Archive for Videos
Saving Water Without Sacrifice: Nature Conservancy Interview, Part 2
Posted by: | CommentsEarlier this week, the Professor posted video clips from a recent interview with Brian Richter, the Director of the Global Freshwater Program at the Nature Conservancy. Just in time for Earth Day, here are the remaining segments of the interview.
In this clip Brian discusses rates of water use on a national level and both he and the Professor share their recommendations for how to save water at home without sacrificing performance or style.
Next, Brian talks about how his interest in water conservation developed on a personal and professional level.
Brian concludes by sharing 3 sensible tips for saving water around your home and explains the connection between saving water and saving electricity. He and the Professor talk about replacing toilets, faucets, and showerheads and agree that most modern water-saving products are designed to be easy to install without the help of a professional.
The Professor would like to thank Brian Richter for sharing his knowledge and insights, and sends Earth Day wishes to everyone at the Nature Conservancy.
Saving Water Without Sacrifice: Flowise Showerheads
Posted by: | CommentsLow-flow shower heads are great at conserving water but often don’t deliver the most invigorating spray. The line of FloWise water-saving showerheads from American Standard aim to change that with their superior turbine technology. Find out how it works here:
Water Conservation: Earth Day Interview with the Nature Conservancy
Posted by: | CommentsThe Professor frequently writes about the importance of saving water at home, so it was a real treat to interview Brian Richter, Director of the Global Freshwater Program at the Nature Conservancy. Segments of video from the interview will be posted over the course of this week, but the first two clips are already online for your viewing pleasure. In these clips, Brian talks about why water conservation is such an urgent and important issue, and about the challenges we face as the earth’s population continues to increase while groundwater levels drop.
Earth Day is on Friday, so why not celebrate by incorporating new ways to conserve water into your routine? From installing water efficient products to trying out new water saving tips around your house, a few small steps can do a world of good.
Update 4/22: Part 2 is now up. Click here to view it.
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.
Well-Deserved Recognition for Teen Toilet Guru
Posted by: | CommentsThe Professor was proud to see that fellow toilet fan John-Michael Gigliotti was recently recognized for his community spirit and extensive toilet knowledge by Sid Michaels Kavulich, his representative in the Pennsylvania State Assembly. Representative Kavulich begins to tell John-Michael’s story at minute 1:22 in the video below.
The Professor previously shared a detailed account of John-Michael’s toilet interest. It’s a great story – featuring a great photo of the toilet guru posing with the Cadet 3 FloWise toilet that American Standard donated to his family – that is always worth another look.
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.
How to Install Toilets: The Champion 4 Toilet
Posted by: | CommentsDid you know that there is a special socket wrench which provided with every Champion 4 toilet? It is a whole lot easier to install the toilet that Loews Hotels engineering director described as “a quantum leap” over their existing toilets to the USA Today travel editor.
With this wrench you don’t need to put your hands into the tight area between the toilet and the wall, and you can get enough torque to tighten down the tank to the bowl properly.
The socket wrench is included in the bag with the nuts and the gasket. It looks like a long metal tube and one end of the “tube” has a hexagonal shape to fit the nuts. The other end has a hole through it. The washers are attached to the nuts, so there is only one part instead of two.
Professor Toilet fun fact: That’s how they change tires so quickly in the pits at NASCAR—the bolt ends on the wheels are “blinded” so that the nuts get started on them more easily. The Professor appreciates good toilet learnings from NASCAR.
Simply put the nut into the hexagonal end of the socket wrench, stick it into the blind end of the bolt, and start turning. Twist the socket wrench (it’s very easy to hold) until the nut is finger tight. Do the same on the other side of the tank.
Once the nuts are finger-tight on both sides, use a standard Phillips head screwdriver through the hole at the other end of the socket wrench and use the screwdriver to get torque to tighten the nut down all the way. For best results, don’t rush through the process. Tighten partly on one side, then the other, and so forth, so as to tighten the tank down equally on both sides. This tightens down the tank without difficulty. Then all that’s left to do is enjoy your new Champion 4 toilet.
Kitchen Design Trends Look to the Past
Posted by: | CommentsEvery once in a while the Professor’s mind drifts from the bathroom to the kitchen… usually around lunchtime. One kitchen style trend that has been particularly eye-catching is the Victorian look. The exquisite details of JADO’s Victorian Kitchen Faucet collection are a great way to bring a touch of old-fashioned charm. Watch the Victorian Pull-Out Faucet in action below.
Bathroom Faucets: A Pull-Out Innovation
Posted by: | CommentsThe Professor had foolishly thought that bathroom faucet innovations had gone as far as they could. Well, witness the OutReach faucet from American Standard, which features a convenient 24″ pull-out hose hidden in a traditional-looking faucet.
Bathing Innovations: What’s New in the Bathroom
Posted by: | CommentsBathing doesn’t have to be as basic as slipping into grandma’s old clawfoot tub. Recent innovations in whirlpool systems, bathing surfaces, deep soaking drains, and stay-clean surfaces are improving the experience of bathing. Watch the video below to see what’s new and modern at American Standard.
