Quick and Convenient: Why Consider a Touch-Free Faucet
We are all busy, running from one place to another. We’re also trying to think of ways to simplify our lives. One of the most hectic places in the home is the kitchen. You know the morning routine, the hustle and bustle as everyone tries to get out the door. Imagine having a touch-free faucet in your kitchen. If your child forgets to turn off the water, or simply can’t reach, you don’t have to worry.
Here are some reasons why you might consider adding a touch-free faucet to your home!
1: Consistency: The handle on the side offers familiar manual operation, allowing you to adjust the water temperature and flow.
2: Availability: Touch-free faucets are always ready. A ready-sensor makes it easy to wash your hands, or fill a cup.
3: Easy cleaning: Because the faucet is touch free, it means less cleaning and will also help prevent the spread of germs in your home.
4: It’s responsive: Simply wave your hand over, or under the faucet for it to turn on.
5: Clean up is a breeze: The faucet will often come with a pull out sprayer, making cleaning up tasks easy in your sink!
Touch-free faucets come in variety of stylish designs and color schemes. Be sure to do your research to find out which one will fit your needs and your space the best.
As seen in ‘Hood Magazine January 2018
One-Piece Onyx Custom Floors From Handy Man!
The days of using a rubber “floor pan” and tile shower floors are over. There is a much better way.
In the never-ending pursuit of “taking things up a notch,” Handy Man is more excited than ever to tell you about the opportunities we have to help you build your perfect custom shower!
A typical Handy Man “custom shower” consists of a shower base and one or more wall panels. An endless variety of custom shower configurations are possible from simple rectangles to elaborate walk-in designs. You can use complete shower systems or choose a base and do the rest in tile. Steam showers are also gaining in popularity and are an easy addition to your existing bathroom during construction or remodeling.
A popular item is the Onyx shower base that truly stands up above the rest. Onyx custom shower bases are a single unit for easy, worry-free installation. With no seams in the base for you to caulk, you will never have to worry about leaks developing in the future.
For a distinctive look, several different trim options are available, as well as contrasting stripes, borders, and even graphic inlays to enhance the beauty and uniqueness of your shower.
When we say “customize” we mean it. At Handy Man, we can help you with rain shower heads, body/massage spray heads and any other shower head you desire. In our showrooms alone, we have over 60 different shower heads to choose from.
So, what are you waiting for? Come and visit Handy Man’s “waterpark” and physically feel and see these custom showers at work. Handy Man has a qualified staff that can walk step by step with you to help you design your own shower. We pride ourselves on our uniqueness and our customer satisfaction when it comes to bringing you a “Custom Shower System” like no other!
Handy Man on KELOLAND Living!
Learn how we can help you live in your own home longer!
Read about some of the items we mentioned in the video by clicking on the links below.
Read about more Independent Living options available to you here!
Choosing The Perfect Bathroom Mirror
Measure Twice
Double Vanities
Lighting
Frames
Shape
Medicine Cabinets
Lighted Mirrors
Handy Man on KELOLAND Living!
Learn how to add technology to your kitchen and bathroom!
Read about some of the items we mentioned in the video by clicking on the links below.
How to Check for a Leaky Toilet
Since the water flows down the sewer, leaking toilets don’t necessarily leave any signs of a leak, until you get the bill. The average leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water per day. That’s over 6,000 gallons a month for just ONE leaking toilet!
Check your toilet for leaks by following these easy steps.
- Remove the toilet tank lid
- Drop one dye tablet or 10 drops of food coloring into the tank
- Put the lid back on and wait 10-15 minutes
- Check back and see if any of the food coloring has seeped into the bowl.
- If so, you have a leak.
What causes toilet leaks?
The most common cause of a leaking toilet tank is when the flapper fails to seal properly and form a tight seal. This lets water leak from the tank into the bowl. Leaks may also be caused by the flapper being out of position.
How do I clean my flapper seal?
Turn off the water at the shutoff valve, flush the toilet and hold down the handle. There may be a little water left in the bottom of the tank, but don’t worry about it. Wipe the flapper seal with a clean cloth to make sure it is free of debris, and check it for cracks or splits. If the flapper is damaged, pick up a new one (they are inexpensive).
What causes toilets to run intermittently?
A toilet that runs on and off by itself has a problem that plumbers call a “phantom flush”. The cause is a very slow leak from the tank into the bowl. This problem is almost certainly caused by a bad flapper or flapper seal. You can try the above information to fix the problem, but if it continues to occur, please call your local plumber to fix it for you.
It is your responsibility to monitor your water use!
Article originally printed in Minnehaha Community Water Corporation newsletter 2017
Moen Garbage Disposal Winners!
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- Brenda & Ken – Lincoln
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- Sue – Sioux City
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- Mike – Sioux Falls
Congratulations to our three giveaway winners! Each winner received a Moen GXL1000c Garbage Disposal and Mountain Plumbing Air Switch. Thank you for participating in our event – we’re glad we could help you get your kitchen ready for the Holidays!
Toilet Buying Guide
Tired of your old, leaky, water guzzling toilet? If you’re in the market for a new one, there are a lot of options to consider.
Bowl Height:
The distance from the floor to the top of the toilet bowl rim makes a big difference. The trend is to buy taller 16-18” ADA compliant or “comfort height” toilets. Other options include the standard 14-15” height and a low 10-14” child height.
One or Two-Pieces:
Two-piece toilets have a separate tank pieces and bowl pieces. Although they are most common and less expensive, they are more difficult to clean. One-Piece toilets are smooth and easy to clean, but come with a higher price and are quite heavy. While we’re talking about easy-to-clean toilets, think about purchasing a “skirted” one which has an easy-to-clean smooth base instead of the usual visible squiggly pipe which can collect dust and grime. Below is an image of a one-piece skirted toilet.
Color:
We suggest sticking to a white or off-white toilet so you can find replacement parts easily, and your toilet will stay in style for years to come.
Flush Handle:
Most toilets place the flush-handle on the left side of the tank. If your toilet will be up against a wall, make sure there is enough room to reach the flush handle. If this could be an issue, purchase a toilet with the handle on the opposite side or on the top of the tank.
Rough-In:
Make sure to measure the distance from the wall to the flange bolts on the base. Commonly, toilets are twelve inches, but they can vary. If you purchase a toilet with a larger rough-in distance than your previous toilet, you will have problems.
Bowl Shape:
Elongated bowls are replacing round bowls in most homes. They are much more comfortable and hygienic for adult use. Yet, elongated bowls can be problematic in small bathrooms. The extra length can get in the way of cabinet drawers and doors. If you are considering replacing your round toilet, make sure you have at least two inches of extra room at the front of the bowl to spare.
Toilet Seat:
Most toilets do not come with a toilet seat because there are too many options available! The most important feature to focus on is whether you need an elongated or round seat depending on the bowl shape. After that, the options are endless. Choose a traditional seat, slow close, night lighted, heated, potty seat, or washlet! Each option comes with benefits depending on your preferences.
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- Washlet Seats
Efficiency:
Most new toilets come with an energy-efficient rating. Your old toilet you are replacing can flush up to 5 gallons with each use. Modern, efficient toilets use as little as 1.6 gallons, saving you hundreds of gallons of water and saving on your water bill each year.
While you’re at the store…
You will also need a few items for installation. A new wax seal, new water supply line, and some tools to put it together – an open-ended wrench, screwdriver, rag, gloves, and garbage bag.
Bringing Technology Into The Bathroom
In a world of smart homes and smart cars, it’s time to introduce the smart shower! The U by Moen fully integrates the power of technology with the experience of a rejuvenating shower.
Customization
Instead of controlling your shower temperature and spray pattern with handles or knobs, a small digital control panel is placed in your shower that can be set to a specific temperature, time limit, and pre-set. For example, if you prefer a hot shower in the morning and a cooler one after a workout, you can set it so.
Cleaning
The absence of levers and knobs makes shower cleaning a breeze and leaves your shower looking less cluttered.
Cost Efficient
The water-saving abilities are abundant with the U shower. Too often users turn on the shower, get distracted, and forget the shower is running while gallons of clean fresh water pour down the drain. The pause function not only saves water for the environment, but also saves you money on your water bill. You may also save water by programming the timer function. Reduce your water usage by setting a 5-minute shower limit. For each 5-minutes the shower is running, approximately 12 gallons go down the drain. By limiting, or simply being conscious of your time spent in the shower, you can drastically reduce your water bill.
Connectivity
By connecting your smartphone to the U by Moen, you can start the shower from anywhere in your home. When the water temperature meets the programmed setting, it will pause the water and let you know that your shower is ready to go!
With all of the technological advances in kitchens and bathrooms, the U by Moen will be welcomed along with touch and motion faucets, electric mirrors, washlet toilet seats, and more! Find and experience all of these items in Handy Man’s showroom!
As seen on Keloland.com
Bathroom Modifications: Following ADA Guidelines
More and more people are building their homes and remodeling existing homes following guidelines from the American Disabilities Act (ADA). While you might not have someone in your family with a disability, you might consider future uses of your space, or that of an elder who might need some basic modifications to help keep them in their home.
The bathroom is the room in the house that can present some of the biggest challenges. From washlet bidet toilet seats to safety handrails, there are many options to make a bathroom more accessible. Here are some things to consider whether you’re building a new home or modifying an existing one. You might also be looking to help a parent who wishes to stay in their own home, but needs some basic modifications for safety and convenience.
Consider comfort height toilets to avoid having to bend knees too far. A grab bar and toilet paper holder-in-one can provide great convenience. It can be mounted at any height you’d like. You can also install a safety hand bar that comes down on either side of the toilet for support. It’s simply mounted on the wall behind the toilet, providing stability and support while on the toilet.
When it comes to the shower, consider installing a bench or seat for stability. Also look at the curb of the shower. There are many options available. You might consider a low profile curb to avoid a tripping hazard, making it much easier to get in and out of the shower safely.
If you prefer a bathtub, but have difficulty climbing in and out, consider a walk-in bathtub with a door for access. This option makes it much easier to get in and out of the bath. These tub systems come with a special valve to allow for a faster fill-up time and a larger drain allowing the water to drain quickly when you are finished.
Whether you’re looking to add modifications for your own convenience, or someone else, be sure to consult with an expert to find out what options will work best and follow ADA guidelines. From simple fixes to complete remodels, there are many modifications that can make all the difference when it comes to safety for your loved ones in one of the most used spaces of your home.
As seen in The Hood Magazine October 2017