Ask the plumber: Stone-cold facts for a new bathroom
Q. My wife and I are planning to install a new bathroom. We want this to be a green-style bathroom with as many natural products as possible. Can you please give us some information on popular natural-stone products that can be used in the bathroom?
A. Natural stone can be a great choice for any bathroom. However, it’s always best to talk to your local floor-tile and countertop experts to match up the best stone choices for your countertops, walls and floors.
Also, in many cases the stone should be professionally sealed after installation to help control staining.
With that in mind, here are five popular natural-stone options:
Granite — This is a hard, colorful, smooth stone that can take a high polish.
Limestone — This is a sediment-type stone usually white and off-white in color with a honed or unpolished finish.
Travertine — This is basically a banded and more compact version of limestone.
Marble — A very popular bathroom stone with a huge variety of texture and color. Marble can also take a high-polish finish.
Slate — Also another sediment-type stone with a characteristic color and uneven finish.
Bottom line: There’s a lot good stuff to choose from, and that is why stone can be a “hard” choice!
Q. I’m fixing up both of my bathrooms and plan to keep the existing plumbing fixtures. But, I would like to update the toilets and faucets with all-new parts. The problem is, I don’t know the make and model of my bathroom fixtures. I’m told that I need model numbers so parts can be ordered. Can you please give me some clues on where I can find this information?
A. The first step is to find out the make of the plumbing fixture, and that basically means “who made it.” This is usually pretty easy since most manufacturers print their company name and/or logo somewhere on the exposed base of the faucet, or on the back rim of the toilet bowl just behind the seat. A magnifying glass can help you with this search.
Now, finding the “model number” can be a little more work. For faucets, you should look under the sink for any tags or markings on the underside of the faucet itself. With toilets you can lift the tank lid and look for any letters and/or numbers marked on the upper inside walls of the tank or on the underside of the lid.
At the very least, if you find out the make of your fixtures and contact the manufacturer, they may be able to identify your model through a digital photo you can email them of the fixture.
Now, that’s what you call a “picture perfect” solution to your problem!
Ÿ Master plumber Ed Del Grande is the author of “Ed Del Grande’s House Call” and hosts TV and Internet shows. Visit eddelgrande.com or write eddelgrande@cs.com. Always consult local contractors and codes.
Scripps Howard News Service