Thursday, April 26, 2018

Plumbing Solutions You May Have Never Heard Of

Whether you are planning an entire bathroom remodel, or are just looking to perform a few small upgrades in what is often considered to be the most important room in the house, learning as much as you can about modern fixtures and new plumbing products can help you get the most return on your investment. Today, we would like to bring to your attention a few products that you may have never heard of, and point out why each product would be an asset in your bathroom.

Pressure-balancing Valves

No one likes having their nice, warm shower interrupted. Should one member of your family be enjoying a nice, steamy shower, and another member of your family flush a toilet, the cold water flowing to the shower head may become diverted to help flush the toilet. Not only could this present an inconvenience to the one enjoying the shower, but serious burns could occur. Pressure-balancing valves can prevent this from happening. These valves are often installed into a shower to help maintain a constant water temperature. These valves do not measure water temperature, but rather track the ratio of water coming from the hot and cold supply lines.

The Skirted Toilet
A skirted toilet is one that is designed with a smooth porcelain base that effectively hides the toilet's trap, and many times, the nuts and bolts that hold the toilet in place. Not only are these toilets aesthetically pleasing with their modern lines and understated elegance, but the base of these toilets is easier to clean than a standard, builder grade toilet. No longer will you find yourself on hands and knees, trying to work your cleaning rag into all the nooks and crannies of your commode. With just a swish of your brush in the bowl, and a swipe of your rag around the base of the toilet, your commode will be sparkling and ready for your family to enjoy.

The Vent Fan
Because an abundance of moisture tends to build up in a bathroom, many modern homes are built with either a vent fan, or a window. Windows are great for removing moisture from your bathroom, if they are opened routinely. Furthermore, if your home is in a naturally humid climate, or if it is oriented in a way that prevents naturally occurring breezes from blowing through that window, your window may not be able to do the job for which it was intended. If your bathroom does contain a vent fan, be sure that it does more than merely circulate the air within the bathroom. If you want to get serious about preventing the buildup of mold and mildew in your damp bathroom, be sure that your vent fan actually vents the air to the outside of your residence, and run that fan every time you shower or bathe.  

Have questions? We encourage you to contact us here at The Polite Plumber with any questions and service needs you may have.