Archive for Bathroom Remodeling
Bathroom Safety Month: Bathtubs and Beyond
Posted by: | CommentsJanuary is Bathroom Safety Month! This may not seem like the most exciting or important observance, especially compared to widely celebrated holidays like World Toilet Day. However, the Professor recently read some very sobering statistics that should make anyone reevaluate the importance of investing in home furnishings and fixtures designed to help keep seniors safe and steady, especially in the bathroom. A few examples:
- 70% of home accidents occur in the bathroom
- Every 2.3 seconds, an adult aged 65 or older suffers a fall
- 40% of those hospitalized from hip fractures do not return home
Whether you are making arrangements to have an aging parent move into your home or simply wish to plan ahead to grow older independently in your own home, incorporating universal design features into your home can be a wise idea. Fortunately, there are many ways to help prevent slips and falls, even while maintaining a stylish and luxurious bathroom.
One task that can be especially dangerous for older adults – and anyone with limited mobility, such as after an injury – is getting in and out of the bathtub. According to a recent report submitted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an average of 370 Americans suffer bathtub or shower-related injuries every day.
An increasingly popular solution to this issue is to upgrade to a walk-in bath. Modern walk-in tubs are attractive and available with luxury options like air bath and whirlpool features. The Professor is also impressed by the special Quick Drain option available on American Standard’s line of walk-in baths that drains water from the tub in less than 2 minutes, so there’s no need for a long, cold wait before exiting the tub.
Ready to start making your bathroom a safer, more comfortable place to be? The Professor is pleased to offer the chance to win a single-control JADO Hatteras faucet to help you do just that. The stylish faucet meets the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines and is also WaterSense-certified. For your chance to win, just answer the following questions in the comments. The Professor will choose his favorite response on 2/3/12 as the winner.
1. What are some creative ways you gear up your bathroom to be a safe place for children and the elderly to use?
2. What creative remedies have you found to protect against falls on a slippery tub or floor?
3. What are some changes you have made to your home that will allow you to “age in place”?
4. Thinking of safety with the other end of the age spectrum, what are the best ways to baby-proof a bathroom? What are your favorite kid-friendly safety devices?
How to Install a Hand Held Shower Head
Posted by: | CommentsHere is how to install a hand held shower head, one of the easiest home improvement tasks you can do yourself. To demonstrate, the Professor will use the Monoglide hand held shower head from American Standard.
The first step is to remove the existing shower head with an adjustable wrench.
Then, apply teflon tape to the threads of the shower arm.
Next you will use your adjustable wrench to install the shower bracket to the shower arm until the water outlet faces down toward the tub or shower. The bracket is where your Monoglide hand held shower head will hang.
Finally, hand tighten the larger end of the metal hose to the Monoglide hand held shower head and attach the other end to the water outlet on the bracket.
Last step: enjoy a soothing shower with your new multi-function Monoglide hand held shower head to celebrate a job well done!
The innovative FunBath tub conversion kit from American Standard Brands has been awarded the Parent Tested, Parent Approved (PTPA) Winner’s Seal of Approval. PTPA Media has North America’s largest volunteer parent testing community, with over 40,000 parents.
Consumers looking for high-quality products and services can rest assured when they see the PTPA Winner’s Seal; it is evidence of product excellence as evaluated by unbiased parent consumers.
The FunBath kit was recognized because even the most bathing-averse children will be reaching for the soap when their bathrooms are transformed by this award-winning bath conversion kit. Fitting over most existing standard 60-inch bathtubs, the FunBath kit makes bath time safer, more comfortable and even uses less water.
Easy installation gives parents the freedom to bathe their children in comfort, while eliminating the need to stoop or kneel while bathing little ones in a traditional bathtub.
The FunBath kit was among many entries from across North America competing to earn the PTPA™ Seal. Because independent parent volunteers evaluate these products in their own homes, PTPA winners are chosen based on merit and consumer experience – not on commercial considerations. As a result, the PTPA Media™ Seal has quickly gained recognition as an international leader in certifying consumer products for quality, effectiveness and value.
Being honored with the influential Seal of Approval from PTPA Media Inc. is a huge achievement for a product geared to families, children or parents. “We’re very proud of the FunBath kit, which makes bath time easier and more fun for both kids and their parents, and can easily be removed without damaging the tub once the kids have outgrown it,” said Rob Buete, vice president and general manager of the American Standard Safety Tubs division. “It means a great deal to us to have the FunBath kit recognized by the PTPA Media community.”
“At PTPA Media, we are proud to play a role in certifying innovative products that families can trust,” said Sharon Vinderine, CEO and founder of PTPA Media Inc. “When consumers search for our Seal of Approval on product packaging and websites, they are essentially searching for validation from their peers. Their peers will have objectively tested and approved these products based on their performance in a real life environment. That type of resource for families is priceless.”
For more information on the FunBath tub conversion kit or other American Standard products, visit www.americanstandard.com or call (800) 899-2614.
Universal Design: Tips to Create an Accessible Bathroom on a Budget
Posted by: | CommentsMore and more seniors are moving in with adult children, and this trend is also starting to drive a new home remodeling trend, especially in the Professor’s favorite room: the bathroom. Preparing to have an elderly parent move into your home – or even just visit regularly – brings up issues of comfort, safety, dignity and accessibility in the bathroom. Temporary fixes like plastic bathtub seats and toilet frames with elevated seats can be rickety and take up surprising amounts of space that smaller bathrooms just don’t have to spare.
A smart alternative to these options? A bit of bathroom remodeling work focused on universal design. The Professor has found that upgrading to new fixtures built with accessibility in mind can cost less than you might think. Upgrading helps maintain independent living for the elderly, and is a wise investment for even temporary disability circumstances, such as recovering from surgery or a broken bone. Plus: introducing universal design concepts to your bathroom now will allow you to age in place independently in the future.
The Professor humbly offers the following tips to create a bathroom that will look great and work wonderfully for you and your loved ones well into the future.
Switch to an ADA-compliant faucet. Some faucet handles require 
a surprising amount of force to operate, and knobs can be difficult to twist for seniors. The Professor suggests an ADA-compliant single lever faucet that allows for easy on-and-off operation without the need to grip. This simple and inexpensive alteration will make washing up more comfortable for elderly parents and grandparents, and is also a great excuse to perk up the look of your bathroom.
Try a taller toilet. Standard toilets have a bowl height of about 15 inches, but many manufacturers have recently introduced models that are an inch and a half higher. These taller commodes make sitting down and getting back up less stressful on the body. Bring high style and performance as well as comfort to your bathroom by upgrading to a luxury toilet. The Professor especially likes the elegant ”Right Height” toilets from Porcher available in sleek, easy to clean, one-piece styles.
Think about accessible storage. Keep bathing and grooming accessories neatly stowed out of the way to reduce trips and falls, and to keep them clear of wheelchairs. Accessibility and functionality are key when planning for convenient storage options in the bathroom.
Replace an unused bathtub with a walk-in shower. Holding on to the ability to bathe independently is key to aging gracefully and with dignity. The ubiquitous tub/shower unit in so many homes may be uncomfortably high for the elderly and disabled to step over, and too low to sit down into for bathing. The Professor has found a unique, low-cost solution from American Standard: a walk-in seated shower that features a wide, contoured, full-sized seating area with recessed front to make standing or sitting while showering comfortable and easy. This unit has a low 3” threshold for easy access in and out, plus a built-in wrap-around grab bar for added safety.
Provide a spa-like walk-in tub. Many walk-in tubs are designed to fit perfectly in the space of a conventional tub for easy installation and are now available with luxurious special features. American Standard offers a smart QuickDrain option that removes water eight times faster than a conventional drain, so there is no need for a long, cold wait for the tub to drain before opening the door to exit the bath. Walk-in bathtubs are also available with advanced features like whirlpools and combo massage systems, so bathing can be safer AND more luxurious for aging parents and for you.
Home Design Trends: Stand-Alone Tubs
Posted by: | CommentsThe typical modern American bathroom often includes a tub/shower combo for bathing. However, many homeowners are returning to the soaking tubs and separate showers of yesteryear when they remodel or build a new home. Why the renewed interest in stand-alone tubs? The Professor believes that it may be because people miss the experience of a relaxing bath. With the hustle and bustle of daily life, a warm bath is a welcome luxury. Alcove tubs just can’t provide the same feeling.
A stand-alone tub can also make a striking statement, style-wise, in a bathroom. Personally, the Professor likes the clean lines and angles of a tub like Porcher’s Lutezia model. However, a tub with a transitional style like the Archive, also from Porcher, is a great choice because it can easily flex between traditional and contemporary styles. Smaller stand-alone tubs – some measure just 66″ x 32″ – are great for smaller bathrooms and urban spaces.
If you’re thinking of joining the new wave of soakers, remember to do your homework – folks often forget about the weight of the tub once it is filled. Water weighs about 8lbs per gallon, and once you factor in the weight of the unit itself, you can get to 800-900 lbs before you know it. You’ll need to work with your contractor, and follow the install instructions for reinforcing the floor while making provisions for the water lines, blowers and motors. Also, a Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is a code requirement in most states.
Even though a little homework (and possibly a little extra remodeling work) is necessary to install a new tub, the Professor finds that the style and luxury a stand-alone tub can bring to a bathroom is well worth the effort.
Luxury Bathroom Updates: Whirlpool Tubs
Posted by: | CommentsUpgrading to a whirlpool tub is a great way to bring the relaxing spa experience home with you. The Professor is especially impressed by the EcoSilent whirlpool from American Standard, which is much quieter than a standard whirlpool and uses 45% less energy.
Bathroom Design with Nautical Style
Posted by: | CommentsThe Professor is typically a land-lubber, but still appreciates the unique look that nautical decor can bring, particularly to the bathroom. The stylish Hatteras collection of lavatory faucets and shower fixtures available from JADO is a great example.
Bathroom Remodeling: Replacing a Pedestal Sink
Posted by: | CommentsUpdating just one element in your bathroom can have a surprising impact on the style of the room, and at a much smaller time and financial commitment than a complete overhaul. Do it yourself and you’ll save even more. Sound like an impossible task? As an example, a helpful video series on replacing a pedestal sink and installing a new faucet (the first video is linked below) will walk you through the entire process.
Bathroom Remodeling: Create a Spa-Like Oasis
Posted by: | CommentsAdding body sprays to your shower is a great way to create a more luxurious experience. Smart, newer models offer multiple spray patterns, customizable angles, and don’t extend too far out of the wall, so your risk of bumping into the spray heads is low.
Bathroom Remodeling: Easy Faucet Installation
Posted by: | CommentsDreaming of updating a bathroom faucet, but think the installation is beyond your capabilities? Many new lavatory faucets, like those manufactured by JADO, American Standard, and Eljer, come equipped with a great piece of technology called the Speed Connect drain. These drains contain ten fewer parts than standard drains and can easily be installed without special materials or complicated guesswork. Watch the video below to see how easy it is.
