TOP TIPS FOR... choosing a shower
ELECTRIC showers draw on the cold water supply and heat the water on demand, so you can shower at any time. Quick and easy to install, they're very economical (99.7% energy efficient) and come in a wide range of styles and finishes. The higher the kilowatt rating of the shower, the better the flow performance will be.
Mixer showers draw on both the hot and cold water supplies and usually deliver high flow rates, making them ideal for homes with readily available hot water, such as those with a combi boiler. Hot and cold water is mixed in the unit before being delivered through the shower.
Digital (or remote-control) showers are an increasingly popular choice. The shower is controlled by a panel linked to a power unit, located in the attic or airing cupboard, which adjusts the flow and temperature of the water. No unsightly plumbing is visible. Digital showers are available as both mixer and electric showers.
Shower towers are wall-mounted panels that draw on the hot and cold water supplies. Most offer a combination of shower sensations, including multiple body jets, a fixed head and a handset. Their high flow rate means they're only suitable for high-pressure water systems, though low-pressure ones can be boosted with a pump.
Eco showers limit the flow of water to an efficient, usable level, no matter what the pressure of your system, and maintain your selected temperature. They're available as both electric and mixer showers and save up to 50% of the water used compared to conventional mixer showers.
Triton's new website features a useful 'help me choose' section for homeowners looking for a new shower - see www.tritonshowers.co.uk. Unless you're a very experienced and competent DIYer, don't install a shower yourself - get a qualified plumber to do it.
And however good at DIY you are, it's essential to get a qualified electrician to do any electrical work in or for your bathroom.
According to a survey by Focus conducted before Easter, 35% of us were planning to do home improvements over the Easter weekend. And, it seems, the recession is really making it a case of do it yourself - 67% said the economic climate makes them less likely to get a professional in.
More than half of home improvers admit that they dislike spending money on DIY materials and want to pay as little as possible. "There are lots of jobs homeowners can do themselves without the need for expensive tools," says Jill Gater from Focus.
"Just like supermarkets, many DIY retailers are introducing value lines."
To find out more about Focus's Payless value range - and its discount Project Card - see www.focusdiy.co.uk.
If you're doing some major DIY in your garden and are looking for some finishing touches, check out Haddonstone's range of cast limestone garden ornaments.
The company is currently offering 20% off selected designs, including planters, birdbaths and fountains. Examples of the savings include a Westonbirt urn on a 27in Queen Anne pedestal, Pounds 428, down from Pounds 535, and a Hazelwood birdbath, Pounds 300, down from Pounds 375. You can order online at www.haddonstone.com or by calling 01604 770 711.
ASK THE EXPERT...
Q: I want to remove the beading from my painted kitchen-unit doors and repaint to get a more modern look - any tips?
A: Carefully prize off the beading with a chisel and hammer, then sand really well with an electric sander to smooth out the difference in levels between the area under the beading and the rest of the door. If this doesn't work, you'll have to use wood filler to make the levels the same and then sand that. When all the sanding dust has been cleaned off, you should be able to feel if the levels are the same or need more work. Use special cupboard paint for the doors, as this is really hardwearing.
SEASONAL TASK...
If you're putting window boxes on your windowsills, remember to drill drainage holes in the bottom, if they don't already have them.
Put the boxes on 'feet' so water can drain out. To protect your windowsills and anything underneath, particularly if you're above the ground floor, it's also a good idea to put trays under the boxes to prevent water cascading down when you water the plants.
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