Bathtub Faucet Repair Tips and Techniques
February 21, 2012 | 
Author Did you know that you can fix a leaking shower faucet and save hundreds of gallons of water a year? Most people just think of a dripping faucet as an annoyance and don’t realize how much precious water is being wasted one drop at a time. The good news is that almost anyone with a few basic hand tools can learn how to fix most dripping faucets.
Let’s start with the basics. Faucets have one primary purpose, to allow the water in your pipes to be used in a controlled manner. This means that they have to open to allow water out of the pipes and close to keep water in the pipes. Not rocket science, right? The closing part is what we want to concentrate on here.
There Are Two Basic Faucet Designs
Faucets drip when they fail to completely trap the water in the pipes. Most faucets use one of two basic methods to stop the water flow. Some, primarily older designs, use rubber or neoprene washers which tighten against a “seat” and block the flow of water. Drips from these faucets are addressed by replacing the washers and/or seats. We’ll talk about how to do that in a minute. Most other faucet designs involve some sort of cartridge. Some people call these “washerless” faucets. Repairing newer style water faucets like these usually involves replacing the cartridge(s).
Washers And Seats
Older faucet designs often use washers to block the water and keep it in the pipes. Tightening the handle compresses the washer against a “seat” and seals the opening, thus stopping the water flow. If you need to do a bathtub faucet repair on a three handle wall faucet you probably have this type. You will also run into this style if you need to fix a leaking shower faucet hat has two handles. Many sink and lavatory faucets also use washers. One way to tell whether or not your faucets use washers is to see if the handle gets harder to turn as you turn it off. If turning it really tight stops the drip, this probably, but not always, means that you have washers. If you do have a dripping faucet that has washers, the basic repair process is very similar whether you need to know how to repair a shower faucet,repair a leaking tub faucet or fix a dripping sink faucet. There is, however, one important difference.
Bathtub Faucet Repair
The one critical thing to remember when fixing a leaky bathtub faucet is that you will have to turn the water off to the entire house before removing any parts other than the outer trim pieces. If you’re not sure which pieces are trim, just turn the water off first just in case. Once you have turned off the main water to the house you can begin taking things apart. There are lots of different brands and designs of faucets out there and they all come apart a little differently, so you will have to sort of feel your way through.
Removing The Trim
The first step is to remove the handles. This is usually done by removing a cap to expose the handle screw and then removing the screw. Next, remove the handle. This may require a little finesse, as the handles sometimes get stuck in place. One trick is to place the handles of a pair of channel lock pliers behind the valve handle, one on each side, and tap evenly on the handle to nudge it loose. If this doesn’t work you can buy a special tool to remove handles but these tools are sometimes hard to find and usually a little patience is all you need to do the trick.
After he handles are off, there is usually some sort of sleeve over the stem itself. This typically has to come off too. Once again, there are many different configurations. One popular design uses threaded plastic tubes to connect the trim sleeve with the valve. Other types have the sleeve threaded directly onto the valve. You will have to figure this step out before you can proceed. If you can determine what brand valve you have there is a good chance of finding instructions on-line.
Now For The Root Of The Problem
OK, so you have removed both the handles and any remaining trim sleeve from the valve. Now you are ready to get to the root of the problem, your valve stem. The washer is almost always at the other end of the valve stem from the handle. Usually the stem is threaded into the valve body and you will just need to unscrew it to remove it. Here’s a tip. Stick the handle back on for a second and open the valve half way. This relieves pressure on the stem and makes it easier to unscrew. Now you just need to make sure you are loosening the correct nut.
Lots of valves have a packing nut around the stem. It is usually a little smaller and just in front of the actual connection with the valve body. The packing nut’s purpose is to squeeze some special packing material around the stem to prevent water from leaking around the stem when the valve is in use. Loosening the packing nut won’t help you, you need to get your wrench on the actual connection to the valve body. By the way, a deep socket is often the only tool that will work to remove the valve stem.
Removing The Valve Stem
The easiest way to make sure you have the correct nut is to see if there is a gap opening up between the nut and the valve body as you loosen the nut. The valve stem itself will also usually turn when you have the right one. If you have loosened the packing nut by mistake, don’t worry, you will adjust it before you are finished anyway. Go ahead and remove both stems and keep up with which one is which, it matters on many valves.
After you have the stems out you should be able to find the washer on the “inside” end. If it is nicked, torn or brittle it is likely the cause of your drip. Even if it looks brand new, go ahead and replace it. You’ve already come this far. You can get replacement washers at almost any hardware store. Sometimes you may want to replace the whole stem, especially if the handle end is stripped out. It’s best to just take the stem with you to the store and see if you can match it up. Most Do It Yourself stores have replacement stems for many popular brands. If your valve has a center diverter valve to switch the waterfrom the tub spout to the shower head the same process applies. Many times it is easier to replace the diverter stem than to repair it. This really depends on the design of the stem.
How Are Your Seats?
One more thing to check is the seats. These are the part of the valve body that the washer tightens up against to stop the water flow. If you can get your finger inside the valve, feel of the seats and see if they feel rough. If so, it would be best to replace them if you can get them out. The inside of the seats, which is where the water flows through when the valve is open, usually have either a hex or square recess. Special seat wrenches are used to remove the seats. You can usually get these wrenches at the same place you get the other parts and they’re not expensive. You just stick the wrench through the seat and unscrew it. The replacement seats screw back in the same way, just put a little pipe dope on the threads before you install it.
Put It All Back Together
Once you’ve figured out what needs to be replaced and have done that, you just need to put everything back together. If your valve has packing nuts don’t put the trim back on until you have turned the water back on. Once the water is on, go ahead and stick the handle on for a second and open the valve. Make sure no water is leaking around the stem. If it is leaking, with the handle opened half way, snug down the packing nut until the leak stops. Easy does it. If you get it too tight the handle will be hard to turn. Now finish installing the trim pieces and you are done.
Repairing Newer Style Water Faucets
If you have a newer, “washerless” type valve the repair process is similar, but usually easier. Many of these type valves use a self contained cartridge. If the valve starts to drip, just replace the cartridge and you’re done. You still need to turn the water off and remove the handles and trim. The cartridge is usually held in place by a retaining nut on the valve body or, in the case of most Moen valves, by a retaining clip. Simply remove the cartridge and put another one in it’s place. If your hot and cold are backwards when you finish, turn the water back off, pull the cartridge back out, turn it over 180 degrees and re-install it.
Delta Style Valves
One other common design that is considered “washerless” was made famous by Delta and copied by several other makers. It uses little “cup” seals that fit over springs recessed in the back of the valve body. The springs press these “seals” against the cartridge and regulate the flow through little tapered openings in the cartridge. If you have one of these and it’s dripping, changing these springs and seals will usually correct it. Here’s a tip. Once you have the cartridge out of the way, insert a phillips screwdriver into the seal and pop both the seal and spring out. Stick the new ones on the end of the screwdriver to help guide them into place. This is especially helpful if you don’t have long slender fingers.
Delta, and a few imitators, also have a faucet design that uses a ball instead of a cartridge. This is not as common in tub or shower valves but there are plenty of them out there. The springs and seals are the same but there are lots more o-rings an parts to deal with. The good news is that these parts are readily available. While it’s a little more complicated than learning how to repair a Moen kitchen faucet, which is a piece of cake, it is still easier than working with most washer type faucets.
These Techniques Work In The Kitchen Too
Armed with the knowledge you’ve gained in this article you now not only know how to repair a shower faucet and to repair a leaking tub faucet, but you can apply these skills to many other faucets as well. After fixing a leaky bathtub faucet, stopping a dripping outside hose faucet will be a breeze. The techniques that you will use to complete a “washerless” bathtub faucet repair can be used when repairing newer style water faucets of all kinds. Whether you have an old dripping tub faucet or a newer kitchen faucet that just won’t quite shut off you can now fix it. So put these new skills to use, roll up your sleeves and stop that drip!
Copyright 2008 Bryan Stevens
Beauty Fruits For Beautiful Skin
Here are a list of beauty fruits that can give your skin a boost. Give it a try and your skin will thank you for them
Beauty Fruit 1: Apples
Apples are a great conditioner and toner for your skin. They have amazing skin-healing powers and have been used as a beauty aid for centuries. Add a cup of apple juice to your bath to cleanse and soften your skin. The juice of apple can be used as a breathe freshener too. Apple juice when applied to your hair scalp can prevent dandruff. Use as a final rinse after shampooing your hair. Also, remember, apples are filled with pectin – essential for fighting the dreaded acne
Beauty Fruit 2: Lemons
A classic home beauty ingredient. Lemons are used to cleanse and freshen the skin and hair. Use lemon slices to soften rough skin spots such as elbows and heels. Lemon slices also help deodorize and mix a few teaspoons of lemon juice in your bath and you will feel fresh the whole day. Lemon juice can be added to your favourite cleanser or shampoo to refresh and tone your scalp. It also helps prevent dandruff. Lemon rinds can be rubbed on to scars as it aids healing. Lemon is a ,natural bleach it can help to fade out dark spots and acne scars too
Beauty Fruit 3: Bananas
Banana is a great emollient for your skin and hair. They are rich in protein and natural fats and can be used on all skin types. An easy facemask that will make your skin supple is to apply mashed banana all over your skin and leave it on for 2o minutes, rinse off with warm water and moisturize after that. Mashed banana also makes a wonderful hair conditioner when mixed with a 1 tablespoon of honey. Perfect for keeping hair beautiful even if dyed regularly
Beauty Fruit 4: Pineapple
Like papaya, pineapples are great skin softeners, which cleanses and rejuvenates dull and dry skin. Use pineapple slices on rough skin spots like knees, elbows, and heels. Use a slice of pineapple as you would a sponge or loofah to scrub your body in the bath or shower.
Beauty Fruit 5: Papaya
Papaya- rich in papain enzyme and Vitamin A, is the best treatment for exfoliating your skin. For having a fresh and glowing skin apply mashed papaya and 3 teaspoons of aloe vera gel and massage all over your body monthly. Leave on your skin for no more than five minutes and rinse thoroughly. Use it with caution for the first time as it may sometimes irritate sensitive skin.
Beauty Fruit 6: Peaches
Peaches are highly emollient and perfect for dry skin types. Mash a fresh peach and combine with a tablespoon of plain yogurt to make a smooth paste. Apply on the skin and leave it on for 20 mins and then rinse off with warm water. Your skin will feel moisturized and supple to the touch.
So, why not start munching on all these healthy fruits and leave some to be applied on your skin too. They are scrumptious and oh so irresistible. They can satisfy your sweet tooth and none of the calories!
Prefabricated Showers Are Not What They Used To Be
The idea of a prefabricated shower may put a bad taste in your mouth. Think again with an open mind.
A visit to your local showroom may have you changing your mind. These are not just low end units anymore. You will find many of the features offered in custom showers available.
These prefabricated showers now feature a wide variety of the most desirable features.
Features available in prefabricated showers
1. multiple showerheads
2. steam
3. body jets
4. waterfall rainheads
5. handheld sprayers
6. remote control CD, stereo and TV systems
Advantages of prefabricated showers
1. offered in one piece and multi-piece units
2. flexible pricing
3. lightweight-floor may not need extra stabilizing of the underlayment as in the case of a tile shower.
4. lightweight-easier handling by a do-it-yourselfer
5. fast installation
6. ease of getting multi-piece unit on site
Prefabricated showers come in various sizes, and since they are offered as multi-piece units as well as one piece units, they might be the right solution for your bathroom remodel.
Prefabricated showers come in 32, 36, and 48 inch units. The multi-piece units are assembled on site. For a bathroom remodel this can allow you to have the size you want and still get it into your existing space.
If you are doing a bathroom remodel, before considering a one piece prefabricated shower, take lots of measurements, consider the route your unit will have to travel to get to it’s final position and be sure you can get it into the house, through doorways and halls, or whatever is encountered on it’s way to your new bathroom.
Do some convenient browsing online and investigate how prefabricated showers have improved and what features you would select.
Taking a Hot Shower Will Cause Acne
Have you ever heard that taking a hot shower will cause acne? This is a common question among people with bad acne. The reason that taking a hot shower will cause acne is because when you take a hot shower your pores open up and allow the acne through. This is the same reason that many people shave in a hot or steamy shower. The pores open up causing the hair to become easier to shave and it doesn’t hurt as much.
The cause of the acne is not the hot shower however. Acne is caused by many different things. A hot shower only allows the acne to surface and come out. What causes the acne in the first place is probably something to do with your diet and lifestyle. Acne can be caused by the things that you eat. If your diet is fast food and potato chips then chances are you are more likely to get acne. There is something that you can do to reverse this though.
What you can do to help get rid of your acne is to change your diet. What you should do is start drinking more water than usual. This will help cleanse your pores. What you will also want to do is eat less fatty foods. Try eating fruit instead of potato chips. It will be a tough change but it will improve your acne.
Another common way to change your diet is by not drinking alcohol. I have personally seen someone stop drinking alcohol for about 3 weeks and at the end they said their face cleared up quite a bit and their skin was brighter. These are just a few quick ways you can start to treat acne.
Bathroom Renovation – A Step by Step Guide
Bathrooms are one of the smallest rooms in the house and they are also one the most costly to renovate. Bathroom renovation is a job that, if done well, can add value to a home and a great space full of design and light.
Bathroom design
Bathroom design is the first area of your bathroom renovation you need to get right. Just replacing the existing bathroom with the same design may not be enough. The key to great bathroom design is to design it with the people that are going to use it in mind. However be sure that your bathroom design also has a general use factor as well. For example: If you were designing a bathroom for families you could still design the bathroom with easy access to the shower and bath. This would ensure that the design would also work for people with limited mobility. This means if you decide to sell your home or if you are renovating for profit your design has a wider market appeal. Great bathroom design also uses the space well, taking into account the light or window space, size of fittings, and drainage options. Draw out a plan to scale and right down the sizes of your room. Mark the existing drainage points and then and water inlet points. Write down a wish list of the bathroom fittings to need and want with their sizes. Now marry the two together and see what fits. Note: Most bathroom drainage and water inlet points can be moved but this does come at extra cost.
Bathroom remodel
If you have decided to do the work yourself or part of the work it is time to hire a skip bin and pull out the old bathroom. If your home was made pre 1980 you may have fibro bathroom wall linings with asbestos in it and great care will need to be taken. You will need some full body disposable overalls, eye protection, and quality dust mask. Check with your local building authority or council regarding the regulation on bathroom asbestos wall lining removal.
Remove everything except the plumbing. If you keep the bathroom plumbing in place you will not have to turn the water off for the whole house. Also you will need to jack hammer the floor tiles up and the sand and cement bed that they are laid on.
Bathroom Renovation and construction
Bathrooms must be construction properly from the ground up to ensure that the finished job is correct and true. This also ensures the design and look of the bathroom will have a great finish
The Bathroom Renovation Process
Install water and drainage pipe and electrical wires.
Install wall lining and ceiling and then install the bath hob and bath.
Waterproof the floor and shower and bath recess.
Correct the fall of the floor with sand and cement ready for tiling.
Lay floor and wall tiles and then grout.
Install new bathroom vanity, fittings, and taps – install new electrical.
Paint ceiling and final clean.Step one – Plumbing and electrical
At this point all new plumbing is installed for clean hot and cold water and drainage. Careful attention needs to be taken when positioning the new plumbing so that the plumbing fittings are correct when the tiling is finished. For example: To centre a fitting in a shower recess you must take into consideration the thickness of the wall board, tile glue and tile so the fitting will be centred after the tiles are in place. The same applies to installing drainage pipes for a toilet; the wall lining and tile thickness must be taken into account so the pipe is in the correct position when the toilet is installed after tiling. Also rough in the any new electrical wires without connecting them to the mains power.
Step two – Install wall and ceiling linings
Install your 6mm wall lining being careful to nail the fibro board every 150mm without nailing into the new pipes and electrical wires. The best way is to measure and mark the pipe and wire layout onto your new wall board with a pencil as you go. Screw up (or nail) the ceiling lining, plasterboard is the most common. However if you are laying your tiles from floor to ceiling do not install the cornice as this is best done after tiling. If you are not tiling to the ceiling go ahead and install the cornice after the wallboard and ceiling lining have been installed. Also if your bath is not freestanding you can now make up the frame and install the bath. Ensure the bath is installed correctly allowing for the thickness of the tiles and glue.Be sure to check all linings and pipes before you continue with your bathroom renovation.
Step three – Waterproof your bathroom
Waterproof your bathroom floor, shower recess, and around the bath. When waterproofing the floor ensure that the waterproofing comes 100mm up the walls. The shower recess will need to be waterproofed 100mm above the shower rose outlet. Also the bath should be waterproofed 100mm above the lip of the bath right around and to the floor. At the doorway install a 25 x 25mm aluminum angle glued into place with quality silicone and waterproof into the lip. Your whole bathroom should now the tanked, so the all water will only go down a drain. Bathroom waterproofing tip: waterproofing is an easy job but quality and accuracy is most important.
Step four – Lay in the cement screed for the floor.
Before the floor tiles can laid the floor must be smooth and fairly flat with a slight fall to the drainage outlet. To do this you must use sand and cement mix and it is best to add a waterproofing agent into this as well. With a level, set the floor level at the doorway. Use the top aluminum angle as the finished floor level and measure down the thickness of the tile plus 10mm for the glue. Mark right around the bathroom with a level and then screed in your sand and cement mix with a 1 to 3 degree fall to the top of the drain outlet. Take your time and get it right with the finished level as smooth as possible. When the sand cement mix has set but is not dry (you can walk on it but you it is still a bit soft) rub it over with a house brick. This will remove all the small highs and lows and check with a level as you go. Let the bathroom floor fully dry and then you should have a great surface to tile onto. Tip: the more work you put into the floor screed the easier your tiling will be.
Step five: Tile floor and walls
Lay your tiles on the floor first and then grout. Then lay your wall tiles making sure that they are level as you lay. Once the bathroom tiles have been cut and laid, grout all your tiles and then buff the tiles clean.
Step six: Install plumbing fitting and fixtures
Install all your plumbing fittings and taps. Also fit all your towel rails and soap holders. Fit your new bathroom vanity making sure it is level and sealed around the top with silicone and also seal around the bath. Tip: make sure they are in the right place before you drill into your tiles.
Step seven: painting, and cleaning – enjoy
Paint your ceiling and do a final clean making sure everything is fitted correctly and that there are no leaks in your plumbing. – Enjoy your new bathroom.
Pre-Drilled Glass Block Lights, Banks, & Vases For the Holidays
If you’re a craft professional looking for something unique to sell, a non-profit fund raiser working to secure donations in exchange for a unique gift, or just an individual looking for a personalized present for Thanksgiving or Christmas there is something new and different to consider – glass block lights, banks, and vases. Below you can learn more about these products and their benefits and features for your project or gift.
Pre-drilled Glass Block Lights for Crafts & Gifts
If you’re looking for a cool nightlight for a bedroom or bathroom, a lighted block for a cake or table at a wedding or convention, or a Christmas decoration to put on your kitchen counter, a lighted block can be perfect for you. Here are some key features and benefits of this product:
1. Available with pre-drilled holes – Cutting and cleaning out the inside of a block is not the easiest or safest thing in the world to do. With pre-drilled ½” to 5/8″ holes the block units are craft-ready without needing to invest in a drill press or expensive diamond drill bits. The 5/8″ holes are create a snug, secure fit for lights. The holes can be put either on the face of the block for upright projects or the side of the block for flat gifts.
2. Any size or pattern of block can be pre-drilled and illuminated – The block can be ordered in 4″ x 8″, 6″ x 6″, 6″ x 8″, 8″ x 8″, or even 12″ x 12″ sizes with any pattern of block. The different sizes can actually be quite helpful. One crafter looking to save on the ribbon cost going around the block unit chose to work with 4″ x 8″ and 6″ x 6″ sizes to save money. A homeowner in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania was looking to finish off his “man-den” with two yellow colored 12″ x 12″ blocks to support shelving in Pittsburgh Steelers themed basement.
3. Several blocks can be put together for unique gifts or home accessories – Glass block lamps, furniture, telephones, and Christmas decorations have been created by assembling more than one pre-drilled block together. One woman in Cincinnati Ohio creates block snowman with lights running through multiples blocks. Glass shapes and images can be purchased at crafts stores and put onto the faces of the block with contact cement to make a stylish paperweight or book end. You might also consider cementing several blocks together to make a spice rack or bookshelf. A rub on appliqué can be put on the block face for a unique design as well.
4. Nationwide shipping for craft enthusiasts – Since the block are a very solid 3 1/8″ or 3 7/8″ thick they can be shipped from Maine to Oregon without a problem, allowing you to source hard to find block patterns and sizes that are professionally drilled and ready for your project.
Glass Block Banks For Fundraising and Christmas Gifts
There’s nothing quite like a glass piggy bank where you can watch your money grow. The following benefits and features of the product have expanded the block specialty sales greatly.
1. Available with pre-drilled coin slots at the top and plugs at the bottom – Older style block banks only had a slot at the top of the block – making it a tough exercise to get the money out! Now block banks come with slots at the top and plugs at the bottom making coin removal painless.
2. Sizes and patterns for unique looks – Most common glass block banks come in 6″ x 6″ x 3 1/8″ and 8″ x 8″ x 3 1/8″ sizes in a Wave pattern. There are also some availability of 6″ x 8″ sizes and Icescapes, Mist, and Bubble patterns.
3. Personalized engraving for a unique touch – The faces of the block units can be personalized with any type of image or logo to make a unique gift for a family member or donor to your organization.
Glass Block Vases for Floral Shops and Home Decorating
If you’re looking for a cool, contemporary, and sturdy vase all wrapped into one a glass block vase is for you. Here are some of it’s key features and benefits:
1. Multiple sizes for square and vertical vases – Available in 6″ x 6″ and 8″ x 8″ square sizes or 4 ½” x 9 ½” for a vertical look.
2. Can be safely shipped – Since the blocks are sturdy with thick faces on the glass they are safe to ship anywhere in the nation.
3. Your cat will have a hard time knocking this vase over – Ever come home and find your cat sniffing the flowers from a vase they’ve recently knocked down and broken while you’ve been away? Block glass vases are more sturdy and heavy than traditional vases and much less likely for your pet to knock down.
If you’re ready for something new, fun, and personalized for your crafting business, fund raising events, or gift for a family member consider pre-drilled glass block lights, banks, and vases this upcoming holiday season.
Bathroom Injuries
As humorous as the title “Bathroom Injuries” may sound, restrooms are a very common place for household and hotel injuries. There are a number of hazards that can result in injury and even death. This article will give you some advice as to avoiding the hidden dangers that may be present in your own personal bathroom.
Bathrooms combine several dangerous elements that can result in injury. Most bathrooms are made of tile or other hard flooring, and have showers, bathtubs, sinks, and toilets that can splash water on the floors and make them slippery. Also, burns, drowning, and even medication overdose can all occur in the bathroom.
First, the bathroom floor and the shower floor can become extremely slippery when covered in water. Also, product buildup, such as soap scum, can also contribute to slip-and-fall accidents. If your bathroom is not properly constructed, it may not drain water, which can result in almost a hydroplane effect on your feet. Additionally, some shower and bathtub flooring does not have special grip strips. As you are showering and shampooing your hair, you can lose your balance in the shower, resulting in a fall.
Slip-and-fall accidents can result in injuries such as head trauma, lacerations, broken bones, and chipped teeth. If you happen to be knocked unconscious, there is a chance that you can lay for hours alone in your bathroom, possibly drowning.
Studies show that one of the most common bathroom injuries is being burned by scalding hot water. If you are washing your hands or stepping into the shower, some water heaters may be turned up too hot, resulting in burns to your hands, back, head, and body.
Next, any accumulation in water can be dangerous for people who cannot swim. Even a few inches of bathwater in the tub can provide enough to kill a baby or a person who has fallen face down in the tub. Thus, you should never leave young children or elderly people alone in a bathroom. Also, toilet bowls hold enough water to cover someone’s mouth and nose. You should consider always putting the lid down or even getting a lid latch to keep possible drowning victims out of the bathroom.
Also, if the tile or granite in your bathroom is poorly cut or construction, it can chip. This may lead to abrasions and lacerations from the sharp surfaces. Lastly, many people choose to keep their medicine cabinets in the bathroom. Curious kids and suicidal people may exploit this fact, resulting in mental damage or even death.
With all of the dangers that are present in bathrooms, you should keep your personal restroom as protected as possible against drownings, burns, and slips. You should also be able to trust a hotel to keep their bathroom safe as well. However, there is no guarantee that a hotel is vigilant about bathroom safety, which can result in an injury to you or someone you love.
For more information on hotel personal injury law, check out the personal injury lawyers at Palmer & Associates, P.C., today.
A Guide to Shower Filters For Hard Water
You may want shower filters for hard water, but you also want to remove hazardous chemicals that vaporize during a hot bath. In the enclosed area of the bathroom, we inhale these chemicals and scientists believe that increases our risk of cancer.
You also want to remove chlorine, if it’s present. Chlorine also vaporizes and inhalation is irritating to the sinuses, as well as the entire respiratory system. The chemical vapors are known to trigger asthma attacks. That’s one reason that indoor swimming pools are closed if chlorine levels climb too high.
The best shower filters for hard water combine ion exchange to balance mineral content and soften. This step also removes traces of metals like lead and copper that seep in from the pipes. Metallic traces dull the hair and exposure to lead is never safe.
Granulated carbon will remove chlorine and some of the other chemicals, but a process called adsorption is needed to remove as many chemicals as possible. Specifically, it removes chlorination byproducts. Those are the ones that cause cancer.
The prices of shower filters for hard water vary greatly. Believe me. You don’t need the most expensive product on the market to get the best performance.
Some people recommend reverse osmosis. That’s an expensive and largely unnecessary step, even for drinking water filtration. It also creates gallons of wastewater and there are no units specifically designed for your showerhead. You’d have to get one for the whole house.
Whole house filters are sometimes a good idea, but generally speaking, your showerheads and your kitchen faucets are most important. There’s no particular reason to filter the waters for the toilet or even the laundry. You can always add water softeners to the laundry.
Some people recommend a brand called Wellness. There’s no real reason to go to that expense, either. They make some scientific claims that they can’t back up with hard evidence. There biggest claim to fame is that they are supposedly used in the number one health spa in the world, but I couldn’t verify that, either.
The best shower filters for hard water have been evaluated and rated by Consumer Reports. The company provides certified product performance data before you buy. The cost of use is pennies a day and the replacement filter lasts a full six months.
In case you have a hard time remembering when it’s time to change your filter, the company offers automatic shipment and discounts for signing up. There are many ways to save money. Buying direct from the factory is one easy way.
You want a product that is easy to install and unlikely to leak, simply to avoid frustration. If you’re tall, you also want one that does not reduce the height of the showerhead.
The right shower filters for hard water will protect your health, as well as prevent that scaly build up on your bathroom fixtures. Just be sure to shop carefully, so that you don’t end up disappointed.
Common Causes of Infection
It is common for us to fall ill due to infection. Be it a viral attack or some form of diseases infecting our body, all these external agents can cause us to fall sick unless we do something about it. You will be amazed there are so many causes of common infection that we need to deal with in our daily lives. Hence it is important to understand about it and deal with it before it gets us down.
An infection is defined to be a pathological state or a manifestation of diseases in a certain part of the body. It is due to external invasion of pathogenic or disease-causing microorganisms. Human and animal bodies will respond adversely the moment these foreign organisms colonized and attack their bodies. There is actually a war taking place when there is infection and it is between the host organisms and the foreign invading organisms. When the host organisms lose the battle, infection happens. The invading organisms come in the form of virus or bacteria.
Common Causes of infections
A staph infection is a condition where the body is attacked by a bacteria called staphylococcus aureus. The symptom is always characterized by puss-filled packets or abscesses in the infected area. Symptoms include pain and swelling for the infected person. In order to prevent this kind of infection, one requires proper hygiene. Always wash your hands before eating or shower with a germicidal soap and clean water after your hospital visit.
Urinary tract infection is another infection of the urinary system. It is also a caused by a certain bacteria that enter the urinary tract. If this infection is not treated early, this could lead to the bladder infection and even worse, a kidney infection. This may at the worse case lead to kidney malfunction in the long run. This disease is more common in females than in males due to difference in body structure. It can however be prevented by knowing the causes of this infection. Drinking plenty of water is a big help to this kind of infection.
Inner ear infection is a kind of infection which is also known as labyrinthitis. It is an infection of the inner ear known as labyrinth. This infection is mostly caused by other viral infections such as flu and cold. Sometimes, it is also caused by the accumulated water that enters the inner ear. This infection requires immediate attention from a professional.
Kidney infection is a progressive state of urinary tract infection. This is the third stage of untreated UTI. The second stage is bladder infection. This may also be triggered by other conditions like pregnancy, cancer and kidney stones. A person with a kidney infection experiences a fever with chills, nausea and vomiting. Upset stomach and pain in the lower back are usual symptoms of this infection.
Lastly, candida infection is a kind of fungal infection which is also known as candidiasis. This fungus depends on a living host in order to survive. The fungus is commonly present in the human digestive tract where it is harmless. However, when the immune system of the person is weak, infection will take place in the mucosa and the skin.
Are you having or experiencing any of these kinds of infection? Do find out more and seek the required medical attention before it gets worse. There may be many causes of infection, but through proper hygiene and health awareness, you will definitely keep your body well away from these infection.
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Some Great But Goofy Bridal Shower Gag Gifts
Gift giving at bridal showers can sometimes turn into a dull and boring event but it doesn’t have to be that way. Many brides appreciate and love something out of the ordinary like a gag gift. It is crucial that you know the person well and also know the other people who will be there so that you don’t give a gift that might be deemed inappropriate or crude.
In a time of stress from planning the wedding, most brides will probably appreciate the humor and comic relief that comes from a gag gift. As I mentioned earlier, it is important to know the bride and the other guests since a lot of the gag gifts for brides tend to be sexual or naughty. If you have bought a gift like this and the grandmother who is known for her prudishness shows up, you may want to hold onto it and deliver it in private; she might not ten to appreciate the concept of edible panties!
If you talk to the bride and the person putting on the shower and it is deemed that a gag gift exchange would be acceptable then maybe a gag gift exchange party would go over well. The thing that is so cool about this is that everyone gets to participate and each guest will take a gift home that will make them remember the event. To organize an event like this put instructions on the bridal shower invitations for each guest to bring a wrapped gag gift with them to the party. Count the number of guests and create numbered labels with a number for each guest.
Now, you start the exchange by having each guest pick a number and allow them to choose from any of the gifts that you have stacked in a pile in the middle of the room. The person unwraps the gift and shows it to everybody. The succeeding guests have the option to take a previously opened gift or open a new one. This goes on until the last person has opened a gift, at the end the person who went first has the option to keep the gift they have or take one from any other person in the room. It may be a thoughtful consideration to allow the bride this honor.
There are virtually unlimited gag gift ideas that can be found for the bride to be or the gift exchange. It is almost certain that you can find specialty shops in your area for such gifts and if not the internet certainly has anything you could possibly desire online.