Plumbing fixtures are some of the essential features of your home. These include showers, sinks, toilets, baths and more. Usually, fixtures have long lifespans, but there comes a time when they need to be replaced because they’re old, damaged or worn out. So when the time comes for that, it’s best to take some precautions before heading out to your local home improvement store.
The reason why you should take precautions when purchasing plumbing fixtures is that you may end up with a low-quality product that will easily wear out in the next year or maybe even a few months.
When choosing plumbing fixtures, it’s important to keep several things in mind, like material, style, price, functionality, and compatibility, along with any other tools, parts and the knowledge required for the occasion. It’s one that involves trial and error, but in the end, it is certainly worth the effort.
If I were to pick the best plumbing supply near me, I would consider the following tips:
1. Practicality
Another aspect to consider when choosing plumbing fixtures is the kind of lifestyle you have. For example, if you have young kids with you, pick faucets that easy for them to reach for and turn. Sometimes a single tap that provides hot and cold water is preferable, instead of the traditional separate hold and cold taps.
If you prefer a more modern touch, you can also opt for sensor taps in which you only have to place your hand beneath the tap to get water, without having to touch it at all.
When it comes to showers, one family member may enjoy a gentle rain, while the other prefers a powerful massage jet. If that is the case, then perhaps it would be better for you to install two fixtures that do both, leading to a win-win situation.
We would like to inform you beforehand, that the efficiency of water in fixtures, especially for shower and faucet heads, vary considerably. You might also want to check the temperature and pressure ratings, as some materials or fixtures are designed for a certain function.
It is also important to purchase faucets that are safe and environment-friendly as some may contain lead or other harmful elements, especially when you buy them online from manufacturers that don’t bear any certification manufacturing principles. If you don’t consider this step, then you could be putting you and your family in danger. That’s why you should always check in advance for certification before purchasing any faucets or materials.
2. Aesthetics
Choosing whatever materials, colors and styles work best for your home is something that only you work out. There are two types of styles to consider; traditional or modern.
Modern or contemporary houses are better suited for defined angles or smooth curves with metallic, shiny finishes. Why even sleek stainless steel taps can add a sense of elegance and luxury to a modern city apartment.
Unfortunately, the aforementioned style might look irrelevant to decorative copper or bronze fixtures that are more suited for old-fashioned country farmhouses. Though we suggest it’s probably for the better that you stick to the same kind of finish for all of your bathroom hardware.
Traditional houses are a popular choice for bathroom fixtures since they work best with many house designs.
Then there is the transitional style which features a mix of traditional and modern styles that features simple curved lines that flow in a chic visual movement. Though this is purely a personal choice and if you do go for this style, then ensure that the style mix is balanced.
3. Toilet Paper Holders
Besides its finish, toilet paper holders are merely necessities that aren’t really given much thought. This, they play a role in the aesthetics of your bathroom and must be cared for nonetheless. Besides, toilet papers can be handy in certain situations.
For a freestanding toilet holder, go for a simple traditional style. For smaller bathrooms, you may want to opt for an over the toilet tank holder that provides room for a second roll.
4. Pricing
For most people, pricing can be the last deciding element for many products. There are a vast number of fixtures that come at a wide set of prices depending on the style, material, and warranty. First, determine your budget and then hold on to it as you shop around for fixtures that fit within the range of your budget. You should especially pay great heed to outlet stores, wholesalers, or even online retail stores.
If you’re on a budget, fret not because there are cheaper versions of the more expensive and quality-driven fixtures and materials that you want. For instance, brass materials are available at wide price ranges. But the downside to this is that cheaper fixtures and materials can wear out fast and can be harder to find replacement parts for. That’s why it would be better for you to open up your pockets a little more to opt for high-quality materials from well-known brands as it can save you more money in the long-run.
5. Compatibility with Pre-existing Features and Materials
If you’re attempting to rearrange the layout of your house’s plumbing fixtures, then you should stop right there because doing this is more expensive and time-consuming compared to simply replacing them with taps of the same size and material.
Believe us when we say that choosing fixtures that are compatible with pre-existing materials, placement, size, and plumbing system is a less hectic and simpler solution for you.
If you want to know about pipe fittings, they are the pieces that connect various pipes, components, and fixtures. These can help water flow between tubes of varying sizes, pressures and shapes or also divide flow as well.
Final Thoughts
Once you have selected your fixtures, have them installed by a well-known and qualified plumber who knows about the standard plumbing, building and health codes.
Professional plumbers can also provide advice on how you can change your existing plumbing systems to go with your chosen fixtures, foresee any problems that you might come across eventually, offer money-saving suggestions or even help you avoid flooding the house.