How often do you think about the look and functionality of your sinks, toilets, and showers? You might not even know what you’re missing out on. A few simple plumbing upgrades can make a notable difference in and the look and comfort of your home.
Here are four different ways you can enhance the plumbing in your home:
BIDET
If you’ve never experienced a bidet, you might wonder what all the fuss is about. Bidets are gaining traction in the United States, and they are extremely common in other parts of the world. Imagine not having to hoard toilet paper the next time there’s a buying frenzy! Some toilets come with built-in bidets, but you can buy a bidet seat and have a professional plumber install it onto your existing toilet. Not sure which one will be compatible? A licensed plumber can offer options and input about what will work best with the shape, style, and water pressure of your toilet.
TOILET
Not quite ready to switch to a bidet, but still interested in upgrading your bathroom experience? You’d be surprised how much of a difference the right toilet makes. In general, taller is better. Tall seats (usually 17-19”) are easier to get on and off of, and more comfortable to sit on. Look for an ADA-compliant or “comfort seat” toilet. Standard-height toilets can be as low as 10 inches! Flush matters, too. Standard toilets use 1.6 gallons per flush. That’s a lot of water — which adds to your environmental impact and your water bill. Some toilets are built to conserve water, using as little as 1.2 gallons per flush, but may not be as effective. The solution: consider a toilet that uses less water with enhanced technology to ensure a good flush. Look for the grams per flush to determine if it’ll be strong enough. 350-600 grams per 1.2 gallons is good, but some toilets are designed for up to 1000 grams per flush at the same water level. Not sure? Ask a plumber for a recommendation.
FIXTURES
An easy way to make your home feel more contemporary is to swap out faucets, and shower heads. Gold is back in style in a big way, with matte black making a big splash and brushed nickel proving to have longevity.
It’s not just about form – upgrading your fixtures can improve function, too. For example, a tall gooseneck faucet installed with a farmhouse style sink in the kitchen provides more room for washing dishes. A new showerhead can make every day feel like a spa day, with options that mimic rain, provide pulsing massages for tired muscles, or are handheld for versatility.
GARBAGE DISPOSALS
Wish you had a garbage disposal? Have one but it is exceptionally loud or doesn’t work as well as it used to? It might be time for a change. New garbage disposals are designed to be much quieter than the cover-your-ears styles common in the past, and they’re more effective, too.
The average life expectancy of a garbage disposal is around 10 years, and the blades can’t be sharpened, so be prepared to replace yours as needed. How to tell if it needs replacing? Scale buildup or any kind of leaking on the outside of the canister is a sign that yours needs to be replaced, because the casing can crack and rust over time.
If you’ve never had a garbage disposal but want one, you may be able to have it added. Your plumber can ensure the drain is low enough for a the disposal canister.
When it comes to enjoying a higher quality of life, plumbing upgrades might not be the first thing that comes to mind. And yet, improving something you use the most has the biggest ROI, and upgraded plumbing is an everyday luxury that’s more attainable than a major renovation.
The trained, trusted plumbers at Bonfe can handle all these upgrades and much more, ensuring that the work is completed on time and on budget. Call to schedule a consultation today.