Kitchen remodel requires two sets of plans of the floor plan layout. Show any walls which are going to be removed. Show location of all windows and electrical receptacles. All counter top space must be served by GFCI's and two 20 amp. breakers.
Kitchen counter receptacles- NO point along the wall line is more than 24" measured horizontally from a receptacle outlet. Island counter tops 12" or wider shall have at least one receptacle for each 4' of countertop . A 4 prong outlet shall be used for an installation of a new range. All counter top space shall now be served by GFCI receptacles with two or more 20 amp. circuits shall be installed in kitchen. All counter top receptacles shall be protected by ground fault circuit interrupter.
It is the busiest room in the home and often needs the most development: the kitchen. Remodel kitchens increase the value of the home and makes it more pleasant to cook, live and dine in. However, many homeowners are left wondering how to create the cooking haven of their ideas on a plan.
Now about everyone has cost concerns when it comes to remodeling. Very few people have unlimited budgets, so doing study on various options will go a long way to stretching your dollars, certified kitchen and bathroom designer and director of design for Shenandoah Cabinetry. Edwards offers some valuable tips for controlling costs when remodeling the kitchen.
Do as much of the work physically as you can. Wallpaper removal, light destruction, and cleaning up after subcontractors require hard work as different to skill; there is no point in paying able contractors to clean up.
Buy stock cabinets. Instead of having cabinets custom-made, find a line of stock cabinets that you like. Shenandoah Cabinetry, sold exclusively at Lowe’s, is a stock cabinet producer that offers a wide range of premium assembly features and accessories at a value price.
Use other materials instead of costly marble or stone. Cover countertops and single strips create rich-looking surfaces on a modest budget. When choosing faucets, brushed and polished chrome is vastly less costly than more exotic finishes, and basic white fittings are budget open and won’t look dated in a decade.
"Wow" the island. The island is the first thing that people notice when they walk into the kitchen, so keep the main cabinets simple and put the emphasis on the island. Make the island pop by increasing the thickness of the countertop, using a premium finish or glaze on just the island cabinetry, or illuminating the island with inexpensive but attractive pendant lights.
Work within your open space. Annexing space from a nearby room or remove a wall can be costly, so add storage and association features to new cabinets to utilize space you already have. Many of these accessories are now factory installed, such as those offered in Shenandoah’s Organization Options program, making things simpler for the user and easier on their wallet.
Use fairly priced matter in an appealing way. Small splurges in small spaces like a glass tile backsplash behind the oven range will spruce up the kitchen and is the best use of your dollars.
Consult a design expert. A design professional can help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure the job is done powerfully.
Kitchens cabinets have undergone some changes over the centuries. From basic kitchen cabinets to ultramodern kitchen cabinets, you will be spoilt for option when it comes to kitchen cabinets design ideas.
Today's kitchens are truly decorated with a big taste. Beautiful themes are implemented during the kitchen. There are several styles, patterns and resources of kitchen cabinets, to choose from. If you are confused about which style to choose from, you can choose for a grouping of styles. Special styles blend well in a mostly big kitchen. You can pick up your kitchen cabinet from the stock offered at a home development store or you can get it custom made as per your taste. Custom kitchen cabinet designs allow you to apply new and unconventional styles for your kitchen cabinets. Here are some kitchen cabinet design ideas.
Mission Style
Mission style kitchen cabinets are a great work of art and European craftsmanship. They became most popular in the 20th century and are still a favorite choice for people who look for flexibility and simplicity. The complicated look of these kitchen cabinets, goes well with approximately all the themes and styles of kitchen designs.
Shaker Style 
Shaker style kitchen cabinets are particularly for the very old collectors. The design is simple and clutter-free. The cabinets are available in both usual as well as frameless styles. Cherry, maple or pine is the most appropriate woods for making shaker style kitchen cabinets. Go for traditional handles and knobs for these cabinets, to protect their very old look.
Country Style 
This cabinets offer a hot and comfortable look. State is a broad term which incorporates some styles, specific to a particular region. You can use your vision and recreate your own country kitchen. You can choose from American casual country, English country, French country or official country kitchen cabinets.
Italian Style 
Comfort and luxury and Italian kitchen cabinets are no exclusion. They are a sample of style, sophistication and a plentiful way of life. Italian kitchen cabinets have a sleek, present and neat look.
Asian Style 
This is a favorite style for a lot of homes in western countries. You can have them manufactured in Asia and get them delivered in your country. These cabinets are regularly manufactured from recycled wood. They are passed down as family heirlooms in Asian countries.
Contemporary Style 
This cabinets have become a part of current day living. They are stylish, convenient to use and clutter free. They may not be as well adorned, as their usual counterparts but they are impeccably made with clever use of lights and colors.
Ultramodern Style 
If you are a tech savvy anyone, then this method is maybe for you. With this kind of kitchen cabinets you'll get something you need at a push of a button. These kitchen cabinets look, as if they have straight come out of a James Bond tap. Unfortunately, they are yet to be commercialized.
Kitchen cabinets are absolutely a significant part of your kitchen furnishings. You must exhibit a great taste while choosing cabinets for your kitchen. You can use kitchen cabinet design software to design the explain of your kitchen cabinets. Kitchen cabinet design layout software eliminates the scope of error, while manufacturing the kitchen cabinets.
1. Undermounted
The most popular method of mounting a kitchen sink nowadays is under mounted, which way the sink exactly is mounted under the counter. An advantage to under mounting is that crumbs and food trash simply can be swept into the sink. A difficulty is expense: Most under mount sinks are a bit costlier than comparable drop-in or surface-mounted sink.
2. Drop-in
This is the usual way of mounting a sink in which the sink is literally dropped into the cut-out in the countertop. Drop-in sinks are often cast-iron and are ringed by a large, raised lip, which rests on the countertop surface. An benefit to drop-ins is that they’re preferable for use with cover countertops, which aren’t suitable for under mounted sinks because of possible water damage to the laminate substrate
3. Surface-Mounted
Although very trendy in past decades, the surface-mounted sink is probably one of the least popular sink installations today, particularly since the rise of the under mounted sink. The surface-mounted sink comes with a metal rim that attaches to the countertop. The sink is then attached to the rim using screws. Although it's nearly flush with the countertop, a normal complaint is that grime and damp get trapped on both sides of the metal rim.
Kitchen is the main place in our home. The cause being, this is the place where everyone comes when they are hungry. As we all know food is important in our lives, this automatically makes kitchen important too. The person who cooks inside home always tries to keep this place clean and hygienic. The reason for this is a very basic one, the food we eat should be good and free from any infection, so that everybody stays healthy.
Maintenance kitchens clean is no simple task, the cleaning of kitchen should be pretty standard and spills during the process of cooking should be cleaned too. Kitchen should be planned by maintenance in intelligence the maintenance point of view. Kitchen countertops need most cleaning. In order to clean we should be able to use soaps and detergents; sometimes we also use mild disinfectants to get rid of all the germs on the kitchen countertops.
It is essential, that a kitchen countertop should be able to withstand stable contact with water. Or else clean-up the place would become a not easy job. There are some types of countertops you could use to well inside the kitchen. You can use stone, laminates, and engineered stone or ceramic tiles.
You have some options from which to make choice from; it can therefore get extremely confusing for you. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages; therefore you will require devoting a bit of time to choose by removal.
Stone makes superb kitchen countertops. Stones like marble and granite are used for production kitchen countertops. These are durable and have charm. Kitchen countertops require regular washing therefore using these as countertops are an excellent idea. For some though this might not turn out to be a great idea, the reason being a stone kitchen countertop is costlier when compared to the other options like the laminate counter tops or the ceramic counter tops.
But stone kitchen countertops are heat resistant and when you put them through rough use these will last longer than the rest of the options. What's more, if you use good quality kitchen countertops you need not fear about cracking or chipping of the stone which might make your countertops ugly.
Another option is using ceramic countertops. This is a good and well affordable option. Ceramic also happens to be heat and water resistant and will not spoil much even if you put hot stuff or washed dishes on the countertop. But then ceramic is a lot more delicate than stone. If used roughly it might show chipping and the color of the ceramic might fade off too. There is a danger of ceramic cracking or breaking this will make the kitchen look unkempt and devoid of good taste. If you are sure that you are going to put the countertop to a neat use then ceramic countertops strength be the one for you.
Engineered stone countertops are the ones made unnaturally by compressing quartz and similar equipment enough to make it a strong and durable stone. This too is another option for you to choose as kitchen countertop. But then the strength of unnaturally shaped stone is yet to be put to test, therefore not much can be said about the engineered stone.
Protect kitchen countertops are for those who are looking for very reasonable options. Protect kitchen countertops come in very cheap. These are extremely easy to install. Installation of protect kitchen countertops can be done on a weekend. Highly disturb free and easy to manage the protect kitchen countertops are a good option too. But these too have a downside to them. Protect is not as durable as stone or ceramic countertop. Protect kitchen countertops are offered in a huge variety of colors therefore; you have wide choice in selecting colors for your kitchen. But protect kitchen countertops cannot place strong use. These are not scratch resistant; therefore a minor scratch might be seen clearly on these. Thus you might have to change the protect kitchen countertops again and again once they get damaged.
At times you may be required to make choice according to your budget. However, sometimes lack of information might result into an incorrect choice. So it is better that you get better informed by doing some market research. You do not have to go far to do the market research, it can be done on your computer from the calm of your home.
Kitchen tiles are not only used for floors, but also used on walls, as a backsplash or on countertops using field tiles with unique designs. Incorporating kitchen tiles into the design of your kitchen is a high-quality technique to bring out the good looks of your countertops and cabinets.
Kitchen tile is a new important calculation to kitchen furnishing. Because kitchen tile comes in all colors, size and resources it is possible to mix some colors to produce a certain design factor, such as creating a stone or a granite look.
As a design element kitchen tiles are not only used for floors, but also used on walls, as a backsplash or on countertops using specialty tiles with unique designs. Decorated ceramic tile backsplashes go with granite or corian countertops as well as tile.
Decorative kitchen tile can be used in countless number of ways in a tiled area. Most painted tiles are made of ceramic because of its extensive range of colors and designs.
Kitchen tile facility especially well on a vertical surface, providing a strong surface that is resistant to stains and splash. On vertical surfaces the grout is less subject to stains than on countertops. Kitchen tiles are also water resistant, making them useful for any kitchen counter.
While kitchen tiles have many return you must be worried about cleaning grout. Grout must be cleaned regularly or it will stain. Kitchen tiles can also chip and crack requiring replacement.
Ceramic Kitchen Tile
Ceramic kitchen tile comes from world. Ceramics are made from clay as well as talc, and other raw materials, and after forming, the tiles are put through a firing process under high temperatures. Because kitchen tiles are twisted from resources that are cooked under such high temperature the tiles conduct heat very well. This make kitchen tiles the ideal material for countertops. They will not burn when hot pots are placed on the counter.
Ceramic tile is made in numerous colors and can be modified to fit a certain color. A new trend in kitchen tile is variety tiles. Custom made mosaic tiles can be used to create a mural on your kitchen floor. Pre-made mosaic tiles are also sold to create mural. A mural with a backsplash can really add color to your kitchen design. Also a ceramic kitchen tiles backsplash is more beautiful than a granite or Corian backslash.
Ceramic kitchen tile countertops are the right choice for your kitchen remodel and cabinet refracting project since kitchen tile provide good stability, as well as the advantage of heat resistance.
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain kitchen tile is very durable and is resistant to scratches or chips because it is made from the same material top and bottom. Porcelain kitchen tiles can be used to look like real stone because the tiles are related in dark and quality.
Glass Tile
Glass kitchen tiles were at one time very exclusive, but in recent years it has become more reasonable. They can be used in borders or in the creation of good-looking mosaics in countless colors and has the unique capability to reflect light, allowing it to bring out the beauty of each tile.
So kitchen tiles can be used for countertops, backsplashes, wall coverings, and flooring. They are available in almost limitless colors and designs.
paint is an significant kindness in kitchen design since it influence our mood. It it is best if you select paints in the lighter and better shades of brown, peach, yellow, pink or blue. Paint can also create the mood of more or less space in a kitchen. Also you should use the 60-30-10 rule to color a room between 3 colors.
Color is major design element for kitchen and bathroom since it plays an important role in affecting our moods.
A good combination of kitchen colors in the scheme of your decoration can make your kitchen look livelier and more appealing. However mismatched paint schemes can ruin your furnishing. Color can authority the mood of a room. For example, studies have shown that red can quicken the pulse and mouthful of air rate, as well as increase appetite. Yellow, especially soft yellows can make people feel happier. When used as a accent bright yellow can attract interest and brighten up a kitchen. You can also use color to influence how large or small a kitchen can feel.
With kitchen color taking on more importance, many manufacturers of cabinets, appliances, flooring and countertops are offering the consumer more choices in colors. The best kitchen colors should include shades of brown, peach, yellow, pink or blue.
Kitchen color schemes have come and gone over the years. Some kitchen color schemes have remained popular over time.
White as a kitchen color remains a popular choice because of it has a clean look. One difficulty of an all-white kitchen is that it can have a sterile and cold look and feel. That is why white is usually accented with one other color such as blue. Also plan elements such as a light colored oak floor, or soft accents provided by curtains can make a kitchen seem warmer. It is considered a good plan to select one color as the overall or base color and select one or two accent colors.
You can feel safe selecting just about any color for your kitchen by following some important guidelines for using different kitchen color schemes:
It is considered a good plan in using color in a room to have a 60-30-10 split between three colors, 60% representing the main or dominant color, probably on the walls or cabinets. 30% of a secondary color used in the flooring or rugs, as well as window treatments. 10% for accents such as, dishes, artwork, pillows and other soft items.
Monochromatic color scheme is noted for only the use of one color. To create more variety you would used a variety of tints, tones and shades of that color.
American families spend thousands of dollars on kitchen design, construction, and renovation. This is because cooking is now considered by many as an art and more and more people are turning to the kitchen itself for entertaining. If you are one of those people who would like to give great importance to the kitchen, then you should also read about the trends in kitchen design, especially on kitchen countertop materials.
Tiles
Tiles have been used for kitchens for hundreds of years but it has recently been making a comeback with new textures and designs. When properly installed and used, kitchen tiles will last you a long, long time. They can withstand moderate heat and come in different colors and exciting designs so you could get to pick those that go with your house's motif.
You can even express your artistic talent through the use of kitchen tiles. Some people create tile mosaics for their backsplash paneling; some use fancy border tiles; some combine various patterns; others use rough-textured or distressed tiles to get an antique feel.
Granite
This is one of the kitchen countertop materials that gives a sleeker and more modern look. Granite is a type of igneous rock with a medium to coarse texture but is very attractive after polishing. In fact, granite has dislodged marble as the kitchen countertop material of choice because marble tends to be porous.
Because of its hardness, it can take the abuse that kitchen countertops usually get. It can even serve as a chopping board! Granite has an average density of 2.75 grams per cubic centimeter and also comes in a variety of colors such as black, dark gray, or even pink. It's scratch resistant, heat resistant, and extremely easy to maintain as there are no grouts or cracks to struggle with.
This material is often sourced from countries with large amounts of natural stone deposits. The most prolific suppliers of granite are Brazil, Africa, and Europe. If money is no object, granite may be the most ideal kitchen countertop material for you. It combines durability with good looks and is the material of choice of many top interior designers.
Wood
Nothing evokes Old World charm as much as wood kitchen countertops. Think butcher's blocks and massive central islands in farmhouses of yore. Wood also provides a warmth to your kitchen, unlike stone, steel, or the omnipresent laminates.
The most common woods used for kitchens baths are hardwoods like oak and maple. Wood is preferred by many because they are smooth and generally easy to clean. They can also be resanded and resealed if necessary. However, wood can also be damaged by stains and is not as heat-resistant to stone, so the kitchen owner must always use pot protectors.
A salvaged door can add character and function to your home.Salvaged doors often offer a level of quality and design that is difficult or expensive to find in a new door. Salvaged doors are available in a wide range of styles from one-of-a kind masterpieces, to French doors, to basic hollow-core bedroom doors, to everything in between. Salvaged doors are available either "pre-hung" with a door and a jamb (frame), or as "stand-alone" doors that need to be placed in a jamb. Depending on the location for which the door is needed, a used door may either fit right in place, or need some fine-tuning and adjustments before providing a snug fit.
Plan in advance
Think through your project before you choose a door. Here are some key questions to ask yourself:
- Does the door need a jamb (frame)?
- Will the door swing in or out of the room?
- Should the handle be on the left or right side?
- Is the door interior or exterior? Interior doors generally have two hinges and exterior doors are heavier and typically have three hinges.
- What is the width of the jambs? Interior and older exterior doorjambs tend to be for 4" thick walls but newer exterior doorjambs may be for 6" thick walls.
- What is the condition of the door? Look for rot, warping, and loose joints.
Whether pre-hung or stand-alone, make sure you are purchasing a door that meets your needs or that can be easily manipulated to fit.
Pre-hung doors (with jambs)
A pre-hung door includes the door and entire frame in which the door swings and closes. Pre-hung doors are desirable because the door is made specifically for the jamb in which it fits. Once installed, this typically means the door itself will not need to be adjusted to swing and close properly. Pre-hung doors are ideal for new spaces, where the existing jamb has been damaged and needs replacement, or in spaces where the door trim has been removed, exposing a "roughed-in" opening.
Once a pre-hung door is set into place, it is secured and trim is installed to cover both sides of the jamb and adjoining walls. Pre-hung doors generally come with the hinge hardware and, after installation, just need a handle and possibly a lockset. Be sure to consider fire safety and energy efficiency guidelines if you are purchasing an exterior door for a new construction project or major addition.
Stand-alone doors (without jambs)
Although doors come in a variety of sizes to fit many applications, there are some common heights and widths.The first step is to measure the inside of your existing jamb, and then find a door that will fit in it. Common door widths are 28", 30", 32", and 36".
Very often, an old door jamb in a home is not perfectly square. Even a door that measures the right size may often need fine-tuning on one or more sides to fit an existing jamb.In some cases, such as with a solid wood door, it may be possible to cut a larger door down to a size that will fit your jambs. If you have a new or remodeled space and you find a stand-alone door that you just can't live without, you may also want to consider building a jamb for it.
Door handles &; hardware
Authentic historic doorknobs and locksets can add character to any door. Ideally, you will want to match any new door hardware to existing door hardware in the home. If you are installing all new doors, make sure to match the correct time period. Art Deco doorknobs will look out-of-place in a turn-of-the-century home. Used building material reuse stores have a large selection of vintage handles, locksets, and hinges to meet your needs.
Installing your door
Do your homework in advance. A salvaged pre-hung door can be installed similarly to any pre-hung door. If you are installing a door for the first time, with or without a jamb, set aside enough time to research and plan the installation.Detailed descriptions and pictures will help you complete a successful project. Good door installation references include books (e.g. Taunton Press), hardware/woodworking stores.
Door trim
As with door hardware, try to match door trim to other trim in your home. Older trim tends to be wider and newer trim narrower. Exact trim widths and styles indicate the time-period when the home was built. To avoid splitting the wood, make sure to predrill trim before installing it. A search of the trim section of your local used building materials retailer may yield materials that match your existing trim, ensuring continuity of look. If you are installing an exterior door, make sure to weatherstrip it.
The layout, design, construction and size of food premises must allow good food hygiene practice to be followed. The premises must also be maintained in good repair and condition to permit adequate cleaning and disinfection.
Design
The layout, design, construction and size of food premises shall:
- permit adequate cleaning and/or disinfection which may be required.
- protect against the accumulation of dirt, contact with toxic materials, the shedding of particles into food and the formation of condensation or mould on surfaces.
- permit good food hygiene practices, including protecting against cross contamination e.g. there must be enough space in preparation rooms to allow high risk food to be prepared separately from raw foodstuffs and soiled equipment.
- provide suitable temperature conditions for the hygienic processing and storage of products.
Floors should be slip resistant, easy to clean, durable and adequately drained if necessary. It is recommended that the junction between the floor and walls should be coved and the joint to the wall surface should be flush to permit proper cleaning.
Walls
Walls should be easy to clean and where necessary disinfect. This will require the use of impervious non-absorbent and non-toxic materials up to an appropriate height in food preparation areas. It is recommended that walls behind cookers, sinks and other high damage areas may need a durable surface such as stainless steel. Suitable surfaces for other areas can be determined by the frequency and type of cleaning/disinfection it will receive.
Ceilings
Ceilings should be light coloured and have a smooth surface to enable easy cleaning. The design and construction should avoid the formation of condensation or moulds and the shedding of particles.
Doors and Windows
Doors and windows should be capable of being easily cleaned and have smooth, non-absorbent surfaces. Door handles must be capable of being disinfected. Windows must be constructed to prevent the accumulation of dirt.
Sanitary Conveniences
Staff toilets must be kept clean and in efficient working order and have adequate natural or mechanical ventilation providing a minimum of three air changes per hour. They should be connected to an effective drainage system and must not lead directly into rooms where food is handled.
Changing Facilities
Changing facilities must be provided if protective clothing is changed on the premises. Provision should be made for the storage of outdoor clothes outside food rooms.
Washing Facilities
Facilities for washing food and equipment must have adequate supplies of hot and cold water. Facilities for washing food should be separate from washing-up. A double deep sink is the minimum standard for washing up where there is no mechanical dishwashing.
Wash Basins
Wash basins must be separate from washing facilities and be provided with hot and cold water, or water at a suitable temperature e.g. 43°C.
Equipment
All equipment should be manufactured from materials so as to minimise the risk of contamination of food. It should be kept in good order and repair to enable it to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. It should be installed so as to allow adequate cleaning of surrounding areas.
Work Surfaces
Work surfaces must be smooth, non-toxic and capable of being cleaned and disinfected. The type of work will determine the frequency and method of cleaning and consequently whether laminate or the more durable stainless steel is appropriate.
Utensils
Stainless steel utensils are most desirable because of durability and ease of cleaning.
Ventilation
Natural or mechanical ventilation should be provided. Mechanical air flow from a contaminated area to a food room should be avoided. Systems should be designed so as to ensure that cleaning and replacement of filters is easily achieved.
Electrical fires in our homes claim the lives of 485 Americans each year and injure 2,305 more. Some of these fires are caused by electrical system failures and appliance defects, but many more are caused by the misuse and poor maintenance of electrical appliances, incorrectly installed wiring, and overloaded circuits and extension cords.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) would like consumers to know that there are simple steps you can take to prevent the loss of life and property resulting from electrical fires.
The Problem
During a typical year, home electrical problems account for 67,800 fires, 485 deaths, and $868 million in property losses. Home electrical wiring causes twice as many fires as electrical appliances.
The Facts
December is the most dangerous month for electrical fires. Fire deaths are highest in winter months which call for more indoor activities and increase in lighting, heating, and appliance use. Most electrical wiring fires start in the bedroom.
Electrical Wiring
Most electrical fires result from problems with "fixed wiring" such as faulty electrical outlets and old wiring. Problems with cords and plugs, such as extension and appliance cords, also cause many home electrical fires.
In urban areas, faulty wiring accounts for 33% of residential electrical fires.
Many avoidable electrical fires can be traced to misuse of electric cords, such as overloading circuits, poor maintenance and running the cords under rugs or in high traffic areas.
Home Appliances
The home appliances most often involved in electrical fires are electric stoves and ovens, dryers, central heating units, televisions, radios and record players.
Safety Precautions
- Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring.
- Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately.
- Use electrical extension cords wisely and don't overload them.
- Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters; pay special care to electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen.
- Whey buying electrical appliances look for products evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
- Don't allow children to play with or around electrical appliances like space heaters, irons and hair dryers.
- Keep clothes, curtains and other potentially combustible items at least three feet from all heaters.
- If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.
- Never overload extension cords or wall sockets. Immediately shut off, then professionally replace, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker. Use safety closures to "child-proof" electrical outlets.
- Check your electrical tools regularly for signs of wear. If the cords are frayed or cracked, replace them. Replace any tool if it causes even small electrical shocks, overheats, shorts out or gives off smoke or sparks.
We have been providing top quality plumbing work in Clear Lake and Pearland for over 20 years.We understand the importance of the trust relationship between the contractor and client and will always respect your home as if it was our own.
We take pride in the quality of our work, whether we are servicing a product or installing, we will do it right the first time, keeping your home as clean as possible. Clear Lake Kitchens will provide you a fast and friendly plumbing service, 24 hours a day.
Partial List of our Plumbing Services:.
- Install Rinnai Tankless Hot Water Heaters
- Water Heater Installation
- Water Heater Repair
- Toilet Installation
- Toilet Repair
- Faucet Installation
- Faucet Repair
- Clogged Pipes
- Sump Pump Installation
- Sump Pump Repair
- Back-Up Pump Installation
- Back-Up Pump Repair
- Water Pipe Repair
- Drain Pipe Repair
- Gas Pipe Installation
- Gas Pipe Repair
- Bio-Clean Drain Rodding
- Sewer Rodding
- Video Line Inspection
- Root-X
The kitchen is generally the functional and social centre of the home. Most of us would agree on the importance of good design to optimise serviceability within the kitchen. There are also considerable benefits of a wellplanned design and fit-out as they not only reduce the negative impact your home has on the environment but also return significant economic and social benefits.
Position the fridge in a cool, well ventilated position, away from the oven to ensure it is not expending unnecessary energy to remain cool. If possible, add a vent to the wall behind the fridge and fairly close to the floor or select a fridge with a vent in the front.
Stove tops ideally need to be positioned away from cupboard ends, drawers, doors and windows with adequate
Inclusion of continuous benchtops with set-down space beside the sink, stove and oven are recommended to reduce the handling time of hot items.space to turn pot handles away from the front to reduce the risk of burns or scalds.Provide a section of bench with enough leg room beneath to allow a person to sit and work. Alternatively, allow for a section of under-bench cupboards to be removable. Ensure the floor finish extends beneath these benches.
The kitchen should ideally be located close to other 'wet areas' of the house (ie laundry, bathroom, toilet). In this way, the hot water system can be located centrally to these areas and will save on energy and water consumption by minimising the length of the hot water pipes and reduce the amount of water wasted waiting for hot water to come through.
The following tips in kitchen design will help to make your kitchen safe, easy to access, environmentally friendly and cost-efficient.
Good use of space is an important feature of kitchen layout,particularly when considering safety and functionality. A 1550mm minimum distance between kitchen work surfaces and cupboards will provide sufficient space to allow safe and efficient movement for people working in the kitchen.A well-designed kitchen should not double as a passageway to access other rooms in the house. This reduces the likelihood of accidents with hot food and sharp implements. Position the fridge and pantry at the entrance to the kitchen will allow people to access food and drinks without having to pass the stove or move in the path of the cook. This will reduce the potential for accidents. The kitchen entrance should be wide enough to ensure it isn’t blocked by the open door of the fridge or pantry.
- Operate automatic dishwashers only when they are fully loaded. Use the "light wash" feature, if available, to use less water.
- Hand wash dishes by filling two containers - one with soapy water and the other with rinse water containing a small amount of chlorine bleach.
- Clean vegetables in a pan filled with water rather than running water from the tap.
- Start a compost pile as an alternate method of disposing of food waste or simply dispose of food in the garbage. (Kitchen sink disposals require a lot of water to operate properly).
- Store drinking water in the refrigerator. Do not let the tap run while you are waiting for water to cool.
- Avoid wasting water waiting for it to get hot. Capture it for other uses such as plant watering or heat it on the stove or in a microwave.
- Avoid rinsing dishes before placing them in the dishwasher; just remove large particles of food. (Most dishwashers can clean soiled dishes very well, so dishes do not have to be rinsed before washing)
- Avoid using running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave oven.
Cabinetry can be the most expensive component in a kitchen remodel.
- Consider resurfacing or refurbishing existing cabinets first, especially if they are from the 1950s or earlier. There may be ways to maximize the space you have by adding shelves within the cabinets or converting cabinets to drawers under counters. Replacing doors transforms old cabinets at a fraction of the monetary and environmental cost of complete replacement.
- Avoid particleboard or conventional medium density fiberboard (MDF) that contains urea formaldehyde, a compound that can emit harmful fumes for years after installation.
- Look for formaldehyde-free MDF made with exterior grade resins for added durability, agricultural fiber panels such as wheatboard or strawboard that are free from formaldehyde binders, or Forest Stewardship Counci (FSC) certified exterior grade plywood made with phenol formaldehyde-based glue, rather than the harmful urea formaldehyde-based glue.
New kitchen countertops can be a sizable investment. Choosing the best countertop material for your kitchen involves weighing several options based on your priorities.
1. Evaluate whether repairing or refinishing your old countertops will achieve the effect you want.
2. Select countertops that are durable and easy to clean. Consider the following countertop options.
- If you decide to replace your countertops and would like to do it yourself, butcher block is a good option. Look for FSC-certified wood, or wood from urban salvage logging. Use wood treatments labeled food safe in compliance with FDA rules.
- Tile is another product you can install yourself. Find tiles made from recycled glass, recycled porcelain, salvaged ceramic scrap, and feldspar tailings (waste from feldspar processing). Tile tolerates hot cookware and can be repaired by replacing individual tiles, but can be difficult to keep clean and creates an uneven surface.
- Solid surface countertops and engineered stone require professional installation, which can account for up to 80 percent of the cost of a new countertop. Solid surface materials are long lasting and easy to clean, but are made from petrochemicals, can scorch with cookware, scratch easily and are not recyclable.
- Traditional countertops, such as laminates, have their drawbacks: They can be made with toxic resins, can scorch with hot cookware, show nicks and scratches easily, are not recyclable, and their substrate is prone to water damage.
- Look into paper-resin composite countertops that are made using recycled feedstock, can have nicks and cuts sanded out, and are hygienic. They can be scorched with hot cookware.
- Concrete and terrazzo (crushed glass and stone in a cement or epoxy substrate) countertops are long-lasting and durable, and can incorporate recycled materials. On the down side, they are heavy so may require cabinet reinforcement. Also, cement production is energy-intensive and epoxy is petroleum-derived and can emit harmful chemicals while curing.
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