impact your use of pools, spas and hot tubs. Keep in touch with Omni Home Ideas’s Twitter account for the latest ideas for home improvement.
