The popularity of freestanding bathtubs has skyrocketed in recent years. They come in all shapes and sizes now and composite materials have taken the place of cast iron. The new Kohler composite material tubs were on display at KBIS/IBS in Orlando. The new composite material, which is a mix of crushed stone and resin allows Read more
Whats New
The popularity of freestanding bathtubs has skyrocketed in recent years. They come in all shapes and sizes now and composite materials have taken the place of cast iron. The new Kohler composite material tubs were on display at KBIS/IBS in Orlando. The new composite material, which is a mix of crushed stone and resin allows for an almost unlimited variety of shape/design.
Since 1883 and the company’s entry into plumbing with the creation of its first bathtub, Kohler Co. has been a global leader in the design and innovation in the bathing category. Drawing from its vast knowledge and expertise, the company makes a nod to its heritage with the creation of its newest collection of freestanding baths with eye-catching lines and designs from contemporary to traditional. These freestanding baths provide homeowners a way to make a front-and-center statement of personal design and style within the bathroom space.
The simple, clean curves of the Ceric, pictured, convey a minimal craft shape with ceramic detailing, expressing contemporary warmth and soft appeal.
Gerber has added a beautiful collection of decorative products to its vitreous china product mix. The Hinsdale suite, which debuted at Orlando’s Design & Construction Week in January, features a modern traditional styling. With its blend of contemporary design elements, the products within the family bring a more updated and relevant look to today’s market Read more
Gerber has added a beautiful collection of decorative products to its vitreous china product mix.
The Hinsdale suite, which debuted at Orlando’s Design & Construction Week in January, features a modern traditional styling. With its blend of contemporary design elements, the products within the family bring a more updated and relevant look to today’s market who still prefer traditional aspects to their décor.
Hinsdale styling is offered in several products: a two-piece high efficiency toilet operating at 1.28 gallons per flush/4.8 liters, a 25” pedestal sink and a 21” petite pedestal sink. The sink basins are also available with a shroud if users prefer a wall hung, space saving option to the pedestal. All products are available in White.
The WaterSense®-certified Hinsdale toilet is the first Gerber product to feature the brand’s proprietary QuietClean™ flushing system. QuietClean combines the best tank components in the industry with dual-siphon jet technology that pushes water down through the top of the bowl instead of up from the bottom – offering a powerful swirl effect for superior cleaning and unparalleled performance.
“Hinsdale is one of our most beautiful decorative suites to date,” says Lovin Saini, senior product manager for Gerber. “We’re excited about the new QuietClean technology in the toilet because it delivers the highest of performance that Gerber is known for, yet provides a discreet quiet flush. It’s perfect for powder rooms where guests might be the number one user. It allows greater privacy when using the bathroom and leaves a clean bowl.”
For more information on the Hinsdale suite product line, visit www.gerberonline.com.
Far too often government agencies preach one thing and do another, but for the USGBC they have truly put their words into action with their new headquarters in the Foggy Bottom district of Washington DC. Completed in 2007 the building has one purpose, to showcase to the public what green building could do. The first Read more
Far too often government agencies preach one thing and do another, but for the USGBC they have truly put their words into action with their new headquarters in the Foggy Bottom district of Washington DC. Completed in 2007 the building has one purpose, to showcase to the public what green building could do.
The first building to achieve Platinum Certification under LEED’s 3 new guidelines, it exemplifies high performance and energy efficiency blending together to create a healthy and productive environment. To do this, architects, engineers and contributing professionals strictly adhered to LEED and other green building guidelines to produce a design that had sustainability woven in every wall and corridor. Goals such as reducing water usage by 40% and overall energy use (as compared to the average office building) by 50% were set to ensure the building met expectations.
Knowing Sloan’s commitment to the green movement, builders almost exclusively chose our products for their bathrooms. Selecting our SOLIS® solar-powered faucet, the UPPERCUT® dual-flush flushometer, XLERATOR® Hand Dryer, and WES-1000 Waterfree Urinal, the USGBC’s headquarters utilizes some our most advanced systems.
When the nation’s leading organization for eco-friendly building decided it was time for a new headquarters there was much anticipation as to how efficient the building could actually be. When the final product was done interested parties were not disappointed as the new USGBC would be a shining example of what environmentally responsible building could and should be.
The goal of the building was to not only lead by example but to become a living and breathing lab for the commercial building industry. Far too often new technologies get overlooked out of fear they might not perform properly or for lack of data to support energy savings claims. At the USGBC headquarters, however, new and efficient products would also be showcased with the goal of not only educating builders but also to help the building attain its main goals of achieving the highest LEEDs certification possible and be the most efficient building possible.
Led by designers and contractors from both Perkins & Will and Davis Construction, the building renovation would incorporate principles of reclamation, recycling and efficiency into every hallway, office and bathroom. Giving new life to things left behind by the previous building occupants, the designs utilized existing materials like the terrazzo flooring, glass panels and granite countertops. Even the old office furniture was salvaged for the new building. For the bathrooms, careful attention was given to water and energy savings. Utilizing new technologies like waterfree urinals, low-flow faucets and dual-flush fixtures would be essential. For contractors, when it came time to selecting the right products they turned to the industry leader, Sloan. Currently all bathrooms in the building feature Sloan faucets, urinals, hand dryers, and of course flushometers.
The strategies combined to create one of, if not the most efficient office building in the US. Achieving the distinction of the first Platinum certified building in America the building earned 45 out of a possible 57 LEED points. More importantly, Sloan products contributed to the building receiving a perfect ranking in the water efficiency category, and an impressive overall reduction of water use by 40%.
Copper press systems have become commonplace on the job but the piping systems have expanded recently to include stainless steel piping and fittings along with fittings engineered specifically for iron pipe. As the systems have expanded so have the tool offerings by multiple manufacturers. Milwaukee entered the press tool market in 2013 with the first Read more
Copper press systems have become commonplace on the job but the piping systems have expanded recently to include stainless steel piping and fittings along with fittings engineered specifically for iron pipe. As the systems have expanded so have the tool offerings by multiple manufacturers.
Milwaukee entered the press tool market in 2013 with the first generation of M12 and M18 Force Logic press tools. 12v & 18v offering the first inline design by a major tool manufacturer available at the time. Others would soon follow with similar designs. I have owned both corded and cordless models from Ridgid and Milwaukee. My first press tools were the pistol grip type and my most recent purchase (2014) was the M12 inline design.
Last week I took delivery of the newest press tool available. The Milwaukee M18 Force Logic press tool kit [2773-22] is the first tool available with a brushless motor system.
The significance of brushless design for a press tool is high. As we’ve experienced with multiple tools already built with brushless technology smaller physical designs and faster, more powerful performance ratings are now the norm. The case here is very much the same. The new M18 press tool is not only smaller and lighter but the performance ratings published by Milwaukee are faster and longer [presses per battery charge cycle]. From using it now on two boiler change-outs its been my opinion that this is the fastest cordless press tool I’ve ever used. I’ve likely pressed 50-75 joints and have been running the new 9ah battery pack from an initial full charge and have not had to recharge. The current battery charge, according to the indicator lights is about 50% or more.
The new brushless M18 tool is capable of handling up to and including 4” on Viega’s stainless system (ProPress XL-S), and up to and including 1” on Grinnell’s stainless system (Stainless Steel G-Press). Up to and including 2” on MegaPress. The 2773-22 kit will require additional jaw sets for stainless and MegaPress. As mentioned, the kit includes copper jaws up to 2″.
When asked if competitor press jaws are compatible with the M18 tool a Milwaukee design engineer responded with a “Yes, you can use competitive jaws with the tool”.
 
The Plumbing Museum has announced the ribbon cutting and launch of the Manoog Family Artist in Residency Program, a new cultural initiative being offered to the Watertown, Mass. and Greater Boston communities. Designed to support careers in both the arts and trades, the program provides artists with the financial and physical resources needed to explore Read more
The Plumbing Museum has announced the ribbon cutting and launch of the Manoog Family Artist in Residency Program, a new cultural initiative being offered to the Watertown, Mass. and Greater Boston communities. Designed to support careers in both the arts and trades, the program provides artists with the financial and physical resources needed to explore the relationship between art and industrial technology. Named after the founding family of the Plumbing Museum, the Manoog Family Artist in Residency Program offers artists the opportunity to harness their passion and creativity to produce meaningful artwork, develop their skills and give back to the community, all within the space found at the Plumbing Museum and its partner organization J.C. Cannistraro.
“The chance to spend three months in an exclusive studio surrounded by science, art and history is truly exciting to an artist,” explains Sasha Parfenova, Museum Program Coordinator. “By the end of each residency, our artists will develop lasting artwork for themselves, the museum and the community, while helping us fulfill our mission of building awareness for the plumbing industry.” As part of the program, selected artists are provided with full access to studio workspace, fabrication and welding resources, materials and a cash award.
Beginning this week, the program welcomes its first resident artist, Ryan Leitner, a recent graduate of Tufts University – School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. The fall residency will conclude with an exhibition in the Plumbing Museum in January 2017. Applications for future residencies can be submitted via the Plumbing Museum website.
About the Plumbing Museum:
Located in a renovated ice house in Watertown, MA, the American Sanitary Plumbing Museum is dedicated to promoting the contributions of the plumbing industry and its talented craftsmen across the United States. Through its unique mix of industrial history and modern art, it showcases artifacts and exhibits that range from 19th century tubs to modern toilets and a functioning rainwater reclamation system. The museum welcomes nearly a thousand visitors each year for tours and private events, and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal. For more information, visit: www.theplumbingmuseum.org.