Plumbing tips aren’t hard to come by, but plumbing tips from the experts are. Mr. Rooter^® Plumbing has dedicated the space below to answering your questions with knowledge that comes from years of experience

WEEKLY TIP: Common Laundry Room Sink Plumbing Problems
Do you notice damp walls or floors around your laundry room sink? Check the pipes and fittings for leaks. Are there loose joints in your pipe connections? Tighten loose connections and you may stop an incidental leak without the need to call a plumber. You can also deal with small leaks from holes in a pipe by wrapping the pipe in rubber hose and applying clamps at the top, bottom, and at the source of the leak. Use plumber’s epoxy in small holes designed specifically for these types of leaks.

Another laundry center problem comes from clogs. If you have a buildup of soap, lint, or hair in your laundry room sink drain or floor drain, eventually a clog will form. If you have a water shut-off valve installed on your laundry room sink, turn off the water, and remove the u-shaped pipe and look for the clog. You may need to inspect the straight ends of the pipe on either side to find the clumped hair and soap. Once the clog is removed, your drains will work normally again.

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by RateHub.ca

Large construction cranes sitting next to towers of concrete and glass are common-place images across many of Canada’s major city centres. Recent data suggests housing starts fuelled by condo construction is surging, despite expectations they would cool in 2012. Last April, housing starts hit the second highest output on record with 244,900 starts or 18% above industry expectations.

What does this reveal about Canadians?

We’re condo nuts. We can’t get enough of them, especially in markets like Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal which combined, are largely responsible for this condo construction craze.

TD Canada recently polled current condo owners and individuals looking to buy a condo in the near future. The results revealed that Canadians don’t mind paying extra Loonies for a piece of condo living.

TD found people are drawn to condominiums because they require less maintenance than a house and are more affordable. One in four said they were attracted to the amenities, such as the gyms, pools and party rooms associated with condo buildings.

When it comes to funding the condo lifestyle, Canadians aren’t afraid to pony up the cash. One in five said they were willing to pay up to $400 a month on condo fees while an astounding 10% said they were willing to pay $600. Condo buyers from the market most associated with the craze, Toronto, were the most willing to pay, with 39% prepared to pay up to $400 in condo fees (double the national average).

Although condo fees pay for such things such as security, swimming pools and window washing, they are vulnerable to rate increases. However, one in three Canadians say they already have a buffer built into their budget to account for possible condo fee increases. Unfortunately, the report did not reveal whether Canadians have also created separate buffers for potential increases to their mortgage rates.

One strategy to prepare for an increase in either condo fees or mortgage rates according to Farhaneh Haque, Director of TD mortgage advice, is to utilize your prepayment options. “You can also explore flexible mortgage options that allow you to pay more towards your mortgage when you can, then, upon an approved application, ease off on payments when you need to. This can be a useful feature in the first few months of transition to a fee increase”

Condos will continue to remain an attractive option for home buyers because of their affordability relative to other housing options. Expect construction cranes to continue to grace Canadian city skylines for the foreseeable future.

Source: TD Condo Poll

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by StonePeak Ceramics

If you were taking the verbal section of the SAT, one of the questions might look similar to this:  A square is to a rectangle, as ___________ is to ceramic tile.

The answer of course would be porcelain tile.  Much like a square has stricter credentials, however still meets the qualifications of a rectangle, porcelain tile is just that.  While porcelain tile fits the description of ceramic tile, it takes it a step further in differentiating itself from its close relative.

So what’s the Difference?

What qualifies something as ceramic tile?  Ceramic tile is usually created by mixing a base of clay with different types of minerals and water.  A stoneware clay body will be fired at around 1,800-2,000°F and have water absorption between 0.5%-3.0%, with some even as high as 20%!

Porcelain on the other hand is made out of a mixture of clay, sand, and feldspar, which is a naturally occurring mineral in granite.  The sand strengthens the mixture, while the feldspar melts, fusing together all the materials making the tile denser than a standard ceramic tile, thus stronger (30% stronger than granite!) and more stain resistant.

Porcelain tile will fire at about 2,300°F.  The higher firing temperature will drive out more water, and with the feldspar melting to form a low-order glass, the tile will be far more water resistant.  Thus, the American standards for a porcelain product is that is must absorb less than or equal to 0.5% of water (Read more about our manufacturing process).

Why the Confusion?

The biggest debate over “what is porcelain tile?” is that there ceases to be one universally accepted definition.  This means that buying from overseas can be risky, as all they have to do is slap a Porcelain stamp on the side of the box before it ships and manufacturers can sell it as true porcelain.

To reiterate, the American tile industry traditionally has described porcelain tile as being a practically impervious form of ceramic tile, meaning that the tile will absorb equal to or less than 0.5% of water.

StonePeak takes our porcelain tile to another level as we fire each tile to absorb less than or equal to 0.1% of water, making a virtually non-permeable body.  This style is referred to as “technical porcelain” in the American tile industry.

What to Take From This Article?

1)      Porcelain tile should absorb ≤ 0.5% of moisture

2)      StonePeak manufactures technical porcelain, absorbing ≤ 0.1% of moisture

3)      Porcelain tile has exceptional durability, being 30% stronger than granite

4)      Because of their higher density, porcelain tile is more resistant to staining

5)      Be wary of foreign market products as there are no universal standards

Take a look at just how beautiful true porcelain ceramics can be!

—

For more information visit the StonePeak Ceramics blog.

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by Mecc Interiors

The Margaux Valet, K-16257

Though it would seem that Kohler’s Margaux collection is not new, the first time I was introduced to the fabulous valet was at this year’s K|BIS show.   I thought that it was perhaps new to Canada, but it seems that valets simply aren’t popular enough to warrant being pointed out.

One of the things I love about the Margaux, aside from the absolute simplicity, is the functionality.  The hanger portion lifts off, making it moveable, while the base remains in place as an extra wall hook!  So one could install multiple valets in various areas, such as one (1) in the laundry room for steaming clothes, another in the bathroom, and as many as desired within the closet.

Margaux in action.

Though it is designed as a bathroom item, I know I certainly have clients who have wanted valets in their closets but didn’t have room for a complete system.  This eliminates that problem completely.

The styling is classic and the valet comes in five (5) standard finishes.

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Plumbing tips aren’t hard to come by, but plumbing tips from the experts are. Mr. Rooter^® Plumbing has dedicated the space below to answering your questions with knowledge that comes from years of experience.

Weekly Plumbing Tip: Commercial Faucets and Fixtures

Do your commercial fixtures and faucets meet requirements set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? To be ADA-compliant, commercial faucets must be operable with one hand using no more than five pounds of force. Some commercial fixtures may be governed by height requirements, allowing proper reach and use for people in wheelchairs or assisted-mobility devices. A quick inspection of your commercial faucets and fixtures with ADA in mind could reveal a lot about how accessible your operation truly is. If you need commercial plumbing help to bring your facility into ADA compliance, call a professional right away for an on-site visit and quote on the work.

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by MeCC Interiors

Porro's Chameleon Cupboard, designed by Front

New from Italy’s Porro is the Chameleon Cupboard, a collaboration with the Sweden’s Front.  Like any chameleon, this cupboard is ever-changing.

As Front describes it:

“The new Chameleon unit is a magic volume, constantly opening on itself as the game of the Chinese boxes, changing appearance and revealing new finishes…  it consists of a central wood crate, covered by leather layers, which used as hinges, allows it to turn and be revolved, changing its colour and look according to the specific mood.”

Exterior views of the Chameleon.

The unit’s drawers and shelves are crafted from pear wood, perfect for stashing any of number of things around the house.

The Chameleon Cupboard is on display at Salone del Mobile 2012 in Milan.

The ever-changing interiors of the Chameleon.

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by Mecc Interiors

A close-up of the StereoStik's control panel.

Lots of updates and ideas from K|BIS over the next few days,  some of which are new-to-market and some new-to-me.

For those who love music and want to hear it all the time, Kohler introduced a couple of great ideas for the those without whole house speakers: StereoStik™ (K-2958) and the Fountainhead® VibrAcoustic™ 72″ drop-in bath (K-1152).

It bears immediate mention that the StereoStik (SS) was designed to be used with the CL series of medicine cabinets as a way to “bring audio entertainment to the bathroom in one sleek unit.”  The SS features a built-in AM/FM radio and an easy to read digital clock, eliminating countertop clutter and/or the hanging shower stereo of old.  But it also has an auxiliary jack for playing MP3s and personalized playlists.

The SS can be powered with four (4) AA batteries or an A/C power supply, neither of which are included in the purchase price.

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by MeCC Interiors

The Vertebrae by Design Odyssey Co.

Design Odyssey Co., a UK-based manufacturer, has introduced the Vertebrae®, a stacked, vertical bathroom which features seven (7) rotating components for a compact and fully functional bath.

Inspired by the human spine, (and shown above) the design features two (2) showers and two (2) storage compartments, a cistern with a mirror (mirror not shown here), a sink, and a toilet, all of which rotate around a central spine.  Each of the modules features a removable access panel for service and/or repair.

The Vertebrae, shown in its most compact form and with multiple components ready for use.

Water and services are fed through from the top down and waste pipes for the basin and toilet can either be directed through a hidden hole in the floor or out the rear of the WC (toilet) module.

Available in 175 colours in either matte or gloss finish, the Vertebrae is designed to be installed in a sealed wet room with adequate drainage.

See the full brochure here.

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MeCC Interiors

The U.S. and Canada Green City Index, part of a research project conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit, recently released its annual ranking of North American cities based on environmental performance.

Twenty-seven (27) cities were scored on thirty-one (31) indicators, including things like water and energy consumption and conservation, public use of land, public transportation quality and efficiency, and city “walkability.”

According to the ranking, the top five (5) greenest cities are:

1. San Francisco
2. Vancouver
3. New York City
4. Seattle
5. Denver

New York may shock many.  However, it garnered many points for its new walkable “pedestrian zones” and its public transportation system.  It has also developed an efficient land-use program and is economically stronger than many other North American cities.

Of the least green cities , many are (or were) major manufacturing centres and have suffered from prolonged decline:

1. Detroit
2. St. Louis
3. Cleveland
4. Phoenix
5. Pittsburg, PA

“It is interesting to note that while the United States does not have a federal climate policy and no federal carbon standards, most of the greenest cities in the index have established carbon reduction targets,” adds Stephen Ashkin, CEO of Sustainable Dashboard Tools, LLC.

Overall Rankings, Greenest to Least Green:

1. San Francisco
2. Vancouver
3. New York
4. Seattle
5. Denver
6. Boston
7. Los Angeles
8. Washington, DC
9. Toronto
10. Minneapolis
11. Chicago
12. Ottawa
13. Philadelphia
14. Calgary
15. Sacramento
16. Houston
17. Dallas
18. Orlando
19. Montreal
20. Charlotte
21. Atlanta
22. Miami
23. Pittsburg, PA
24. Phoenix
25. Cleveland
26. St. Louis
27. Detroit

What do you think?  How many of these cities would you classify as “green” by your own standard?

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Plumbing tips aren’t hard to come by, but plumbing tips from the experts are. Mr. Rooter^® Plumbing has dedicated the space below to answering your questions with knowledge that comes from years of experience.

WEEKLY TIP: Clogged Shower Drains

Nothing stops a command performance of singing in the shower faster than a clogged drain. But the following tips from Mr. Rooter Plumbing could be music to your ears when it comes to tackling the problem. Most shower clogs can be corrected easily with a minimum of hassle and mess. All you need are a few simple tools and a little common sense. Hair is usually the culprit when a shower fails to drain properly. In fact, checking the strainer cover that fits over the drain in your shower enclosure may be all it takes to solve the problem. If the perforations are stopped up, clean them out and test the flow of water. If the perforations in the strainer cover are not blocked, don’t panic. All you have to do is follow a few simple steps to remove the clog.

First, determine how the strainer cover is attached. Some covers simply snap into place and can be removed from the drain by lifting them with a screwdriver. Other covers are held in place by a couple of screws, which can be easily removed. Once the strainer cover is removed, shine a flashlight into the drain and visually check for a clog. You should see water a few inches below in the drain, but if you spot an obstruction, use a piece of stiff wire – a metal coat hanger crimped to make a hook on the end works fine – to clear the pipe. Gently snag the clog with the wire, being careful not to push the obstruction deeper into the drain. If you do not see a hair clog blocking the pipe, try using a plunger to clear the drain. Commonly known as the “plumber’s friend,” a plunger works best when there is a firm seal around the drain opening. It might help to coat the rim of the rubber force cup with petroleum jelly.

Next, pour enough water into the shower enclosure to cover the lip of the rubber cup on the plunger, and make sure the cup is securely fitted over the drain opening. Then, move the handle of the plunger up and down rapidly. If the plunger fails to force the clog free, the next step is to try a hand snake. This device features a flexible coil of spring steel with a crank at one end for rotating it. Carefully feed the metal cable into the drain pipe until you hit the obstruction. When you feel the cable stop, crank the handle clockwise. The tip of the metal cable will snag the clog as it turns. Keep up the cranking motion as you slowly pull the cable out of the drain line and the clog should pull free.

If all of these steps fail to clear the drain, call a professional plumber, like Mr. Rooter. Drain cleaners can be poured into drains to remove clogs, but these cleaners contain caustic chemicals and should be used only as directed by the manufacturer. Drains should always be flushed thoroughly after a chemical application. Never use a plunger immediately after pouring a chemical into the drain. And remember, if you choose to use a chemical drain cleaner and then summon a plumber, tell him immediately so he can take the proper precautions.

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