Leaking pipes, slippery floors? Check these out

When you build or renovate your home, you usually pay attention to every detail, but you tend to forget the bathroom. Like the living room or bedroom, the bathroom also deserves attention. It should have the right fittings because it is important for the comfort and safety of your family members. Let’s see how can you choose the right sanitary fittings for your home. But before that, let’s learn about the items that are included under the category of sanitary ware.

There are many items that fall under category of sanitary ware. For example, the WC, also known as a water closet or Western toilet. There’s the OP, which refers to an Orissa pan, also known as a desi or Eastern toilet.

Wash basin, bathroom sink, kitchen sink, bathtub, tap or faucets, hot and cold water controller, shower, urinal, water tank, pipes, tiles.  These are the items which are used in your home. The main function is to collect and dispose of water or waste material.

Save water
‘Water is life’ – without water, life is impossible. But do you ever think about conserving water when you buy sanitary ware? Maybe not. Commodes, flush systems, showers, and taps are sanitary fittings that consume water. If you show a little wisdom, you can save both water and money.

For example, in the market, there are generally two types of flush systems available. One is single flush, while the other is dual flush. A single flush system consumes around 6-8 litres of water in one go. A dual flush system has two buttons. The small button uses approximately 1.5 litres of water in the commode. On the other hand, the larger button uses 4.5 litres of water. A family can save around 20,000 litres of water per year by using dual flush systems compared to single flush systems.

Similarly, you should use low-flow taps and showers. Low-flow fittings help in reducing water flow to save water.
Both these methods help in reducing electricity and water bills and are environmentally reasonable.

Proper space
Before purchasing sanitary ware, you should figure out the available space in the bathroom or where can you install these. Considering the space, figure out whether the sanitary ware will be wall-mounted or free-standing. So that the space can be utilised properly. Sanitary ware comes in various styles, sizes, length, colours and width. Choose products that are suitable according to the bathroom space.

Safety first
The bathroom in the house is an area where most accidents occur due to instances of slipping. A wet floor can be a cause of serious injury. In such cases, do not use slippery tiles. You can choose ceramic tiles, waterproof  flooring, or stained concrete flooring. Pay attention to the slope before flooring or tiling to prevent water accumulation. Also, consider waterproofing.

While purchasing sanitary ware, consider the needs of your family members. If there are elderly or children in your family, install handrails on the toilet seat and bathing area. If water is hard in your area, it is better to use brass or larger diameter fittings to prevent salt from getting deposits. Install an exhaust fan in the bathroom to avoid humidity or suffocation.

Branded or unbranded
What should be considered while installing sanitary ware fittings in the bathroom? The most important thing is directly related to your pocket. Which is to choose between branded and non-branded sanitary ware. Gurmit Singh Arora, the National President of the Indian Plumbing Association, says that non-branded sanitaryware is up to 50% cheaper compared to branded ones. Typically, the cost of installing branded sanitaryware in a bathroom is around 30,000-35,000 rupees, whereas non-branded sanitary ware costs around  15,000-20,000 rupees.

Branded sanitary ware offers good after-sales service and durability. These last for a long time.
Is it necessary to have a layout before getting sanitary ware work done? How to choose the right professional (plumber or plumbing engineer) for plumbing work?

By using high-quality sanitary ware, both water wastage and repair expenses  can be saved. Always purchase sanitary items with the ISI mark. Non-branded sanitary ware also offers good quality. You need to check the quality of these items. Seek the help of a plumbing engineer or plumber. If you need to buy larger quantity, consider purchasing from the wholesale market. Here, you can get products up to 20-25% cheaper compared to retail market.