Making home washrooms accessible, and safe

by Ben Levine

Advertorial

As the plumbing industry is always evolving, so are the options for accommodations. Not all plumbing companies are created equal. Part of what makes Levine Bros. Plumbing successful is our attention to detail and treating each project as unique. Every bathroom we work on takes into account the individual’s needs and wants. When it comes to specialty requests that is where we shine. We would like to highlight three details that can make your bathroom more accessible and safer for those with disabilities. 

The first option, which is readily available, is toilets. Toilets come in two options: the “right height” and the regular height. Right height toilets are taller, making it easier for people who may have difficulty sitting down and getting up. On top of these two options, you can add toilet safety frames and grab bars, which add stability for the user. A raised toilet seat can also be installed which adds four inches to the toilet. Clients can also purchase washlet seats that offer bidet functionality to standard toilets. 

The second option is the client’s chosen fixtures. A shower faucet we find gaining popularity is the telephone showerhead on a sliding bar. We can even add one to an existing showerhead, so you don’t have to renovate the bathroom to add this option while keeping your stationary showerhead as well. If you are considering renovating, a walk-in bathtub can be very helpful. A new trend in design is a shower that doesn’t have a lip on the base, so it is easily accessible by wheelchair. Some of our clients find music to be calming. Showerheads are now available with integrated Bluetooth speakers. 

A third option we recommend for many of our renovations is thermostatic fixtures. This allows for the temperature to be preset, and for separate control for pressure strength. We can also install a temperature limiter in the faucet so it can’t be set too hot. These measures ensure that the user doesn’t burn themselves in the bathroom. Another option we have installed is thermostatic mixing valves. This ensures that even if you have a dual handle faucet the user cannot burn themselves, even if they open the hot water handle fully, the water will not reach scalding temperatures. 

Levine Bros. Plumbing has a long history of taking care of its customers – let us help you make your home safer and more accessible.