Consolidated Plumbing Blog

Wall-mounted faucets have been around for centuries. In fact, prior to the advent of the flexible hose most taps had to be wall-mounted out of necessity. With water lines running through wall interiors it simply made sense to hook fixtures up directly to the pipes.

But today’s wall-mounted fixtures are not your grandfather’s faucet. They’re trendy, stylish and sure to give your bathroom that luxury look.

Fixture design used to be focused on durability and functionality but nowadays your bathroom faucet is truly an expression of self.

Great looks are nice, but they’re not everything

Along with making bathrooms look like something out of the Ritz-Carlton, wall-mounted faucets carry plenty of other benefits.

Wall-mounted faucets are easier to clean and easier to keep clean. You know that dirt and grime that collects at the base of a top-mounted faucet? You won’t have to worry about it any more. Handles are also less likely to become spotted with water marks as they won’t be speckled with spray splashing out of the sink.

Without the base and handles taking up space along the countertop, you’ll have more area to store bathroom and beauty products. All the extra room translates into a less cluttered vanity.

Versatility is the name of the game

Unlike top-mounted faucets that generally need to be installed into pre-determined holes on your sink, a wall-mounted fixture can be installed at any height you prefer (provided you properly account for water flow into your sink).

You’ll enjoy further versatility because should you wish to, you can be totally creative with your sink as it is installed completely independent of the faucet. From a gorgeous ceramic bowl to a timeless copper basin, wall-mounted taps allow you to get in touch with your artistic side.

You simply can’t go wrong with a vessel sink

With a much longer throw or reach from the wall, wall-mounted faucets are the perfect match for vessel sinks. What makes a vessel sink different is that they are installed on top of the counter as opposed to being inset into a hole cut into the furniture.

The result is a fun, contemporary, cutting-edge look.

Vessel sinks come in all shapes and sizes and are available in an endless array of materials. From cast iron to glass, natural stone, marble, stainless steel and even bronze, you’ll be sure to find just the right style to provide a stunning central feature in your new bath.

Take a walk through the aisles of any plumbing supply showroom and you’ll be blown away by some of the incredible touch-free fixtures available today for your kitchen and bath. From germ preventing touch-free toilets to handsfree kitchen faucets that make washing up a breeze.

The amazing touchless flush toilet by Kohler

Touchless flushing means fewer germs to pick up or leave behind. Just hold your hand over the sensor on top of the tank to activate the flush.

Kohler sells different lines of touchless flush toilets for every style of décor. The two-piece Cimarron collection offers a classic look whereas a stunning one-piece San Souci can add pizzazz to any washroom.

If you’re not in the market for all new equipment, nearly any conventional tank toilets can be retrofitted to be touch free with Kohler’s easy-to-install Touchless Flush Kit.

Touch2O® faucet technology

The quickest and easiest way to give your bathroom a new look is by upgrading your faucet. Delta Faucets has upped the ante for your bathroom sink with gorgeous modern designs like Dryden and Talbott. You’ll be amazed how much a quality faucet can truly set off the room.

To go along with your touchless toilet, why not consider keeping the theme with Delta’s Touch2O® technology? Simply tap anywhere on the faucet with your finger to activate water flow. It’s just like playing the piano.

For a truly high-class look, consider a BRIZO SmartTouch® lavatory faucet. BRIZO is top-of-the-line and they’re absolutely stunning.

Out of the bathroom and into the kitchen

Touch activated fixtures are great in the bath, but in the kitchen they’re downright necessary. Think of all the times you’ve got gooey fingers. With a Sensate™ Touchless Kitchen Faucet you’ll never have this problem ever again.

Kohler has really raised the bar with Sensate™. Many competitors offer awesome touch activated models, but Sensate™ works with a unique state-of-the-art sensor that is precision-designed and activates at the wave of your hand or even a kitchen utensil. But don’t worry, the sensor is specially calibrated to not turn on by accident.

If it feels like you’re cramming into an airplane lavatory every time you answer nature’s call, then it’s time to hit delete and reboot.

The median American home is 36 years old. A lot has changed since 1978, both in terms of bathroom design and available fixtures and hardware. If your bathroom still has its original equipment, you’ve got a great opportunity to start over from scratch and get a whole lot more out of limited square footage.

Here are some great tips to help you better utilize the space.

Choose one style

The overall feel of your bathroom comes from the colors and materials you pick out. Choose one style and stick with it. There’s a reason why manufacturers like Kohler design entire collections meant to fit together.

Lighter colors give you a feeling of more space as does using a higher quality material sparingly, like marble tiles for example.

Less is more

Go minimalistic. Decide up front on the most important items in your bathroom. Upgrade what you love the most and remove all unnecessary items. Adore high-end faucets? You really can’t get more chic than wall-mounted.

If you’re someone that rarely to never takes a bubble bath, consider ripping out the tub and finding luxury elsewhere. Splurge on an amazing rainwater showerhead with side nozzles and an additional handheld attachment.

Invest in a space-saving toilet and sink

Modern round-front toilets, such as those in the Cimarron® line, take up much less space without sacrificing comfort. Add a matching pedestal sink and your bathroom will be well appointed and have a lot more open space.

The less you have attached to the floor the bigger and more luxurious the room will feel. Complete the minimalist design with a large recessed cabinet.

Elongate your floor

Floor tiles should ideally be rectangular with a ratio of 2:1. Lay them in one direction pointing to the door to create an illusion of a never ending floor. The larger the tiles the more effective the optical illusion will be.

Mirror, mirror on the wall

Small rooms need big mirrors. A large wall-mounted mirror will perform wonders. It will increase the light in your bathroom and give you the illusion of space.

Shed some light on the matter

Nothing says small and dank like an ill lit room. When redesigning your bathroom pay close attention to lighting. The brighter you make the bathroom the more airy the room will feel.

Try to include a decent amount of recessed lighting. Small, inset fixtures won’t overpower your bathroom design like a big chunky 70’s style light fixture will. Recessed lighting spread around the ceiling also leaves less dark corners.

Say goodbye to your clutter

Wall-mounted storage is great, but to really maximize your bathroom Zen, get all the clutter you can out of there. Buy a plastic tub and store all extra toiletries and rarely used lotions like sunblock in the garage or a linen closet. The tidier you keep your tiny bathroom, the more spacious it will feel.

If you live in an older home you might just think that repairing leaky faucets is simply a fact of life! It doesn’t have to be.

With new developments in faucet technology you can now upgrade to a reliable ceramic disc faucet that will in all likelihood never need repair. Disc faucets mix hot and cold water inside an internal mixing chamber called a pressure balance cartridge, providing smoother and more reliable temperature regulation.

Valves control water flow with two ceramic discs at the bottom of the chamber so that you can adjust temperature simply and easily with a side-to-side rotation of the handle.

If you’re having a lot of trouble with your current faucets, you won’t believe the difference you’ll enjoy by installing new ceramic disc faucets. Really, it’s like night and day.

But if you like your current faucet and just want the leak to go away, here’s a simple guide for identifying your faucet type and doing simple DIY repairs. (By the way, always remember to shut off the water supply prior to repairing any faucet.)

Let’s go ‘Old School’: Compression washer faucets.

If you feel like your home’s faucets are absolutely ‘ancient’, there’s a good chance they are compression washer faucets. These bad boys have been around since the beginning of indoor plumbing!

Compression washer faucets are the least expensive as they are really nothing more than a screw with a rubber washer that presses up against a valve seat. Their low cost goes right in hand with plenty of leaking and maintenance.

Fortunately repairing a leaky compression washer faucet is a piece of cake.

Start by either unscrewing or popping off the small cap on the top of the handle. Once the handle is off you will see the screw that holds the handle to the valve stem assembly. Simply remove this screw and pull off the handle. Next, twist off the valve stem cover.

Now that you can see the entire valve stem assembly, you’ll notice a hexagonal bolt at the bottom of the assembly. Use a wrench to remove the assembly from the valve seat.

At the bottom you’ll see a small screw holding on what will probably be a pretty mashed up washer. Remove the screw, replace the washer, and then do all of these steps in reverse. 90% of the time this will successfully repair a leaky compression washer faucet.

Ball faucets: Pioneers in washerless faucet technology.

Ball faucets are common in kitchen sinks. To identify this faucet for certain, look for a single handle that you push back to turn on.

Water flow is controlled by a slotted ball along with rubber O-rings and spring loaded rubber seals. Ball faucets leak more than other washerless technologies because there are several different things that can go wrong. The rubber seals can dry out, the springs can weaken, or the O-ring can dry out.

Ball valves are very easy to repair, but you’ll need to buy a repair kit specifically designed for your model. Kits are not expensive and they’ll include everything you need to do the repair, including instructions.

And finally: Cartridge faucets.

With a single handle, cartridge faucets look just like ball faucets. To tell the difference you’ll need to test how it feels when you turn on the water. While a ball valve is opened by pressing back, a cartridge valve must be operated in an up/down motion.

Similar to a ball faucet, you’ll have to purchase a kit specifically packaged for your model.

First you’ll need to remove the handle. Often times the screw is hidden under a plastic cap or sticker. Next, remove each part one at a time and set them in order on the counter for easy re-installation. After you have removed the retaining nut, use a flathead screwdriver to pry out the copper clip holding the cartridge in place.

To loosen and remove the cartridge, use the white plastic tool that comes with the repair kit. Be sure to grease the O-rings on the replacement cartridge before sliding it into place. Once the cartridge is properly seated, snap the copper clip back in place, screw on the retaining nut and put the rest of the faucet back together.

Sifting through the wide range of bathroom sink models available on the market these days is enough to make your head spin. They’ve each got a unique list of pros and cons and once you make a decision you’ll be living with your choice for quite some time.

We’ve put together an easy buying guide to help you pick out a sink with the perfect combination of form and function for your personal style.

A classic little space saver

Pedestal sinks are the traditional go-to sink and they’re great if you’re short on space. Keeping them sparkly clean is super easy as both the sink and base are ceramic and built to fit nicely together. Pedestal sinks are very common and come in a wide variety of colors and styles.

The downside to a pedestal sink is that everyone’s got one, so they’re lacking on wow factor. Since a pedestal sink is installed without a vanity, this also means less storage space.

Create a dramatic centerpiece for your bathroom

Vessel sinks are bowl shaped basins that mount on top of your counter. They come in a wide variety of materials that include marble, porcelain, copper and steel. Vessel sinks give your bathroom a chic, modern feel.

One challenge with vessel sinks is that you’ll need a countertop that’s specifically designed for installing one. Most plug-and-play vanities cannot be coupled with a vessel sink.

When you must have storage

Drop-in sinks fit into the hole in the countertop. They are one of the most inexpensive options and are relatively flexible as they fit into most types of cabinets.

Drop-ins are great for homeowners that like a large vanity in the bathroom with drawers for storage. Since a drop-in sink will always be installed in conjunction with cabinetry, your plumbing will be 100% hidden from view.

One problem that owners of drop-in sinks do encounter is that the caulking between the sink and the countertop can be difficult to keep clean.

Smooth lines and a contemporary look

An under-mount sink is often installed with solid surface (think marble) counter-tops. Under-mount sinks are easier to keep clean compared with drop-ins and they tend to have a more upper end feel.

The only real drawback of an under-mount sink is their lack of versatility. You’ll need to buy your countertop and sink concurrently to make sure that the measurements match up just right.

Perfect for the powder room.

Wall-hung sinks are mounted onto the wall with no countertop or cabinet below. This style of sink isn’t suitable for the master bath, but it’s a great way to make a tiny bathroom feel a lot more spacious.

While a wall-hung sink won’t allow for any storage, it offers the added benefit of off-the-floor cleanliness.

Console sinks are similar to a wall-hung sink but with two legs in front for stability. Console sinks are great if you’re looking to create an eclectic turn-of-the-century style in a more classic older home.

Crisp lines, a cool color palette and sleek new fixtures can turn any bathroom into a cozy modern hideaway. But not every homeowner is looking to create the contemporary American vibe.

Here are three international design concepts that will make a visit to your bathroom feel like you’re on an exotic getaway.

Head east for the perfect combination of form and function.

An Asian inspiration is perfect for those who hate clutter and are willing to think outside the box. Asian style bathrooms usually feature a large non-demarcated shower area with no doors and no curtain.

Instead of a dedicated shower cubicle, the entire floor is tiled and sloped to a single drain. To go full Japanese or Korean style you’ll completely tile every surface. With four “wet” walls cleaning is a breeze. Equipped with a long handheld showerhead you can simply hose down the entire room and the excess water will drain away.

Choosing white or very lightly colored tiles will emphasize the excess of space in your open plan bathroom. To add striking features include mirror tiles for accents and sparkling chrome high-tech fixtures.

If you absolutely must have a bath, consider a free standing claw-tooth tub for added Zen.

Go south of the border for a colorful Mexican montage

If you’ve ever been into a bathroom in Mexico then you’ve already ogled at their gorgeous Talavera tiles. Talavera are colorful, hand-painted earthen ceramic tiles that match with a range of pottery sinks.

Tile images often depict animals or scenes from around Mexico, but frequently the paintings are simply abstract designs.

Talavera is not laid to cover an entire surface, but instead they are used to highlight a particular feature, for example, around the mirror or along the edge of the counter or windowsill.

To complete the Mexican look, paint the walls with an earthy orange or burnt red, and consider stone country tiles for the floor.

Go rustic Italian

For a more masculine style, rustic Italian may give you the bathroom of your dreams. Bear in mind that you’ll need a fairly large floor space to pull off a full Tuscan interpretation.

Start with the floors. For a rough stone look go with irregular-edged Pietra D’assisi tiles. To bump up a class, think about splurging for Roman mosaic.

The bath should be as luxurious as your budget will permit and be free standing as the tub will be the focal feature of the room. Your shower should be separate and contained in a glass-door cubicle off to the side.

For bathroom fixtures think large and bold. Gold or bronze is the preferred color to carry off the look. For paint you’ll get the best effect from golden hues.

In the previous post we looked at Kohler’s Dual-Flush system that featured a dual-toned trip lever with two different flush options. We talked about all the money (and water) the typical American household can save every year by installing a WaterSense® qualified toilet.

But what if there was a toilet so efficient that it didn’t need a two flush mechanism?

What if you could enjoy optimum performance and an incredibly low 1.28GPF with each and every flush?

With Kohler’s new Cimarron® line featuring AquaPiston™ technology you can.

Goodbye clogs. Hello AquaPiston™

With just 1.28 gallons of water, the innovative AquaPiston™ patented flush engine delivers a fast, powerful, and plug-free flush each and every time.

Here’s how it works. 

Unlike noisy power flush technologies that require the assistance of an in-tank air bladder to increase pressure, AquaPiston™ uses gravity along with a 3:2 ratio flush valve to quietly optimize power and performance.

The tank, bowl, and trapway are precision engineered to create a strong siphon during flushing and the AquaPiston™ canister allows 360 degree water flow into the bowl to maximize the effectiveness of the flush.

That’s a lot of plumbing techno-speak to say: With AquaPiston™ you can go right ahead and toss out that ratty old plunger.

Cimarron® means comfort

The Cimarron® collection showcases a classic, versatile look with elegant curves and a round-front bowl featuring Comfort Height® chair-height seating.

Comfort Height® ensures that most adults will find it easier to sit down and stand up when compared to standard-height toilets. The variance on the tape reads just 2 inches, but when it comes to comfort these 2 inches make all the difference in the world.

We’d recommend the two-piece Cimarron® line to any homeowner who’s looking to maximize water efficiency, flush performance, and design aesthetics, especially when looking to save space in a smaller bathroom or powder room.

Along with matching Cimarron® pedestal or drop-in bathroom sinks, you can quickly and easily pick out a stunning new combo for your bathroom upgrade.

In the average American home more than 45% of all water use occurs in the bathroom. And over half of this consumption is flushed down the toilet–quite literally.

As water prices continue to climb year after year, more and more homeowners are looking for ways to cash in with innovative water-saving technologies.

Installing a new high-efficiency “dual-flush” toilet will help you trim back on utility bills and confirm that you’re doing your part for the environment through water conservation.

It’s all about the GPF

GPF, or gallons per flush, is the metric used to determine water consumption levels in toilets. Older toilets need 3.5 to 5 gallons of water for every flush, whereas the new federal standard is a maximum of 1.6GPF.

Forward-thinking companies such as Kohler have raised the bar well beyond the federal standard with their dual-flush system. With a dual-toned trip lever that offers two different flushing options it’s easy to simply pull down on the longer green lever and enjoy an exceptionally low 1.1GPF. Perfect for when you don’t need a complete flush.

Money in your pocket

Studies commissioned to compare conventional 3.5GPF toilets to modern water-efficient units such as the Kohler Dual-Flush have shown that the average household of four can save up to $99 per year on water costs. With savings like this your new toilet will pay for itself in no time.

And it’s not only cold hard cash that you’ll be saving. Annually, each member of your family will be pumping 4,000 fewer gallons of water into the sewage system. 4,000 gallons–per person, per year.

Kohler leads the way 

There are a wide range of “green” toilets available in the marketplace, but Kohler models are the cream of the crop.

Kohler’s siphon jet technology allows for the same powerful flush that you’re used to, but without the waste. Many competitors’ water-saving toilets simply don’t have the power to get the job done, leading to clogs, overflows and other headaches.

To know for sure whether a particular toilet makes the grade, look for the WaterSense® label. To qualify for a WaterSense® sticker, the unit must use 20% less water than a standard 1.6GPF toilet while adhering to stringent flushing performance guidelines.

Dual-Flush is also easier to use. Whereas most water-saving toilets require the flushing mechanism be located on the top of the tank, with Kohler the trip lever is side-mounted. You’ll enjoy the flushing action that you’re accustomed to while keeping the top of the tank clear for tissues or other toiletries.

Sounds great, but what about aesthetics? 

Kohler has recognized that form and function need to go hand-in-hand. That’s why they’ve added their side-mounted Dual-Flush technology to three of their most popular toilets.

To further ensure that every homeowner will find a unit that suits their style and bathroom décor, each design is available in three different finishes and eight diverse colors. With a range of seventy-two unique variations, you’re sure to find the perfect match for your home.

Let’s start off here with a short warning: this blog post is going to wind up sounding like a sales pitch. But that’s OK, because the Kohler Moxie showerhead is simply that awesome.

Who needs a shower head with a built in wireless speaker? 

Whether you’re the type to rock out, relax to smooth jazz, or brush up on current events with a podcast, your pre-work ritual will be a lot more fun with a Moxie. After all, your morning shower sets the tone for your entire day. Why not put your best foot forward?

Moxie is more than just a stylish gadget for the tech savvy, it’s a whole new way to make the best fifteen minutes of your day even better and the easiest method for blasting your favorite tunes in the shower.

No more grainy music drowned out by shower water

What sets Moxie apart from other shower/speaker combos is most definitely sound quality. Since the wireless speaker docks directly into the center of the shower head with a powerful magnet your music will be up close and personal. With 1.5 Watts, it packs plenty of juice.

To get your playlist rolling, simply sync up any Bluetooth® enabled device, adjust the volume and hop in under the water.

On a full battery the speaker will last an impressive seven hours. When it’s time to charge, just remove the speaker from the center of the head and plug it in to any USB port.

And guess what? The speaker works 100% independently of the shower head, so you can use it anywhere else that you need a portable speaker. Its water resistant design makes it a perfect fit for beach barbecues, pool parties, or listening in the kitchen.

All the shower comfort that you’ve come to expect from Kohler 

Part of the beauty of this product is that music quality does not come at the expense of shower head performance. Moxie is equipped with 60 angled nozzles that provide a fully enveloping spray. Heads come in two models so you can choose the right amount of water pressure to suit your taste.

Additionally, the silicone shower face provides stress-free cleaning for quick and easy removal of lime scale and other build up that can affect shower head performance.

A smooth modern design that fits into any bathroom 

Moxie comes in a variety of colors to match any bathroom décor. Vibrant new speaker colors include the original white, navy blue, a retro Tiffany box blue, chartreuse and a bright cherry red.

Installing your new Moxie showerhead is a breeze. All you’ll need is a wrench and a roll of Teflon tape. Simply twist off your old shower head, pop on your new one and start having more fun in the shower.

A bathroom facelift is one of the most popular home improvement projects undertaken by American homeowners.

Once your space is gutted and your shiny new sink and shower are installed, it’s time to pick out colors to complete your renovation and transform your bathroom from drab to fab.

While whittling down paint selections can be stressful, we’ve got a few color combinations that will be sure to elevate your bathroom to the envy of the neighborhood.

The average person spends nearly one and a half years hanging out behind closed doors, so let’s ensure that your bathroom is the pleasant refuge that it should be!

Nature calls

Colors that originate in nature are trending at the moment and paint manufacturers like Benjamin Moore have responded by crafting a new neutral palette inspired by the air itself.

To create an ambience each and every time you walk into your bathroom consider moving towards the seascapes. From the greenish-blue froth of a crashing wave to the brisk sapphire of a deep blue sea, a combination of these tones will create a serene bathroom experience.

Mediterranean shades are particularly hot at the moment and work exceptionally well in conjunction with an en suite shower room. Consider large gray tiles for the wet walls to complete the theme throughout.

Robust sunshine yellows and more gentle golden sunset hues evoke feelings of happiness that are ideal for any bathroom. Yellows work well on their own or make great accent walls in conjunction with more muted earthy colors.

Look for smooth yellow shades to brighten up smaller bathrooms and create the illusion of more space. Less square footage doesn’t have to mean less pizazz. Kohler can help you boost wow factor with a classy white vessel sink and matching sleek one-piece toilet.

Contrast is king

If nature’s not your thing, consider going bold and selecting two tones that are not normally seen together. Think Seville orange with a subtle turquoise, or eggplant and Mediterranean indigo.

Make sure to gather a collection of paint swatches from your preferred retailer to mix and match and discover which colors work with which.

Remember that your color palette should showcase your new fixtures and installations. Elegant faucets, sinks, and showerheads are the cornerstone of any great bathroom.