5 Universal Design Principals to Consider in Bathroom Renovations

You only renovate a house maybe two or three times in a lifetime. It is worth considering using the principals of Universal Design in any new renovation. Incorporating Universal Design principals will not only make your house easier to live in but may delay moving into a care facility in your later life. You can live in your house longer. Here are five things to consider when you are planning your renovation.

Accessible building entrance on an accessible route.

An accessible route means a continuous, unobstructed path connecting accessible elements and spaces within a building or site that can be negotiated by a person with a disability who uses a wheelchair, and that is also safe for and usable by people with other disabilities. 
Usable doors - that allow passage into and within all premises must be wide enough with a (nominal 32-inch) clear opening to allow passage by persons using wheelchairs.
Light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats, and other environmental controls in accessible locations.
Reinforced walls in bathrooms for later installation of grab bars.
Usable kitchens and bathrooms - that is, designed and constructed so an individual in a wheelchair can maneuver in the space provided.

 

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are one of the most dangerous rooms in a dwelling due to the hard, slippery-when-wet surfaces. Bathrooms typically have few handholds or other gripping surfaces useful for support. With the growing number of people with disabilities and the aging of our society, we have come to recognize that to be able to bathe safely and independently, people must be given a variety of bathing options. Traditional fixtures often do not meet the variety of individual needs.

Bathrooms designed using Universal Design principals provide a basic level of accessibility for a person using a wheelchair to maneuver about the space, approach and use the fixtures.

They do not differ in appearance from conventional bathroom designs.

Clear Space

In bathrooms, the basic building block of space used is a 30-inch x 48-inch clear floor space.

Clear floor space allow persons using wheelchairs and other mobility aides to approach and use the fixtures.

A 30-inch x 48-inch clear floor space is the approximate space occupied by an average size person in a conventional manual wheelchair.

Clear floor spaces for fixtures and appliances may overlap. The 30-inch x 48-inch clear floor space must be positioned for either a parallel or forward approach to toilets, vanities, baths and showers. Neither a vanity cabinet nor toilets should encroach on this clear floor space.

Shower Stall Size

A 36-inch deep or deeper stall better contains water and minimizes uneven warped surfaces so all four wheels of a persons shower wheelchair stay in contact with the floor. Thus, the user is better able to maintain traction and control when maneuvering into and out of the shower.

Other Considerations

Using vinyl safety flooring in conjunction with trench drains throughout the bathroom will ensure that you eliminate one of the major accident risks - wet slippery floors. Utilizing a trench drain at the perimeter of the shower stall, means that you only need to have a fall run one way for water run off. This will allow you to place a portable shower chair within the stall with minimal "wobble".

Installing single outlet mixer taps and a hand showers will enhance ease of use.

Putting some Universal Design thought into your next renovation project is bound to pay significant dividends in your later life.

How a Quality Sink Water Filter Can Protect You From Ingesting Chemical Poisons Every Day

You may not feel that there is a lot to be gained by installing a sink water filter in your home, but the truth is that one of these appliances can do you a lot of good. If you allow unfiltered tap water to freely enter your home, then you are setting yourself up for a lot of health problems in the future. You may not think that the state of our water is that bad, but believe me, it is.

Studies have shown that every time you drink a glass of unfiltered tap water you may be ingesting anywhere from three to five individual chemical agents. There are traces of as many as 80,000 different chemicals present in our reservoir system. Some of these chemicals entered our water supply by accident, but the majority of them are there due to careless disposal.

Millions of tons of chemicals have entered our water supply because of major industries dumping chemical waste directly into our lakes, rivers, and streams. The bulk of these chemical agents are toxic to human beings, but there are at least 2,100 of them that have been positively identified as cancer causing agents! Are you convinced yet that you need to install a sink water filter in your home?

If that did not do it for you then I have another fun fact that may cause you to sway towards my way of thinking. Have you ever wondered what hospitals, doctors' offices, clinics and pharmacies do with all of the out of date medication that they have on hand? What they do is follow the instructions from the pharmaceutical companies as to the best method of disposal; they flush them down the toilet.

In order to prevent all of these chemical agents from entering your home you need a sink water filter. You can't depend on the treatment facilities to protect you like so many others do, because they are helpless to do anything to halt the flow of chemicals, toxic metals, and parasites and cysts in your water. That's right, not all potentially dangerous microbes are killed during the chlorine disinfection process; indeed, shockingly few dangerous substances are removed.

A high quality counter top or under counter sink water filter will feature a quartet of filters each designed to remove certain contaminants from your drinking water. Due to the tremendous number of chemicals present in your water, you actually need two different filters to fish them out. The multi media block and granular activated carbon filter will effectively remove these chemical agents.

For blocking traces of toxic metals such as lead and copper in your water, your filter needs to be equipped with an ion exchange. This handy filter will replace the toxic metals that it finds with healthy electrolytes, and it will also ensure that the pH level of your water stays balanced. An ion exchange will ensure the removal of any disease bearing parasites and cysts present.

A high quality sink water filter is a major necessity in your home. You simply can't afford to overlook this lifesaving but inexpensive device.

Bathroom Remodel Ideas - Tips to Help With Your Next Project

Bathroom fixtures is very important. It can really make your home's most intimate room beautiful. As with any room in your house it's the small things that can make the biggest difference and bring your bathroom to a whole new level. The tiniest of details can surprisingly add a whole new level to your bathroom and will also add additional functions that will help out a lot. Clutter is never cool. Bathrooms appear in all sizes but there are probably as much small bathrooms as their is big bathrooms. As a result making the most of the space you might have is crucial. Once again it is the little points that develop the ambiance inside your bathroom. When you are dealing with a small space you want to make it appear bigger. The feeling of being trapped is in no way a great feeling. By adding mirrors you can give off the sense that the bathroom is larger than it is. Make an effort to get smaller fixtures like lighting, toilet, and a vanity.

Ensure that the vanity mirror and sink are relative in size. There is nothing uglier than a huge mirror over a small vessel sink. This style is confusing for the eye and makes the bathroom look small and ugly. The placement of mirrors is critical as well. With your small bathroom you must eliminate as much clutter as possible. It's important to have small hidden drawers, an in wall medicine cupboard and possibly a little closet. Using the vanity for storage space is usually a good thing. One can find small vanities available on the market which have some storage space. Try to make use of shelves but only put neat things on these shelves such as already folded towels, candles... certainly not an open tooth paste bottle, tooth brush, a brush with or without the hair, a newspaper or magazine, etc. I possibly could continue for days concerning the stuff that your house guests shouldn't have to see when they are in the bathroom. Anyhow enough with that rant. Generally keep it simple.

Bathroom colours really set the mood. Colors do influence your subconscious mind. White, light yellows, a few gentle pastel colours help to make your bathroom feel much more open. Thus try to use these color variations. More dark colours tend not to make use of lighting and make the bathroom feel smaller. When you're buying paint be sure you ask an expert about waterproof paints. It is really an absolute headache watching paint chip in your bathroom due to a few hot steamy showers. Furthermore go the extra mile when spending money on your bathroom's paint, high quality counts.

Let's move onto the lighting. Try and present sufficient light so the space feels open and comfy. You don't want the bathroom to seem like a police interrogation and definitely not like you are in a dimly lit creepy cocktail lounge. Try putting a light on the ceiling and maybe one to enhance the vanity. Attempt not to make the vanity light too vibrant, it may be a self-confidence killer. Last but not least aim to get all Eco-friendly materials for your bathroom. This consists of recycled items, pre-used, bamboo, and water conserving equipment like reduced flow dual flush toilets.

How to Unplug Your Toilet

We've all had this experience. You really have to go but someone has just made your toilet nonfunctional. You've tried to plunging it until your hands and wrist started to ache but no amount of effort seems to get things flowing again. You've thought of calling a plumber but they're expensive at even the normal labor rate. So what can you do besides getting your body tired by continuing what you are doing?

Most people don't know how to plunge a toilet properly to begin with. They push and push until the wax seal breaks out and then they have another problem to contend with. Also, they've bought the wrong toilet plunger.
The most effective plunger to buy is the one that has a flap that folds out so the rubber end looks like a bell. Stay away from the one that looks like a saucer.
To properly plunge your toilet first make sure the flap on the plunger is extended out. Then place the end into the hole. Slowly push the plunger down into the hole until the air in the plunger is expelled. This creates a vacuum in the plunger. Make sure the outside rim of the plunger is fully seated over the hole on the bottom of the bowl. Then with a quick jerking motion pull the plunger so that the vacuum created lifts the water out of the hole and releases the obstruction. You may have to do this several times before you are successful.

After many attempts using this method without success I discovered another way.

Hot water! My bathtub is next to the toilet, so I filled a large pot with hot water and poured it into the bowl to soften the obstruction and within eight or nine potfuls I was successful. As soon as I saw that the water level was going down quicker I used the plunger once again and then tried to flush and it worked!

Next time this happens you should try these methods. You'll save your muscles and your pocketbook!

Bathroom Mirrors - Things to Consider When Buying

When you are decorating your house, it's easy to get excited about the theme of your living room, or the way that your bed spread will match the drapes in your bedroom - but you can't forget to pay close attention to another important room in your home, the bathroom. Too often do homeowners overlook the importance of one of the most basic bathroom elements which is their bathroom mirror.

When you're shopping for your bathroom mirror, there are a number of things that you need to consider. First and foremost, you need to consider if there are any practical limitations. For instance, is there a certain shape or size that your new mirror needs to fit into? Perhaps the type of wall that it will be one requires that it be mounted by hanging with screws. This is common with certain types of wall finishes that are difficult to use adhesives on.

Next, you need to make sure that your new bathroom mirror fits in with the major shapes of your bathroom. If you have a lot accessories of a certain shape, then you can narrow down your new purchase to the same shape. You can also consider how fancy your current theme is. This will help you narrow down what style your new mirror should be. If you have a very fanciful bathroom, you have a multitude of choices available to you. If your current theme is quite basic, you should have a very wide range of options.

There are many choices of designs that you can consider as well. Some bathroom mirrors look like they are set in an old picture frame, while others have no border at all. Just take some time to consider what you have available to you. Not enough people consider the importance of the look and feel of your bathroom. After all, there is no doubt that almost all of your visitors will visit this room sooner or later.

Modern Showers For Your Bathroom

Today people are using sauna showers to experience spa like treatment at the comfort of home. These showers enhance the beauty and comfort of a bathroom. Modern day accessories and furniture can completely change the look of your bathroom. Luxurious showers are not so big in size and can be installed in small bathrooms. By installing luxurious showers you can save a lot of money which you spend in visiting a spa salon.

One of the most popular showers which are being used today is sauna showers. Some additional features which you can find in a luxurious shower are mp3, telephone, foot massager and even television. You can find different sizes and shapes of showers. Showers can be bought according to your needs. By using special kits you can change your existing shower into a luxurious shower. It is a good idea to buy accessories through internet stores. Many internet stores offer discount coupons. The website offering bathroom accessories should be reputated.

If you want to enhance the beauty of your bathroom then it is good idea to add some modern accessories and designer furniture. A bathroom is a place which is being used to get rid of all day stress. A clean and luxurious bathroom reflects the lifestyle of a person. Before planning a new bathroom you should set your budget. You can spend a lot on bathroom accessories but everything depends on your budget.

Modern bathrooms are considered as a luxurious place where you can relax after your day job.

Water-A Pillar of Health

Water is a basic pillar of health. It is involved in every function of our body. When we drink water, we are keeping our five vital organs hydrated and ready for action: the brain, heart, lungs liver and kidneys. As a result, these organs will work properly and the other organs can work properly as well and we can lead a healthier life.

When we don't drink enough water, our body suffers. Many health problems can be reduced simply by drinking good water. If your joints hurt and have arthritis, it might be that all you need to do is drink more water. You see, the cartilage in your joints is made of 80% water and it might just be that they aren't hydrated enough. If you have high blood pressure, maybe your body is sending you a signal that you need more water because your blood vessels are being constricted. Dr. Colbert says that many of his patients have lowered their blood pressure simply by drinking enough water. So you have digestive problems? Water keeps the digestive juices supplied and helps your body create all the acid it needs to kill the H. Plyori bacteria that causes ulcers, and improves digestion. So, maybe all you need to do to make your digestive system run smoother is drink more water.

HOW MUCH water should we have?

Here is a simple formula that Dr. Don Colbert, author of The Seven Pillars of Health, gives us: Just divide your weight in pounds by two. That is how much water you should drink every day. So, if you are 120 pounds, you should have 60 oz of water; if you weigh 200 pounds, you should have 100 oz. However, that doesn't mean you have to drink it all. When you eat lots of fruits and veggies, you also are supplying your body with fluids since they are made of mostly of water. Depending on how many fruits and vegetables you eat a day, you might be able to add up to a half quart or even a quart of the daily fluid you need.

Is it possible to drink TOO MUCH water?

The answer is "yes". My brother and sister-in-law told me there was girl on TV that was doing some sort of contest with her friends to see who could drink the most water before having to go to the bathroom. Well, this girl who won the contest lost her life! Can you imagine? So much for more water is better!

The reason for her death was probably that her body was depleted of potassium and electrolyte levels because she had drunk too much water. When we drink excessive amounts of water, we can get a condition called psychogenic polydipsia, which causes potassium and electrolyte levels to become dangerously low. This may lead to your death. We don't usually drink TOO MUCH water, but I just want to make you aware of the consequences if you do that since some people always think that more is better when MODERATION is always the key.

WHEN should we drink the water?

Well, contrary to normal belief, it should NOT be mostly at meal times. At this time you should only have 4-8 ounces and make sure it is room temperature. Any drink that is extremely cold or has ice in it makes it harder for your body to digest your food.

Dr. Colbert suggests in his book "The Seven Pillars of Health" that we should drink most our fluids two hours after meals and up to 30 minutes before meals. You don't have to get all your fluids from water either. Like I said earlier, eating lots of fruits and veggies can count to up to one quart of fluid, so that means if you need to 4 quarts of fluid a day, you can make it only 3 quarts of just plain water or tea, or other drinks that are not highly sugared or have filled with caffeine. Coffee counts, as long as you don't have more than 2 cups a day.

Is all water equal?

No, it is not. There is better water than others. It used to be that here in the U.S. we could drink tap water and it was good for us. Unfortunately, that is not the case anymore. There are many contaminants in it that municipal treatments can neither detect nor remove from the water supply, even though the EPA does check the water daily.

Not only are there chemicals and microbes in tap water, but, unfortunately that things they put in it to help "purify" the water is dangerous to us. Some cities put in chlorine to kill microorganisms; however, chlorinated water has been linked to birth defects and spina bifida. Chlorinated water can also destroy nutrients that our body needs: vitamins A, B, C and E, and fatty acids. This water also causes chronic skin diseases like acne, psoriasis and eczema. When you take a shower in chlorinated water, it causes your hair to be brittle and your skin to dry out.

Another thing is added to tap water is fluoride, even though fluoride is proven toxic. Dr. Charles Gordon, past president of the American Medical Association, says "fluoride is a corrosive poison that will produce serious effects on a long range basis."

One more element that I want to talk about that is added to the water is aluminum. Aluminum is linked to Alzheimer's disease.

In order to remove chemicals from tap water, it is important to purchase a good filtration system that will do that. Tap water is good to water your lawn and flush the toilet, but it is not good to drink it. The best water filters are alkaline water filters. Your body thrives on an alkaline environment since it is able to detoxify a lot more efficiently than in an acidic environment.

Certain bottled waters are also alkaline, but not all of them are. Make sure that when you drink bottled water you buy one that is alkaline like Evamor, Abita and Arrowhead. Dr. Colbert says that the best bottled water is called Penta Water and you can get in a health store near you.

So, keep the water coming, but don't drink too much! Use the simple formula to calculate how much you should have and aim towards that amount. Make sure you eat lots of fruits and veggies too - those count towards your daily "water" intake =)

Live healthy! Drink water instead of soda, diet soda, juice and milk. It's the best thing to quench your thirst =) But make sure you drink most of your water between meals, not at meal times.