Tureks Plumbing Services Blog: Posts Tagged ‘plumbing efficiency’

Components You Need in Building a Bathroom to Grow With Your Age

Thursday, October 6th, 2016

Bathroom

Components You Need in Building a Bathroom to Grow With Your Age

Different countries have different ways of investing in the care of its elderly population. For instance, in Japan, where the majority of the population is comprised of people above 60 years of age. Structures are especially built with elderly convenience in mind. This can be observed in most public bathrooms where every single implement is measured and placed strategically so that the elderly and individuals with mobility issues won’t have a hard time using the space. Therefore, if you’re thinking of building a bathroom to grow with your age, you should definitely take a cue from Japan’s bathrooms.

You might think that Japan’s bathroom designs would be challenging to translate in Wisconsin’s environment, but that need not be the case. Trusted bathroom remodel contractors that service Fox Valley and Applegate residents keep abreast with bathroom design trends for the needs of different homeowners — senior citizens included. You can discuss your requirements and preferences, and they’ll go about finding the appropriate solutions.

So, what design components must be present in a bathroom that will age well with you? Here are six features that are highly recommended by Wisconsin bathroom remodel specialists.

Automatic Lights

Eliminating one basic task is actually a huge convenience for everybody, especially the elderly. Not needing to fumble with switches, like when you’re in a hurry to go, is something you will appreciate greatly when you’re older.

Strategically Placed Grab Bars 

These are helpful for folks with balance issues due to aches in different parts of the body, or weakness. Also, they are highly functional because they can double as robe racks or towel holders.

Walk-in Bathtub 

These are musts because as you get older, you can benefit a lot from regular hot soaks to treat your aches and pains. A walk-in tub is a whole lot safer to use as well because it already comes with a seat. Getting in and out of the tub won’t be a big challenge, particularly when your knees are already wobbly.

Handheld Showerheads

Rinsing will be so much easier with these. You can make sure that you get that blast of water where it’s needed, even if you’re seated while bathing.

High Quality Toilet at a Comfortable Height

A great toilet that has some techy features is a fantastic investment. One with heated seats, an automatic electric bidet for both soaping and rinsing. You can also get a toilet with a tank that automatically lifts for easy cleaning, and water jets for “self-cleaning” can be purchased either online or from top home improvement stores. This toilet will make bathroom routines very comfortable and easy for you when you get older.

Textured Flooring

This will easily prevent slips and other accidents.

If you are looking for a great plumbing remodel contractor in Applegate, contact the professionals at Turek’s Plumbing today!

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Making the Switch to High Efficiency Plumbing Fixtures

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016

High Efficiency Plumbing Fixtures

How High Efficiency Plumbing Fixtures Can Benefit You 

There is greater awareness of the need to conserve and protect valuable water resources within communities today. Every activity inside the household that involves the use of water can be done in a more mindful manner, using better-designed equipment and fixtures, in order to prevent wastage and contribute to the collective efforts in specific areas.

One positive practice that families can observe is to install high efficiency plumbing fixtures to replace more traditional provisions. If all households were to do this, according to the US EPA, the entire country would be able to save over 3 trillion gallons of water, plus more than $18 billion each year.

And because energy is used to treat water for better quality, deliver the water to homes, and heat the water for the residents’ use, saving water also means saving considerable amounts of energy. Just one American home out of a hundred that gets retrofitted with more water-efficient fixtures would translate to around 100 million kWh of electricity saved each year. Just imagine: That is equivalent to 80,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions prevented from entering the environment.

With these benefits, what household would fail to see the practicality and positive environmental impact of high-efficiency fixtures? If you’re interested to transform your home into a truly environment-friendly one, then consider making the switch to high-efficiency fixtures with the help of your trusted plumbing professionals.

Here is what you need to know about plumbing fixtures with ultra-low water use:

Fixing Faucets

Conventional faucets use more than 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm). You can replace these with their high-efficiency counterparts which have flow rates that do not exceed 1.5 gpm.

Alternatively, you can modify your current faucet with a flow restrictor or aerator if you’re in need of a less expensive water-saving option.

Saving On Showers

Taking showers accounts for about 20 percent of water usage in the average household. But if the goal is to save water, it’s best to stay away from fancy showerheads that mimic rainfall, for example, which can waste several gallons of water at once.

Slash your water use when showering by replacing your old showerhead with a more efficient ultra-low-flow. A good showerhead does not use more than 2 gpm (traditional showerheads use 2.5 gpm). You’ll cut your water use down by as much as 70 percent with this move alone.

Flush Smarter

Finally, you can save more water, time and money when you choose your toilets wisely. Flushing is the one activity that consumes the greatest amount of water in the average household.

The typical toilet (generally, one that has been installed before 1994) uses over 1.6 gallons of water per flush (gpf). You have three alternative options for saving water:

  • A high-efficiency toilet does not exceed 1.28 gpf.
  • A dual-flush toilet comes with two buttons: a lower-flush button for liquid waste and a higher-flush button for solid waste.
  • A composting toilet uses little or even no water for flushing waste.

If you would like more information about high efficiency plumbing fixtures contact the Fox Cities plumbing professionals at Turek’s Plumbing.

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