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IDES 322 Plumbing Professor Marie K. Cooley, CID, UDA, NKBA
Plumbing is a vital component in both residential and commercial interior design. The following slides will explain some of the basics in Modern plumbing as well as some suggested ‘better practices’ uses.
Toilets � Modern toilets come in lots of shapes and
sizes. We are going to focus on: � Heights (standard, comfort, ADA) � One + two piece units � Round front + elongated � Floor mount + wall hung � Intelligent � Washlet � Water saving
Toilets - heights � Standard height is less than 17” above the
finished floor (AFF).
� Comfort height is 17”-19” above the finished floor (AFF).
� Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is 17”-19” above the finished floor (AFF).
Toilets - standard height
Toilets – comfort height + ADA
Toilets – body types � Toilets come is a variety of
styles and configurations. � One-piece toilets are made from one
mold. The tank and bowl are seamless. � Two-piece toilets the tank and bowl are
made separately, then joined together.
Toilets – body types, one piece
Toilets – body types, two piece
Toilets – body types, wall hung. This is the ‘behind the wall components’.
Toilets – body types, wall hung installed look.
Toilets – body types, round bowls(this is also a one piece).
Toilets – body types, elongated bowls
Lavatories
Lavatories are the industry term for sinks. All bathrooms need to have a sink, at a minimum to wash hands.
Lavatories – integrated sink countertop � The countertop and sink are all one piece.
Lavatories – pedestals � Be careful with these; there isn’t much space for toothbrush, etc.
Lavatories – vessel � Vessels are deck mounted, and rise up
from the counter surface.
Lavatories – deck mount/drop in This type of sink is set into a hole cut in the countertop material.
Lavatories – under-counter mount These sinks are installed to fit underneath the counter top.
Lavatories – wall mount This type of sink is great if you need to have access for wheel chair users.
Faucets � Faucets deliver water to a lavatory. Hot
and cold water lines are plumbed in to supply the need.
� Some faucets have a single control which is a mixer valve; warm water can be created by the position of the lever.
� Some faucets have separate hot and cold controls; each must be in the correct position to create warm water.
Faucets – single hole � Single hole faucets are mounted into a hole drilled into the countertop.
Faucets – wide set � Wide set faucets have a separate hot and cold control valves. Three holes must be drilled into the countertop.
Faucets – center set A center set faucet requires one drilled hole; everything is set on a plate.
Faucets – wall mount The faucet is mounted directly on the wall. Can not be on an outside wall in cold climates (ie Tahoe).
Faucets – motion sensor � Different manufactures use different
technologies. Check the style you have selected to see if it fits your client’s needs/ usage.
Faucets – materials/finishes � The quality of faucet finishes vary greatly
by the material used to construct it. Some companies have lower and higher quality lines, so pay attention and ask the sales people questions. Some have internal parts made with brass and ceramics, while others are made up of plastic. Check on the manufacture’s warranties.
Faucets – Laminar flow Standard aerators allow air to mix with the water as it flows out from the spout to achieve a soft to the touch, white appearance that most residential users are accustomed to. Laminar devices are designed to not allow any air surrounding the outlet into the flow of water. This type of faucet is excellent for shallow sinks as the water should not splash.
Faucets – Laminar flow
Bathtubs - � Bathtubs come in a variety of
shapes, sizes, colors, materials and features. It is best that your client sit in bath tubs in a plumbing showroom prior to selecting one. One tub does not fit all!
Bathtubs - materials � Enameled steel, formed steel with a porcelain-enamel
coating, is the least expensive tub. But the material has drawbacks: Steel conducts heat, meaning tub water cools quickly; the surface is prone to chipping; and it weighs about twice as much as plastic. Cast-iron tubs, like steel, are coated with enamel.
� Acrylic tubs are made from crushed limestone mixed with resin, then finished with Gelcoat. You have a lot of options for color, size and style, and the Gelcoat finish used with cultured marble is more durable than that used with fiberglass. The cost typically falls somewhere between acrylic and cast iron.
� Stone tubs are popular now, but the weight of the empty and filled tub must be considered. Will a second story support it?
Bathtubs - styles � Free standing tubs are popular, but can
be very dangerous to get in and out of without slipping.
Bathtubs - styles � Drop-in tubs need to have enclosures and
decks constructed for them. AN advantage is that you can construct a wider transfer area.
Bathtubs - styles � Alcove tubs have only a finished top and
front.
Bathtubs - styles � Corner tubs fit into corners.
Bathtubs - fixtures � Free-standing tub fillers are popular now,
but add to the plumbing installation costs.
Bathtubs - fixtures � Traditional tub fillers are mounted on the
deck of the tub or on the wall. In most cases these can match the lavatory faucet set if desired.
Bathtubs – new features � Bathtubs can have features, underwater
stereo anyone? Check out what Kohler offers, just to name a few:
� Effervescence Hydrotherapy � Sunward® Baths and Whirlpools � Whirlpool + Effervescence Combination
Hydrotherapy Baths � Whirlpool + BubbleMassage™ Combination
Hydrotherapy Baths � VibrAcoustic®bath with chromatherapy
Showers - � Showers seem to be a more
popular option for daily hygiene than bathtubs. Just like tubs, they come with lots of options from fully custom to prefab.
Showers - heads � Shower heads come in all shapes,
configurations and finishes. Look at what some of the major manufactures are offering:
� Kohler � Toto USA � American Standard � Moen
Showers - heads Showering has never been so fun. Moxie lets you stream your favorite music, news or talk radio right in the shower with you. The Moxie showerhead holds a portable speaker that pairs wirelessly with devices enabled with BLUETOOTH® technology to deliver high-quality audio to your shower. The speaker docks directly into the showerhead, so your music is closer than ever when showering. While it plays your favorite sounds, this revolutionary showerhead generates a full-coverage, revitalizing spray of water for a sensory experience like no other. Moxie is easy to install and use; the wireless speaker pops out for recharging, then securely pops back in for use while showering. You can even take it with you as a wireless speaker to use in any room of the house, or on the go. (Image on next slide.)
Showers - heads � Kohler Moxie
Shower - wands � Hand-held wands are one of
the best showering inventions. They offer water to be directed where desired. Excellent for showering adults, children, and pets. It makes cleaning a shower so much easier too.
Showers – mixers and valves
� Valves and mixer are need to deliver the water to the shower head, wand, water tiles, etc. It is important to plan for their location carefully-where is the best place to turn it off and on without getting wet or completely into or out of the shower?
Showers - drains � Traditional center drains are limiting
to the size of the floor tile used. Look at linear, trench, or channel drains as a better alternative.
� Check out different type/styles at Infinity Drains.
Showers - curbless � No more kicking the curb or stubbing your
toe on it! No more icky track door to clean.
Shower Doors � Shower doors can be custom made
for the shower unit or purchased as prefab. Consider the type of glass (clear, opaque, seeded, rain….
� Shower glass must be tempered (will not break into shard when broken).
Vanities - � Bathroom vanities are the cabinetry unit
that typically hose the sink and have drawers, shelves, and or cabinets. It is important to think about what items will be stored in the vanity and how it will be organized when making selections. The types, styles and finishes change with the times, but the function remains the same.
� Look at Kohler vanity options. Some have electrical outlets built-into the drawers!
CA Title 24 + Green Building Codes � California has some of the most restrictive
building codes when it comes to water consumption. These codes are constantly being updated, so manufactures must always be on the cutting edge to sell to our great State.
� Here are the 2016 Cal Green Code changes, but don’t get too comfortable with them as new ones are coming soon!
GFCIs � Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI)will
help to prevent an electrical fire in certain uses. In California they must always be used within 4 feet of a water source (sink, tub, shower, toilet).
� OSHA has a good page describing GFCIs and their uses. Just keep in mind that California does not follow national building codes, so always refer to Title 24 first.
Mirrors + Medicine Cabinets � Have you seen the mirrors with TV screens
in them? Lights in them (face forward is the best lighting for make up and shaving)? A medicine cabinet that is refrigerated?
� Robern is the industry leader when it comes to mirror and medicine technology.
Kitchen Sinks - � Kitchen sinks come in single,
double and triple bowl configurations. The type selected should be based on your client’s need, space and budget.
Kitchen Sinks - styles � “Farm-house” or apron front
style sinks have been popular for the past few years.
� The Smart Divide is my favorite. � Kitchen sinks come in square,
rectangle, circle and curved shapes.
Kitchen Faucets � Faucets deliver water to a vital component of
a kitchen. Hot and cold water lines are plumbed in to supply the need.
� Some faucets have a single control which is a mixer valve; warm water can be created by the position of the lever.
� Some faucets have separate hot and cold controls; each must be in the correct position to create warm water.
Kitchen Faucets � These faucets are configured just like the
bathroom ones. � single hole � wide set � wall mount � motion sensor � Laminar flow � The type with pullout spray nozzles offer
great flexibility in use.
Kitchen Faucets – materials/ finishes
� These too will be similar to bathroom faucets.
Garbage Disposals � Garbage disposals help dishwashers
perform better. The key to selecting a good disposal is the quietness of the motor. With Great Rooms being popular in floor plans, loud garbage disposals are unpopular.
Filtered Water Systems � The built-in under counter water
filtration systems are best and least conspicuous.
� The ones that offer “instant hot water” for tea, etc. is a great option.
� Body Glove is one of several manufactures.
Tankless Hot Water Heaters � These water heaters offer numerous
benefits: � Lower energy use/consumption � Faster hot water deliver to faucet � Size � Installation location flexibility � Rinnai is a leader in tankless hot water
heaters.