maintenance your home

5 ways to revive a bathroom Image courtesy of Caroma. A renovated and stylish bathroom will increase the resale value of a house more than spending the equivalent amount of money anywhere else in the home. $20,000 properly spent on a reviving a bathroom instead of a bedroom or lounge will net you a lot more buyer interest, and a much higher asking price if you're looking to sell. If you do it right, you can even expect to get twice as much back as what you've invested. Remodelling your bathroom doesn't have to take weeks or cost tens of thousands of dollars either. Sometimes all it takes is a new coat of paint or a well-placed mirror to open a bathroom up. Be aware that any renovation work might tie up the bathroom for a few days; and if that's the case, you may need to make alternative bathroom arrangements. You should also consider whether the job is something you will need a professional for, or if it’s something you can manage yourself. You can sa

How to unblock a toilet   Unblocking your toilet doesn't have to be a messy job, but if you need to remove a clog from your toilet, it’s important to stop flushing before it overflows! If one flush hasn't unblocked your toilet, then adding more water isn’t going to fix it; you’re not likely to dislodge the blockage this way, and it can cause your toilet to overflow all over the floor. You'll need a little bit of room to move above water level to keep splashing to a minimum too.     Plungers are just one way you can unblock a toilet. Preparation Start by putting on some rubber gloves - you may also want to put on some old clothes, just in case. Spread newspapers or old rags around the base to prevent spillage from going anywhere, and to help with clean up later. From here, there are a number of methods that basically break down into removing the clog chemically or manually. Which one you use will depend on what's blocking your toilet. Chemical methods

How to unblock a drain   Unclogging a properly blocked drain (depending on the drain) isn't usually a fun job. At its worst, it ranks somewhere between finding a three-week-old bag of prawns in the back of your fridge and changing nappies in terms of unpleasantness. Blocked drains don't get that way overnight, and can often be the result of months of accumulated muck and detritus. Once a drain is blocked, it must be unclogged or the drain is useless, and water will start backing up. Sometimes a drain just needs a little nudge along, but other times it will take more work. And when it is properly blocked, there is no other choice but to go in; you can’t decouple a bath or shower pipe in the same way as you can with a sink drain. Gloves are highly recommended.      A drain snake can be used to clear many kinds of obstructions. Stage one: Try a plunger Start by clearing the area of anything covering the drain, and any other bathroom or kitchen gear (including bath

How to find the right tradies We’re pretty lucky in Australia - tradespeople undergo extensive training, and work to some of the highest standards in the world. Most of the tradies you meet will do a fantastic job and give you outstanding service and value for money. As with all professions though, it’s still worth knowing how to spot a bad egg – and what you can do both to make tradespeoples’ jobs easier, and to save yourself money.  What makes a good tradie? Everyone’s going to need the services of a tradesperson at some point, and if you’re building or renovating you’ll likely end up with an army of them all through the house. The main things you should look for in a tradesperson are: Skills and qualifications   – there’s no substitute for experience and training if you’re after a high standard of quality and workmanship. Punctuality and commitment   – the best tradespeople will keep disruption to a minimum by always turning up on time and finishing the job as

How to deal with mould and rust   Mould,   hard water   and rust stains are all problems that are very common in bathrooms. All three of these types of marks are tough to remove properly, and if they're left for a while they can easily become permanent. While it's good to know how to remove them, knowing how to prevent them in the first place is vital to ensuring that they don't return.     It's best to deal with mould and rust early, to prevent permanent stains. How to deal with mould Mould loves having damp areas to grow in, and because your bathroom's probably the wettest room in the house, it's very common to find it there. The warmth and moisture in the air offer ideal conditions for mould growth, particularly in dark areas like corners and drains. Poor air circulation is another big contributor, but one that can easily be countered using a bathroom fan when showering or bathing. Mould is nourished by the body oils and soap scum left behind e