Regrouting a Tile Shower, Countertop, or Floor
Has your tile and grout seen better days? Have you tried every possible cleaning product, only to be left with stained grout that reminds you of a seedy motel? The good news is if your tile is still in good shape, you don’t have to rip it out. You can simply replace the grout. It’s a bit messy and time-consuming, but doesn’t require special skills and costs almost nothing.Read more...
A Few More Tips for Grout Cleaning
- Clean the grout first with water and allow it to dry. This will remove any loose surface debris.
- Never use bleach on colored grout, as it will discolor the grout.
- Use a stiff brush for scrubbing. Old toothbrushes will be too soft. Avoid using metal bristles, as they will wear away the grout.
- If you’re using commercial cleaners, bleach, or other chemicals, make sure the room you’re working in is well ventilated.
- Use gloves and protective eyewear when working with any chemical-based cleaners.
- Test your grout cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure that it won’t erode or damage your grout work. This is especially necessary if your tile grout is old or damaged.
- Never mix cleaners together! Chemical reactions can cause noxious fumes or burns if the mixture touches the skin.
- When your tile grout is completely clean, keep it looking fresh and new by applying a coat or two of grout sealer. There are various types of grout sealers available for different uses, such as floors or bathroom tile. Make sure you purchase the correct type. Reapply the grout sealer once a year or more often if necessary.
Design: the Nature of Aesthetics
Our awareness of the characteristics of the natural or man-made environment and all the features within it depends on the information received by our senses; a combination of touch, smell, tastes, sound and vision. The degree to which different individuals are able to use their senses to collect information is not identical and can vary from a level of basic recognition to perception of extremely complex and subtle nuances, depending on their ability to recognise and understand the information available to them. Read more...
Ergonomics and the Home Design
Ergonomics is the study of the relationship between work and the environment in which it takes place. Sometimes referred to as ‘human engineering’, ergonomics concerns the relationship between people, activities, tools and the interior or exterior environment that they find themselves in. Individual or organizational ‘work’ in the context of building design can be defined as any activity involving people, materials or goods. The individuals’ physical and psychological characteristics referred to in the section about anthropometrics help to determine workplace arrangements, particularly important for comfort, health and safety, attitudes and motivation.Read more...
Repairing the Lazy Toilet
If you have ever had a toilet that requires holding the handle down for the duration of the flush, you know how annoying those seconds can be. Fortunately, there is an easy solution.Read more...