PLUMBING
Reclaiming the costs of restroom products Investing in quality leads to greater ROI, more satisfied customers
BY KRIS ALDERSON
commercial building and construction industry. That’s not to say, however, that plumbing contractors and specifiers have a blank checkbook when it comes to designing and specifying products for commercial restrooms. Budgets remain tight and influence every decision relative to restroom retrofits or new construction. Due to these financial constraints,
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it’s important to evaluate which restroom materials and products will achieve the greatest return on investment. Increasingly, project managers are asking tougher questions about the products they specify and insisting on longer durability and greater performance. Just years ago, the expectation for the lifecycle of restroom fixtures was about five to seven years. The bar is now raised to 10 to12-year performance lives and, in certain cases, up to 20 years.
Durable products get pay-back
Investing in high-quality durable
restroom furnishings, such as lavatories, partitions, toilets and other washroom accessories, will pay back in a number of ways. For one thing, sturdier and higher-quality washroom fixtures translate into less upkeep and maintenance. This not only saves costs over time on maintenance and repairs but it also frees up time for staff to focus on other duties. Such resilient products typically
he nation’s improving economic outlook is slowly but surely impacting the
have superior design, making them more aesthetically appealing to end- users, consumers and other stakeholders. This attractiveness and feeling of quality, in turn, helps to create a good impression of the overall business and management. Additionally, sturdier fixtures ward
off vandalism and don’t break down as much as their cheaper counterparts. Encountering graffiti on counters and partitions or blocked-up faucets or toilets can be frustrating and disturbing for a consumer, even raising doubts about a facility’s security.
The negative impacts of restroom problems
Research conducted in 2010
by Bradley Corp., manufacturer of restroom and plumbing fixtures, found that 60 percent of Americans have had an unpleasant experience in a public restroom due to the condition of the facilities. The survey, which looked at American’s handwashing habits in public facilities, uncovered that the most common action taken due to a negative restroom experience is simply leaving the facility without completing their intended business. Further, one-fourth suggested that they would spread negative word-of- mouth about the business. These findings underscore that
attractive, functional and well- maintained public restrooms offer significant benefits. For the facilities manager and the building owner, they encourage repeat users. And for the health of the community and general public, they can foster hand washing and prevent flu and other serious infections.
Durability aligns with
as they are aesthetically appealing. One of the newest durable
materials available is a new molded natural quartz material that can be sculpted into a range of design options typically not associated with restrooms — graceful curves, soft radius edges and elegant shapes. Customized configurations can be
Capacitive sensing technology eliminates sensor windows that can be damaged.
specified, such as an elongated basin with a hidden drain and a lavatory system that uses a minimalist trap cover to conceal plumbing below. This resilient and low-maintenance product is available in more than a dozen colors, with variances in color and texture, much like granite. This material costs less than
granite and is virtually maintenance- free, since it does not require sealing, buffing or reconditioning and, unlike granite, it can be repaired. In addition, its smooth, seamless finish has a non- porous surface, so it does not support microbial growth. It is composed of a resin made of soy and corn, so it is eco-friendly. Solid surface composite materials
aesthetics The days of
A new natural moldable quartz material for lavatories delivers aesthetics while being extremely durable.
restrooms furnished with plain industrial- looking products are long gone. One manufacturer of restroom products offers washroom fixtures that are as tough
for sinks and basins also fit the mold of a beautiful, yet tough, material for lavatories. The solid surface resists stains, chemicals, scratches and heat, which reduces the likelihood of repairs and the need for replacements. Here are a few more suggestions
for selecting fixtures and furnishings that can provide return on your investment: • Toilet partitions. Quality
partitions made of lustrous granite or stainless steel with a brushed pattern can transform the look of a restroom and become the new focal point of the room. Such surfaces cannot be easily scratched or damaged and do not require painting, so they are ideal
phc march 2011
www.phcnews.com
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