Tureks Plumbing Services Blog: Posts Tagged ‘bathroom remodel’

Tips to Save Money on Your Bathroom Renovation

Wednesday, December 11th, 2019

Tips to Save Money on Your Bathroom Renovation - Tureks PlumbingMany homeowners put off remodeling their bathrooms and kitchens because the price tag of the renovation can be quite overwhelming. However, upgrading your bathroom doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg if you implement the following money-saving tips recommended by the bathroom remodel experts at Tureks Plumbing Services.

Put Together a Plan

There is nothing (cost-wise) as bad as starting your bathroom renovation when you don’t have a clear idea of what exactly you are trying to achieve and how you will achieve it. You are likely to make expensive mistakes. So, try to put a plan together and stick to it so that you can save money on your bathroom renovation.

To avoid making rookie mistakes, have a designer or remodel expert help you. These experts will come up with the most cost-effective ways to attain what you want. The cost you incur by hiring these professionals will pale in comparison to the savings that you make once the project gets underway. 

Don’t Shift the Plumbing

Tureks Plumbing Services strongly recommends that you keep the plumbing fixtures where they are if you want to keep the cost of the bathroom remodel affordably. As much as we make money by charging homeowners installation fees during remodels, we want to build relationships with our clients. So, we typically will advise against moving the plumbing if you’re on a tight budget (unless it is absolutely necessary). The money you save in this way can go towards other aspects of your renovation project, such as buying materials. Talk to an Appleton bathroom remodel professional first if you aren’t sure what you should do. 

Give the Mirror a New Frame

Think about this for a minute; when you say that you want to replace the mirror in the bathroom, are you tired of the mirror itself or the appearance of the frame no longer appeals to you? Oftentimes, the mirror itself may not be the problem. Rather, the frame may have started looking old, or the edges of the mirror could have started showing signs of wear.

Either way, giving the mirror a new stylish frame will cost less than replacing the mirror and its frame, and you will also transform the look of the bathroom mirror. How is that for hitting two birds with one stone! Our Appleton bathroom remodel experts can help you to select a frame that will match your stylistic needs during the renovation project.

Replace Just Parts of the Toilet

Did you know that changing the toilet seat and cover is enough to make your toilet look new? It is certainly more affordable to buy just a toilet seat and the cover instead of dumping the entire toilet in favor of a new one. You will save money on buying the new toilet, and you will save money on installation fees to fix the new toilet if you aren’t up to the task yourself. Tureks Plumbing Services has seen this done in lots of homes, so there is no reason why you can’t reduce how much you spend during your bathroom remodel by implementing the same money-saving tip.

Make Salvage Yards Your Favorite

You can also save money during your bathroom remodel by buying the materials you need at salvage yards, antique sales, and other home stores. One big benefit of shopping this way is that you can get one-of-a-kind pieces that will make your bathroom truly unique. You can get everything from cast iron tubs, a shower curtain valance, sinks, light fixtures, and everything else. The savings that you make when you shop in this way can quickly add up.

Go for Open Shelving

While the bathroom is a private place, not everything there needs to be hidden away. For example, why should you tuck your floral towels inside a dark cabinet? Do your pretty soaps deserve to be hidden inside a cabinet? Open shelving allows you to leave in plain sight those items that add color and beauty to your bathroom. Open shelving is also easier on the pocket. Appleton bathroom remodel experts say your bathroom will look larger than it is when you choose open shelving. This is definitely a good thing, especially if your bathroom is on the smaller side. 

Lighting is Your Friend

Nothing can transform a bathroom as dramatically as upgrading the lighting system. Change out the fixtures from those that were installed by the builder and replace them with the stylish ones you love. If possible, install a skylight so that natural light can flood into the bathroom during the day and make this space more inviting. These changes can be made without breaking the bank, and your bathroom will never be the same again with this new lighting. You can also look into installing a new or larger window in your bathroom for enhanced natural light. 

Buy Leftovers Online

Our friends at Headwaters Construction Inc., general contractors in Sacramento, says most people buy a lot more materials for the remodel projects than they actually need. When the project is completed, they are stuck with those materials, and they will do anything to get rid of them in order to free the space that they are occupying.

For this reason, the bathroom remodel professionals at Tureks Plumbing Services recommend that you hop online on sites like eBay and Craigslist in search of someone who is giving away what you need. Many people sell leftover tile and vanities. These leftovers are deeply discounted and will save you quite some money. You can then buy the extra amount you need from a hardware store to supplement what you have bought affordably online.

Tips to Save Money on Your Bathroom Renovation

As you can see, you don’t need to have a huge budget in order to remodel your bathroom. Use the tips above to keep your costs as low as possible, and get in touch with us at Tureks Plumbing Services for an affordable home remodel.

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Top 10 Tips for Increasing Your Home’s Value

Friday, June 28th, 2019

top tips for increasing your homes valueIf you aren’t planning on staying in your home for the rest of your life, you may want to consider remodeling or making improvements to the property. Here are 10 of the most powerful ways to increase the value of your home as revealed by the plumbers from Tureks Plumbing Services. This list was created after compiling the views expressed by the homeowners who talked to these plumbers as plumbing work was being done on the property.

Pay Special Attention to the Kitchen

Regardless of how enthusiastic or lukewarm you are about cooking, a home’s kitchen is sure to be a popular room in your home. The greatest return on investment can therefore be obtained by making improvements to the kitchen in your home. Those improvements can be as small as replacing a broken faucet, or as comprehensive as installing new appliances or new cabinets. If you remodel your kitchen, potential buyers will be impressed with what you have done and your home will stand out from all the others on the market in your area.

Don’t Neglect the Bathroom

The bathroom is an essential part of one’s home. So, you can bet that your bathroom will play a role in determining whether a potential buyer will love or hate your home. This relatively small space can be upgraded by simply giving it a new coat of paint or installing a new vanity and other fixtures. The plumbing experts at Tureks Plumbing Services can take a look and advise on what needs urgent attention for an incredible bathroom remodel.

Curb Appeal and First Impressions…

What a potential homebuyer sees first once they approach or step onto a property forms a lasting impression that is hard to shake off. Make that first impression count in your favor by improving the curb appeal of your property. Fix any damage to the walkways, give the exterior walls a fresh coat of paint and keep the lawn well-tended. If you want to buy new plants for the yard, be careful and select only those which won’t be difficult to maintain since the cost of maintaining those plants may discourage some potential buyers.

Go for Energy-Efficiency

You can’t go wrong today if you choose to implement upgrades that make your home more energy-efficient. These upgrades can vary from switching to energy-efficient LED bulbs to installing a solar system on the roof. We asked our friends at Gilmore Heating & Air, a Placerville heating & air company, about energy-efficiency HVAC systems. The HVAC professionals agree that energy-efficiency is the way to go, especially if you’re looking to sell your house. A new HVAC system is what people often look for when buying a home. The improvements that you make will attract those who are conscious about the environmental footprint of their homes.

Repaint the Entire Home

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to improve the appeal of your home is by repainting the entire property. However, you should be mindful that your personal color preferences may not mirror those of other people, so select colors which are less likely to put off a lot of people. Neutral colors, such as cream and off-white tend to have a bigger appeal than shouting colors, such as red or purple. Go for lighter colors and you will increase the pool of the people who will fall in love with your home when they view it.

Get as Much Storage as Possible

No one will ever say that a home has too much storage space for their needs. Just think about it, wouldn’t you do with a little more storage space in your home right now? As you remodel your home, think of all the creative ways through which you can increase the storage capacity of that home. For example, plumbers in Appleton, WI have seen homeowners singing the praises of how helpful the pullout storage underneath the stairs is. If you can create more storage space, homebuyers will love your home.

Custom Closets for the Master and Mistress of the Home

No homebuyer will not have a big smile on their face when they see a large walk-in closet in the master bedroom. If you don’t already have one, make this your number one upgrade for the master bedroom. The beauty of getting this luxury is that you can see what is available on the market and select what is within your budget. The next person to live in that home will be glad you invested in those custom closets.

Make the Home Look Larger

Perception plays a big role as homebuyers are making a decision on whether to acquire the home or not. For that reason, it is wise for you to think of ways to make each room look larger than it may be in reality. One way to achieve this perception of spaciousness is by selecting furniture whose dimensions are ideal for the space available. Furniture that is too large for a room can make that room appear to be smaller than it is.

Maintain the Character of the Home 

Not everyone is looking for a home that is decked out in the latest fashion. As you may know, tastes and preferences differ, so your home built in accordance with an older tradition may be a gem if you get vintage furniture for it during the remodeling project. That may just be the home someone has been looking for, and you will smile all the way to the bank if you ever decide to sell it.

Have the Home Organized Professionally

You may be amazed by what a professional organizer can do when you ask them to organize your home just before potential buyers come to view it. Professionals can put everything in its place and leave the home looking clutter-free. The way the home is organized will give buyers an idea of how to organize their belongings once they move in, and that unconscious impression may tip the scales in your favor.

As you can see, there is no shortage of design tips if you want to remodel your home with the intention of catching the eye of future homebuyers when you finally decide to put the home on the market. Needless to say, our experts at Tureks Plumbing Services will be available to help with any plumbing issues during your home improvement project. Get in touch and leave the rest to us! We hope you’ve enjoyed these tips for increasing your home’s value.

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Top 5 Home Remodels: Do’s and Don’ts

Wednesday, June 19th, 2019

Top 5 Home Remodels: Do’s and Don’tsEvery homeowner at one time considers remodeling their home for a variety of reason. You may want to add more living space or restructure your home to match your tastes and preferences. One question many don’t consider is whether that remodel is a worthy investment which will pay for itself by increasing the resale value of the property. Don’t be one of those homeowners. Read the following discussion and learn which five home remodels will make sense from an investment point of view and those which will hardly give you a return on your investment once you decide to sell the home.

5 Remodels That Bump Up the Resale Value of Your Home

Kitchen Remodels

There is nearly universal agreement that you can never go wrong if you decide to remodel your kitchen in order to increase the resale value of your home. However, you need to ask yourself whether your top priority is what you as an individual want or your priority is to make improvements which will have the greatest effect upon the resale value of the home. Your best bet is to go for carefully planned improvements which don’t require you to tear up walls or move plumbing lines. Such costly remodels rarely give a decent return on investment and yet simple improvements like adding cabinets made from affordable materials give a better return on the investment.

Adding More Living Space

Another remodel which can increase the resale value of your home is adding some living space to that home. For example, a bedroom addition can increase the total square footage of the home and thereby increase its resale value. The expert plumbers at Tureks Plumbing Services warn that the addition should be sizeable enough to justify some of the fixed costs, such as the cost of building a new foundation after tearing up an exterior wall. An addition of a few square feet makes the remodel to lose economic sense from an investment perspective.

Improving the Curb Appeal

As you may know, the way a product is packaged plays a big role in how potential buyers regard that product. In the same way, the external appearance of your property can increase or lower the resale value of your home. Our friends at Headwaters Construction Inc. say that any remodel that improves curb appeal, therefore, has a positive effect on the resale value of your home. Giving the exterior walls a new coat of paint is one simple project to boost the curb appeal of the property and increase its resale value. If resources allow, replacing old windows and exterior doors can also give you a decent payback when you sell the home. Remember, first impressions count, so ensure that your home gives a favorable first impression.

The Master Bedroom

The decision on whether to buy one home and not another rests squarely with adults. It, therefore, makes sense to remodel the master suite so that it is more appealing to the adults who will live in that home. Once again, opt for upgrades which aren’t very expensive and yet they improve the beauty and functionality of the master suite. For example, an inbuilt walk-in closet is an affordable improvement which will appeal to the adults who will live in the master bedroom.

Bathrooms

The bathroom is another section which can make or break the home in terms of its resale value. Fox Valley plumbers recommend that you pay the most attention to the bathroom in the master suite as well as the one in the guest room rather than on the one for the kids. Make simple adjustments to the cosmetic appeal of the bathroom, such as installing new faucets and repainting the walls rather than major changes to the layout.

5 Remodels That Hardly Improve the Resale Value of Your Home

Pools

A pool should be down your list of priorities if you would like to make improvements which can increase the resale value of your home. Plumbers in Appleton WI explain that while many homeowners would like to have a pool on their property, few of them are willing to incur the cost of maintaining those pools so they leave pools on the list of nice-to-haves rather than priorities. Consequently, it doesn’t make sense to add a pool to your home if you are primarily interested in increasing the resale value of that home.

Kids’ Spaces

Similar to pools, kids’ spaces, such as climbing walls, aren’t the ideal remodel to think about when you want to improve the resale value of your home. The kids will be thrilled to have such a space, but the adults who make the buying decision may wish that the space was used for something else, such as a man cave.

Wine Rooms

Wine rooms only appeal to wine enthusiasts, so don’t expect the addition of a wine room to increase the resale value of your home. You are better off investing in a home improvement which will appeal to most homebuyers rather than investing in improvements which appeal to a small niche of property owners.

Small Additions

Tearing out an exterior wall in order to enlarge your kitchen or bedroom by a few square feet will not give you a good return on investment because the fixed costs (roof, foundation, etc.) of the project will make such an addition uneconomical. Our friends at LMS Garage Doors add that making small improvements can increase your home’s value. Those who upgrade their home’s garage door can see about a 4% increase. 

Removing Features

It is equally unwise from an investment point of view to remove an existing feature in the home, such as a fireplace, in order to repurpose that part of the home. Potential homebuyers may not appreciate the removal and they will opt for other homes which still have that feature.

At the end of the day, the property is currently yours and you are entirely free to implement whatever remodels you see fit. Just bear in mind the discussion above and don’t expect too much from a remodel that is a non-starter in terms of improving the resale value of the home. However, you can never go wrong when you focus on making the plumbing system the best that it can be. In that aspect, Tureks Plumbing Services is standing by to receive your call so that our professionals can get to work and fix anything that may not be performing at its best.

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7 Things to Consider Before You Remodel Your Bathroom

Wednesday, June 5th, 2019

things to consider for bathroom remodel

Things to Consider Before a Bathroom Remodel

A bathroom may be one of the smaller spaces in your home, but a lot of thought needs to go into the process of remodeling this room if you are to benefit from the time and effort invested. Here are some of the top considerations which you need to have in mind if you are to turn this space into your dream bathroom.

Plumbing is Key

Plumbers at Tureks Plumbing Services caution that you may never get to enjoy your remodeled bathroom if the plumbing isn’t working properly. In this regard, Fox Valley plumbers suggest that you think about the hair and gunk which finds its way into the bathroom drain on a daily basis. These substances are the primary reason why bathroom drains clog, so you should use the remodel as an opportunity to find a lasting solution to this problem.

One step that you can take is to install a larger drain pipe, such as a 2-inch pipe instead of the commonly used 1.5-inch pipes. This single change alone will significantly reduce the likelihood of clogs developing since the pipe will be large enough to allow hair and other small solids to flow through.

Floor Tiles

If you are considering using tiles on the floor of the shower area, pay attention to their size. Larger tiles are difficult to slope appropriately. Secondly, larger tiles pose a safety risk because they tend to be more slippery since the grout lines are widely spaced. Tureks Plumbing Services, therefore, recommends that you opt for smaller tiles so that you don’t have a hard time getting them to slope at the angle you want for proper drainage.

Drawer Storage

Opt for a vanity with drawers instead of one with doors. You will find it easier to organize the storage if it has drawers when compared to keeping the vanity storage organized if it has doors. Additionally, drawers can be cut to create room for plumbing pipes and fixtures. You can also have larger drawers made for the storage of larger items.

Wall-Hung Toilet

Another idea you can incorporate during your bathroom remodel is the inclusion of a wall-hung toilet. In the past, these toilets were very expensive and therefore a preserve of those with deep pockets. Today, wall-hung toilets are affordable and within reach for any homeowner. Why would you even add a wall-hung toilet to your bathroom? This type of toilet is ideal for smaller bathrooms because their footprint is smaller since the toilet tank is hidden away in the bathroom wall. However, you should be mindful of the fact that you will need to adjust the plumbing should you ever decide to switch to another type of toilet in the future.

The Medicine Cabinet

Consider installing a recessed medicine cabinet if you can. Such a cabinet will leave more room free above the vanity. If you cannot have a recessed medicine cabinet, then elevate it as much as you can so that the countertop on the vanity can be used conveniently.

Lighting is Vital

Fox Valley plumbers emphasize that careful planning should be invested in the lighting of a bathroom during a remodel so that all the other work done isn’t downplayed by improper lighting. First, ask yourself what you plan to do in the bathroom. Will you be applying your makeup from there? Place bright light in strategic locations so that you can see clearly when using the mirror. Install a dimmer switch which you can use to control the brightness of the light when you wish to adjust the atmosphere in the bathroom. Recessed lights would also be a good addition to keep the bathroom well lit.

You can be sure that the bathroom remodel will stand the test of time if you include many of the considerations above as you plan that remodel. For all your plumbing needs during the bathroom remodel, contact Tureks Plumbing Services. Our experienced professionals are at your service.

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6 Stylish Bathroom Vanities with Great Storage

Wednesday, May 29th, 2019

bathroom vanities with great storage

6 Stylish Bathroom Vanities with Great Storage

You don’t have to choose between style and storage space if you are shopping for a vanity for a powder room or bathroom with limited space. Designers have come up with stylish vanities that provide ample storage for all the necessities that you need to have in your powder room. In this article, you’ll discover some of the most popular vanity designs that Fox Valley plumbers have seen in bathroom remodels.

Downscale to a Child-Sized Vanity

You don’t have to place a full-sized vanity in a bathroom used by kids. Match their stature by scaling the vanity down to a miniature version fit for a small kids’ bathroom. For example, the width of the vanity can be no bigger than the size of the sink at the top of that vanity. Two drawers can be located just below the sink and bigger shelves can house larger items, such as towels. The child-sized vanity can store enough supplies for two kids!

Barrel Vanity

A barrel-shaped vanity can also take sleekness to a whole new level when it is installed as a space-saving option. The barrel shape provides more vertical storage space while limiting the horizontal footprint of the vanity. The beauty of such vanity is that its doors open to an angle that exceeds 90 degrees, so it is possible for you to make maximum use of the space inside without fearing that the door will limit your access to the stored items.

Modern Minimalism

If space is at a premium in your bathroom, then opting for a minimalist approach when selecting a vanity will do wonders for you according to the small bathrooms seen by plumbers from Tureks Plumbing Services.

A vanity made in this style features plenty of space on the countertop where you can keep your toiletries and a soap dispenser. An open shelf above the cabinet can do a good job of creating an impression of spaciousness instead of closed cabinetry that may highlight how small the bathroom is.

Go Furniture-Style

Do you own a vintage home that you would like to get a vanity that matches the style of that home? A furniture-style vanity can provide incredible storage for the small bathroom and add provide visual appeal to that space. For example, a compact 30-inch-wide furniture-style vanity with several cabinets and drawers will store sufficient supplies for the couple using the master bedroom for whom the powder room is being outfitted.

Classic Chrome Console

Another way to make the most of a small bathroom is by getting a console vanity which is no more than 30 inches wide and approximately 32 inches tall. A bottom shelf can provide more storage space underneath the console. The console bases leave plenty of room underneath the console, so your bathroom will look roomier. The bonus? This style of vanity gives the home a traditional look.

Customized Cottage Vanity

Some bathrooms are so small that it is not possible to get a store-bought vanity into them. For such situations, a site-built vanity is a feasible option with a small but versatile vanity being made to fit within the available space. A Fox Valley plumber describes one such cottage vanity as being quartz-topped. The countertop holds soap and toiletries. Just below the countertop is a toilet tissue holder, and the storage space is completed by an open shelf below the toilet tissue holder. The shelf has ample space for keeping towels. This cottage style is easier to pull off when the vanity is made at a time when the entire house is being remodeled to that style.

Whether you are buying ready-made or have the resources for a custom-made vanity, there is always something to provide great storage in your powder room while also meeting your stylistic requirements. If you need sections of the storage to be fitted around plumbing fixtures or pipes, Tureks Plumbing Services is happy to drop by and give their professional opinion on how the vanity can fit without endangering the plumbing.

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How to Upgrade Your Shower for a Spa-Like Experience

Thursday, May 9th, 2019

how to upgrade your shower for a spa-like experience

How to Upgrade Your Shower for a Spa-Like Experience

Even within the same household, it isn’t uncommon to find differences in people’s shower preferences. For example, you may want a drenching pour of warm water on your tired body or you may want your aching back to be soothed by a jet of cold water. How can all these interests be catered when upgrading your shower? The experts at Tureks Plumbing Services offer the following ideas to help you to design the shower experience of your dreams.

Think Carefully About the Showerhead You Install

The nearly endless variety of showerheads on the market can be grouped into four major categories (handheld showerheads, body spray panels, rain showers, and standard wall-mounted showerheads).

If you want to control the direction and height of the water as you shower, Fox Valley plumbers suggest that you buy a handheld showerhead. Conversely, if you prefer water to rain down on you from above, then buy a rain showerhead. In short, let your preferences guide you as you select one of the shower types on the market.

Actually, there are products which combine different ways of getting water onto your body as you shower. For example, one model may have both a handheld showerhead and a rain showerhead.

Think Technology

It is also possible to make your shower experience more luxurious and convenient by selecting products that have the appropriate technology. For example, Fox Valley plumbers have installed showerheads that allow users to switch from one spray pattern to another by just tapping the showerhead.

You can also get a showerhead that comes with a small remote so that you or your family members can avoid the necessity of reaching up to tap the showerhead. This feature is especially useful if you have young kids or an elderly family member who has mobility challenges. It can also be a good way to age-proof your shower.

Pay Attention to the Shower Stall

The design of the shower stall has a big effect in determining what kind of shower experience you will have, according to a plumber in Appleton, WI.  For example, a shower stall with a half-glass wall wouldn’t allow a person who likes splashing water around to enjoy taking a shower. A shower stall with a full-glass surround is a better option for such an individual since there will be no restriction on how splashy they get when taking a shower.

The experienced plumbers at Tureks Plumbing Services also recommend that you think about usability and safety when you are having a shower stall designed for your home. For instance, curved surfaces remove the risk of being injured by sharp edges. Curved surfaces also reduce the likelihood that mold will grow in the nooks created by sharp edges.

Explore Different Finishes

The finish that you select for your shower can also add to or detract from the shower experience. For example, a dash of color can stamp your bubbly personality on the bathroom and lift your spirits each time you use this space. Small tiles will assure you of better stability if you are consumed by the fear of slipping as you walk after taking a shower.

As you choose the finish for the bathroom, don’t neglect to consider how easy it will be for you to clean those surfaces. For instance, larger tiles mean fewer grout lines that will need to be scrubbed. Similarly, engineered quartz panels are easier to maintain when compared to natural stone. Luckily, manufactured products have advanced so much that it is hard to tell them apart from the natural ones by just looking, so you will not lose anything when you select natural product look-alikes if these will offer greater cleanability when compared to the natural versions.

As you can see, there is nearly no limit regarding the ways through which you can customize your shower to a spa-like experience. If you need more inspiration regarding how to take your shower experience to a higher level, talk to our professionals at Tureks Plumbing Services and they will point you in the right direction. In fact, your glorious experience will be guaranteed when you hire our team to help with the selection and installation of the different shower products.

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Why You Should Hire a Plumber for Your Bathroom Remodel

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019

Why you should hire a plumber for your bathroom remodel

Why You Should Hire a Plumber for Your Bathroom Remodel

Are you planning to remodel your bathroom so that you can boost the comfort and functionality of the space? Read on and discover why it may be advisable for you to hire a Fox Valley plumber during that remodel instead of attempting to do all that work on your own.

Setting Up the Drainage System Is Complex

You may get away with not hiring a plumber in Appleton, WI, if your bathroom remodel is minor. However, the stakes are much higher if you want to move plumbing lines or add a new feature. In such a case, you need the expertise of an experienced plumber on your side so that the layout of the new drainage system can be determined with as much precision as possible.

In this way, you will never have to deal with the problems that come with an improperly designed bathroom drainage system. For example, some homeowners who opt out of hiring a Fox Valley plumber during major bathroom remodels have ample time to regret their mistake when they realize that they can’t enjoy the remodeled bathroom because its drainage is sluggish or a major leak develops.

You May Need a Professional Opinion

A bathroom remodel provides an excellent chance to get up close and personal with the different pipes in order to assess their condition. As a layperson, it may be hard for you to make an accurate assessment of the condition of those pipes.

Consequently, you may proceed with the project and then have to rip everything up months later in order to fix a defective pipe. Avoid these extra costs and inconveniences by getting help from plumbing professionals.

Experienced Fox Valley Plumbers

An experienced Fox Valley plumber will bring all his or her accumulated knowledge and experience to bear during your bathroom remodeling project. For example, he or she will know exactly where to look for existing defects before installing the new bathroom fixtures.

Our plumbers in Appleton, WI have the best tools to get the job done right. You don’t want to go and buy specialized tools just to complete the bathroom remodel and leave the tools unused for years, do you? Hire a plumber and have peace of mind that your project will be done properly in the shortest time possible.

Tureks Plumbing Services Has Your Back

A lot can go wrong during and after a bathroom remodeling project. For example, you may accidentally drop and break the new sink you want to install. Or, the new toilet may shift and damage the plumbing pipes attached to it (resulting in major water damage).

All the costs of such unforeseen incidents will be on you if you completed the bathroom remodeling project on your own. However, Fox Valley plumbers are usually bonded and insured. So, the plumber’s insurance policy will cover mishaps that could occur during or after the project is complete. This is as long as it is within the period covered by the warranty.

As you can see, it makes a lot of sense to work with an experienced professional from Tureks Plumbing Services during your bathroom remodel project. If your budget is an issue, then find ways to divide the work. In this way, you will get the best of both worlds without taking any avoidable risks with this important section of your home. Contact us today and we will help you to get the bathroom remodeling project done cost-effectively.

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What Do I Do With an Old Bathtub?

Tuesday, August 7th, 2018

What Do I Do With an Old Bathtub?

So you’ve just recently noticed that your tub’s old and worn, and you also suspect that it has already begun to leak. With no bathroom renovation budgeted for in, say, the next five years, getting your tub replaced doesn’t seem like a great idea.

After all, the mess replacing your tub will lead to, and the huge expense and the time it would take for the newly installed tub to be reusable, aren’t things you can deal with right now. All you want is an efficient and reasonable option to get your tub working again within the shortest time possible.

So if you ask yourself, What do I do with an old bathtub, when buying an entirely new one is out of the question? The answer is to either get it refinished or relined.

Tub Refinishing

Otherwise known as “reglazing,” tub refinishing is a labor-intensive process (about four to six hours of site work by a single technician) which involves the use of hazardous chemicals and the following basic steps:

  • Masking the tub surface to protect it from the overspray
  • Venting the bathroom area to get rid of the toxic fumes
  • Caulk removal
  • Swathing the tub in hydrofluoric acid to ensure surface adherence
  • Washing away the hydrofluoric acid
  • New caulk installation
  • Air drying the tub with a fan
  • Spray on coating fast-drying epoxy (two coats)
  • Cleaning with a tack cloth to get rid of dust particles and other foreign objects
  • Spray applications of a polyurethane finish coat (x4) with sanding done in between applications
  • Polishing
  • Curing time of 24 hours (minimum) before the tub can be used with water

Tub Relining

Unlike reglazing work which involves most of the action taking place right in your own home, tub reliners are made offsite after a local installer like Tureks Plumbing has taken exact measurements of your tub and sends them, along with some clear photos, to the tub liner manufacturer he works for.

So, what happens next?

  • Identification of the make/model by the tub liner manufacturer.
  • Using an in-house model of the same, a vacuum-formed mold of the tub is made using a sheet of 1/4 inch ABS acrylic (it’s used for football helmets and airplane windshields, too!). The resulting mold is a 35-pound liner that fits seamlessly on your old tub. Take note that this process takes about four to eight weeks!
  • Prior to installation, the installer uses denatured alcohol to thoroughly clean the old tub and removes both the drain and overflow. The liner is then trimmed to ensure it fits snugly, especially if your tub is in a corner or is set against the wall.
  • The tub liner is then securely attached to the old tub using a two-sided butyl tape and silicone adhesive combo.
  • A matching new drain and overflow are also installed.
  • To finish off, the installer applies caulking at the seams.

The entire installation process can take six to eight hours for one technician to finish. Then you can use your “new” tub right away.

Weighing Your Options

Both refinishing and relining are cost-effective options if you do not have the budget yet to get a new tub, nor do you have the inclination to have your bathroom use interrupted by a mini home renovation project. They can also add years of use to your tired, old tub – depending on what is stated on the warranty.

However, if you have a fiberglass tub, a jetted one or a claw-foot tub, you may need to look elsewhere. Both reglazing and relining companies tend to not take on jobs for such tub types.

So, have you decided yet? Be sure to call Tureks Plumbing Services for more professional advice regarding your tub fixing options.

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Ways to Save on Your Home Remodel – Top Tips for Homeowners

Tuesday, April 17th, 2018

Whether you are planning a partial remodel (kitchen/bathroom) or a full makeover for your whole home, it should not be a hit-or-miss affair.

Sure, a home makeover entails ample amounts of patience, effort, and money. But at the end of the day, you should achieve your established goal, be it to increase the beauty and functionality of your house or to increase property value while keeping your finances in good order.

Does that sound like a tall order? Here are some ways to save on your home remodel.

Don’t go in blind

The easiest way to get bankrupt with a home remodel is to proceed sans a definite plan.

If you are keen on giving your home a makeover without breaking the bank, the first thing that you need to do is to establish a hierarchy of the work that you want done.

And as you conduct further research and talk to suppliers and contractors like Tureks Plumbing Kitchen and Bath Remodel, you’ll have a fair idea of which works you can proceed with and which ones you can momentarily shelve.

Work with what you currently have

A remodel does not necessarily mean that you should splurge on removing the old in favor of the new.

One of the easiest ways to tame your makeover budget is to identify specific items in the room/your home that you can still use and which ones beg for a replacement.

For example, instead of getting new cabinets, a new splash of paint and replacements of handles and knobs can translate to immense savings as well as a new lease on life for your assets.

Know what your options are

Do you really need a granite countertop for your kitchen? Or would you be content with a lower cost option like laminate?

Our friends at Gilmore Heating and Air, an HVAC company that offers air conditioning services in Placerville, suggests that you evaluate your wants and needs. Sometimes, swapping your material of choice can lead to substantial savings without compromising form and function.

Do your research, consult with the experts, and keep an open mind.

Figure out the things that you can do by yourself

One of the key drivers of remodeling costs is labor. Quite simply, the fewer number of hours your contractor needs to put in for the project, the lower your makeover expenses will be.

Check out the list of the tasks that need to be done. You might find some that you (and your family and friends) can do.

It can be as simple as painting the kitchen walls, or depending on your DIY skills, something more complex.

Choose your partner well

The success (or failure) of your home remodeling project hinges greatly on your choice of contractor.

As such, do not take this choice lightly.

Instead of going for the first contractor that responds to your inquiry, start off with a shortlist of about three contractors who work in your area and get quotes from each.

For one, this will give you a better picture of what to expect in terms of cost. Second, this enables you to get each prospective contractor and allow you to gauge whether you are comfortable working with each one on your shortlist.

Important considerations to factor in when choosing a contractor include reputation, organization, attention to details and punctuality.

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Where to Start With a Bathroom Remodel

Thursday, August 10th, 2017

After a stressful day at the office or doing household chores, nothing else can make you feel better quicker than taking a long, soothing bath. The look and feel of your bathroom can give you an experience that is similar to visiting a spa or a resort.

Currently, though, the design and layout of your bathroom may not be ideal for the type of experience that you want. You can change it with a remodel.

One important question to ask is where to start with a bathroom remodel. Here are a few tips to help you out:

Determine its purpose

A bathroom is where people take a shower, brush their teeth and take care of other hygiene issues before going out. These are some of the most common activities done inside a bathroom, but it is also a personal space. What you need to consider is what you want your experience to be like when you are inside. Do you use the bathroom for a quick bath or do you also want to use the space to relax and unwind for a while?

How you answer this question will influence the design, materials and colors that will be used in remodeling the space.

Consider the existing layout

The current design and layout of your bathroom can affect what you can do with the space. For instance, the placement of your toilet bowl, urinal, faucet and showerhead is fixed. You can change the fixtures but not where they are installed. Changing the placement of the fixtures involves moving or extending the pipes. This involves a lot of work and will cost you more.

Consult an expert plumber in your area to find out what the limitations are when it comes to remodeling your bathroom. This may affect the final design of your remodeled bathroom but it can help you save money and give you fewer problems to worry about during the remodeling process.

Identify the users

Knowing the people who use the bathroom is also an important factor when having it remodeled. If you live on your own, then your personal taste and preferences will be used as the sole basis for the design. However, if you live with your parents or kids, or there are several other people living in the same space, then it could affect the final design of your bathroom.

For instance, if you live with your elderly parents or somebody with medical issues, you will need to have grab bars installed and use non-slip materials that are easy to clean. If you live with toddlers or young kids and you want a tub, you can consider tubs that include a step. This will make it easier and safer for them to get in and out of the tub. And make sure to schedule your appointment with us today!

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