5 Tips to Reduce Stress and Keep a Healthy Heart

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Constant stress can take a toll on your health—particularly, it can put a strain on the heart and increase one’s risk of getting heart disease. While there is no concrete evidence that links chronic stress to heart damage, it is likely due to the fact that stress triggers inflammation, which results in negative effects on the heart.

Show your heart some love—keep it away from stress with these five easy and effective tips.

1.   Get enough sleep.

The next time you plan on pulling an all-nighter, think about the consequences that it can do to your heart. A study shows that young to middle-aged adults who had about 7 hours of sleep at night had less calcium in their arteries than those who only had 5 hours of sleep or less. Having a good night’s sleep also led to healthier arteries than having a restless slumber.

If you find it hard to hit the sack at night, consult your doctor so you can discuss the appropriate remedy for your condition.

2.   Quit smoking.

Smoking does not only negatively affect your lungs, but it will also take a toll on your heart. Particularly, smoking damages the blood vessels that bring blood to your heart and to the rest of the body, reducing the amount of oxygen that your blood and other organs rely on to function. This increases one’s risk for heart disease that may lead to a heart attack or stroke.

If you have been smoking and have a family history of heart disease, it’s best to set an appointment with your doctor to know the condition of your heart. Your doctor will come up with a diagnosis and treatment with the help of certain procedures such as an electrocardiogram that uses ECG cables and leadwires.

3.   Eat a heart-friendly diet.

What you eat greatly affects your heart and health. Make sure to eat the right foods that will nourish and strengthen your heart. Skip the junk and turn to healthier options, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Lean meats, fish, beans, and fat-free dairy products are also the best foods that your heart will love.

You may follow heart-healthy diets, such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) plan or the Mediterranean diet, but it’s best to consult with your doctor or nutritionist before anything else.

4.   Keep normal blood pressure levels. 

A high blood pressure means extra force that can damage the walls of your arteries and create a scar tissue, which does not do good to your heart at all. This is why it is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly, especially if you are at high risk for a heart disease.

There are plenty of interventions that you can do to keep your blood pressure on its normal levels. Cutting back on salt, eating healthy, working out, and keeping stress at bay, are just some of the tips that you can do to keep the pressure off.

5.   Be physically active.

Constant stress may be damaging to your health, but that doesn’t give you the hall pass to just lead a sedentary lifestyle. You will be surprised at how exercising for at least 30 minutes a day can do to your body and to your heart! Each time you do something physical, whether you’re just taking a walk down the park or doing a favorite sport, your body releases endorphins, which are mood-boosting chemicals that beat the stress away.

Not only will exercise put you in a great mood, it also helps lower blood pressure, maintain a healthy weight, and strengthen your heart muscle.

Don’t let stress take the better of you. Learn how to manage it and take a break sometimes. Your heart will thank you for it.

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How To Buy The Right Furniture From Furniture Stores?

Furniture is one of the most important parts of the setting of any home and office. That’s why it becomes important to invest some time and money so that you get the right furniture as per your requirement for your place. If you are buying new furniture for your home or office, then there are a few things you should keep in mind when you visit furniture stores which are mentioned below. 

Know the type of wood furniture has

If you want to buy wooden furniture, then it becomes very important to know about the wood used in making the furniture as it will decide the durability and the strength of the furniture.  The wood furniture is mostly categorized into solid wood, engineered wood, veneers and composite wood. Solid wood furniture is quite expensive, and it will have better looks as well along with better quality. Veneers and composite woods are mostly very cheap. They might look good but not hold for too long. So whenever you visit the store don’t forget to ask about the type of wood used in the furniture.  

Check the cabinets and drawers

When buying a cabinet or any kind of storage unit you should check the drawers and cabinets of the furniture.Check if the drawers can be easily pulled out and close without applying too much force and has an efficient and trustable locking system.   Too tight or loose drawers are trouble makers and can also hurt the person operating.

Don’t by furniture with too many nails or glue

If some furniture at the furniture stores is fixed using glue or has too many nails then you should save yourself from buying them as the glue and nails both will eventually come loose and your furniture will break down or need frequent repairs.  You should look for the furniture that is joined at the ends and corners that increases the durability of the furniture.

The fabric of the furniture

If you have kids and pets you should select a fabric that is easy to clean and that doesn’t get torn out easily.  You should also select dark colored fabric as it will not look dirty easily. For such cases Linen and Tweed makes a good fabric.

Colors of furniture

At the furniture stores look out for furniture that go with the overall setting of the house and doesn’t look too loud or out of place.  Wooden furniture looks good in earthen shades and goes well with almost any kind of interior decoration.

The legs

Legs are the most important part of any furniture as the whole load on the furniture is beard by them. They should be strong and durable and definitely not nailed or glue. They must also have the rubber caps in the end to protect your flooring from any kind of scratch or wear and tear.  Never buy wooden furniture with metal legs as they neither can hold the weight nor they look good.

Check the springs

If you are buying furniture like sofa then you must check the spring’s quality. At the furniture stores ask about the type of spring used and the quality of spring. Also, check if they have a separate warranty or not.

Cushions

Cushions of the furniture should be removable and easily washable too.  If you don’t like too much of designs you should select plane cushions of solid colors. They look rich and they go will all settings. To enhance the liveliness you can buy bright color cushions. Always use cushions with covers.

These were a few tips that will ensure that you get the right kind of furniture from furniture stores.  But before selecting one out of many furniture stores you should check its reviews and find out if it is worth buying furniture from there or not. Good furniture stores will always have many varieties and good quality of furniture.

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A Good Criminal Defense Attorney Can Make Things Right

When it comes to criminal cases, hiring a good criminal defense lawyer can have a great impact on your case. There are several criminal rights that make sure the defendant is treated justifiably.

While the prosecutor is willing to make sure the convicted is imposed with proper penalties within the law, the defense lawyer assures of the defendant’s rights. From the moment your case begins, they work alongside the defendant to ensure that neither a wrongful conviction is made by the court nor excessive sentences are imposed for convictions. There are multiple roles that a good criminal defense attorney play in your case.

image:www.bettercalljlaw.com

●     Helps You With The Initial Advice: If you consult any good criminal defense attorney in Fort Bend or nearby areas, they begin with analyzing your case to the greatest possible depths. Once they are done with the analysis, they suggest you various available options to help you out of the situation. With the right set of skills and expertise, they aim to minimize the trouble for the defendant.

●     Helps Reduce Your Bail Amount: As an initial part of the service, a good criminal defense lawyer proves to be useful by convincing the court to reduce your bail amount.

●     Guide You With Police Interviews And Interrogations: Most of the criminal defense attorneys in Sugar Land offers help with your interviews and interrogation sessions as a part of their service. They are present with you at all possible situations to guide you throughout the process.

●     Examines Witnesses And Gathers Evidence: In order to win the case to your favor, your attorney will interview the witnesses involved and gather all the evidence concerned with your allegations. They even have a dedicated team to handle the chemical and forensic results and make sure the data are errorless. This could be useful in DUI and drug-related cases.

●     Determines The Legal Defenses Concerned With Your Case: As an obvious part of their role, they determine every possible legal defense that can be employed to help you with your case. They will discuss different available options with pros and cons of each and help you plan your case accordingly.

●     Represent You At Court Hearings: One of the most important rights of a defendant is to be represented legally in front of the court. In case the defendant has invoked the right to be represented and is unable to hire a lawyer, the court will grant a public defender. Your defense attorney will speak for you at all the scheduled court hearings.

●     Bargaining With The Prosecutor: In certain cases, it is better to plead guilty and get away with lesser charges. Your criminal defense lawyer plays a vital role in pulling the bargain for you and makes arrangements in your favor.

●     Represent You At A Jury Trial: If you are looking for a good criminal defense lawyer in Richmond, you should make sure your attorney is well experienced in representing defendants at the jury trial as the conclusion for most of the cases are based on this stage.

●     Appeal For A Fair Sentence: In case you are convicted as a guilty, your lawyer will put forward the request to reduce your sentence and argue the court to impose a fair sentence and help you out of any severe sentence.

A good criminal defense lawyer plays many other roles besides the above mentioned. It is advisable to choose your attorney wisely as it can affect the conclusion of your case. Make sure the person you are hiring is committed to protecting the rights of their clients and offer a just outcome to your case.

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Full Review of Eureka Mighty Mite Canister Vacuum, 3670G

Are you having difficulty to find a reliable yet affordable canister vacuum for your home? I understand that looking for a great cleaner is not easy as in the market there are plenty of models that claimed that they are the best!

But, how you can get the best vacuum for your home? Unfortunately, this is not our focus but in this article we will focus on one of the best-seller canister vacuum in the market now - Eureka 3670G Mighty Mite Canister Vacuum.

image:www.canistervacuumsforsale.com

If you already have a vacuum that works well for your floors, you might not be eager to spend a great deal of money on a new model. But if you are looking for a vacuum cleaner, we recommend checking out the Eureka Mighty Mite.

We will explore some of the notable features as well as pros and cons of this canister vacuum.

The Great Features

This powerful little machine was the top-rated cheap canister vacuums for under $100, and it also works quite well for cleaning your entire home. You can use it to clean the hard floors, low-pile carpets as well as garage effectively.

The Mighty Mite is a bagged canister vacuum that has earned many fans for its small size, low price and surprisingly strong suction. The body of the vacuum weighs about 8 pounds, and the small yet sturdy body holds a powerful 12 amp motor.

One unique feature of the Mighty Mite: in addition to the standard suction port, there’s also a separate “blower port” on the body of the vacuum. By switching the hose to the blower port, users can transform the Mighty Mite into a miniature blower, able to clear out leaves and other debris from outdoor areas.

This canister has a telescoping wand that can extend to about 5 feet, allowing you to reach the ceiling and other tough spots, and the power cable is roughly 20 feet long. Just the unit do not have cable auto rewind feature.

This cleaner has two height adjustment settings to let you easily clean on different types of floors i.e., switch between the bare floors and carpets cleaning. This vacuum also comes with a multi-floor attachment, as well as a crevice tool and an upholstery brush.

Lastly, if you buy the machine it also comes with 1 year warranty.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of This Eureka Vacuum

Pros:

The Mighty Mite is one of the better value-for-price vacuums out there right now. Despite the low cost, this vacuum still delivers performance that rivals other models sold at twice the price or more.

The construction isn’t cheap, either. Though most of the exterior components are hard plastic, the Mighty Mite is durable enough to last for several years (if properly maintained). Many reviewers reported owning a Mighty Mite for a decade or longer before it needed replacing.

Though it’s not marketed exclusively as a hard floor vacuum, owners of the Eureka Mighty Mite say that’s where this vacuum really shines. The powerful suction is perfect for removing dust and other fine debris from the small crevices in hard wood.

For many reviewers, the best part of this vacuum is the small size. Only slightly larger than many hand vacs, it’s still portable enough to carry in one hand. The small size and light weight make it a great model for the stairs, as well as many other areas than can prove challenging to full-sized vacuums (like the ceiling and the floor beneath furniture).

It’s also quite good at picking up pet hair, according to pet-owning reviewers. Sucking up pet hair can prove challenging, even for some of the best vacuums on the market. Though it’s not strictly a pet vacuum, many homeowners with shedding pets will enjoy this nice bonus.

Cons:

Though the Mighty Mite 3670G is quite good at vacuuming hard surfaces, it delivers mediocre to poor results on high-pile carpeting. It performs well enough on short carpeting (including most rugs), but none of the included attachments are capable of the deep cleaning required by high carpets.

A few owners note that the 12 amp motor in the Mighty Mite can be noisier than average, and emits heat after extended use.

Conclusion: This is a Great Lightweight Canister Vacuum

Though it’s by no means a perfect vacuum, the Eureka Mighty Mite is still one of the best bargain models out there. If you’re looking for an inexpensive but effective vacuum for hardwood floors and stairs, the Eureka Mighty Mite Canister Vacuum, 3670G is a great option.

The small size and lightweight build make this a portable and versatile vacuum, able to reach the tricky areas that full-sized vacuums cannot, like ceilings, car interiors, and the stairs. The powerful suction, sturdy design and lightweight build make this a strong choice for buyers on a budget.

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5 furniture items you need for the perfect midcentury modern living room

The midcentury modern aesthetic is not simply an idea – for many, it has become a way of life. It was a movement that evolved somewhere during the middle of the twentieth century and took a life of its own. It was mostly characterized by gorgeous furniture pieces that carried the simplicity of the modern style but were definitely more experimental. If you’re as in love with this style as we are, then here are 5 furniture items you need for the perfect midcentury modern living room:

1.   Noguchi free-form sofa

matisse

While many people love the modern style, you cannot deny its economic rigidity. Here’s where the midcentury modern style differs and thrives. It’s much more expressive and artful with its clean designing. Just look at the Noguchi free-form sofa featured in this image. It’s way more interesting and visually dynamic than even some of the most contemporary iterations and is the perfect piece to introduce in your midcentury modern living room for the best effect.

2.   Platner chair

hivemodern

Warren Platner’s most iconic collection is so out of the box that it would become the crème de la crème of your midcentury modern living room. If you cannot imagine it, then simply take a look at this image. It features a gorgeous low-brow living room ambiance that is characterized by clean lines and tactile surfaces. However, it’s the presence of the Platner chairs as accent pieces that makes the space feel extremely truly inspired.

3.   Shell chair

solidrop

The Shell chair is one of the most genius pieces of furniture that came during the midcentury era and is a great way to introduce some shapely contrast in your living rooms even today. Its splayed edges and comfortable anthropometry would be a great addition in a visually dynamic midcentury modern living room. The one featured in this image is a great example – especially how the Shell chairs have been artfully incorporated within the space.

4.   Eames walnut stool

northteak

If you’ve got that annoying little empty nook in your midcentury modern living rooms that is too small for larger pieces and too large for small-sized décor, then it would be a great place to feature the Eames Walnut Stool collection. The trifecta of these medium sized little additions would reduce the emptiness of your living rooms while delivering solid surfaces to either sit on or feature some décor and accessories on.

5.   Molded plywood coffee table

tapthedot

No lounge area is ever complete without a coffee table and now you can accessorize yours in a totally simple manner by featuring the Molded Plywood Coffee Table. Its neat and sophisticated design is extremely homely yet professional at the same time. It’s perfectly sized and you can enhance its aesthetics by complementing it with the right centerpieces and area rugs.

So, these are some of the most interesting midcentury modern living room furniture essentials. You can use their visual flexibility to make your paces feel more dynamic and versatile than ever before.

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TODDLER SLEEP: WHAT THEY NEED AND HOW TO COPE WITH ANY PROBLEM

Toddlers need their sleep a lot, even if they at times get stubborn and seem to want to stay awake for as long as they can. It might be that they don’t want to be detached from their parents or they feel like they want to enjoy the fun activities going on for as long as they can.

For a parent, however, bedtime is more important than anything else considering the numerous benefits that come with it. That’s what provokes most parents to do whatever they can to lure their young ones to sleep, even if it means spending a significant amount of time by their side.

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How much sleep does a toddler need?

If you have a toddler at home and wondering just how much hours of sleep they need every day, here’s what you should keep in mind. Once a baby becomes a toddler, they need roughly 10 – 14 hours of sleep each day, which should include a single nap (since naps are reduced from 2 to 1 after 18 months). On average, most toddlers achieve from 10 hours of sleep each night or more.

How can you help your toddler sleep better?

There are several things that you can do to ensure that your young one benefits from adequate sleep such as:

1. Giving them a comfort object

You more than likely understand why most young ones need a comfort object such as a stuffed animal or special blanket when they go to sleep – it helps them rest better through the night. Everyone has certain elements that they depend on to sleep better, whether it’s leaving the fan on, taking socks off and others. Toddlers can depend on comfort objects for better sleep, and if they wake up and find that the condition that got them to sleep is not available anymore, they will cry out to get it back. That’s why it’s not a good idea to take away stuffed animals from your toddler’s bed while they’re asleep.

2. Be consistent with bedtime routines

If you do certain things such as bathing your toddler, reading bedtime stories, and others to help them relax before bedtime, be consistent with such routines as the toddler’s body will have already adjusted to such.

3. Establish a suitable bedroom environment

The bedroom environment should be quiet, dark, cool, and comfortable if you want your young one to sleep well. Also, your toddler’s bed should be reserved only for sleeping, not for other activities like playing. You also want to ensure that there is no television in their room or any other kind of screen time such as smartphones and the likes.

4. Limit certain foods and drinks

Avoid giving a drink that contains caffeine to your young one as well as foods that have a high protein or sugar content. Such drinks and foods lead to increased awareness, which might prevent your young one from falling asleep.

5. Establish consistent sleeping and wake up times

Have you ever realized that you don’t struggle to get up from bed if you are accustomed to waking up at a certain hour every day? This is because your body adjusts itself so that you wake up naturally and feel sleepy when it’s time to sleep, depending on your schedule. That’s why you need to maintain a consistent sleeping and waking up schedule for your toddler to avoid “confusing” and stressing their body, as that might lead to disruption of quality sleep.

Common toddler sleep issues and how to solve them

If your young one seems to be experiencing the same sleep problems over and over, it’s a sign that you need to fix the issue to prevent it from recurring. Here are some of the most frequently-occurring problems:

1. Bedtime stalling

Most toddlers are professional bedtime stallers and will try in all ways to either convince you to stay until they fall asleep, or look for whatever reason they need to get out of bed. They give all sorts of excuses such as, “just one more kiss”, “one more drink”, “one more bedtime story”, and others. This is, however, one of the most common issues that should not freak you out.

2. Separation anxiety

Separation anxiety is a perfectly normal sleep problem that shows that your baby has a strong attachment with you as their parent or guardian. The toddler is often afraid that you might leave and fail to come back.

3. Overtired kids who fight bedtime

If your toddler fails to get enough sleep during the day, they often become overtired and stir up all sorts of drama when it’s time to sleep.

4. Jack-in-the-box behavior

When a toddler is finally out of his crib and is now using a big-kid bed, they will often spring out of bed, so you’ll have to tuck them back in. Such habits may be persistent, and the best way to deal with such is to show your young one that you are not upset, or else they might repeat the behavior.

General solutions to sleep problems

If your toddler faces any sleep issues, the following solutions could be of much help:

Don’t sneak away at night - Sneaking can make your young one feel like they are being “neglected” and left to fight their fears alone. Rather than sneaking, try to comfort your kid and reassure them that you will be back in the morning.

Stick to a routine – Consistency is key when it comes to helping a toddler tackle their fears and get used to sleeping alone.

Don’t show unwanted reactions – Showing anger, anxiety, and even frustration can worsen your toddler’s emotions.

Offer them your comfort – You can offer comfort to your young one as long as you don’t let them rely on you. Such comfort should be short, silent, and boring.

Play some soothing sounds – several sounds of nature or some type of music can soothe a toddler so that they won’t feel lonely or have a fear of the unknown.

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A Step by Step Guide To Bathroom Renovation

Bathrooms are one of the smallest rooms in the house and they are also one the most costly to renovate. Bathroom renovation cost, if done well, can add value to a home and a great space full of design and light.

image:waassett.net.au/bathroom-renovations-perth

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.

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