Indpendence and Peace of Mind for the Handicapped During Bath Time

If health reasons or limited mobility are making it hard for you to indulge in a warm bath, it may be time to start considering a special bathtub. Handicap tubs are available in many different appearances and types. For this article though, we are going to review the traditional bathtub versus the walk-in.
Instead of having to step over high sides, or needing transferred to a tub, a walk-in you can simply do just that, walk in. It usually is a deep basin tub with a door that swings out on a hinge. The door acts as a sealer shutting in all water and keeping water from going all over the floor. Basically these types of tubs will make it easier and safer for tub access. You can also add whatever accessories fit your needs such as handicap rails, built in stools, and etc. If you are wheelchair bound, you are able to roll your chair up to the tub and have it waiting for you when you are finished.
People with disabilities claim handicap showers and bathtubs as must for every day living. They can reclaim back some of the independence they lost with the handicap. They are able to be more mobile and not need extreme assistance from care givers or family members. Also, walk- ins have been proven to reduce injuries due to falls by seventy five percent!
True walk-in tubs are generally more expensive than traditional, and usually require more space. Therefore you have the option to transform your own regular traditional bathtub into a walk-in by installing a cut-out door, as well as rains and steps. Make sure though, to consult your doctor before you install a home made version.
In conclusion, handicap accessible bathtubs are a necessity for the disabled. It not only gives them a measure of independence but also takes some of the burden off of the family members who care for them. They are proven to prevent serious injuries to your loved ones and are available for purchase, or if money or space is tight, you can modify your existing bath tub. First and foremost though, is the safety and continued well being for our beloved family members.

Plumbing History

Plumbing is one of the most important aspects of modern civilization. Without it, it would be considerably difficult, and perhaps an impossibility, to sustain a working network of cities and structures, as people would constantly be fending for themselves and battling health hazards in every direction.

Plumbing has a long history, dating back at least 5,000 years. The ancient society of Babylonia is considered by many to be one of the first modern civilizations to successfully operate day-to-day. They can be considered successful in large part to having a good, organized plumbing style and system. The plumbers of the day used clay and straw to create the first bathrooms which, back then, were literally "bath rooms," in that people went in these rooms primarily to bathe and clean themselves. Naturally, Babylon being a caste-driven system with clear divisions of wealth and distinction, only royalty had bath rooms in their palaces, which is obviously not the case today.

The first toilets were created roughly 2000 years ago by plumbers in China; these toilets had armrests, running water, working pipelines to direct the water and waste elsewhere. Like with the Babylonians, these were primarily used by royalty; one such toilet was discovered in the tomb of an ancient Chinese ruler, who ordered it placed in the tomb so he relieve himself comfortably even in death. Previously, self-contained modern toilets were thought to have been invented as little as a 100 years ago, by an English plumber named Thomas Crapper. The contributions of Crapper, from his inentions, to his name being an inspiration for much toilet-related terminology, to his every existence, is in constant debate even today.

Of no debate, however, is the importance of plumbing to all forms of civilization, both ancient and modern. It is almost inconceivable to imagine life without bathing, toiletries, and functioning pipelines, and we can thank plumbers and the art of plumbing that we have it in such abundance today.

Plumber Reviews at Atlanta Plumbers Online

In the last post I did a little outline of some external plumbing resources that can help many of you do-it-yourselfers and aspiring plumbers master certain basic plumbing tasks. In the event that you have concluded that plumbing is just not for you then I would like to share another resource with you. The resource is a site called Atlanta Plumbers, and it is a place where consumers can get both plumbing tips and reviews of Atlanta plumbing companies. I'd highly recommend that you prepare yourself in advance for a possible plumbing emergency. This means checking out local companies in your area and also reading review sites like Atlanta Plumbers. This can take a lot of the stress out of a plumbing problem when you realize that you are no longer under the gun to get the problem fixed by the first company that can come out. You should have a list of 2-3 companies that you would be comfortable calling in the even of a major issue. When you are not faced with an immediate need, you can much more calmly assess the pros and cons of each company and select a company that you feel good about.

Now what are some of the best ways that you can find information about plumbers in your city? Well of course there is always the internet. You will likely know the names of some of the bigger players in your area and a simple google search for their name should yield some fairly relevant results. If they are listed with the Better Business Bureau that is usually a good thing and you can check out their record with them. In addition the BBB, you will also want to check with your state licensing board to evaluate any complaints on their license. Now of course it goes without saying that if you are going to hire a plumber then you should hire a professional and a license is an absolute must.

OK folks well thats all for now, if you have any other resources you would like to share with the community please feel free to post a comment!

External Plumbing Resources

On this site I do my best to try and share as much information about plumbing and related resources as I can. It is my goal with this site that you are able to not only learn some plumbing basics but to also improve your overall home improvement knowledge. If you do need to at some point hire a plumber it is my hope that you will have gained some basic knowledge that you can use to select a reputable company in your area. I wanted to take the time with this post to provide you with some additional plumbing resources that I have come across while perusing the internet. Let's start with a few blog posts that I found:

1. Plumbing Emergencies: What to do for a Burst Pipe

Folks, it is unfortunate that plumbing pipes will burst at some point during winter when they are not proper winterized. It is not a question of if, but rather when. That post can really help you if you ever find yourself in a situation where a plumbing pipe has burst in your home. The information is top-notch and it definitely is worth a read.

2. The Basic Rules of Plumbing Repairs

Here is some great information from Seven Stories Institute. Let me be the first to tell you that common sense should be your guide whenever you make plumbing repairs for the first time. However, this information is often lost on many do-it-yourselfers. Not only does this article describe some effective common rules but it also provides invaluable information so its another must-read.

3. Plumbing 101: How to Address Clogged Drains

Now I don't have to tell you that one of the most common home plumbing problems is a clogged drain. So what are you to do when you find yourself faced with a clogged drain? Well, in my opinion, you should check out that great post from Fobitz. Yes, you've heard this before, a must-read if you are facing a clogged drain.

4. Plumbing 101: Addressing Low Water Pressure

Now as you can tell I enjoy reading these Plumbing 101 type of articles. I like to see what type of information these so-called experts are giving the masses. And let me tell you from first hand experience I know that many of these clowns that are writing articles about plumbing on the internet don't know the first thing about plumbing. Now the folks over at Just 4 Facts aren't the usual clowns you find on the internet. These folks are giving out great information and I think that you should check out their latest post onf low water pressure.

5. Plumbing Tips: For the Handywoman

Now I know there are many handywoman out there in addition to the many handymen who read this blog. Well for all you handywomen I would like to tell you that I have found a post for you! The post is called Plumbing Tips for the Handywoman. And yes even for you men, this is another must-read so head right over and check it out as soon as humanly possible.

OK folks, thats all for today, I hope you really enjoy reading those articles and please take the time to understand how important valuable free information like this is.

Installing a Fiberglass Shower Base in Tile Shower

There are people who are more experimental when it comes to renovating their bathrooms. Some may even have wondered about the possibility of installing a shower base made of fiberglass in a tile shower.

It is more common for numerous households to have showers that are made of just a single type of material. If you try to observe the bathrooms of your relatives and friends, you’ll notice that the walls and floors of their showers are either made from fiberglass (or acrylic) or tiles. Because of this, making a decision on whether to install a pre-fabricated shower or a tile shower could be difficult.

Individuals should know that it is possible to combine fiberglass and tiles for a shower, so others need not choose one over the other anymore. Additionally, combining these materials is neither unusual nor difficult. In fact, it is a great idea to combine these two materials because tiled shower walls provide beauty and flexibility while a shower base offers practicality.
Although acrylic and fiberglass showers have improved considerably, numerous homeowners still enjoy the countless choices in design that tiles provide. Homeowners have the option to either perform the tiling of the shower by themselves or to seek the help of a professional contractor to do the task. Combining fiberglass shower liner with tiles will mean that the floor is given the ability to “flex” relative to the weight of the person using the shower, which implies and ensures that the shower will last added years of usability.

True to the belief that everything has its advantages and disadvantages, here is a short list of the pros and cons relevant in installing fiberglass shower bases in tile showers:

Advantages:

• The pan can flex thereby preventing cracking related to tile shower pans.


• More convenient cleaning since there are no grout or seams.

Disadvantages:

• Is thought to be less attractive then an all-tile shower.


• Difficult to install for a DIY tiler.

With that said, make sure to carefully weigh its pros and cons to ascertain that you will make the right decision.

What Are Submersible Sewage Pumps Used For?

Submersible sewage pumps have been around for decades. These modern marvels are fully functional even when completely submerged in liquid. The designs behind these sewage pumps are ingenious, and they are utilized in both commercial and residential settings. These pumps have one main function, moving waste.

Many times gravity cannot be used to move waste as it is in many normal households and businesses. Simple physics will tell us that if we have one location which is lower than another and we need to move the liquid from that first location, the liquid is going to need some assistance. This is where the submersible sewage pump comes into play. These pumps are designed to move waste up hill where it can either be treated or moved on to a treatment center.

There are number of commercial submersible sewage pumps in operation. Many waste treatment plants will use these pumps to move a large volume of waste from one area to another. In these settings these pumps are generally made of stainless steel to hold up to a high volume of everyday use.

In residential settings these submersible pumps are often much more inexpensive. These pumps can often be found made of plastic, although they may need to be replaced more often. Many homes need a sewage pump to help transport waste uphill if the home is located at a lower elevation. These pumps can easily be installed by licensed plumbers or the homeowner with the correct knowledge. Residential submersible sewage pumps are readily available at many different outlets including home improvement stores, farm supplies, and plumbing outlets. Plumbing parts retailers will often have a much better selection of pumps available and be able to provide specialized knowledge for their installation, or referrals to a plumber which can install the pump for you.

Sewage Problems in Your Home May Not be Related to Your Sewage Pump

Encountering a problem with your sewage system can create a real headache. A problem such as this will require you to stop using all of the plumbing devices in your home. This means no flushing toilets, no laundry, no showers, and so on. With most problems a call to the plumber should get your life back on track relatively quickly. However, some problems with your sewer system may take extensive repairs to get your system working properly again.

Many people usually consider their sewage pump is the prime suspect when everything stops working. This is usually evidenced by sewage backing up from the well in which the sewage pump is located. Sewage pumps are usually easily inspected by a plumber which can tell right away if this is your problem or not. However, as long as you only send certain items down the drains the sewage pump is typically quite reliable. Items such as feminine hygiene products being flushed down toilets can cause problems with the sewage pump. Also, there are many other items such as dental floss, certain food scraps, and whatever else kids can find to send down a toilet which can give the sewage pump problems.

If a plumber finds no problem with your sewage pump the problem is probably somewhere in the sewer line between your sewage pump and the main city sewer line. In instances such as these plumbers can send small remote cameras down this line to determine the problem. There are several problems which can affect this main line.

Tree roots are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to problems in these lines. Roots can often break through these lines searching for water. As these roots grow in the drain lines they start catching debris which can eventually lead to clogs.

Also, in many parts of the country the winter season will cause several freezes and thaws. This constant cycle creates stress on the pipe which can lead to breaking. Certain soil compositions will be much more vulnerable to this constricting action. Warmer climates with mild winters can rule this problem out.

Finally, the problem in the sewer line may simply be a loose connection. This is a problem which can happen in newer homes and older homes. In older homes connections may simply come apart because of age. In newer home construction a sewer line may not be properly connected or connected at all.

In all cases problems such as these in a main sewer line will need to be dug up to correct the problem. These types of repairs can be extensive and often times expensive.