Danze, Inc is a manufacturer of premium showerheads, faucets and bath accessories. Danze faucets were first available in 2001. The product line has rapidly developed to include over 1,500 decorative products including 15 collections of faucets for the bath, over 100 faucets for the kitchen and entertainment areas, 10 collections of matching bath accessories and an impressive line of spectacular brass shower products featuring over 130 styles of showerheads and unusual shower arms. Each product is backed with a limited "lifetime" warranty against defect; the company provides immediate access through toll free telephone to assist customers with technical, installation or other questions seven days a week. Danze products offer as standard such quality features as ceramic valves, heavy pattern brass construction, lead free waterways meeting the requirements of the ANSI/NSF 61, and a wide variety of durable and decorative finishes.

Danze kitchen faucets include the hottest faucet styles and latest in faucet features. The innovative Danze Parma Dual hands-free faucet takes convenience and style to new heights, while the Danze Sirius Collection is designed for one-of-a-kind kitchens with its distinctive ribbon spout. Danze Pull-out Faucets Danze Bar and Convenience Faucets Danze Pot Fillers		This year Danze introduced exciting new styles like Sable and Antioch lavatory faucets. New Danze faucet finishes have been added to the Fairmont and Bannockburn Collections. Danze Lavatory Faucets Danze Roman Tub Faucets Danze Tub and Shower Faucets Danze Shower Heads Danze Bathroom Accessories

Danze Antioch	Danze Anu	Danze Bannockburn	Danze Brandywood	Danze Fairmont
Danze Melrose	Danze Opulence	Danze Parma	Danze Plymouth	Danze Sable
Danze Sheridan	Danze Sirius	Danze Sonora	Danze South Sea	Danze Tiburon

Antique Brass	Antique Copper	Brushed Nickel	Chrome	Distressed Nickel
Distressed Brass	Oil Rubbed Bronze	Polished Brass	Polished Nickel	Satin Black
Stainless Steel

Anti-scald protection. All Danze shower faucets are designed with anti-scald protection. This ensures that the water stays within a safe temperature range (+/- 3F or 1.5C), complying with code requirement ASSE 1016. Choose from pressure balanced or thermostatic technologies. Roman tub personal showers. Danze offers Soft Touch Personal Shower sprays with out Roman Tub faucets. Available in two styles of push-button operating sprayers that complement the faucet styling, and are easier to use than ever before. High flow rates. Danze ceramic pressure tub and shower valves have the highest flow rates in the industry. This means great performance even in areas of low water pressure, and the ability to supply multiple showerheads! Permanence PVD finish technology. PVD finishes give Danze faucets a durable luster that's beyond comparison. These faucets will never scratch, tarnish, or corrode. Permanence is available in Polished Brass and Polished Nickel finishes. NSF Standard 61. Danze was among the first to have all their faucets comply with the national standard to eliminate lead and other water toxins. World-class manufacturing assures high-quality products. All Danze products are designed and manufactured to exacting quality standards. Danze prides itself on it's vertically integrated manufacturing process, with state-of-the-art technology and strict attention to health and environmental concerns. Danze products meet or exceed the international certifications shown below. Limited Lifetime Warranty backed by superior customer service. All parts of the Danze faucet are warranted to the original consumer purchaser to be free from defects in material and workmanship for as long as the consumer purchaser owns it. Danze stands behind this claim with toll-free customer service available seven days a week for installation assistance.

KITCHEN FAUCET BUYING GUIDE

Kitchen faucets don't just serve as a functional piece of the kitchen anymore; they set the style with shapes, sizes, designs and finishes to fit any décor. Whether you are looking for classic country or ultra modern, there is a faucet design to fit your style and taste.

How many Holes are on your Kitchen Sink?

An important question to answer when buying a new kitchen faucet is how many holes are in your existing kitchen sink or counter top. All of our faucets are labeled with the number of holes needed for proper installation.

Handle Options

Single Handle Kitchen Faucets - Allow for quick and easy water flow and temperature adjustments with one hand, which is helpful when your hands are occupied. Single Handle Faucets generally are compliant with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements. This design requires 1 or more holes depending on layout and styles range from traditional to modern. Most models are available with or without side sprays.

Two Handle Kitchen Faucets - Provides precise temperature and water flow adjustment, with separate hot and cold controls, utilizing 3 or more holes of a sink or countertop. This is a great style to consider if you’re creating a traditional or period-style kitchen.

Pull-Out or Integral Spray Kitchen Faucets - A great mix of style and functionality, the faucet head pulls out and with a touch of a button the water pattern switches from regular flow to spray. This design requires 1 or more holes depending on the handle configuration and number of accessories,creating a clean style that lends itself to a contemporary or transitional look.

Wall-Mount Faucets - A unique style that requires no deck holes as the faucet actually mounts to the wall above the sink. This design does require water supplies that extend above the countertop in the wall. This is a great option if you're looking for an antique style kitchen.

Pot Filler Faucets - A “must have” for an avid cook. This cold water faucet is installed in addition to a regular kitchen faucet and mounts on the wall behind a stove or on a countertop near the stove. It is used to fill a pot that is already positioned on the stovetop. This faucet comes in a wide array of designs including single or dual handles, long or gooseneck swivel spouts.

Bar Sink/Entertainment/Prep Faucets - Compared to a regular kitchen faucet, bar faucets are simply smaller in order to work with the bar/prep sinks they are intended to be used with. A great addition to any room these faucets come in a variety of styles and designs utilizing 1-3 holes. When used in a kitchen application they are often “matched” to the same style as the larger kitchen sink faucet.

Spout Height and Reach

* Spout Height and Reach varies on each faucet. Be sure to look in the product details for these dimensions to ensure that you find the correct faucet for your application.

High Arch - Provides plenty of room between the bottom of the sink and the spout to conveniently wash large pots or oversized dishes. High arch faucets start are 6 inches, but most are 8-10 inches high.

Standard Arch - Faucet spout is generally 3-5 inches high and are best for smaller sinks and everyday pots, pans and dishes.

Spout Reach - Another important factor in deciding which faucet is best is the number of bowls you have and the overall size of the sink. The faucet should direct water into the center of the sink, a small faucet can get lost on a large sink and a large faucet can overpower a small sink. Most faucet have a reach that ranges from 7½” to 10”. If you have a double bowl sink, be sure to choose a faucet that can reach both bowls.

Additional Accessories

There are a number of handy kitchen accessories that can be used in empty holes in your kitchen sink. If you have one or more extra holes, consider a hot water dispenser, filtered water dispenser or soap dispenser.

GLOSSARY OF FAUCET AND PLUMBING TERMS:

ACRYLIC: A glassy, thermoplastic material that is vacuum-formed to cast and mold shapes that form the surface of fiberglass bathtubs, whirlpools, shower bases, and shower stalls.

AIR GAP: A device mounted at the back of a kitchen sink connecting to the drain line between a dishwasher and disposer to allow the dishwasher to discharge freely into the disposer while preventing contaminated water from siphoning back into the dishwasher.

ADA: (Americans with Disabilities Act) A government criteria mandating how plumbing faucets and fixtures must be constructed in order to serve the needs of disabled people.

ALPHASAN: Used by American Standard- The patented antimicrobial agent used in StayClean whirlpools that inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi that cause odors and discoloration, as well as deterioration and decay of whirlpool plumbing.

AMERICAST: by American Standard- Patented process that bonds a high-quality porcelain enamel surface with a high quality metaland a molded reinforcement material backing. A lighter, more durable alternative to cast iron.

ANGLE STOP: A shutoff valve between water pipes and a faucet. Its inlet connects to the water supply pipe in a wall and its outlet ‘angles’ up 90 degrees toward the faucet, toilet, or bidet.

BACKFLOW: When water traveling from one system backs into any part of the main distribution system, usually by siphoning.

BACKFLOW PREVENTER: A device to prevent backflow, especially into a potable water supply. This is generally required for handheld showers, pullout faucet spouts, kitchen sprayers, etc.

BACK SIPHONAGE: The negative pressure that causes backflow.

BACKSPLASH: A raised integral portion of a wall mount sink or lavatory located at the rear to protect the wall.

BALLCOCK: The fill valve that controls the flow of water from the water supply line into a gravity-oriented toilet tank. It is controlled by a float mechanism in the tank water. When the toilet is flushed, the float drops and opens the ballcock, releasing water into the bowl. As the water in the tank is restored, the float rises and shuts off the ballcock when the tank is full.

BARRIER-FREE: Relating to handicap accessibility; i.e. a shower enclosure system having minimal or no bottom track and openings that are wheelchair-accessible.

BASKET STRAINER: Basket shaped strainer with holes and a slot that fits the kitchen sink drain allowing water to run out while catching food or other solids. Can also be closed to fill the sink with water.

BATCH FEED: Type of garbage disposer in which garbage is fed into unit one load at a time, then activated by placing the stopper into the drain opening.

BATH WASTE: Remote control drain for tubs involving internal plugging mechanisms as opposed to a “pop-up� type drain. Also known as “trip lever drain�.

BEDPAN CLOSET: Toilet-like fixture used for disposing of bedpan contents. Also known as a “clinic service sink� or “flushing rim sink�.

BEDPAN WASHER: Faucet used in conjunction with a conventional toilet for washing bedpans. The most common types are “hose� and “swing down�.

BIDET: A plumbing fixture similar in appearance to a toilet bowl used for personal hygiene. It is floor mounted, usually next to a toilet, and consists of a washing basin, faucet and sprayer.

BLOWOUT: A flushing design using a non-siphoning trapway at the rear of the bowl, and an integral flushing rim, relying entirely on high water volume.

BUBBLER: Drinking faucet with flow-regulated push button self-closing valve. Also known as a “water fountain�.

BUSHING: A pipe fitting threaded on the inside and out used to join two pipes of different sizes.

BYPASS DOOR: Type of shower door that consists of two or more panels running in parallel tracks.

CTS: (Copper Tube Size) Refers to outside diameter; Used to size certain fittings and hangers.

CARRIER: Structural device used to support wall mounted fixtures such as toilets, urinals and lavatories.

CAST IRON: Heavy metal covered with a porcelain enamel coating formed by casting on molds to make fixtures such as sinks, tubs and lavatories.

CENTERSET: A style of bathroom lavatory faucet that has a combined spout and handles. Center of handles are 4� apart. Also a single handle faucet installed on 4� center-to-center faucet holes.

CHECK STOP: Shut-off valve used with tub/shower faucets that is activated by turning a slotted stem with a screwdriver. Also known as a “screwdriver stop� or a “service stop�.

CHECK VALVE: A type of backflow preventer installed in a pipe that allows water to flow in only one direction.

CHROMOTHERAPY: by Kohler- Lights certain tubs with a series of healing hues: white, violet, indigo blue, aqua blue, green, yellow, orange, and red.

CLINIC SERVICE SINK: Toilet-like fixture used for disposing of bedpan contents. Also known as a “bedpan closet� or “flushing rim sink�.

CLOSET FLANGE: Component used to connect outlet of water closet to the drainage waste vent (DWV) system and to mount the fixture to the floor.

CLOSET RISER: Flexible supply tube with flat end used to make the final supply connection to ballcock (toilet fill valve).

COMPRESSION FITTING: A kind of tubing or pipe connection where a nut and a sleeve or ferrule is placed over a copper or plastic tube and is compressed tightly around the tube as the nut is tightened forming a positive grip and seal without soldering.

CONCEALED ARM CARRIER: Used to securely mount a wall mount lavatory. Unlike a hanger which only supports the lavatory where it meets the wall, the carrier has long arms onto which the lavatory slides.

CONTINUOUS FEED: Wall switch activated type of garbage disposer in which garbage is fed into the unit while running.

COUPLING: Straight, sleeve-like fitting with female connections at both ends.

DWV: (Drainage, Waste and Vent) The pipes in a plumbing system that remove waste water.

DIVERTER: Valves which direct water to various outlets. They are used in showers, tub and shower combinations, bidets, roman tub fillers and kitchen faucet sprayers.

DOUBLE THRESHOLD: A shower base used in a corner application where one threshold is used as an entrance and the other has a glass wall.

EFFERVESCENT BUBBLES: by Kohler Champagne-like bubbles that gently caress the skin for soothing relaxation. Water surface “dances� with light “carbonation�.

ELBOW: Angled fitting with female connections at both ends. Also know as an “ell�.

ELKAY CORIAN: by Elkay A patented blend of natural mineral and pure acrylic resin. It carries the color completely through the material and has a 10 year limited warranty.

ESCUTCHEON: A flange or shield beneath a faucet handle. This part covers the faucet stem and the hole in the fixture or wall.

EXTENSION TUBE: A straight section of tubing used to extend a drainage run.

FEMALE IPS (FIP): (Female Iron Pipe) Standard internal threads on pipe fittings.

FIRECLAY: A variation of vitreous china having greater amounts of quartz and feldspar in the clay material beneath the vitreous surface. Fireclay is heavier (30%) denser and thicker than regular clay. These properties insure smooth, flat surfaces on large fixtures which is not achievable with standard vitreous china.

FITTING: A broad based term usually referring to faucets, shower valves, and tub fillers. Also refers to various piping parts such as tees and elbows.

FLUSH VALVE (TANK TYPE): Toilet flushing system that uses supply water pressure to compress water to provide a pressurized flush as opposed to gravity flush.

FLUSH VALVE (TANKLESS TYPE): Toilet valve that automatically shuts off after it meters a certain amount of water flow. Also known as a “flushometer�.

GPM: (Gallons Per Minute) The rate of water flow by which faucets and showerheads are measured and regulated.

GPF: (Gallons Per Flush) The rate of water flow by which toilets and flush valves are measured and regulated. Current law requires maximum of 1.6 GPF. Older styles were usually 3.5 GPF.

GROUND JOINT: A joint which consists of pressing two smooth mating surfaces together without a gasket or supplemental sealant.

HP: Horsepower.

HOMOGENOUS: Same in composition throughout as opposed to laminate.

HOSE BIBB: Term used for “sillcock�.

HOT WATER DISPENSER: Product which maintains a quantity of near-boiling water for instant use at any time.

I.D.: (Inside Diameter) All pipes are sized according to their inside diameter.

IPS: (Iron Pipe Size) Standard pipe threads. Female IPS is internal pipe threads, male IPS are external pipe threads. Also known as “NPT� or “NPS�.

INGENIUM: by Kohler Flushing performance engineered to deliver performance in 1.6 GPF toilets comparable to the performance given by previous 3.5 GPF models.

INSTANTANEOUS WATER HEATER: Type of water heater which heats supply as it passes through; no storage tank necessary. Also known as a “tankless heater�.

LAVATORY: Bathroom or washroom sink.

LAVATORY RISER: Flexible supply tube with bullet-shaped end, used to make the final supply connection with external threaded inlet shanks (MIP).

LEDGEBACK: Style of sink or lavatory which includes a deck at the rear for mounting the faucet and other accessories.

MALE IPS (MIP): (Male Iron Pipe) Standard external threads on pipe and fittings.

METERING FAUCET: Faucet which delivers a predetermined volume of water and then automatically shuts off.

MINISPREAD: A special style of bathroom lavatory faucet having separate spout and handles, but designed small enough that it will fit 4� center-to-center faucet holes.

MIXING VALVE: Mixes hot and cold water to achieve a specified delivery temperature.

MOENSTONE: by Moen Kitchen sinks made from a high-strength quartz composite material. It carries the color completely through the material.

MONOBLOC FAUCET: A single handle faucet.

MOLDED STONE: By Fiat Mixture of resin, fiberglass strands and ground stone. The molding is done in matched metal dyes under heat and pressure, resulting in a one piece homogenous product (weighs 80% less than Terrazzo, stronger than stone, stain proof, and can withstand boiling water.

MOUNTING FRAME: External mounting means used to install sinks which have no integral provision.

NIPPLE: A short length of pipe installed between couplings or other fittings.

NOMINAL SIZE: Size used for identification only; not literal dimensions.

O.D.: (Outside Diameter) The diameter of a pipe measured from the outside edge.

OBSCURE GLASS: Glass that lets light through but is not totally transparent.

OFFSET: A tubular component which permits the offsetting of a drainage run in the same basic direction.

“P� TRAP: Trap design which routes drainage horizontally back through the wall to connect with Drainage Waste Vent (DWV).

PSI: (Pounds Per Square Inch) A means of measurement used to determine pressure within contained area.

PEDESTAL LAVATORY: A lavatory in which the basin is supported primarily by a pedestal leg.

PIVOT DOOR: A shower door that rotates on metal pivots located at the top and bottom of the door.

POP-UP DRAIN: Remote control drain assembly. Also known as a “trip lever drain� for tubs.

POTABLE: Water which is safe to drink.

POWDER COAT: A technique for applying paint to metal surfaces. The metal is covered with a powder of dry paint particles and is baked in an oven. This causes the powder to melt and harden into a tough, colorful finish.

PRESSURE BALANCING VALVE: A shower mixing valve that automatically maintains balance between incoming hot and cold water supplies by immediately regulating fluctuations in pressure. As a result the outlet temperature remains constant, though the outlet pressure may drop. Also known as an “anti-scald valve�.

PULL-OUT SPRAY: Single-control kitchen faucet which offers a retractable hose and sprayhead to be used for food preparation and cleaning.

PUREAIR: by Jacuzzi A series of air bubble tubs that feature air movement from gentle to robust or from wave to pulsating action through a system called “Thermal Lumbar Comfort: (TLC).

PVD: (Physical Vapor Deposition) A modern plating process used mostly with polished brass or gold finishes on faucets. Vaporized zirconium reacts with nitrogen and another special gas to form a durable plated surface which will not tarnish or discolor.

RECESSED TUB: A tub that has a decorative finish on one side only and is surrounded by three walls.

REVERSE OSMOSIS: A water treatment method whereby water is forced through a semi permeable membrane which filters out impurities.

REVERSE TRAP FLUSHING: Flushing design in which trap is located at rear, assisted by jet in trapway.

RISER: A vertical metal or plastic tube or assembly that connects a faucet to the water supply stop valve. Usually made of copper.

ROUGH-IN: Installation of the drain, waste, vent, and supply lines in a structure to the proposed location of each fixture.

Trap: Trap design which routes drainage vertically down through the floor to connect with the Drainage Waste Vent (DWV).

SCREWDRIVER STOP: Used with tub/shower faucets; Shut-off valve at the supply inlets which permit the servicing of the basic mechanism. Also known as a “service stop�.

SCULLERY SINK: Type of sink used in commercial or institutional kitchens.

SELF-RIMMING: A style of bathroom lavatory or kitchen sink with a rolled and finished edge, or rim. The fixture installs on top of a counter without the need for a metal sink rim.

SEMI-ENCASTRE: A unique, space-saving, self-rimming lavatory installation in which the back of the lavatory is installed into the countertop while the front, or apron of the lavatory projects from the countertop.

SERVICE SINK: Deep fixed basin, usually supplied with hot and cold water, which is used for rinsing mops, disposal of cleaning water, or washing clothes and other household items.

SERVICE STOP: Used with tub/shower faucets; Shut-off valve at the supply inlets which permit the servicing of the basic mechanism. Also known as a “screwdriver stop�.

SHROUD: Color matched component under a wall-mount lavatory that covers the drain outlet for aesthetic purposes.

SILLCOCK: An outdoor faucet furnished with hose threads on the spout. Also used to supply washing machines. Also known as a “hose bibb�.

SILIGRANIT: by Blanco 80% rock hard granite. Color all the way through. Resistant to scratches, chips, stains, and heat. Impervious to acids and alkalis. Easy to clean and maintain and it has a no hassle limited lifetime warranty.

SIPHON JET TOILET: A toilet having a trapway at the rear of the bowl and integral flushing rim, and minimum dimensions of 5� x 4� water spot and 1 1/2 “ ball pass. Similar to reverse trap flushing, but more efficient.

SINGLE THRESHOLD: Type of shower based used in a three wall installation with threshold being the side with the door.

SLIP JOINT: A connection made with compression fittings.

STOP: The shutoff valve under sinks and toilets. Allows water supply to be but off to one fixture without affecting the water supply to the entire house or building.

SWAN HIGH GLOSS: by Swan Corporation An ultra-bright, ultra-clean glossy surface unique to a traditional line of walls made by Swan Corporation. Its shine comes from a durable baked-on finish.

SWANSTONE: by Swan Corporation A homogenous, nonporous material with color molded throughout. This material is reinforced, modified acrylic filled with natural minerals. It is heat resistant up to 375 degrees and it has a limited lifetime warranty.

T & P VALVE: (Temperature & Pressure Relief Valve) A safety device used to expel excess pressure or heat from inside a tank.

TANKLESS HEATER: Type of water heater which heats water as it passes through no storage tank necessary. Also known as “instantaneous heater�.

TEE: T-shaped fitting with three openings that allow another pipe to be joined at a 90 degree angle, used to create branch lines.

TEMPERED GLASS: Glass that has been annealed or strengthened by a process of gradually healing and cooling. Once a piece of glass has been tempered, it cannot be cut. If it breaks, it breaks into many small pieces.

TERAZZO: by Fiat Made of marble chips cast in white Portland cement to produce a compressive strength of not less than 3000 PSI. Surface is ground and polished with all air holes/pits are grouted and excess is removed. The marble chips are black and white in color.

THERMOSTATIC VALVE: A shower mixing valve with automatic temperature control. When temperature fluctuations occur at the water inlets, a thermal actuator adjusts the hot and cold ratio to maintain the original temperature setting.

TRAP: Curved section of drain line that prevents sewer odors from escaping into the atmosphere. All fixtures that have drains must have a “P� trap installed. A toilet is the only plumbing fixture with an trap.

TRIM KIT: The parts you can see when looking at a faucet.

TRIP LEVER: Flush handle and actuating arm on a toilet tank. Also the lever that opens and closes the drain on the bathtub waste and overflow.

UNDERCOUNTER: A style of lavatory which is positioned under the cutout of the countertop.

UNION: A three piece fitting that joins two sections of pipe, but allows them to be disconnected without cutting the pipe.

VACUUM BREAKER: An anti-siphon device that prevents the backflow of contaminated water into the water supply system in the event of a negative pressure condition.

VALVE: A device that regulates the flow of water. Also the rough-in part of a faucet that is concealed in the wall or undercounter.

VERITEK: by Swan Corporation An affordable compression-molded material with no surface coating to chip or crack. This non-porous material will not mold or mildew, making it perfect for your bathroom.

VIKRELL: by Sterling A strong, stable material that is resistant to chipping, cracking and peeling; easy to clean and simple to install.

VITREOUS CHINA: Ceramic materials fired at a high temperature to form a non-porous body, having exposed surfaces coated with ceramic glaze fused to the body.

WASH FOUNTAIN: Hand washing fixture providing lavatory function for two or more persons simultaneously.

WASHDOWN TOILET: Water closet having a siphon trapway at the front of the bowl, and integral flushing rim.

WASTE AND OVERFLOW: The drain assembly for a bathtub. The outlet at the top removes the “overflow� water during tub filling and the drain at the bottom removes “waste� water when the tub is drained.

WATER CLOSET: A toilet.

WATER COOLER: A fixture which includes a refrigeration system for chilling drinking water.

WIDESPREAD: A style bathroom lavatory faucet having separate spout and handles. Usually 8 in. from center of handle-to-handle. Some widespread faucets can be set with handles up to 12 in. apart.

Indoor Tap - commonly found in the bathroom/laundry and/or kitchen. This English faucet is a single-handle, double-spout tap (one spout for hot, one spout for cold); most modern North American faucets have a single spout shared by hot and cold water supplies allowing warm flows.

ALL ABOUT THE TAP (VALVE) OR FAUCET, SHOWER PLUMBING FIXTURES

A tap is a valve for controlling the release of a liquid or gas. In the British Isles and most of the Commonwealth the word is used for any everyday type of valve, particularly the fittings that control water supply to bathtubs and sinks. In the U.S. the usage is sometimes more specialised, with the term "tap" restricted to uses such as beer taps and the word faucet being used for water outlets; however some Americans use "tap" in the broader sense as well.

Water taps

he physical characteristic which differentiates a spigot from other valves is the lack of any type of a mechanical thread or fastener on the outlet.

Water for baths, sinks and basins can be provided by separate hot and cold taps; this arrangement is common in the UK, particularly in bathrooms/lavatories. In kitchens, in the U.S., the UK, most of the EU and in many other places, mixer taps are often used instead. In this case, hot and cold water from the two valves is mixed together before reaching the outlet, allowing the water to emerge at any temperature between that of the hot and cold water supplies. Mixer taps were invented by Thomas Campbell of Saint John, New Brunswick and patented in 1880.

For baths and showers, mixer taps frequently incorporate some sort of pressure balancing feature so that the hot/cold mixture ratio will not be affected by transient changes in the pressure of one or the other of the supplies. This helps avoid scalding or uncomfortable chilling as other water loads occur (such as the flushing of a toilet).

Rather than two separate valves, mixer taps frequently use a single, more complex, valve whose handle moves up and down to control the amount of water flow and from side to side to control the temperature of the water. Especially for baths and showers, the latest designs do this using a built in thermostat. These are known as thermostatic mixing valves, or TMVs, and can be mechanical or electronic.

Mixer taps are more difficult to fit in the UK than in other countries because traditional British plumbing provides hot and cold water at different pressures.

If separate taps are fitted, it may not be immediately clear which tap is hot and which is cold. The hot tap generally has a red indicator while the cold tap generally has a blue or green indicator. In English-speaking countries, the taps are frequently also labeled with an "H" or "C". Note that in countries with Romance languages, sometimes the letters "C" for hot and "F" for cold are used, possibly creating confusion when English speakers visit these countries or vice versa. Mixer taps may have a red-blue stripe or arrows indicating which side will give hot and which cold.

Water spigot. In North American plumbing terms, this would be called a valve (a faucet tends to be an indoor fixture with more cosmetic appeal), a hose hydrant, or a hose bibb.

In some countries there is a 'standard' arrangement of hot/cold taps: for example in the United States and Canada, the hot tap is on the left by building code requirements. This convention applies in the UK too, but many installations exist where it has been ignored. Mis-assembly of some single-valve mixer taps will exchange hot and cold even if the fixture has been plumbed correctly.

Most handles on residential homes are connected to the valve shaft and fastened down with a screw. Although on most commercial and industrial applications they are fitted with a removable key called a "loose key" or "Water key" which has a square peg and a square ended key to turn off and on the water. You can also take off the "Loose key" to prevent vandals from turning on the water. In older building before the "Loose key" was invented for some landlords or caretakers to take off the handle of a residential tap, which had teeth that would meet up with the cogs on the valve shaft. This Teeth and cog system is still used on most modern faucets. Although most of the time a "Loose key" is on industrial and commercial applications sometimes you may see a "Loose key" on homes by the seashore to prevent guests from washing the sand off their feet.

Beer taps

While in other contexts, depending on location, a "tap" may be a "faucet", "valve" or "spigot", the use of "tap" for beer is almost universal. This may be because the word was originally coined for the wooden valve in traditional barrels. A "beer tap" now may be one of several items:

An outdoor tap in Hokkaido, Japan.

Pressure-dispense bar tap 

Almost universally in modern times, bulk beer is supplied in kegs that are served with the aid of external pressure. In a normal bar dispense system, this pressure comes from a cylinder of carbon dioxide (or occasionally nitrogen) which forces the beer out of the keg and up a narrow tube to the bar. At the end of this tube is a valve built into a fixture (usually somewhat decorative) on the bar. This is the beer tap, and opening it with a small lever causes beer, pushed by the gas from the cylinder, to flow into the glass.

Portable keg tap 

Sometimes, beer kegs designed to be connected to the above system are instead used on their own, perhaps at a party or outdoor event. In this case, a self-contained portable tap is required that allows beer to be served straight from the keg. Because the keg system uses pressure to force the beer up and out of the keg, these taps must have a means of supplying it. The typical "picnic tap" uses a hand pump to push air into the keg; this will cause the beer to spoil faster but is perfectly acceptable when it will be consumed in a short time. Portable taps with small CO2 cylinders are also available.

Cask beer tap 

Beers brewed and served in the traditional way (typically cask ale) do not use artificial gas. Taps for cask beer are simple on-off valves that are hammered into the end of the cask (see keystone for details). When beer is served directly from the cask ("by gravity"), as at beer festivals and some pubs, it simply flows out of the tap and into the glass. When the cask is stored in the cellar and served from the bar, as in most pubs, the beer line is screwed onto the tap and the beer is sucked through it by a hand-operated low-pressure pump on the bar. The taps used are the same, and in beer-line setups the first pint is often poured from the cask as for "gravity", for tasting, before the line is connected. Cask beer taps can be brass (now discouraged for fear of lead contamination), stainless steel (good, but expensive), plastic (acceptable, and cheaper), and wood (to be avoided if possible).

A gravity cask tap.

Physics of taps

Most water and gas taps have adjustable flow. Turning the knob or working the lever sets the flow rate by adjusting the size of an opening in the valve assembly, giving rise to choked flow through the narrow opening in the valve. The choked flow rate is independent of the viscosity or temperature of the fluid or gas in the pipe, and depends only weakly on the supply pressure, so that flow rate is stable at a given setting. At intermediate flow settings the pressure at the valve restriction drops nearly to zero from the venturi effect; in water taps, this causes the water to boil momentarily at room temperature as it passes through the restriction. Bubbles of cool water vapor form and collapse at the restriction, causing the familiar hissing sound. At very low flow settings, the viscosity of the water becomes important and the pressure drop (and hissing noise) vanish; at full flow settings, parasitic drag in the pipes becomes important and the water again becomes quiet.

One reason that most beer taps are not designed for adjustable flow is that the beer itself is damaged by the pressure drop in a choked-flow valve: holding a beer tap partially open causes the beer to foam vigorously, ruining the pour.

Tap mechanisms

Tap mechanism

The first screw-down tap mechanism was patented and manufactured by the Rotherham brass founders, Guest and Chrimes,in 1845. Most older taps use a soft rubber or neoprene washer which is screwed down onto a valve seat in order to stop the flow. This is called a "globe valve" in engineering and, while it gives a leak-proof seal and good fine adjustment of flow, both the rubber washer and the valve seat are subject to wear (and for the seat, corrosion) over time, leading to leakage (see photo). The washer can be replaced and the valve seat resurfaced (at least a few times), but globe valves are never maintenance-free.

Also, the tortuous S-shaped path the water is forced to follow offers a significant obstruction to the flow. For high pressure domestic water systems this does not matter, but for low pressure systems where flowrate is important, such as a shower fed by a storage tank, a "stop tap" or, in engineering terms, a "gate valve" is preferred.

Gate valves use a metal disc the same diameter as the pipe which is screwed into place perpendicularly to the flow, cutting it off. There is no resistance to flow when the tap is fully open, but this type of tap rarely gives a perfect seal when closed. In the UK this type of tap normally has a wheel-shaped handle rather than a crutch or capstan handle.

Cone valves or ball valves are another alternative. These are commonly-found as the service shut-off valves in more-expensive water systems and usually found in gas taps (and, incidentally, the cask beer taps referred to above). They can be identified by their range of motion—only 90°—between fully on and fully off. Usually, when the handle is in line with the pipe the valve is on, and when the handle is across the pipe it is closed. A cone valve consists of a shallowly-tapering cone in a tight-fitting socket placed across the flow of the fluid. A ball valve uses a spherical ball instead. In either case, a hole through the cone or ball allows the fluid to pass if it is lined up with the openings in the socket through which the fluid enters and leaves; turning the cone using the handle rotates the passage away, presenting the fluid with the unbroken surface of the cone through which it cannot pass. Valves of this type using a cylinder rather than a cone are sometimes encountered, but using a cone allows a tight fit to be made even with moderate manufacturing tolerances. The ball in ball valves rotates within plastic seats.

Hands free infrared proximity sensors are replacing the standard valve. Thermostatically controlled electronic dual-purpose mixing or diverting valves are used within industrial applications to automatically provide liquids as required.

Foot controlled valves are installed within laboratory and healthcare/hospitals.

Modern taps often have aerators at the tip to help save water and reduce splashes. Without an aerator, water usually flows out of the tap in one big stream. An aerator spreads the water flow into many small droplets.

Modern bathroom and kitchen taps often use ceramic or plastic surfaces sliding against other spring-loaded ceramic surfaces or plastic washers. These tend to require far less maintenance than traditional globe valves and when maintenance is required, the entire interior of the valve is usually replaced, often as a single pre-assembled cartridge.

Of the trio of well-respected faucet manufacturers in North American plumbing circles, Moen and American Standard use cartridges (Moen's being O-ring based, American Standard's being ceramic), while Delta uses easily-replaced rubber seats facing the cartridge(s). Each design has its advantages: Moen cartridges tend to be easiest to find, American Standard cartridges have nearly infinite lifespan in sediment-free municipal water, and Delta's rubber seats tend to be most forgiving of sediment in well water.

Plumbing fixture

Common fixtures

The most common plumbing fixtures are:

* water closets (WC) (known as toilets in the USA, loos, flush toilets or lavatories in Britain)
* urinals
* lavatories (also called bathroom sinks)
* kitchen sinks
* utility sinks
* bathtubs
* showers
* bidets
* drinking fountains
* Hose bibbs (connections for water hoses)
* Terminal valves for dishwashers, ice makers, humidifiers, etc.

Tapware is an industry term for that sub-category of plumbing fixtures consisting of water taps (British English) or faucets (American English) and their accessories such as water spouts and shower heads.

Inlets and drains

A bathtub drain.

Each of these plumbing fixtures has one or more water inlets and a drain. In some cases, the drain has a device that can be manipulated to block the drain to fill the basin of the fixture. Each fixture also has a flood rim, or level at which water will begin to overflow. Most fixtures also have an overflow, which is a conduit for water to drain away, when the regular drain is plugged, before the water actually overflows at the flood rim level. However, water closets and showers (that are not in bathtubs) usually lack this feature because their drains normally cannot be stopped.

Each fixture usually has a characteristic means of connection. Normal plumbing practice is to install a valve on each water supply line before the fixture, and this is most commonly termed a stop or "service valve". The water supply to some fixtures is cold water only (such as water closets and urinals). Most fixtures also have a hot water supply. In some occasional cases, a sink may have both a potable (drinkable) and a non-potable water supply.

Lavatories and water closets normally connect to the water supply by means of a supply, which is a tube, usually of nominal 3/8 in (U.S.) or 10 or 12 mm diameter (Europe and Middle East), which connects the water supply to the fixture, sometimes through a flexible (braided) hose. For water closets, this tube usually ends in a flat neoprene washer that tightens against the connection, while for lavatories, the supply usually ends in a conical neoprene washer. Kitchen sinks, tubs and showers usually have supply tubes built onto their valves which then are soldered or 'fast joint'ed directly onto the water supply pipes.

Traps and vents

All plumbing fixtures have traps in their drains; these traps are either internal or external to the fixtures. Traps are pipes which curve down then back up; they 'trap' a small amount of water to create a water seal between the ambient air space and the inside of the drain system. This prevents sewer gas from entering buildings.

This drain cover has a container underneath (which can be taken out for cleaning and revealing another container below) acting as a trap. Water inside the container forms a seal when the cover is in place. Positive air pressure will push the cover up, acting as an early warning device. The underside of the cover (centre image) is kept moist by condensation occurring and insects that go back up the drain pipe get stuck to the walls of the cover.

Most water closets, bidets, and many urinals have the trap integral with the fixture itself. The visible water surface in a toilet is the top of the trap's water seal.

Each fixture drain, with exceptions, must be vented so that negative air pressure in the drain cannot siphon the trap dry, to prevent positive air pressure in the sewer from forcing gases past the water seal, and to prevent explosive sewer gas buildup.

Drains

The actual initial drain part in a lavatory or sink is termed a strainer. If there is a removable strainer device that fits into the fixed strainer, it is termed a strainer basket. The initial pipe that leads from the strainer to the trap is termed the tailpiece.

Floor-mounted water closets seal to the toilet flange of the drain pipe by means of a wax ring. These are traditionally made out of beeswax. However, their proper sealing depends on proper seating of the water closet, on a firm and secure base (floor), and on proper installation of the closet bolts which secure the closet to the flange, which is in turn supposed to be securely fastened to the floor.

Electronic plumbing

In public facilities, the trend is toward sensor operated fixtures that improve hygiene, and save money. For example, sensor operated automatic flush urinals have fewer moving parts, reduce wear and tend to last longer than manual flush valves. Also they ensure fixtures are flushed only once per use. Some contain intelligence that flushes them at different amounts of water flow depending on traffic patterns, e.g. the fixture can "see" if there is a lineup of users, and only give a full flush after the last person has used the urinal.

Sensor operated plumbing fixtures have fewer moving parts, and therefore outlast traditional manual flush fixtures. Additionally, they reduce water consumption by way of intelligent flushing schedules (fuzzy logic) that determines the quantity of each flush based on how many people are standing in line to use the fixture.

One of several wall-mounted sensors installed in a shower room, to control the shower nozzle above it.

Automatic flush eliminates having unflushed fixtures as many users do not bother to flush. Also, since the fixtures are always flushed, there is no need for a urinal cake, or other odor reduction. Sensor operated toilets also have automatic flush. Sensor operated faucets and showers save water. For example, while a user is lathering up with soap, the fixture shuts off and then resumes when the user needs it to. Sensor operated soap and shampoo dispensers reduce waste and spill that might otherwise represent a slip hazard.

However, many people, especially children, dislike or even fear automatic flush toilets, since they have the tendency to flush without warning, even while the user is still sitting on the toilet. Some parents have started keeping track of public bathrooms that have manual flush toilets, or even carrying post-it notes or other devices with them to temporarily disable the automatic flush sensor.

Garbage disposer

The garbage disposer (UK: waste disposal unit, Canada: garbage grinder or garburator, portions of US: garbage disposal) was invented in 1927 by architect John Hammes of Racine, WI. He went on to found InSinkErator, which is still at work making millions of garbage disposers a year. The function of the garbage disposer is to grind food waste (e.g. chicken bones, fruit, coffee grinds, meat) so that it can be sent down standard household plumbing without clogging. The device works by attaching a small chamber underneath the drain of a sink. This chamber contains whirling blades and grinders which chop and grind the waste into much smaller particles. Once the food is small enough to pass out of this chamber, it is flushed down the rest of the plumbing.

A few tips for maintaining a garbage disposer:

* Whenever the disposer is on, always continually flush cold water through it. The water cools the motor.
* Items like chicken bones and ice cubes are actually good for the disposer; they can sharpen the blade.
* However, some items should not be put down a disposer, including: beef and pork bones, large amounts of hot oil, and stringy fiberous materials such as corn silk.
* If the disposer develops an unpleasant odor, you can freshen it by grinding an aromatic item—such as a small lemon.

In most of Europe, garbage disposers are not used at all; the high load of organic matter in the waste water requires a higher capacity sewage treatment plant, since the increased organic matter requires additional oxygen and water to process. Instead, garbage is separated at the source, into compostable and other types of garbage and collected. Similarly, in the United States there have been some political and environmental issues with garbage disposers. For many years, New York City had banned their use. The stated reason was the above-mentioned increased sewage treatment capacity, but many area residents also suspected that it was the garbage unions not wanting work taken away from them. The ban was rescinded on September 11, 1997.

All About Bathtubs

A bath, bathtub, or tub (informal) is a plumbing fixture used for bathing. Most modern bathtubs are made of acrylic or fiberglass, but alternatives are available in enamel over steel or cast iron, and occasionally wood. A bathtub is usually placed in a bathroom either as a stand-alone fixture or in conjunction with a shower.

Modern bathtubs have overflow and waste drains and may have taps mounted on them. They may be built-in or free standing or sometimes sunken. Until recently, most bathtubs were roughly rectangular in shape but with the advent of acrylic thermoformed baths, more shapes are becoming available. Bathtubs are commonly white in colour although many other colours can be found. The process for enamelling cast iron bathtubs was invented by the Scottish born American David Dunbar Buick.

Two main styles of bathtub are common:

* Western-style bathtubs in which the bather lies down. These baths are typically shallow and long.
* Eastern style bathtubs in which the bather sits up. These are known as ofuro in Japan and are typically short and deep.

Tub bathing

Soap and bath salts may be used when bathing. A bath is often used as a technique to temporarily relieve body aches and pain.

Clawfoot tub

The clawfoot tub or claw-foot tub is typically made of cast iron, or sometimes acrylic. Once considered a luxury item, modern technology has contributed to a drop in the price of clawfoot tubs. Hence, while true antique clawfoot tubs are still considered collectible items, new reproduction clawfoot tubs are chosen by remodellers and new home builders.

Clawfoot tubs come in 5 major styles:

* Classic Roll Rim, Roll Top, or Flat Rim tubs as seen in the picture above.
* Slipper tubs - where one end is raised and sloped creating a more comfortable lounging position.
* Double Slipper Tubs - where both ends are raised and sloped.
* Double Ended Tubs - where both ends of the tub are rounded. Notice how one end of the classic tub is rounded and one is fairly flat.
* Pedestal Tub - Pedestal tubs, unlike all the styles listed above, do not have claw feet. The tub rests on a pedestal in what most would term an art deco style. Evidence of pedestal tubs dates back to the Isle of Crete in 1000 BC.

Baby bathtub

Hot tubs

Whirlpool tubs

Whirlpool tubs first became popular in America during the 1960s and 70's. A spa is also called a "jacuzzi" in USA since the word became a generic after plumbing component manufacturer Jacuzzi introduced the "Spa Whirlpool" in 1968. Air bubbles may be introduced into the nozzles via an air-bleed venturi pump

History of bathing

Documented early plumbing systems go back as far as around 3300 BC with the discovery of copper water pipes beneath a palace in the Indus River Valley in India. Evidence of the first personal sized bath tub was found on the Isle of Crete where a 5-foot (1.5 m) long pedestal tub was found built from hardened pottery. This tub is the most likely forefather of the classic 19th century clawfoot tub.

The Roman Empire is most widely known as the early champions of bathing. Around 500 BC Roman citizens were encouraged to bathe daily in one of the many public baths. Private bathing rooms were far more ornate and typically would resemble shallow swimming pools that encompassed the entire room. The Romans used marble for the tubs, lead and bronze for pipes, and created a complex sewage system for sanitation purposes. The Roman empire set the early bar for modern personal hygiene.

Contrary to popular belief, bathing and sanitation were not a lost practice with the collapse of the Roman Empire. Soapmaking first became an established trade during the Early Middle Ages. Also, contrary to myth, chamberpots were not disposed of out the window and into streets in the Middle Ages - this was instead a Roman practice. Bathing in fact did not fall out of fashion until shortly after the Renaissance, replaced with the heavy use of sweat-bathing and perfume, as it was thought that water could carry disease into the body through the skin. Modern sanitation was not widely adopted until the 19th and 20th centuries.

The bathtub's modern spouse, the toilet, had problems gaining acceptance. Sir John Harington invented the first flushing toilet for himself and for his godmother, Queen Elizabeth I, in 1596. When Harington published a book describing his invention, he was roundly chided by peers, embarrassing him to the point of retirement from plumbing. His two toilets were the only ones he ever produced. The next water closet would not be seen for 200 years when it was introduced by Alexander Cummings in 1775. This event would mark the very beginnings of the modern bathroom.

It was now time for the piping to catch up with the fixtures. Until the 19th century, most water pipes in the US were made from hollow trees. In the early 1800s, cast-iron production began reducing American reliance on England for this material. Finally, in 1848, The National Public Health Act was passed in the US, creating a plumbing code for the first time.

In 1883, Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company and Kohler Company began producing cast-iron bathtubs. Far from the ornate feet and luxury most associated with clawfoot tubs, an early Kohler example was advertised as a "horse trough/hog scalder, when furnished with four legs will serve as a bathtub." The item's use as hog scalder was considered a more important marketing point than its ability to function as a bathtub. Everyone knew what a hog scalder or horse trough was, but many people at that time had never bathed in a tub. The tubs eventually caught on because of the sanitary and easy-to-clean surfaces that prevent the spread of disease.

A few years later, Thomas Twyford created the first valveless toilet constructed from china. Before this time, toilets were normally made from metal and wood. Thomas Crapper would gain fame as the inventor of the modern toilet when he bought the rights to a patent for a "Silent Valveless Water Waste Preventer", but he did not invent the toilet.

The bathing world was rocked by controversy when a completely inaccurate account of bathing and bathtub history was published by H.L. Mencken in 1917. What began as a light attempt at humor ended up being adopted by the public and even reputable publications. While perhaps good reading, Mencken's account of laws prohibiting bathing, and much more, is not true.

The end of World War I resulted in a housing construction boom in the United States and a new conception of the purpose-built modern bathroom. Bathrooms prior to World War I were typically converted bedrooms or spare rooms, not rooms built originally to contain bathroom fixtures. Complete with toilet, sink, and tub, the modern bathroom was a feature of 100% of new homes by the end of the 20th century, whereas only 1% of homes had had bathrooms in 1921.

In the latter half of the 20th century, the once popular clawfoot tub morphed into a built-in tub with a small apron front. This enclosed style afforded easier maintenance and, with the emergence of colored sanitary ware, more design options for the homeowner. The Crane Company introduced colored bathroom fixtures to the US market in 1928, and slowly this influx of design options and easier cleaning and care led to the near demise of clawfoot-style tubs.

Firestopping a bathtub drain

All About Showers

A shower (also called shower bath) is a booth for washing, usually in a bathroom, having an overhead nozzle that sprays water down on the body. A full bathroom may include a shower stall, whereas a half bathroom will not.

History

The practice of using a shower to promote healthy hygiene practices goes back to the time of the Greeks, as evidenced by extant vases and murals.

During the Scottish Enlightenment, Lord Monboddo showered every morning with cold water on his front porch to emulate the Greeks, and professed his belief in the practice as healthful; his habit, while eccentric, was well publicized with the intelligentsia of that era. Another step toward the popularization of showering practices was when the Prussian military installed showering rooms in their barracks in 1879.

Psychological Effects

The pressure and temperature of the water is believed to induce release of natural endorphins. Furthermore, the shower causes negative ions which are known to increase mood.

Usage

Elderly and disabled

Showering is considered to be easier and safer than bathing for elderly and disabled individuals, as it requires less effort to step out of and presents a lower risk of slipping and falling.

To further encourage safe bathing, some companies have started selling walk-in tubs and showers, which allow for more ease of entering and exiting a bathtub or shower area.

Institutional showering in nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities was replaced for several years by whirlpool tubs. From the mid-1980s, until the late-1990s these tubs were how residents were mostly cleaned. For several reasons, whirlpool use has been greatly reduced, in favor of showering instead. Some of the reasons that whirlpool bathing has been abandoned are:

* Time constraints: To fill a whirlpool with the 60+ gallons needed to bathe, takes about 19 to 20 minutes (depending on water pressure and size of the water pipes of 1/2 or 3/4 inch). Once the whirlpool is filled, it takes 12 to 15 minutes to bathe, and 12 to 15 minutes to disinfect the tub for the next resident to go in. Due to these time-consuming efforts, the use of whirlpools in these facilities has been largely abandoned.
* Cross-contamination: most of today's institutional residents are bladder and/or bowel incontinent. Whirlpool tubs, by design, take the water that the resident has used into a hydraulic pump, which is then forced out of a series of jets. This very feature that imitates a spa-like experience, becomes a source of cross-contamination for incontinent residents and care-givers alike.
* Disinfection: Disinfecting between bathing incontinent residents becomes an even bigger task because of all the internal plumbing. Concern arises as to whether the disinfection process has removed all of the matter that was sucked into the pump and out of the jets. This is impossible to verify without dismantling the tub or testing water samples.
* Clostridium difficile: C-Diff is a dangerous bacteria that is only transmitted by fecal-oral contact. It is especially deadly to the very young and the very old. C-Diff has claimed many lives, causing Canada and the UK to outlaw the use of whirlpool tubs with incontinent people. Ohio State CDC has kept records of C-Diff and the effect on the elderly.

However, a significant advancement to showering within these facilities over the past 70 years has been the move from metal constructed shower chairs to PVC plastic ones. The typical process has always been to undress the resident in their room, place them onto a shower chair, wrap a sheet around for modesty and wheel them down to the central shower area with all of their toiletries in their lap. In new construction designs, an institution will often have roll-in showers in each room or shared between two rooms. This eliminates the shrouded trip down the hallway for the resident, but it also drives up the construction cost of facility and takes away square footage for other uses.

Installation

Structure and designs

There are free-standing showers, but also showers which are integrated into a bathtub. Showers are separated from the surrounding area through watertight curtains (shower curtain), sliding doors, or folding doors, in order to protect the space from spraying water. Showers with a level entry wet room are becoming very popular, especially due to improvements in waterproofing systems and prefabricated components. Best practice requires a waterproofing material to cover the walls and floor of the shower area, that are then covered with tile, or in some countries with a sheet material like vinyl.

Places such as a swimming pool, a locker room, or a military facility, have multiple showers. There may be shower rooms without divisions for men and shower stalls for women (typically open at the top.)

A shower head is a perforated nozzle that distributes the water over a large solid angle. Thus less water can be used to wet the same area. Low flow shower heads can use water more efficiently by aerating the water stream. Some shower heads can be adjusted to spray different patterns of water. Hard water may result in calcium and magnesium deposits clogging the head, reducing the flow and changing the spray pattern. For descaling, various acidic chemicals or brushes can be used or some heads have rubber-like jets that can be manually descaled.

Shower curtains

Shower curtains are curtains used in bathtubs with a shower or shower enclosures. They are usually made from vinyl, cloth or plastic. The shower curtain has two main purposes: to provide privacy and to prevent water from flooding or spraying into the bathroom. Shower curtains usually surround the bath inside the tub or shower area, and are held up with railings or curtain rods on the ceiling. To accommodate the different types of bathtub shapes, railings can come in different sizes and are flexible in their design. Many people use two shower curtains: one that is inside the tub, which is purely functional or decorative as well, and an outer shower curtain, which is purely decorative. It is a common misconception that one should leave a shower curtain spread out in order for it to dry; however, it is best to push the curtain completely to one side in order to prevent mildew.

Wet Room

A wet room is a shower within a bathroom with a barrier-free floor, level with its surroundings. This structure consists of two phases of construction: Phase 1 - Structural, which consists of a Gradient or Slope, an outlet hole, and a Foul Air Trap connecting the floor to the waste pipes. Phase 2 - Waterproofing. Best practice would suggest multiple layers of defense. Grout is used to fill gaps between tiles, but this material is generally porous. Tiles are generally waterproof, so larger surface areas of grout are less waterproof. Thus small mosaic tiles offer less of a defense than large format tiles. This means sub-tile waterproofing is important when tiles are being used.

Cultural significance

Showering is mostly part of a daily routine to promote good hygiene, but is also practiced for wellness and relaxation.

Types of showers

Equipment used in showers

* Pressure balanced shower valve, a shower stall device to provide constant shower water pressure and prevent temperature fluctuations.
* Sharko Shower, a tethered showerhead used for massage.
* Shower cap, a shower stall device product worn as a cap while showering or bathing, to protect hair from becoming wet.
* Shower gel, a shower stall product used for cleaning the body while showering.
* Shower radio, a shower stall product that is waterproofed to allow the radio to be used in a bathroom or other wet environment.
* Shower Shock, a shower stall product made of a caffeine impregnated soap bar.
* Sunshower (commercial product), a shower stall device to locally heat shower water with solar power.