Buying a toilet doesn’t sound too exciting, but a toilet sure is something no one would ever want to be without, right??  Not all toilets are created equal, so how do you choose one that will do the job—no pun intended.  We are great fans of Kohler, Sterling by Kohler, and American Standard when it comes to bathroom fixtures, and of course we have our favorite models.(I’ll tell you at the end.)  Here are 3 things to think about when selecting a new toilet because the old one is broken, or you want to save water, or you’re remodeling,—whatever the reason!

• One-piece or two-piece toilet? A toilet consists of two parts, a tank and the bowl that sits on the floor over the drain.  Both are fine, but be aware that the one-piece is considerably heavier to handle, plus more expensive than a one-piece.  Be wary of inexpensive toilets–this is not the time to pick the cheapest!
• Measure your rough-in distance. From the wall to the center of the drain pipe in the floor is what we call rough-in distance.  12″ is the most common, but it might also be 10 or 14 inches.  Also you should have plenty of room around the toilet so check the specs.   If you have a small bathroom a rounded bowl may work better than the elongated style which will stick out maybe 3″ further into the room.  It is good if you can have at least 30 ‘ in front of the bowl.  Adult height, or comfort-height, toilets are also advisable for ease of use.  These are typically a few inches higher.  However, if predominantly small children are using this bath, stick with the standard height.
• Features. U.S. toilets are required to use 1.6 gallons of water or less to flush.  They are called low-flow and the ones out today are a vast improvement over those first produced in the 1990′s.  The early ones did not perform well and were prone to poor flushing and clogging.  Nowadays many toilets offer glazed trapways this is the tube that carries waste to the drain and should be a minimum of 2″).   Also available are toilets which only use 1.28 gallons.  If a toilet that flushes well is your main concern check out this video. It’s pretty amazing what you can flush! But a word of caution, do not try this with your toilet at home unless you want to be calling the plumber!  Another cool feature is the dual flush toilet. You choose how much water the toilet uses: only .8 gallon for liquid waste or the standard 1.6 gallons for solid.

And soooo,  you’re probably wondering what toilet Wesson recommends. For the price and the features, most of our clients are very satisfied with the American Standard Champion 4 toilet.  Check out some reviews! And, of course, more toilet tricks!

What to do when the home you live in no longer meets your wants or needs–that can be a $64,000 question! I think the very first thing to do is sit down and and really think about your house, your neighborhood, and all the things that impact your quality of life. I would suggest getting a notebook and having both husband and wife try this exercise separately without consulting each other.  Have a page for Pros and a page for Cons.  Start writing down all the things you like and don’t like about where you live–things like proximity to family, reputation of the schools,  roominess of the house, how far of a drive to work, peaceful surroundings, like your neighbors, etc.  (all very important quality of life issues.)  Compare notes and see if the two of you are on the same page about what’s really most important to you.

Now step two: Let’s assume you have come to the conclusion–and agreement–that your home isn’t big enough, or you don’t like the floor plan, or you have more house than you need, or you’re tired of your kitchen or whatever, whatever, etc.   So really, now, you have two choices–1.) either remodel your home to accommodate your new situation or 2.)move to a different home.

Either alternative has its pros and cons.   Back to the notebook.  Make one page Remodeling Pros and another Remodeling Cons.  In another section make two pages Moving Pros and Moving Cons.  Either choice involves considerable expense not to mention the emotional investment for the entire family.

These are things I would think about.  If I stay, what area makes the most sense to remodel?  If I want to add on am I overbuilding for the neighborhood, or do I really not care either way?  I plan to stay in this house the rest of my life, so I want to have it the way I’d like it.  But if I’m likely to have to move in a few years will I have put so much money in this house that I’ll never get a reasonable amount back on my selling price? Husband and wife may feel completely different about this — that’s why it’s important for both to write down their opinions independently.  Can I stand my house being torn up during a remodel–remodeling can be dirty and intrusive to your daily routine but moving can be even more disruptive to your lives.  It is no easy matter sorting out your belongings and treasures, and cleaning, and fixing up a house to get ready to put on the market.  That alone costs money, not to mention real estate commissions and moving expenses, and having to fix things up in a different home.

The Toledo market is flooded with homes that are not selling easily.  We have had many people who listed their homes for a long time unsuccessfully who are now considering remodeling.  And we have clients who had us remodel their kitchen or bath just to make their home more sellable.  What we are hearing from realtors and homeowners alike is that potential buyers are holding out for a really good deal and bypassing the homes that haven’t been updated.  It seems that unless the purchase is for an investment rental property, most buyers do not want to have to put money into a home they’re buying.

This article by bankrate.com will give you a lot to think about!

Following is a newspaper article that we were interviewed for.  Lots of good information!

June 2010 – Toledo Business Journal Article

“Universal Design a Growing Trend in NW Ohio”

There is a growing push to provide and promote in-home services such as home healthcare and aging-in-place due to the significant cost savings for insurance companies and the government. Baby boomers and seniors often prefer to stay in their own home rather than go to a nursing home. People tend to stay healthier and recover from illness or disease when they remain in their homes.

According to Wesson Builders, baby boomers represent 28% of the population and their aging parents over 65 represent another 14%. Meeting their needs and making their homes fit their new situations is often described many different ways: accessibility remodeling, aging-in-place, barrier-free renovations, universal design, etc. No matter the term, there is one common goal – to keep seniors in their own home in a way that enhances their independence, safety, comfort, and quality of life.

In a study conducted by AARP, 62% of respondents over age 45 reported that they, a spouse, or a parent had difficulty walking, bathing, climbing stairs, or getting in and out of a bed or a chair; had knee and hip problems; or used a cane, walker, wheelchair, or electric cart.

Bonnie Wolke, owner of Wesson Builders, explained that her company has witnessed this growing trend and recently began carrying products from AKW, designed to created flexible style design solutions in the bathroom area, focusing on barrier free showering and bathroom safety solutions.

“AKW has more of a multi-generational approach to people of all living in the same home,” Wolke stated. “In the US that push is basically just starting. Everyone wants to stay in their own home and have a better quality of life than in a nursing home. We are trying to enable people to do that safely and inexpensively.”

AKW uses a particular blue for many of its products – such as grab bars and shower seats – because it’s the last color to be lost visually in the aging process, according to the company.

The central focus of the barrier free products is the preformed shower pans for tiling or vinyl floor applications. For example, a bathtub can be pulled out and replaced with the Tuff-Form shower pan to create a true level entry shower with no step or curb. The Tuff-Form with built in slope top drain is only 7/8” thick and can be placed directly on the floor joists and tiled over for an efficient installation.

With AKW’s wet floor system, a special membrane protects the entire bathroom floor.

Wesson also offers door widening, wall removal, grab bars and handrails, adapting kitchens, and wheelchair ramps

According to Wesson, many homeowners are starting to look ahead to their older years and considering universal design in their plans earlier in life.

Wesson works with home health agencies, occupational therapists, and rehab centers. Discharge planners and case managers assess the needs of the client by evaluating the home safety problems and needs. Often this involves home modifications for accessibility to ensure a positive transition back into the home. This may involve full bath renovations for handicapped access such as adult height toilets, accessible sinks in vanities, showers level with the floor, shower seats, and half-height caregiver shower doors. Converting a tub to a shower is often the most needed renovation, according to the company.

Wolke explained, “We are going to be putting in a bathroom system in Waterville. We suggest to customers that, if they’re going to be remodeling the bathroom, they go with something accessible. People are becoming more open to that and thinking ahead with a zero clearance shower instead of a traditional curb shower.”

She noted that, five years ago, home additions were much more prevalent. However, with the current economic conditions, additions are no longer greatly increasing the value of a home.

“If you want to maintain or increase the value of your home, focus on your bathrooms and kitchens,” Wolke suggested. Though, she noted that homeowners should consider keeping at least one bathtub in their home to maintain resale value as well.

Wesson is also starting to focus more on commercial applications of its services in assisted living facility, rehab center, and skilled nursing facility renovations.

Wolke concluded, “No matter where people spend their later years – their own home or a facility – it is important that the proper products be in place for safety and an enhanced quality of life. That is why this new line of AKW bathroom solutions is so valuable for both the residential and commercial setting.”