Bathroom Remodeling Basics

The flushing mechanics of a toilet will vary, too. There are the more common gravity-fed variety, the pressure-assisted models and even dual-flush toilets available. Pressure-assisted toilets can have a tendency to be noisy, so a homeowner will want to inquire into this before selecting, particularly if peace and quiet are two desired attributes of the made-over bathroom. Dual-flush models have two flushing modes—one for solid wastes and one for liquid waste. The high-efficiency, lo- consumption Ultra Dual Flush™ is certified by WaterSense and GreenSpec. The toilet uses 40 percent less water per flush than a traditional 1.6 gallon per flush toilet. Photo credit: Courtesy of Gerber Plumbing Fixtures LLC. Toilet flushing consumes about one-third of all domestic water used, so investigating eco-friendly options is wise. Water-efficient toilets are required in some states but are optional in others. Homeowners concerned about conservation can choose from a widening selection of high-efficiency toilets (HETs) that consume fewer gallons per flush (gpf). An HET is a toilet that uses 1.28 gpf or less. Dual-flush toilets are also water-savers; the liquid waste flush typically uses 1.1 gpf or less. Gerber’s line of pressure-assisted toilets, for instance, recently introduced the Ultra Flush 1.1 gpf high performance toilet (HET). It is certified by WaterSense and can cut a homeowner’s yearly water expenditure by 40 percent. The Vanity In bathroom designer parlance, the vanity is the bathroom piece that can includes the sink, cabinet/storage space and the mirror. These items can be installed as one combined set or they can be purchased and installed separately. Sink configuration and design should be chosen with an eye on storage. A cabinet/sink combination can have the sink mounted on, within or underneath the cabinet, much like a kitchen sink can be installed a number of ways into the kitchen counter. Solid surface sinks are essentially one-piece countertops that have the sink integrated into the design; these are easy to clean and come in stock and customized options. Multiple sinks are popular in bigger master baths and can make the functional usage of the bathroom a more comfortable experience. A traditional sink can also be called a pedestal sink. Smaller bathrooms that might not accommodate a large vanity can be best suited for a pedestal sink, but storage space may still need to be considered.

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