ADA Upgrades to Bathrooms

Every commercial property owner in the United States should be aware of the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  While the law is complex and has many facets, in general the law prohibits commercial properties from excluding people with disabilities from fully utilizing the property.  One of the requirements of the ADA is requiring the building to have one of more ADA compliant bathrooms.

While most people are familiar with the requirement of grab bars in bathrooms, they are not aware of requirements concerning turning radiuses for wheelchairs or the requirements for special plumbing fixtures including toilets and faucets.  Compliant toilets are required to be a certain height, while faucets are required to have lever handles.  In addition, there are a number of requirements for clearances around toilets, as well as requirements for counter top heights, protecting drainpipes, bath accessory types and mounting heights.  In many cases the installation of a ADA compliant bathroom in an existing commercial building is a major project and often requires that the entire are be completely redone, including the relocation of existing plumbing.  A commercial plumber can handle bringing your bathroom into ADA compliance.

Although the expense to provide ADA bathroom are significant, failure to meet this requirement will result in the property owner facing significant exposure legally from both the government, as well as individual citizens that may claim discrimination based upon a disability.  In addition, to local building departments enforcing the provisions of the ADA related to building, the United States Justice Department will at some point get involved as well.  Compliance with the provisions of the ADA is not only the law, but it is also the right thing to do!

Posted on Behalf of Kiddco Plumbing

Reviving An Old Bathroom With New Fixtures

Even if you cannot afford a whole new bathroom remodel, just replacing the old fixtures can give your bathroom a facelift. There are so many new types of faucets that can transform a plain white porcelain sink or tub and give them an updated appearance. Add to them a few matching accessories and your bathroom will have a whole new look.

Think of your new faucets as the centerpiece of your new design. Whatever style and finish you use on the faucets can be matched in towel racks, hooks, shelves and even your toilet paper holder. Many manufacturers will make an entire line of hardware to compliment each other. So once you have the faucet sets, everything else will fall into place.

If you are keeping your existing sink, you will be limited to faucet designs that fit the configuration of your sink. However, even if that is the case, there are still undoubtedly many new looks to choose from. There are generally four types of sink faucet configurations:

 

  • Widespread, 8-inches, in three pieces. This is great news, as they will fit most 3-piece sets even if they are not exactly 8 inches apart.

 

  • 4-inch spread. These are typically one piece that holds the faucet and the 2-water handles. This type will limit you a bit more.

 

  • Single hole. These are meant for sets that have the faucet and levers all on one stem.

 

  • Wall or deck mounts. This will give you many varieties to choose from, as you do not have to conform to the sink itself.

 

Once you choose the style and finish of your new faucets, your local plumber can easily put them in for you to make sure they are fitted correctly. Then you can add your accessories to match your new faucets. You will be amazed at the difference just those small changes can do!

Budget Bathroom Makeovers

According to data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau, the bathroom is the most remodeled room in U.S. homes. Over six percent of homeowners reported that they remodeled at least one bathroom in their home during 2010.  Kitchen remodels came in second at about three percent.

The popularity of bathroom remodels makes sense because a homeowner can get a lot of bang for their buck with a bathroom remodel.  A complete makeover can run anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000, but a bathroom update can be even more affordable.

For a truly low budget bathroom update, replacing faucets, showerheads, toilets and other fixtures with new modern fixtures can give the bathroom a fresh look at a very reasonable cost.  Combined with a new coat of paint, updated light fixtures and towel rods, your bathroom will take on a whole new look and you will save money on your water bill if you install low flow fixtures.

The next step up includes replacing flooring, sinks, cabinets, countertops, tubs and showers.  New flooring can make a huge difference in a bathroom at relatively low cost since the square footage of most bathrooms is relatively low.  When replacing sinks, vanities, cabinets, and tubs, the key to controlling costs is to avoid relocating them if possible.  Any time you have to relocate the plumbing for these items, the cost will climb dramatically.

Talk to your local plumber about your bathroom remodeling options.  Your plumber can help you choose high quality, water saving fixtures and explain your options and costs for relocating any necessary water supply lines and drains.

Bathroom Remodeling on a Budget

The toilet leaks. The wallpaper is outdated. The tile needs to be replaced. Does this sound familiar?  A bathroom remodel can add resale value to your house, but it can also cost upwards of $15,000 for a full bathroom remodeling.

If you’re on a tight budget, that’s way too much money. Below are a few cost-effective remodeling suggestions that will improve the look of your bathroom without breaking the bank.

First, avoid relocating the sink, tub, shower, and toilet.  You’re increasing your costs and extending the time it takes to complete the project by moving the plumbing. Instead, consider leaving the shower, bathtub, sink and toilet in the same location.

Next, skip the tile.  Tile is beautiful, but laying tile in your bathtub or shower is time consuming and complicated – and more expensive. Instead, consider using prefabricated showers or bathtubs made of acrylics or fiberglass.   Prefabricated units can be very attractive and will save you a bundle.  Consider replacing your floor with a vinyl or laminate, both of which can be self-installed to save you additional money.

Wallpaper that looked great back in the 1970’s is probably looking pretty tired.  Replace it with a more updated look and instead of wallpaper, paint it with a bright or neutral color.  It will look great and you’ll save money.

Premade countertops cost less and are less labor-intensive than custom made countertops. Laminates are the least-expensive option. If you want to spend a little more, you can consider cultured marble, granite, or solid surface countertops.

You can still have a terrific modern updated bathroom without paying $15,000 or more. Choose your fixtures and materials wisely, and avoid structural changes and re-routing plumbing lines. Hire a professional plumber to handle replacement of plumbing fixtures and appliances, but do as much of the painting and other labor yourself as you can.

Comparing Plumbing Estimates

Any time you have big plumbing job like replacing a water service line or a full kitchen or bathroom remodeling, it’s a good idea to get at least two or three estimates before choosing a plumber to do the work.  Not only will the estimates give you a better idea of a reasonable price for the work, but you will have the opportunity to meet and evaluate the plumbing company before hiring them.

When comparing estimates, you need to make sure that you are comparing estimates for similar work.  For example, the estimate should specify the cost of materials and the reality is that material costs are pretty much the same for almost every plumber.  If one estimate has a much lower materials cost, you need to dig a little deeper to make sure that the estimate is based on the same quality of materials.  PVC pipe is much less expensive than copper pipe so make sure that you are comparing cost estimates for the same type and quality of materials.

Labor costs may vary depending on the skill of the plumber, but a significant difference in labor costs is reason to be concerned.  Make certain that the labor costs are for the same amount of work to be performed by an experienced plumber.  Unskilled labor is less expensive, but you don’t want the plumber to be learning the trade by working on your home.

Finally, be sure that the estimates cover the entire job.  If there is digging involved, be sure that the cost of the digging equipment is covered.  Check to ensure that the costs of any necessary permits are included as well as clean up and disposal of any debris.

By doing your homework up front, you will help avoid any unpleasant surprises down the road.

Installing a New Toilet

If you are doing a bathroom remodeling or just installing a new toilet, it  may seem like a daunting task but installing a new toilet is not as difficult as it seems.

First you need to remove the old toilet.  Turn off the water supply and empty the tank by flushing the toilet a few times.  Scoop out the remaining water with a flexible cup or sponge.

Next, disconnect the water supply line where it attaches to the bottom of the tank.  Place an old towel on the floor to catch any water.  Remove the two nuts on the bottom of the tank and lift off the tank.  Remove the decorative caps from the two bolts holding the base to the floor and remove the nuts and washers.  You should now be able to lift the toilet out of place.

Remove the old wax ring using a putty knife.  If the hold down bolts were corroded or damaged, they should also be replaced.  Turn the new toilet base upside down on an old towel or other soft surface and press a new wax ring in place around the outlet on the bottom of the base.

Turn the base upright and carefully set it in place using the two bolts as a guide.  Install the nuts and washers arefully tighten the nuts being sure not to over tighten them which could crack the flange.  Install the tank using the two bolts, nuts and washers again being sure not to over tighten them.

If necessary, install the tank valve and flapper, and hook up the water supply line.  Turn on the water supply, check for leaks, and adjust the tank valve as needed.

Faucet Types

Anyone who has stood in front of the impressive faucet displays at any warehouse type home improvement store knows that there is a vast and wonderful array of faucets available for your bathroom and  kitchen tubs, sinks, and showers.  If you are doing a kitchen or bathroom repair or remodeling, there are many attractive styles and types of faucets to choose from.

There are four common types of faucets:  compression, ball, cartridge and disc.   Compression faucets have been around for a long time.  They are still available and offer an economical faucet alternative.  A compression faucet relies on a rubber washer that seals against the valve seat to control the flow of water.  As these washers get hard and brittle with age they tend to start leaking.

A washerless faucet does not rely on these rubber washers and generally last longer than a compression faucet.  A washerless faucet can develop leaks too, but they are easier to repair than compression faucets.

There are three types of washerless faucets.  Ball faucets are single handle faucets.  The handle is attached to a ball and swivels to control the amount and temperature of the water.

Cartridge faucets can have either one or two handles.  They use a stem attached to the handle that moves up and down and side to side inside a cartridge to control the flow and temperature of the water.

Disc faucets are the latest development in washerless faucets.   Like ball faucets, they use a single handle to control the amount and temperature of the water using two discs inside the housing that slide against each other.