The recent evening temperatures that have fallen below freezing remind us that winter is near and now is the time to do a few simple plumbing tasks to avoid major issues later this winter.
Frozen pipes are the #1 contributor to water damage in any home. Ensuring that your water pipes are well insulated can avoid thousands of dollars of water damage when temperatures drop below freezing.
For most of us in central Indiana where hard water is prevalent, a water softener is pretty much a necessity. It’s one of those items that we depend on to work all the time and don’t fully appreciate until it stops working properly.
Mostly likely, your water softener doesn’t just break and stop working all at once, but over time it slowly stops completely softening your water. Here are a few signs that your water softener may need to be serviced. Read more →
Knowing a good plumber can come in handy when you find water collecting on your floor, a drain plugged up, you need a new faucet installed, or you are tired of drinking rusty or smelly water.
Brenneco Plumbing has been taking care of our community’s plumbing needs for over 40 years. It has the experienced and trained plumbers that can help you with any of your plumbing needs. Read more →
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines aging in place as: “the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.” The feeling of being at home provides us with a comfortable, familiar environment that is more than just a place – it’s a sense of stability.
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The U.S. population is aging. Today, there are more than 46 million older adults age 65 and older living in the U.S.; by 2050, that number is expected to grow to almost 90 million. Nearly 90% of Americans 50 and older want to “age-in-place” and remain in their homes.
Aging-in-place will necessitate making some modifications to your bathroom.
Aging-in-place will require you to make some adjustments to your home, especially in the bathrooms. With basic modifications you can lower the risk of injury and continue to live in your home for several more years.
Here are six plumbing modifications you will need to consider.
Switch to a Walk-In Bathtub
When you have mobility issues, getting in and out of the bathtub can be difficult. Walk-in tubs have built-in doors that allow you to enter the tub without the high sidewalls to catch your feet on.
Walk-in bathtubs offer a comfortable seating area that provides safety and stability while you bathe. The seal-tight door gasket prevents leaking. The whirlpool function of your walk-in bathtub can help alleviate the discomfort or arthritis and other aches and pains.
Install a Zero-Threshold Shower
For some, even stepping over the elevated threshold of a shower can be difficult. Zero-threshold showers require no shower pan, which provides a smooth transition into the shower area. This also makes it easier to use a shower chair or bench.
Add Adaptive Toilets
As you age, your risk of toilet-related injuries increases. Many of those injuries occur when sitting down or getting up from the toilet. Mounting a grab bar near the toilet can help in maintaining your balance.
Installing a toilet with a slightly higher toiler seat can make using your toilet easier. Comfort-level toilets are 2 to 3 inches taller than standard toilets.
There are some relatively minor updates to your bathroom that can make it safer and easier to use as you get older.
Install Grab Bars Where Needed
One way to avoid injuries in your bathroom is to install grab bars next to the toilet, near the bathtub, and in the shower.
Properly installed grab bars will provide a secure and stout object to hold on to when using any of your bathroom facilities.
Install Motion-Sensor Faucets
Motion-sensor faucets allow you to activate your faucets without the use of your hands. This is very beneficial when you suffer from arthritis or other issues relating to finger and hand dexterity. Foot-controlled faucets are also available for bathrooms.
Anyone aging-in-place should also consider modifying the faucets in their kitchen.
Add Multi-Level Dual Sinks
The sinks in your bathroom will also need to adapt as you age-in-place. Your standard height sinks may be a comfortable reach right now, but that might change as your mobility changes.
Multi-height dual sinks allow for one standard-height sink while adding a lower sink that accommodates someone in a wheelchair or a person who is unable to use a standard height sink.
If your goal is to age-in-place, now is the time to prepare your home for the transition. Give Brenneco Plumbing a call today at 765-448-6190 to discuss the modifications that will allow you to remain safe and comfortable in the place you call home.
Take a few easy steps in the fall to prevent cold temperatures from causing plumbing problems this winter.
There’s starting to be a little nip in the air which means colder winter temperatures are not far off. Now’s the time, before it gets too cold to make the rounds around your home, to check for potential plumbing problems that could occur later.
Don’t forget to disconnect, drain and store your hoses this fall.
Check the insulation of pipes in your crawl spaces and attic. Insulate exposed water pipes with spray insulation, heat tape, or wrap insulation around the pipes.
For those repairs that you can’t handle yourself, Brenneco Plumbing is happy to visit your home or commercial property to make any necessary repairs. Please give us a call at 765-448-6190.
Don’t get caught in the middle of the winter with frozen or broken water pipes. Water damage from broken pipes can be extensive. Check now to avoid bigger issues when the temperatures drop.
Let Brenneco Plumbing help increase the comfort and value of your home by updating your bathroom and kitchen with new faucet sets, sinks and toilets. Brenneco Plumbing can also install new dishwashers and garbage disposals.
New kitchen faucet sets can instantly raise your home’s value and appeal.
Are your faucets in your kitchen and bathroom sinks and showers encrusted in lime deposits? Are your kitchen and bathroom sinks, tubs, stools, and shower stalls streaked with rust stains? Shower heads and faucets that are covered with lime scale do not work very well and don’t look the greatest either. Rust stains also detract from the appeal of your home.
In areas with water that is particularly filled with iron and lime, these unattractive situations are going to occur. It is just a matter of time before replacing your interior faucets, sinks and other plumbing fixtures will be needed. Read more →
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