Tips for Installing the Latest Fashions
First it was the kitchen sink. Then appliances and faucet fixtures followed suit. When it comes to kitchen décor, stainless steel has come to define the 2000s as pea green did the 1960s. Now it’s finding its way into new and remodeled bathrooms with increasing frequency. Stainless washbasins, pedestal sinks, faucets, toilets and soaking tubs are available in greater number and variety than ever. The trend isn’t based on fashion alone. Stainless steel surfaces are durable and easy to clean and sanitize. However, stainless isn’t the only fashionable finish for plumbing fixtures, nor is it always the best option. Traditional chrome is shiny and works very well in most bathrooms simply because it matches basically everything. The downside is that it tends to show water spots and requires constant wiping and cleaning in order to maintain its shine. Brushed nickel or chrome has a matte finish and is much less reflective than its chrome counterpart. It does a better job of hiding dirt and water spots and gives a bathroom a much softer and warmer feel.
Brass fixtures aren’t as common as they once were, and they tend to have a smaller style selection available than do the chromes and brushed nickels. From a functionality standpoint, there is no difference. Brass fittings do tend to require a little more cleaning than the others, but if your goal is to create a luxurious and rich looking space in your bathroom, then this may be the way to go.
Oil-rubbed bronze, like stainless steel, has become an immensely popular look in the past few years. It is a dark finish, almost black, with highlights of the bronze showing through. It’s a popular finish in rooms that use a lot of dark wood in the trim work and on the floor. They’re also very popular in bathrooms with rustic looking tile.
Remember that if you choose to install a new fixture with a particular finish, you should plan on keeping that theme for the entire kitchen or bath. A stainless sink will look out of place with a porcelain tub. Also keep in mind that certain fixtures may require special installation parts or techniques.
Toilets are a source of aggravation at best; at worst, they can cause damaging leaks and harm the bathroom subfloor or waste pipe. Sometimes all that’s needed to prevent a toilet from rocking is to tighten the mounting bolts located on the bottom of each side. Be careful not to crank them down too tight, which could crack the ceramic and lead to an expensive repair or, more likely, replacement. For another possible cure, try slipping flexible shims beneath the toilet base.
If you’ve ignored the problem for long, however, the smartest choice may be to call a professional to remove and reinstall the toilet. This will allow you to see whether all that rocking and rolling has broken anything or opened a leak under the toilet, where it’s most difficult to spot.
