Archive

Archive for February, 2011

Planning the bathroom upgrade

February 23rd, 2011

Bathroom RemodelingFor many people, bathroom remodeling is fun to discuss, especially when it is an anticipated springtime project. It’s also difficult to get a plan into motion. Today’s homeowner, particularly if he or she lives in an older home, wants a bathroom that has more of a state-of-the-art appeal to it.

The hard part, however, is actually putting the plan into fruition. A newly remodeled bathroom isn’t cheap, for starters, and the bathroom requires someone who has a mind for great ideas. Saying you want a bathroom makeover is one thing; having the necessary ideas is another.

Some renovations, for those who aren’t the bathroom brainstorming types, include a brand-new walk-in shower, a whirlpool bath, a low-flow shower head or even a new toilet. Others look for bathroom faucets and sinks that have futuristic appeal to it. Then, there are others who simply want a change in the bathroom flooring, lighting or walls. You can start the remodeling process by jotting down some of the things you don’t like about how your bathroom currently looks and take it from there.

Our Charlotte NC plumbers are more than happy to assist you with designing a new bathroom for your home. If your thought processing is stuck in neutral, we can offer excellent suggestions that will give your bathroom an instant upgrade. If you have your ideas ready, let our plumbers handle all installation and maintenance services at affordable rates.

Call our Charlotte plumbing company, or visit us online for more information on bathroom remodeling.

A February Promotion to Love

February 11th, 2011

February PromotionFebruary, with Valentine’s Day, is the month of love and appreciation. Our Charlotte NC plumbers want to show our appreciation with its latest promotion.

Our plumbing company specializes in tankless water heater service, installation and repair. From now until the end of February, we are offering one of three free options with the purchase of a tankless water heater. Buy a heater and receive either an H2O Harmony Entire house water filtration, The Stealth toilet or a lifetime warranty on the purchased water heater.

The Stealth, offered exclusively by Benjamin Franklin, is the premier choice in flush and water conservation, saving you up to 20 gallons of water each year.

Don’t let this plumbing promotion pass you by. Give our Charlotte plumbing company a call today, or visit us online for more information on this February-only offer.

Remodel Your Bath with Safety in Mind

February 3rd, 2011

tub, bathtub, bath, bathroom, remodeling, safetyEveryone’s heard the adage about the certainty of “death and taxes,” but there are two other inevitable factors for Charlotte NC plumbing customers to consider when repairing or remodeling a bathroom: accidents and aging. The National Safety Council reports that almost 200,000 people are injured annually in their bathroom. In addition, the number of senior citizens and disabled Charlotte residents continues to increase. Your local plumbers are ready to help.

To aid those with special needs (now or in the future) and reduce accidents, Ben Franklin plumbers install bathroom fixtures that are attractive, practical and safe for Charlotte families and businesses. For residential baths, our plumbers recommend design ideas and the latest safety features. We aim to meet the needs of families throughout their life cycles, including considerations such as infants, visually impaired adults, people with physical size requirements, and seniors with difficulty walking.

For homes and offices, installations can be created to meet requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Whether your goal is to provide accessibility to all, or a “universal design” to meet as many special needs as possible without specialized design, North Carolina plumbing professionals work hard to find the best solution for you.

Some key universal design considerations include adequate knee and toe clearances under fixtures, faucets and handles located in a reachable range, and easy operation of movable parts. Grab bars should be placed intelligently, and tested for load-bearing ability. Toilets are available in a variety of styles and heights, with 14 to 15 inches from the floor (floor to top of rim) being standard. Products billed as being more comfortable are 16 to 17 inches high, similar to a chair. Shorter types may be installed in schools or day care centers to serve Charlotte, NC children.

Homeowners without special needs still want to avoid accidents in the bath area. The most common accidents are slips, falls and scalding from hot water. Plumbers may address your bathroom safety concerns with tips like these from the National Kitchen and Bath Association:

  • Avoid steps leading into tub or shower areas. Slip-resistant flooring also helps eliminate falls and reduce the risk of falls.
  • Consider installing a platform around the tub where you can sit down before entering or after exiting.
  • Choose shatterproof glass in shower enclosures, and install hinged doors to open out into the room rather than into the shower.
  • Prevent scalding by installing pressure-balanced, temperature-controlled valves in every bath or shower in your Charlotte NC home. Faucets should be easily reached from outside the enclosure.
  • Keep water sources and electrical switches a safe distance apart. Use circuit interrupters on electrical plugs to shut them off when a hazard is detected.

To stay safe, and improve the look and value, of your bathroom, contact your local Charlotte NC plumber. Set up a consultation to start planning your beautiful, safe bathroom today.