Consolidated Plumbing Blog

An outdoor kitchen is the perfect spot for summer entertaining. Here, we’ll show you how to apply indoor kitchen design rules outdoors to create an outdoor kitchen that will be the envy of your neighborhood.

Cold, hot, wet, dry

Use the basic work triangle to ensure the primary elements of your outdoor kitchen are spaced properly. They should be close enough to be convenient but far enough apart to provide ample room to work.

Work zones are generally divided into 4 areas:

Cold: Refrigerator

Hot: Grills and cooktops

Wet: Sink

Dry: Counters

Too much storage

Many homeowners make the mistake of skimping on outdoor cupboard space. Don’t be one of them.

While your secondary cooking area will undoubtedly be less equipped than your kitchen, remember that dust and the elements make it impossible to utilize hanging racks and other popular storage systems out in the garden.

You’ll need plenty of room to store pots, pans and basic cooking supplies unless you plan on bringing all of them outside every single time you use them.

Maintenance

Get more joy out of your outdoor kitchen by choosing materials that hold up to the elements and are easy to clean. Avoid porous materials and consider acid-stained concrete floors and countertops.

Open-plan concepts

Be sure to plan how each area of your backyard entertainment space fits together. Locate cooking and eating areas near each other so the cook can socialize and connect with the party. Don’t forget to incorporate swimming pools or other entertainment features into your plan, and be sure to allow sufficient room for traffic to flow into and out of the house.

Utilities

Switching the arrangement of an indoor kitchen means investing in plumbing and electrical work. The same is true outside. Consider where water, power and sewer lines are located before designing to help control costs.

Two types of lighting

When mapping out your lighting scheme, provide focused bulbs directly over work areas and softer, ambient lights where you eat and socialize.

You can never have too much inspiration when you’re designing the kitchen of your dreams. Here are nine kitchen design blogs that are sure to spark a bonfire of creativity in your soul.

Design ideas from across the pond

Magnet is a company based in the UK. Their motif is a subtle combination of chic and practical. If you’re thinking of a warm and comfortable urban design, kick your inspiration hunt off right here.

Museum quality concepts

Looking to infuse an artistic edge into your space? Check out Artful Kitchens. Run by a National Kitchen and Bath Association-certified kitchen designer, you’re sure to discover an imaginative twist to add to your remodel.

Something different

For fresh ideas and emerging trends, check out The Kitchen Designer. Author and designer Susan is openly obsessed with kitchens and you can tell by the quality of her posts.

Over 1.5 million ideas

The Houzz gallery is never ending. Refine your image search by style, location, price range, layout and more.

You can even search by types of cabinets, flooring or countertops to see how an individual design element plays out in situ.

HGTV

HGTV believes that the kitchen is the heart of your home. Head to the HGTV blog for tips and ideas related to kitchen renovations as well as decorating.

Search by Hot Kitchen Topics and browse articles from their popular online magazine.

Real estate tastes

We bet you didn’t know that house pricing site Zillow also has a design blog, Zillow Digs.

Browse completed projects by color palette, style and budget. One of the great things about this blog is that every remodel image includes a price estimate. No more finding what you like and being left in the dark about the price.

Chock full of resources

Kitchen Design Ideas is a one-stop shop for photos, tips, color schemes, trends, planning and more.

Kitchenology 101

The Kitchenology blog offers dozens of helpful articles all broken down into a simple menu of options.

Definitely check out their “Ask a Designer” video series.

Interesting, off-the-beaten-path products

Modenus is the place to find high-end kitchen products you might not be familiar with, including unique ventilation, luxury ranges and ultra-modern styles that aren’t available elsewhere.

Bathroom safety isn’t an issue for the majority of homeowners. But for households with elderly or physically challenged family members, an inaccessible bathroom can be dangerous. More than half a million Americans are hospitalized every year as a result of slips and falls and many of these accidents take place in the bathroom.

Consider these simple yet effective bathroom accessibility ideas today to make your bathroom more safe for your loved ones.

Lay non-slip rugs and mats

Replacing shower and sink mats with non-slip rugs can make it easier to stand in the bathroom. Remember, for someone with limited motor skills even the slightest shift underfoot can lead to an accident.

Don’t skimp on quality as low-cost mats tend to lose their grip quickly. Be sure to test mats every few months to verify effectiveness.

Install grab bars

Wall-mounted grips, handles or rails alongside the toilet and sink and inside the shower provide much needed support when sitting down, standing up or leaning over to wash.

Mount grab bars directly into a stud or use professional grade drywall anchors to ensure proper stability.

Upgrade to a chair height toilet

Replacing your standard commode with a “chair height” toilet is an easy way to improve the safety of your bathroom while simultaneously giving dignity back to elderly family members.

Many older people require physical assistance to both sit down on and stand up from a standard height toilet and asking for help can be embarrassing. Increasing seat height just a few inches goes a long way towards allowing mobility challenged family members the freedom and privacy to use the toilet without assistance.

Look into Kohler’s Comfort Height line of toilets for the ideal blend of style and practicality.

Swap out faucets and fixtures

Twist-style faucets can be difficult to turn for those suffering from arthritis and the inability to make quick adjustments can lead to burns in the shower. Replacing fixtures with lever-shaped handles is a simple solution and a great excuse for budgeting in stylish new faucets.

The Addison TempAssure by Delta Faucets is a great example of an easy-to-use lever-style fixture.

Consider a safety valve

A thermostatic valve prevents shower water from reaching an unsafe temperature to minimize the risk of burns while bathing.

Households with young children just learning to bathe on their own will also benefit from such a device.

Adhesive safety tape

Adhere non-slip adhesive tape on the floor of your shower or tub to improve grip and lower the risk of slipping.

Non-slip stickers are also available in a wide variety of colors and styles.

Move up to a walk-in

Stepping in and out of a traditional fiberglass bath/shower combination tub can be extremely dangerous for an elderly or disabled person, particularly when wet. Installing a walk-in shower or tub is the best long-term safety solution. Today’s walk-in tub comes complete with stability bars and built-in seating.

For more ideas on how to make your bathroom more accessible, simply ask one of the helpful salespeople at the Consolidated Plumbing showroom.

All-natural kitchen and bathroom cleaning solutions

It’s no secret that many store bought cleaning products contain harsh chemicals and toxic ingredients. These compounds present a danger to your family and can potentially corrode and damage piping and other plumbing fixtures.

Fortunately, mixing up your own all-natural cleaners is easier (and less expensive) than you might think. With a few empty spray bottles and a dash of creativity you can say goodbye to hazardous poisons and hello to a variety of all-natural cleaning solutions.

The power of acetic acid

Plain old white vinegar is pretty much a cure-all when it comes to disinfecting and cutting through nasty grease, dirt and grime. For tough jobs it’s perfectly safe to apply directly, but for daily use mixing one part water for every part vinegar is best.

Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for aroma, or double down on antibacterial properties with natural antiseptic oils like grapefruit or tea tree. Shake vigorously before use as the oils have a tendency to separate to the bottom.

Note: Vinegar based mixtures are not recommended for soft stone or porous countertops.

No mixing required

The next time you reach for a bottle of Ajax from under your sink, look up instead and grab a box of baking soda from the cupboard.

Baking soda cleans and deodorizes and offers the same non-scratch scouring properties of popular industrial cleaners. When you rinse your cleaning cloths down the pipes you’ll be naturally neutralizing drain odors and cleansing the traps.

For tiles, tubs, toilets and sinks, step up to washing soda (sodium carbonate decahydrate), which cuts through grease and removes stains. Wear rubber gloves as it can irritate skin and mucous membranes.

A simple solution for sparkling grout

Are grout stains a thorn in your side? Simply sprinkle baking soda along your grout lines and then gently scrub them with undiluted hydrogen peroxide. The chemical reaction will remove tinges and leave your grout looking like new.

Vinegar and baking soda produce a similar result, but hydrogen peroxide is particularly effective against mold.

Lemon and other citrus fruit

Many commercial products harness the sanitizing abilities of citric acid to cut grease and kill germs. Why not cut out the middle man?

Slice a lemon, lime or other citrus fruit and apply directly to clean and disinfect.

Most homeowners know how to avoid frozen pipes in the winter. But do you know that summer presents its own unique set of plumbing concerns?

Before you head off on vacation, run through these simple preventative measures to ensure you don’t come home to a plumbing disaster.

Avoid washing machine problems

A blown washing machine hose is a small problem that can turn into a much bigger one if it isn’t detected before you go away. Extra loads of laundry following outdoor fun put extra strain on hoses that could lead to trouble.

Before leaving, inspect hoses for signs of damage like leaks, cracks or bulges. Tighten connections and check the floor behind the machine for drips.

Even if there are no visible signs of stress, it’s a good idea to replace washing machine hoses every five years no matter what. A new hose now is a lot cheaper than repairing flood damage.

Nip invasive tree roots in the bud

Late spring and early summer is the time of year when trees and shrubs go on a major growth spurt. One of their favorite destinations to expand is into your sewage pipes. A pesky bush in search of nutrients, moisture and oxygen can exploit even the slightest crack in a sewage line.

The first sign of invasive roots is excessively slow drains or, in extreme cases, toilet residuals backing up into the tub.

Never ignore issues related to black water removal as human waste can be extremely toxic. If you fear there’s a blockage in your pipes, don’t wait till you get back from vacation to call in a plumber for a professional inspection.

Train the kids on proper flushing etiquette

With the kids home from school, you’re more apt to be dealing with clogged toilets in the summer.

Most clogs are caused by excessive toilet paper usage or flushing materials not designed to go down the toilet. Teaching children to use a modest amount of toilet paper and not to flush any other materials is the best way to avoid breaking out the plunger.

Check the sump pump

If your basement is protected with a sump pump, you’ll want to test your system a week or two before any extended vacation. Pour a pitcher of water down your sump pit to make sure everything is in working order in the event that a big storm rolls through while you’re away.

Don’t put this off until the day before you leave or you won’t have time to make any necessary repairs.

The right accessories can make a room look just right, whether you’re changing up your existing bathroom design or finishing off a remodel. Here are some of the most intriguing bathroom soap dispensers on the market.

1. Look, no hands!

You can’t go wrong with the Original HAYDEN® Premium Automatic Touchless Soap Dispenser, powered by a smart motion infrared sensor. It’s the perfect caddy to your touch free bathroom faucet.

One thing that’s great about the HAYDEN® compared to other models is that this dispenser works with any brand of liquid soap. It also features a convenient setting that adjusts how much soap is dispensed.

If you’ve got little ones at home, consider picking up a second dispenser for hand sanitizer to keep those winter colds at bay.

2. All that glitters

Manufactured in Spain by Windisch, this elegant piece is crafted with 100 percent Swarovski crystal and solid brass. Available with a striking gold finish, this dispenser screams “class.”

It’ll set you back more than your standard pump bottle, but it’s worth the price.

3. For old school bar users

Bar soap aficionados are often left out when it comes to innovative bathroom accessories, but if you’re a fan of plain old soap, you’re going to love the Idea Works Waterfall Soap Saver. It’s the only soap dish that prevents your bar from sitting in a pool of water without making a mess.

4. Retro style

The GG Collection Hammered Copper Soap Dispenser is an excellent choice for homeowners with vintage styled bathroom fixtures. It’s also available in a silver finish.For the eco-friendly home

Crate & Barrel sells a surprisingly affordable line of bamboo soap dispensers and matching bathroom accessories. They’re perfect for any modern themed bathroom, particularly one already featuring wood highlights or live plants.

5. Artsy and unique

From soap dispensers fashioned out of old whisky bottles to one-of-a-kind ceramics, hand painted artisan pieces and more, there’s a world of creativity available on Etsy. If you’ve never browsed their site, it’s a great place to find unique items that aren’t available anywhere else.

Part of what makes Etsy great is that instead of buying from a mega corporation, you’re supporting the very craftspeople who make all this incredible stuff.

If you live in an older home, your laundry room is probably filled with exposed studs, ratty old insulation, an ice-cold concrete floor and a grubby old plastic utility sink.

Here are five ways to renovate that tired old utility space and make it a place that’s actually pleasant to work in.

1. Break out the sheetrock

Just because laundry rooms are usually located in unfinished basements doesn’t mean yours can’t look just as nice as the rest of your home. Don’t be afraid to finish the room all the way. Drywall. Paint. If you’re up for it, wall-to-wall carpeting. Rip out that old pull-chain light bulb and replace that makeshift shelving with some brand new cabinets.

2. Add some modern style

Long gone are the days of one-size-fits-all utility sinks. Kohler carries a line of stunning, contemporary basins that are as stylish as they are functional.

If you’ve got the space, consider building a full countertop to install the River Falls™ 25″ x 22″ x 14-15/16″ top-mount. The added work space will make folding laundry a breeze, and the basin is deep enough for any job.

3. Don’t buy the cheapest faucet you can find

When a quality faucet like the Coralais can be had for just over a hundred dollars, don’t waste your time with a low quality choice from a big box store. You’ll appreciate the Coralais’ durable, efficient design for years to come.

4. Update to a built-in

Many new houses hide the washer and dryer in a dedicated closet space that can be closed when the machines are not in use. Out of sight, out of mind.

Creating such a setup in an older home is a fairly simple project. It’s easier to hide your laundry related pipes and wires in this space than drywall directly behind the machines.

5. Take advantage of those water pipes

A popular trend in 2016 is cutting in a half or three-quarters bath to your laundry room. While working out the sewage can be a bit tricky, the fact that the room is already plumbed means you’re already halfway there.

Whether you’ve only got space for a toilet and sink or you can squeeze in a shower, you can’t go wrong with adding a bonus bath. Check out our Get More out of a Tiny Bathroom post for ideas on how to stretch limited square footage.

A malfunctioning toilet can be very annoying, but sometimes you’d rather put up with the inconvenience than get stuck with a big bill from a plumber.

Don’t be inconvenienced any longer. Fixing common toilet issues is easier than you think, even if you’re not a DIY fanatic.

Incomplete flush

A toilet that won’t flush all the way is frustrating and can add to your water bill. Thankfully there’s an easy fix.

1. Lift the top off your tank and check the length of the chain running from the handle to the flapper. If it’s loose you may not be lifting the flapper up high enough to get a complete flush. Shorten the chain and see if this does the trick.
2. If not, the problem could be your water level. Allow the tank to fill completely and compare the water level to the “fill line” etched into the tank. If the water is below the line, adjust the float to allow more water to enter the tank before it shuts off.
3. Finally, inspect the small holes around the rim of your bowl. They often collect mineral deposits over time and need to be cleaned out. Sometimes running regular dish soap through the system is enough to open up the jets.

Phantom flush

Don’t let phantom flushes in the middle of the night give you the heebie-jeebies. The mystery flusher isn’t a home intruder but more likely a worn out flapper allowing water to leak from the tank into the bowl.

Simply turn off the water feed to your toilet, remove the old flapper and install a new one. It’s easy and costs less than five.

Testing a leak

Some toilet drips are completely harmless. Some have the potential to cause thousands of dollars in damage.

If you find water on the floor and fear you might have a serious problem, drop food coloring into the tank, then check back in a little while to see if the water on the floor is colored. If it is you may have a broken tank or a compromised seal.

Finding colored water in the bowl is a sign that your flapper isn’t sealing properly.

Running toilet

A running toilet can drive you mad, but it’s not a cause for serious concern. It’s usually caused by a leak in your flapper valve is allowing water to pour out just fast enough for the float to never get high enough to shut off the water.

1. Check that the flapper chain is not too short or tangled.
2. Clean the area under the flapper to remove any debris or mineral deposits.
3. Replace the flapper if necessary.

That’s all there is to it.

When it’s time to throw in the towel

Fixing minor issues is a great way to save money and alleviate your toilet woes. If you have problems with raw sewage backing up into your home or large quantities of water leaking from your toilet or piping, it’s best to call a professional plumber immediately before severe damage is done.

The work triangle. Plenty of storage. Let in an abundance of natural light. These are time tested kitchen design axioms that are better left untouched.

But if you’re the type of homeowner who likes to push the envelope and aspire to the cutting edge of interior design, here are five rules you can (and, perhaps, should) break with your kitchen renovation.

1. Stick to white or wood-finished cabinets

While you’d be hard pressed to find many homes in your neighborhood sporting anything other than white or wood finished cabinetry, you don’t have to do the same thing as everyone else. Bright, vibrantly colored cabinets make your kitchen feel more fun.

If you want to go all out, consider painting the walls with a contrasting color. Or to tone down the effect, think about using white for the cupboards up top with the color splash for drawers and bottom cabinets only.

2. Add accent colors

Traditional kitchen design says that white rooms need an accent color, but the all-white kitchen is trending in 2016. That’s right. All white. Cabinets, countertops, appliances, lighting, sink, walls. All white.

This look goes great with hardwood or synthetic wood floors.

3. Stick to one type of metal

Conventional wisdom says that if you’re going metallic, you’d better make it a theme and stick with just one type. But when done properly there’s no reason you can’t combine stainless steel, copper, brass and even hints of silver and gold into one space.

4. Keep storage out of sight

Some of 2016’s most stunning kitchens don’t involve a single drawer or cabinet. When looking for a way to enhance your kitchen, why not display all your gorgeous dishes, crockery and cookware?

Exposed storage helps make the kitchen feel less like a work zone and more like an homage to cooking and food. Consider hanging racks for pots and pans or coffee mugs to free up more room on the shelves for everything else.

5. Avoid wallpaper in the work area

Wallpaper provides a nearly endless array of charm and character, but hanging it in the kitchen has always been a faux pas. Fortunately, a simple trick makes it possible to use wallpaper in even the messiest part of your kitchen: A sheet of glass.

A cheap mirror hanging kit from your local hardware store makes it easy to turn wallpaper into an easy to clean backsplash. You’ll wonder why you never thought of it before.

Delta calls it Touch2O.

Kohler calls it Response Touchless.

Brizo calls it SmartTouchPlus.

But whatever name you give it, the results are equally extraordinary. Think you don’t need a touchless kitchen faucet? Think again. This is a technology worth its weight in gold and Consolidated Plumbing Supply has got a showroom packed with the top fixtures on the market.

Here are 10 occasions you’ll love having a faucet that turns on with the flick of your wrist or the touch of your elbow.

1. Fire up the BBQ

Whether you’re massaging steaks with a spicy rub or your fingers are dripping with olive oil, salt and pepper, preparing meat for the grill is a sticky business.

Any time you’re working with raw meat there’s an increase in the chances for foodborne illness. How great would it be to turn on the hot water without griming up the tap?

2. Gone fishing

Hey. It happens. Something’s fallen into the garbage that doesn’t belong there. Once you’ve dug out that spoon, cell phone or electric bill, you’re going to want to wash your hands. Pronto.

3. Arts and crafts time

Finger paint. Glue. Sparkles. When craft time is finished you’d rather not get googly eyes stuck on the handle of your brand new kitchen faucet.

4. Rolling dough

Biscuits. Cookies. Bread. If it’s made with dough, it’s sticky. Keep the mess where it belongs—flowing down the drain.

5. Touching the untouchables

Whether it’s a diaper changing snafu or a miscommunication between your hand and the litter box, these things happen. A quick rinse before you reach for the soap is a gift from above.

6. A love of finger food

From buffalo hot wings to pizza, tartar sauce lathered fish sticks, greasy fries and more, some of the most delicious finger foods leave our hands messier than a simple napkin can handle.

7. Kitchen explosion

A broken jar of mayonnaise or spaghetti sauce can create a terrible mess and put the kibosh on your happy place. Access to a hands-free faucet helps keep accidents in the kitchen from spreading.

8. Making omelets

Even if you’re good at it, cracking half a dozen eggs leaves a sticky residue on your fingers that you don’t want dripping down the side of your faucet.

9. Working in the garden

Working in the garden is a great way to get your hands dirty. While you could turn on the garden hose and chase it down to the end, wouldn’t it be easier to just pop inside for a quick touch free rinse?

10. You’re just “that” tired

Sometimes at the end of a long day, even a simple action like pulling the handle on your faucet feels like lifting a sack of bricks. You deserve a break, don’t you?