Photo By Onzeg at istock
Modern-day plumbing services have come a long way from the first attempts at indoor plumbing that were only accessible for relatively wealthy households. Conditions have improved steadily since the start of the industrial age. Plumbing, just like every other aspect of organized societies, is still changing and advancing. Touchless plumbing fixtures, also known as touch-free”, no-touch, or hands-free fixtures, are one of the newest innovations. Although touchless fixtures are not fairly common in public restrooms and businesses, not many people in Bloomington, IL, have installed such features in their homes.
Touchless Fixtures
Touchless fixtures have built-in motion detectors. They’re usually activated by waving a hand underneath a faucet. Touchless toilets are available as well. The built-in sensors detect when a person is finished using the toilet and stands up. This triggers an automatic flush. Although not touching the fixture is the point, touchless toilets also have manual levers and handles as well. The toilet can be used even if the motion detectors aren’t working correctly. Manual levers are also good for extra flushes or flushing while cleaning the toilet.
Touchless plumbing was adopted quickly by hotels, airports, shopping malls, and other businesses that deal with large numbers of people on a regular basis. Consumers don’t need to touch faucets or toilets, so they don’t pick up viruses or bacteria that may have been left behind by previous users on manual fixtures. However, plumbing services can install new touchless fixtures in residential homes too. Although we may not be as worried about spreading germs between members of our own household, a touchless toilet is convenient and might reduce the risk of passing on cold viruses and other illnesses between family members.
Convenience is another benefit of touchless fixtures. You can fill a pot or a glass in the kitchen sink without manually touching the handles. You can also turn faucets on easily, even when both hands are full. It’s easier to keep the bathroom clean without handling faucets with wet, soapy, or dirty hands. The same principle is true for kitchen faucets. People wash their hands constantly throughout the day, sometimes after handling garbage, cleaning up pet messes, working outdoors, or handling raw foods. Operating manual fixtures means everything on our hands is transferred to faucets, but touchless fixtures let us wash our hands without touching or contaminating anything.
Touch-free fixtures reduce wasted water, so they’re an eco-friendly choice for homeowners in Bloomington, IL, thinking about plumbing service improvements. Motion-activated faucets only let water flow if hands move directly in front of sensors. The water doesn’t keep running while we brush our teeth or complete other tasks at kitchen or bathroom sinks. People with arthritis or any other condition that makes turning small handles a chore may appreciate touchless fixtures. They can use the toilet or sink without worrying about manipulating small handles.
ADA Compliant Bathrooms
Sometimes we need plumbing services to adapt bathrooms as we grow older, and some people with certain conditions may need specialized features. There’s no need to go through a trial and error process to renovate a bathroom. The ADA provides specific guidelines for bathroom fixtures. They define bathroom fixtures as any permanent, large component of a bathroom, such as the toilet, shower, bathtub, or sink.
Toilets
ADA-approved toilets are available in many styles, but they conform to designated sizes. Many standard toilets have a height of 14-inches from the floor to the toilet rim, but ADA-approved toilets have a 17-inch height. The extra height lets users sit down and stand up from the toilet more easily. These toilets are described with different terms, depending on the manufacturer. Common labels include comfort height, universal height, and right height. Plumbing service providers can remove standard toilets and install an ADA-approved toilet instead. Height isn’t the only feature to think about. Some toilet models feature low-water flushes, easy-to-clean finishes, and eco-friendly options.
Sinks and Vanities
ADA-accessible sinks need to accommodate wheelchairs below the fixture. Several types of sinks can be mounted in wall-hung countertops to meet this requirement. Options include vessel sinks, under-mount sinks, drop-in sinks, and dedicated ADA-approved wheelchair accessible sinks. Bathroom vanities and other furniture also need to allow space for wheelchair users. Options include open front cabinets, wall-mount cabinets, and widely spaced sink legs. Most plumbing service professionals are very familiar with ADA requirements and guidelines.
Showers and Bathtubs
Shower stalls approved by the ADA have flat thresholds to facilitate transfers and wheelchair access. Plumbing service professionals can help adapt existing shower stalls or install new shower bases in the homeowner’s choice of materials. Other helpful features to increase safety and convenience include grab bars, transfer seats, and moveable showerheads.
ADA-approved bathtubs are available with a variety of modifications that make entry and transfers easier and safer. Some bathtubs are designed with low entrances or a front panel that can be lifted and lowered to allow easy access. Grab bars and bathing seats are useful features as well.
Additional Safety Features
Large fixtures aren’t the only components of an ADA compliant bathroom. Grab bars positioned near the sink, shower, and toilet help people move around the room with increased stability. Non-skid flooring and mosaic tiles reduce the risk of falls, and good lighting is essential for a safe functional bathroom.
Plumbing service providers can help you design an ADA-compliant bathroom and install appropriate fixtures. It’s a good idea to think about potential future needs if you’re planning to renovate your bathroom. ADA-approved fixtures don’t interfere with daily use and won’t cause problems. Consider designs and fixtures that may be needed in the future, even if no one in the household needs ADA-approved fixtures at the moment.
Contact Covenant Plumbing in Bloomington, IL, for all your plumbing repairs and projects. Helping homeowners choose new appliances or plan improvements and upgrades is part of the excellent plumbing services provided by Covenant.
