When your home is on the market, the condition of your bathroom will make a real difference in how appealing the home is to the prospective buyer. Of course, there are a multitude of other factors involved in making your home the best it can be but don't forget about the bathroom.

Even if you are not planning to sell your home (at least in the near future) the condition of your bathroom will make a big difference in both the comfort and the safety of your home.

This brief article will focus on issues related to toilet problems, which are near the top of the list when it comes to maintenance in this area of the house. Let's start with the leaking toilet. Finding the source of the leak is the key in getting the problem fixed. Using a little food coloring in the tank is about the best way to trace the source of the leak. After putting in the food coloring, check the toilet bowl. If you find the water discolored by the coloring agent, your problem is a flapper valve that's not doing its job properly. You can try cleaning the sediment or chemical deposits off of the flapper valve, but these items are so inexpensive that a quick trip to the hardware store (taking the flapper valve with you to ensure a match) is probably your best bet. The valve is easy to replace and should stop the problem.

OK, the water in the tank is clean. Take a look at the area where the tank and the bowl are joined. If the colored water is leaking in this area, you will need to replace the seal that fits between these two sections of the toilet. This involves a little more work than replacing the flapper valve. The main job is removing the tank. First, shut off the valve that supplies water to the toilet. This valve is usually near the floor at the back of the toilet and should be relatively easy to turn off (turn it clockwise until you can't turn it any more). Second, bail out as much of the water from the tank as you can and remove the mechanical components inside the tank making sure you either remember or make a sketch of how to replace them. Third, unscrew the fitting that secures the tank to the toilet bowl and carefully lift the tank up and off the bowl. It's a good idea to put towels on the floor around the area to soak up any water that runs out of the tank. Finally, pry off the seal and take it to the hardware store to match up with a replacement seal. Reverse the process and your problem should be solved.

Hopefully you won't end up with colored water on the floor around the base of the toilet after each flush. If this is the case, the wax seal underneath the toilet is damaged and will have to be replaced. You can try to tighten the tank bolts that hold the toilet to the floor to see if this solves the problem. Sometimes these bolts work themselves loose (but not very often). One other possibility is that the toilet bowl and/or tank is cracked. A quick inspection should let you know if this is the case. If this is the problem, you will need to invest in a new toilet (try buying one that uses less water per flush).

Assuming that crack(s) aren't your problem, you will need to disassemble the toilet itself starting with the tank (see above). Next, you need to remove the bowl. Bail out the water in the bowl and remove the four bolts that secure the toilet to the floor. This is sometimes a daunting task because the bolts may be rusty. Use whatever methods necessary to get these bolts out or at least remove the bolt heads. Use pliers or a channel lock or pipe wrench to remove the threaded portion of the bolt. Don't worry about damaging the threads because you will be replacing the bolts anyway.

When removing the bowl, be very careful where you put your hands (use rubber gloves). Many toilets have jagged edges inside the bowl that will cut you quicker than a freshly sharpened knife. Lift off the bowl and pry out the wax seal at the top of the floor drain. Again, this is germ-laden and requires you to be careful not to introduce an infection through any cuts, etc. near or on your hands. Wax seals are pretty much standard in size and are usually available at just about any hardware store. If the bolts were damaged, take a sample with you to make sure you get the right size replacements.

Let's hope that the leaking that has reached the floor hasn't done damage to the underlayment or floor tiles. If it has, you've got a bigger job on your hands because these damaged areas need to be replaced or you're just in for a continuing headache. You can tell if the wood underlayment is damaged by its color and if it's soft or swollen. Please don't ignore the problem. Cut out the area and replace it. Damaged tiles can sometimes be difficult to match unless you have a small surplus on hand. Chances are that you won't be able to find any replacement tiles that match the existing floor. This being the case, considers a small rug that will fit around the base of the toilet and will hide the mis-matched tiles (unless you decide to replace the entire floor with new tiles).

With everything on hand, put the toilet assembly back in place, say a little prayer, and flush it several times.

Hopefully you will have solved the problem.

By: Chuck Lunsford
Chuck Lunsford is the content manager for LightnBreezy.com, a well-known source for home improvement ceiling fixtures. If you have more questions about other home repair topics visit us at plumbing repairs for the do-it-yourselfers.

Submitted by:
Rebecca Thornton
Law - USA

Tile flooring is an extremely popular method of floor covering. It's durable, has a natural, handcrafted look, is easy to maintain, and has limitless design possibilities.

In fact, the variety of tile available can be quite overwhelming. It's important that you choose the correct type of floor for your planned use. A general rule of thumb is:

Entryways & Kitchens: Use a hard, abrasion-resistant, moisture-proof tile.

Baths: Tile should be moisture-proof and non-slip. The slip-resistant tile is treated to roughen the surface to prevent slipping.

Here is a guide to some of the basic types of tile and their preferred uses.

Brick: This is a rustic style of tile, perfect for outdoor settings such as a patio. It should be treated with a stain resistant sealer.

Cement: Cement tiles are created from a mold, then fired or dried naturally. A cement stain can be added for color and sealing is required.

Ceramic: Made from clay and then kiln dried, ceramic tiles come with two finishes:

Glazed - The color is added to these tiles after firing and the glazing acts as a sealer. Glazed tiles are used mostly on walls or counter tops and offer a wider range of color choices than unglazed tiles.

Unglazed or Quarry Tiles - These are colored with the natural pigment already in the clay and fired in a kiln. Unglazed tiles require sealing for moisture protection.

Mosaic: These tiles come in a porcelain or ceramic finish and are generally 2 inches square or smaller. They can be installed individually or premounted on a mesh backing and come glazed or unglazed.

Pavers: Pavers are like a thin brick tile and generally used for patios or interior floors in a sunroom. They require sealing for moisture and stain proofing.

Quarry: This is a clay-based, unglazed tile. It is commonly used in commercially due to its durability and economical pricing. It requires sealing and comes in a variety of earth shades.

Saltillo: Also called Mexican tile, Saltillo is air dried rather than kiln dried. This type of drying creates a softer and less durable surface. It requires sealer for moisture protection.

Terra cotta: This is the same material that is found in clay garden pots. It has an attractive earthy look that requires sealing for indoor use.

Terrazzo: Commonly found used Italy and warmer Mediterranean climates, these tiles are made from stone or marble chips embedded in cement. The polished surface makes for a durable floor material.

By: Joe D Cline
Use AffinityProperties.com as your one-stop source of information for the Austin Real Estate. Award winning, local Austin REALTOR, Joe Cline will be happy to assist you with your questions and concerns.

Submitted by:
Josh Truegood
International Issues from Knowledge Is Power

For centuries, many engineers, architects and builders have used marble tiles and slabs for homes and buildings. For that long, marble floor tiles have stood as a decorative touch,as well as an opulent addition to an interior.

These materials have graced the pathways, halls, corridors, ballrooms and castles of Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire and Medieval Europe. Marble has been extensively used in courtyards and halls of government buildings, palaces and large homes.

The ancient Aztecs of South America also used marble tiles, making it the flooring of choice for use in their cities. Marble has been historically valued for its elegant, old-world appeal across all continents and cultures.

Today, marble tiles are still seen as an artistic option, and because of its timeless look, its popularity has been always assured. A fixture in the halls of the Renaissance, marble as flooring can lead to an enlightened and regal appeal for your interiors as well, whether it's a home or commercial one.

Marble Tiles Are A Practical Flooring Option

For centuries, marble tiles were extensively utilized in places that were noted for affluence. However, there is another aspect to its use that could be generally attributed to a more practical purpose. In areas where cleanliness is a number priority, and needs to be free of allergens and pathogens, marble is a practical choice, most notably in hospitals.

Porcelain tiles are now more commonly used in these areas, yet marble remains to be a choice in tiles where microscopic particles have trouble finding penetrating. In areas that are known for hot or humid temperatures, marble provides a cool, invigorating and refreshing walking surface. This are among the many benefits that one from using marble tiles for flooring.

Marble Tiles Have Been Renowned For Its Cool Surface

Marble can also be seen as hypoallergenic choices for flooring, since it's as a dense surface upon which antigens, and other particles which cause allergy symptoms, are less able to reside than they would in carpets. There was a time when marble was used for flooring surfaces in hospitals, before the use of porcelain tile grew to its current level of popularity.

The cool surface of marble is best seen in the summer months, as it can be a quite pleasant underfoot, adding a certain comfort value to the choice of flooring. Overall, marble tiles are a great way to accent an interior, and its practical features are an extra addition to its many benefits.

Historically Noted As Good Decorative Fixtures

They have been noted as a decorative natural stone flooring material that cannot be matched aesthetically. Marble has understandably been sought after by artists, artisans, and architects worldwide for centuries, and is firmly rooted in the history of architecture, art, and of the development of Western and Eastern civilizations as well.

These materials were extensively used to create memorable and monumental artworks that have lasted for centuries. As such, marble stands as a material with a historical reputation for craft, artistry, and longevity, making it a material of choice for use in any interior.

By: Vanessa A. Doctor
http://tilenet.net - Tilenet
Vanessa A. Doctor from Jump2Top - SEO Company

Submitted by:
Barry Arcant
Legal Resources Services

Sometimes the new furnace performs no better than the one it replaced.

Issues such as comfort and inferior indoor air quality still exist in their home.

The reason for the disappointing results is the heating contractor fails to recognize that a furnace is only one part of a heating system.

Other components of the "system" include ductwork, air registers, air filters and thermostat.

Some contractors install a new furnace with the same heating capacity as the old.

This can be a big mistake especially if new windows have been installed or insulation added to the home after the original furnace was installed.

You'll end up with a furnace that is oversized for the house. Oversized furnaces are less efficient and have short run cycles that lead to discomfort with large room temperature variations.

High efficiency furnaces that are attached to poorly designed or leaky duct systems never come close to their rated efficiency.

Installing high efficient air filters that restrict air flow not only affect the efficiency but will not deliver the available heat output of the heating appliance.

A furnace is not like a refrigerator that all you have to do is plug it in.

It's part of a system that depends on other parts.

How To Get The Full Benefits Of A High Efficiency Furnace

1.) Insist that the heating contractor do a heat loss calculation of your home using the industry standard Manual J to specify the right size furnace.

2.) Have the contractor perform a static pressure test on the duct system. A good HVAC company will do this on the initial sales call as well as after the furnace replacement. Doing this helps the contractor evaluate your duct system and avoid all of the problems associated with inferior furnace replacements.

3.) Make sealing the ducts part of the process, its well worth the small extra cost.

4.) Ask the heating company about two-stage or modulating gas valve options for increased comfort levels.

5.) If the salesperson balks at these requests, find another company.

Abiding by these suggestions may increase your upfront costs but will save you month after month and year after year.

One of our customers said it best:

"A low price always costs more in the long run."

By: E Bishop
Ed Bishop brings over thirty years of experience to the art of designing and installing engineered living environments for homeowners and offers the widest array of solutions to improve the safety, comfort, quality and efficiency of new and existing homes.
Please visit www.heating-and-air-conditioning-guide.com

Submitted by:
George Snedrow
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