How to Adjust Sliding Shower Doors

A dragging shower or bathtub door can permanently damage both the door and the track if ignored for too long. Learn the steps needed to fix it and get it running smoothly again.1: Remove the guide

Unscrew the guide at the lower edge of the sliding door. Protect the shower or tub from scratches with a drop cloth.

2: Remove the doors

Lift the door out of its track inside the upper rail. Tilt each door in or out to remove it. Wipe both tracks clean.

3: Adjust the rollers

Raise or lower each door by repositioning the roller in its slanted slot. Loosen the screw to move the roller.

4.Close up of rollers

Make sure all your rollers are either round or flat. Don’t mix the two types.

If the sliding doors on your shower or bathtub don’t glide smoothly, repair them soon. A door that drags on the lower track will eventually do permanent damage to both the door and the track. A dragging roller at the top of the door will wear and require replacement.

First, make sure the rollers on both doors are riding on the tracks inside the upper rail. Sometimes, one roller falls out of the track and the bottom edge of the door skids along the lower rail. In that case, you only have to lift the door and guide the roller back onto the track.

If an off-track roller isn’t the problem, you’ll have to remove the doors to adjust and possibly replace the rollers. Many doors have a small plastic guide at the middle of the lower rail. To remove this type of guide, just remove a single screw. Others have a guide rail screwed to the door (Step 1).

With the guide removed, lift the doors out of their tracks (Step 2). Then make sure the rollers turn easily. If not, apply a little silicone spray lubricant. Some lubricants can harm plastic, so check the label. If the lubricant doesn’t do the trick, replace the rollers. Most home centers and some hardware stores carry replacements. Take an old roller with you to find a match. In many cases, you can use a replacement that’s slightly larger or smaller than the original. But be sure the original and replacement edges match—either rounded or flat (see photo of roller types). If you can’t find rollers locally, type “shower door parts” into any online search engine to find a supplier.

Screw the new rollers into place and rehang the doors. You’ll probably have to remove the doors once or twice to adjust the rollers for smooth operation

Top 10 Mistakes in Bathroom Design

If you don't know that "walking the privies" means visiting the old outhouse, don't feel too badly. For most of us, the days when nature's call meant getting up close and personal with the out of doors are a few decades in the past -- at least. When the facilities moved indoors, some conscientious housewives were less than enthusiastic. They were sure that bodily waste belonged out back behind the well, or adjacent to the chicken coop. That mindset didn't last long, though. Since the 1970s, the number of homes with not only one bathroom, but two, three or more, has increased more than 30 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Building a better bathroom might look easy, but there are definitely elements of bathroom design where you can step in it -- well, not literally, but in your planning strategy. Let's look at 10 bathroom unfriendly design considerations that will dethrone your plans for a successful upgrade.

10. Small Budget for a Big Project
When you plan your bathroom project, expect to be over budget. Some people feed in a fudge factor of 15 to 20 percent for unseen circumstances, while others cross their fingers and hope for the best. The second approach has some serious potential consequences, including having to use the bathroom down the road at the gas station until you resolve billing disputes with your contractor.
Unforeseen issues with mold, dry rot, electrical service, antiquated plumbing and insufficient water pressure can blast a hole in your budget and leave you with a gaping void where your new shower was supposed to be. If you're scraping pennies together to afford that imported tile you want, you might consider waiting until you have a few 
9. Improper Installation
Without putting too fine a point on it, even without installation screw ups, the bathroom can be a dangerous place to hang out. When you put electricity, water, slippery surfaces, breakables and hurried people together in a small room, it's no wonder that 70 percent of home accidents happen in the bathroom.
An improperly installed electrical outlet, poorly mounted shower door or mirror, or about a thousand other things can pose risks to your safety and possibly even your life. From structurally weakening your home to making your family vulnerable to electrical shocks and toxic mold, improperly installed bathroom upgrades can cost you. If you aren't an accomplished DIYer, get professional assistance from an experienced contractor who can help you build your dream bathroom safely.
8. Uncomfortable Spacing
If you've ever tried to fit into a pair of jeans that are a size too small, you can appreciate the discomfort and inconvenience of using a tiny bathroom day after day. Yes, building codes do mandate some minimal spacing guidelines, but the minimum legal requirements don't take into account your love affair with cheesecake or the fact that your favorite chenille bathrobe takes up as much room as a bedspread. When it comes to the bathroom, more is definitely more -- spacewise, anyway. If you're converting a closet into a bathroom, you'll have to make some compromises, but if you're starting from scratch, consider space a luxury item and indulge yourself.
7. Lack of Storage
Remember back when the airlines served petite and adorable little meals that were still, somehow, really dissatisfying ? Living with a bathroom that has limited storage can be like that. It may look good and appear charming to visitors, but having to schlep your hairdryer back and forth from the bedroom every day gets annoying.
If you're opting for a delightful pedestal sink at the expense of a built-in cabinet with extra storage potential, don't say we didn't warn you. For a guest bath, fine, let your relatives balance their toiletries on the sink rim. If this is your everyday bath -- the one that sees all the real action -- add cabinets, put in shelves, make good use of the walls (for towel racks) and don’t forget to add solid doors complete with sturdy hanging hooks. You can never have too much storage.
6. Thinking Short Term
Anticipating your future needs and keeping your bathroom's appeal universal can save you money in the long run and pay dividends when you go to sell your home. Not everyone will appreciate that antique claw-footed tub or imported marble vessel sink, but a double vanity could go a long way toward making your bathroom more functional and family friendly.
When you traded in your sporty two-door for the family van or crossover vehicle, you adapted your driving habits to suit your changing lifestyle. (We can stop here to mourn with you for a moment or two). Trading in a vehicle is a lot easier than overhauling your bathroom every few years. Do yourself a favor and incorporate quality workmanship and classic styling into your bathroom design.
5. Going Too Trendy
An illuminated faucet and waterfall showerhead may seem like the latest thing in personal indulgence, but what's very in today will probably be very out within five years, maybe less. This goes for fixtures, materials and especially for your design palette (the color scheme you use). Embrace this expert advice: Stick with neutral colors, classic styles and quality, natural materials. If you want to go a little wild, do it with accessory items -- anything you can remove without a wrench, screwdriver or sledgehammer.
4. Choosing the Wrong Materials
Your average bathroom is an environmental nightmare. It can get hot, steamy and cold, all in the course of a few hours. That's hard on materials like wood, textiles, paper and even porous stone. Choose products that are designed specifically for the bath. It's the safest way to ensure that your wallpaper can take the humidity and your hardwood cabinets will retain their smooth gleam until after you've paid off the remodeling loan.
3. Ignoring the Environment
Water conservation is becoming more and more of an issue in the United States. Flushing, showering, bathing, and hand and hair washing all use precious water resources. Low-flow showerheads, auto-shutoff faucets and high-efficiency toilets save water, and they save money, too. Pre-1980 toilets can use more than five gallons of water per flush. If you're changing out one of these dinosaurs, your local water district might offer to foot part of the bill via a rebate. Not only that, a new toilet will pay for itself in water savings over time.
While you're exploring the design options for your new bathroom, consider a gray water system, too. These mini water reclamation stations reuse water from other areas of your home in places like your toilet where fresh, sparkling clean water isn't essential. It's another ingenious way to be environmentally conscious.
2. Inadequate Lighting
That blemish on your face is actually a toast crumb. The reason you're confused is that the lighting in your bathroom is so terrible you can't tell the difference between a chocolate dribble and a freckle. If you think muted lighting will make your yellowing teeth or receding hairline less noticeable (to you anyway), get a grip on yourself.
Poor lighting conditions in a bathroom can be dangerous. Don't take an unexpected tumble because you prefer candlelight to the harsh light of a fluorescent fixture. Install bathroom-rated lights over your sink and near your tub or shower. It'll save your guests the inconvenience of having to carry a flashlight around with them.
1. Improper Ventilation
The ceiling fan you usually forget to turn on is an important piece of bathroom equipment. Good air flow has a number of advantages -- one of which could save you from relying on a stash of air freshening matches. The air in your bathroom doesn't only get stinky, it gets very humid, too. Humidity trapped in a small space like a bathroom will eventually begin to rust metal, like the hinges on your doors and cabinets, unless you have a consistent method for venting excess moisture. It can also cause mold and mildew problems.
There are lots of ventilation options available, from multiple units at stations around the room to the central overhead fixture arrangement you're probably familiar with. Provide your retailer, contractor or building inspector with the dimensions of your bathroom for guidance on sizing. If the location allows, you should also consider adding a window. Windows offer good ventilation as well natural light. They can make a small bathroom look larger, too.

Why You Should Hire Rocky Mountain Bathrooms To Remodel Your Bathrooms?11 Reasons

Why working with us on your project will be unlike anything you may have experienced with another remodeling company.

1.Getting it right the first timeWe don’t take short-cuts, and aren’t afraid to take a little extra time to get it right the first time. This avoids the hassles to you of us having to come back over and over again to fix and tweak things. 2.Bathroom remodeling is all that we do

The dedication of all of our resources to doing only one thing allows us to deliver impeccable attention to detail and high-quality craftsmanship, while creating  beautiful bathrooms, that are completed in one-third the normal time. 3.We have high standardsWe believe in aiming high and always trying to exceed your expectations. When you contact some of our references you will hear in their words how great we are to work with. 4.We show up on time It is this simple : We do what we say we will do, when we say we will do it. Isn’t it about time you worked with a company that respects your time? No games, no excuses, we are on time, we don’t keep you  waiting.   5.We work jobs from start to finish: Once we start your project we will be using a construction schedule that minimizes non-construction days as best as possible. You don't ever have to worry about us leaving your project for weeks and weeks at a time without anything being done.  Not only  will you see real progress, but this helps minimizes the time you are forced to live in a dusty construction site. 6.A strong warranty: When you are doing excellent work you can provide an excellent warranty. Our two year free from defects in materials and workmanship warranty is twice as long as the rest of the industries. 7.No middleman or salesmen: You have the advantage of dealing directly with the owner of the company instead of a salesman on commission whom you would probably never see again once the job starts.  Since I am on your job everyday when you have questions you simply talk directly to me, nothing will get lost in translation. 8.We are highly organized We spend a lot of time pre-planning your project before it ever starts, we know that 1 hour of planning will save 4 hours on the construction site. Making sure everything is in place before we begin ensures your project run smoothly, on time and on budget.  9.We are good communicators Communication is essential for success. Putting everything in writing  eliminates confusion, that’s why we spell everything out in our estimates, often including pictures and brochures of the actual products that we will install. In addition, we keep you informed of the all the details so you always know what is going on during your project.  10.Permits and inspections The permit process puts an expert, independent, third party in the homeowner’s corner to inspect the project and make sure it at the very least meets minimum standards of safety. The permit process can protect you from sloppy or unscrupulous contractors who take short-cuts in materials and building techniques, potentially saving you thousands of dollars not having to correct something not built to code if you ever sell you house.     11.Building with quality in mind Many things  in your project are built over the code requirements because I want any project with my name on it  to be built to last, using the best materials for the job and the best techniques to ensure a finished project we can both be proud of.

How to Bathtub Recaulk

Caulk keeps water out of joints between objects. In bathrooms this is especially important because water is always ever-present. When caulk around a bathtub begins to crumble, water can get into joints, and mold and mildew can develop. This is when it is time to start over with fresh caulk to provide a stronger seal. This is how to recaulk a bathtub.

Steps:

1.Clean the tub or shower area with a bathroom surface cleaner that also removes soap scum. It is important that all surfaces you may be dealing with be clean and free of any substance that would come between the surface and the new caulk.

2.Strip the existing caulk from the tub or shower area.

• Using a sharp knife, decide what kind of caulk is already in your tub or shower area. When you cut into the caulk, if it is soft and rubbery it is most likely silicone based; however, if the caulk is hard and crumbly then it is most likely water based, latex or PVA.
• Determine the best manner of removal based on caulk type. Silicone based caulk may be removed using a razor blade scraper with a plastic handle, and the other types are removed best when warmed using an ever-moving hair dryer on a low heat temperature and then scraped using the tool.

3.Scrub the joints where the caulk had previously been with rubbing alcohol. This will help to get rid of any remaining bits and pieces of caulk left after the scraping.

4.Vacuum out any pieces of caulk that may have gotten stuck between the tile and the tub or shower pan

5.Spray on a 10% bleach to 90% water solution that will kill mold and mildew that may have grown when water got into the loose caulk joints. Let this sit and take effect against the mold and mildew for at least 5 minutes before scrubbing down with fresh, clean water.

6.Allow the tub or shower area to dry at least overnight. You do not want the dampness that crept into the joints when the previous caulk was loose, or the dampness that resulted from the cleaning you have just done, to impact the ability of your new caulk to adhere and stay in place.

7.Choose a type of caulk to use for recaulking. PVA and acrylic latex are best with ceramic fixtures that meet tile because the caulk is hard and easily removed in the long run. Silicone based caulk is best with fiberglass fixtures meeting tile or other fiberglass surrounds because the caulk is relatively soft when it dries.

8.Cut the tip off of the tube of caulk. Make sure not to make the hole in the tip too large because that will control how much caulk comes out at once, and a smaller tip will help your caulking to be a success.

9.Squeeze a bead of caulk no more than � inch (0.6 cm) evenly down the vertical joints first.

10.Smooth your finger over the fresh bead of caulk to press it evenly into the joint. Your finger should capture any excess caulk which you can wipe off on a damp sponge.

11.Squeeze a bead of caulk no more than � inch (0.6 cm) evenly into the horizontal joints around the tub or shower.

12.Smooth your finger over the fresh bead of caulk to press it evenly into the joint. Your finger should capture any excess caulk which you can wipe off on a damp sponge.

13.Apply an additional small amount of caulk to any places that seem a little thin and seem to need a little extra caulk.

14.Allow the caulk to set and dry for 24 hours before using the tub or shower area.

How to Fiberglass Shower Bases?

Over time the base of a fiberglass shower can show damage. Fiberglass is a very durable material that you can restore to its original strength using materials you can find at your local marine supply store. If the floor of a shower becomes damaged, repair the fiberglass before you run the water again to avoid water damage underneath the shower
1.Clean the base of the shower using a scrub brush and soap and water to remove the soap scum and buildup. Rinse the shower clean and let it dry.

2.Remove the drain and any other metal fixtures in the base of the shower.

• 3.Put on a respirator, and using 200 grit sandpaper sand the base of the shower. Scuff the entire surface of the base and up the walls about 1/2 inch all the way around. Remove the dust using a vacuum cleaner.
  4.Cut a piece of fiberglass mat that will cover the shower base. Place the mat in the shower base and cut it with scissors so it covers the floor and goes up the walls 1/4 inch. Cut a circle out over the drain hole so the fiberglass mat stays at least 1/4 inch away from the hole all the way around. Use this for a pattern and cut 2 more layers of mat.
  5.Fill a small bucket with fiberglass resin and add the hardener following the recommendations on the containers. Use a stir stick to thoroughly mix the resin.
  6.Wet out the scuffed area of the shower base with the resin mixture using a felt roller. Place the first layer of mat onto the base and saturate it with resin using the felt roller. Go over the entire layer of mat using an air roller to remove all the air bubbles that will form under the wet mat. Continue this process for the next 2 layers, and then let the fiberglass harden.
  7.Sand the fiberglass with 80 grit sandpaper until the fiberglass is completely smooth and all the edges are blended in. Sand the entire surface again using 200 grit sandpaper.
  8.Clean the shower base with a rag and acetone. Remove all the dust and other debris from the shower. Let the shower dry.
  9.Mix the fiberglass gel coat with the hardener in a small bucket. Add the gel coat mixture to the spray gun and apply it to the fiberglass. Let the first coat begin to harden, and apply a second coat. Clean the spray gun out with acetone, and let the gel coat cure for 24 hours.
  10.Replace the drain and any other fixtures.