Why Are Water Stains Different Colors?

In an earlier blog, we discussed the benefits and potential problems caused by hard water. One of the advantages we mentioned is that drinking hard water can be good for you. It contains nutrients possibly lacking from our diets.

However, hard water can also cause various plumbing-related problems, including spots and stains on toilets, sinks, and urinals.

But whether your water is hard or soft, over time, it can discolor sinks, tubs, toilets, and urinals. There are many causes of these water spots and stains, and their color is a big help in diagnosing the problem. For instance:

·     If the stains are blue-green, they are most likely caused by corrosion of copper in the pipes.

·     If the stains are yellow, tan, brown, orange, or red, that indicates metals other than copper are in the water.

·     Black stains are an indication that magnesium or other metals are in the water.

·     Red stains are typically caused by excess iron.

Now, before we place all the blame for discoloration on the metals in water, we need to understand they are not the only culprit. Instead, it is when these metals are exposed to oxygen—a process known as oxidation—that the staining process begins.

We should also mention that when certain types of bacteria in water are mixed with oxygen, they can also discolor fixtures. Typically, this bacterium is not harmful if consumed, but it thrives in water that contains high levels of iron and magnesium.

Removing Spots and Stains

Before we explore removing spots and stains, we should discuss the difference between these two terms. Spots on a carpet, for instance, or on a restroom fixture, are typically not hard to remove. There are several commercial cleaning products available, for instance, that remove water spots on fixtures quickly and safely, without leaving any residue or creating any new problems.

But spill some bleach on a dark carpet and invariably it will dry leaving a stain that is virtually impossible to remove. This is true of most stains.  They typically become permanent.

Now that we understand the difference between spots and stains, we can better understand why most stains caused by hard water can be exceedingly difficult to remove from fixtures. Further, the removal process can cause its own set of problems, such as leaving scratch marks on the fixture, streaks, or discoloring.

The goal is to prevent them in the first place.  Fortunately, technologies are available that can remove these mineral deposits from the water before the water enters the facility. Once removed, the possibility of staining is dramatically reduced.

Further, while water staining can be a very unsightly problem with flush urinals, it is not an issue with waterless urinals for the apparent reason, these urinals use no water at all.

We should also note that hard water can cause flush valves in water-using urinals to fail. This is because the hard water can leave residue on key components, causing the value to leak or cause overflows.

And one more thing. While flush urinals typically require some scrubbing to remove stains and residue buildup, this is generally not the case with no-water urinals. In general, they are cleaned as we would clean most any surface: the cleaning solution is applied to all areas of the waterless urinal and then wiped clean. That’s it.

What the Pandemic Has Taught Us About Restrooms

Waterless Co., Inc Releases White Paper Discussing the Future of Restrooms

Waterless Co., Inc., the oldest and one of the largest manufacturers of no-water urinals in North America published a White Paper today, highlighting the impact the coronavirus will have on restroom design in the coming years.

The White Paper, “What the Pandemic Has Taught Us About Restrooms,” outlines current public restroom design and fixture issues and why they may need to be changed to protect public health.

For instance, in August 2020, a major U.S. news outlet reported that “flushing urinals can release clouds of virus-containing aerosols that [pose] a significant concern during the COVID-19 pandemic.” 1

This is based on a study published by researchers at China’s Yangzhou University, which reported that “more than 57 percent of these [aerosols] can travel from the urinal… and can reach a man’s thigh in 5.5 seconds.”

According to Klaus Reichardt, CEO and Founder of Waterless Co., Inc, these “virus-containing aerosols” are called “plume” and are typically associated with toilets.

“However, now we know flush urinals can also release this dangerous plume. To address this, more low flow or more likely, no-water urinals will likely be installed in coming years.  These help minimize or eliminate urinal plume.” 

The White Paper also discusses other items in public restrooms that may need to be changed or eliminated in coming years due to COVID:

·        Electric hand dryers because they may be releasing germs and bacteria into the air when used.

·        Improving traffic flow by having separate entries and exits.

·        Placing double-sided sink counters in the center of restrooms to minimize congestion and improve social distancing

·        Selecting cartridge soap dispensers to ensure hand soap is not contaminated

·        Placing more handwashing messaging in public restrooms.

“This last point is more important than we may realize,” adds Reichardt. “An April 2020 report by the BBC found that restroom users are more motivated to wash their hands when they see restroom posters reminding them to do so.”

The White Paper is available now for download.

Key segments will also be placed on LinkedIn.

1 “Urinals May Spread Coronavirus, Study Finds,” Fox News, August 19, 2020

Is There a Water Rebate Program Near You?

The number of states and cities offering rebates to install water-reducing fixtures, such as Waterless urinals, varies year after year.

In most cases, the rebates are designed to expire after two to five years. Sometimes they are renewed; other times, they are not. Further, some states in the country have never had a rebate program for water-reducing fixtures. However, once they experience a drought or a water shortage, they typically begin one.  

The point of this is that these programs are not set in stone. They do come and go.  Also, be aware of the following:

·       In some states, only certain cities or water districts within those states have a water-related rebate program. 

·       The rebate may apply only to residences in some situations or commercial facilities, or both.

·       In some instances, the rebate is in the form of a tax credit; in other situations, it is applied when the fixture is purchased.

·       The credit may be covered by a non-government, private association set up to help reduce water consumption in a specific state.

·       The water rebate may be based on the amount of water saved by purchasing the new fixture.

·       The amounts of the rebate vary.

·       In some cases, the rebate applies to toilets only; in others, it includes urinals and additional fixtures proven to use water more efficiently.

Aware of all this, the following are the states in the U.S. that currently have some sort of rebate program in place as of 2020 for installing water-reducing fixtures.  

Massachusetts 

Dedham Westwood Water district

Virginia

Charlottesville

Purcellville

Virginia Beach 

Brevard county

 

Georgia

Griffin

Cobb County Government

Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District

 

Florida

Miami Dade

Pasco County

Petersburg

Cocoa

Broward county 

Melbourne

Tamarac

Titusville

Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners

Manatee Board of County Commissioners

 

Texas

College station

Garden Ridge

Round Rock

San Marcos

 

New Mexico

Santa Fe

 

Colorado

Brighton

Greeley

Northglenn

Thornton Water Resources Division

Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District

Denver

Aurora

Boulder

 

Arizona

George County

Washington County

 

California

Desert Water Agency

Santa Clara Valley Water District

Menlo park

Mammoth Community Water District

Soquel Creek Water District

Pleasanton

Marin county

Brentwood

Redwood City

Marina Coast Water District

Windsor

Riverside

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency

Vandenberg Village Community Services District

Rohnert Park

Monterey Peninsula Water Conservation

California Urban Water Conservation Council

San Benito County

Roseville

Napa Sanitation District

California Water Service Company

Zone 7 Water Agency

Santa Cruz

Sacramento County

Burlingame

Santa Rosa

San Francisco

Daly City

Watsonville

San Juan Water District

 

Oregon

Portland

Ashland

 

Washington

Cascade Water Alliance

Kent

Pullman

Saving Water Partnership (applicable to many cities in the state)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rethinking the Restroom in the Post COVID Era

Photo by Buchen WANG on Unsplash

Have you ever gone into a public restroom and heard someone in the next stall having what sounds like a conference call with a dozen people? 

Expect those “conference calls” along with 20-minute “beautifying” sessions in public restrooms to be things of the past in the post-COVID-19 era.

“Public restrooms are no longer the place to use your phone, do your hair and makeup, [or] that sort of stuff,” Elizabeth Scott, an associate professor of biology at Simmons University in Boston and founder of the Simmons Center for Hygiene and Health in Home and Community, says in a recent article in New Jersey’s The Daily Journal. “You [will] want to get in and out of there as fast as possible.”

This is just one of several changes we can expect. Along with modifications in the way's restrooms are cleaned and sanitized, we can anticipate major structural redesigns as well.

Some of these shifts are long overdue. For instance, have you ever opened a restroom door to find a line of people inside waiting to use the facility? Consider that another condition of the past. More restrooms will be designed with availability indicators. As one person leaves, a light installed outside the restroom will turn from red to green to indicate the next patron may enter.

Further, restroom users may no longer come in and leave through the same door. Especially in larger restrooms, you can soon expect two automatic doors—one for entry and one for exit. This not only will help regulate occupancy but will also reduce the number of surfaces touched. More restrooms will also have s-shaped doorless entries, such as those in airports and other heavily used facilities.

Protection from the plume

Of interest to cleaning professionals, restroom design will include features to deal with toilet plume—aerosolized droplets of water that spread germs.

Plume, whether from toilets or urinals, is caused when they are flushed. They release germ-infected particulates that invariably land on nearby surfaces, but which can also be inhaled.

The problem may be worse with urinals as plume can also be released through splatter when the urinal is being used. Cleaning professionals have known about plume for years, but it is of greater concern today because recent studies have reported traces of the novel coronavirus in urine and solid waste.

If these particulates are inhaled or touched when they land on surfaces, cross-contamination can begin, causing the spread of the disease.   To address this situation, more facilities are likely to consider installing no-water urinals. No water means no splatter and no flushing, which means no plume.

As for toilets, we may see the comeback of the toilet lid. These were removed decades ago in commercial facilities because they added to the cost of the toilet and were one more thing to clean. However, lids can play a key role in controlling plume by blocking its release or minimizing the particles that become airborne.

Photo by LOGAN WEAVER on Unsplash

Social distancing

Along with the loss of toilet lids, many restrooms no longer have partitions between urinals. Most likely the reasons for this are similar to why toilet lids disappeared; partitions require the added cost of installation and increase the number of surfaces that must be cleaned.

But in the post COVID-19 restroom, keeping a six-foot distance between restroom patrons is ideal. The simplest way to accomplish this is to put more space between urinals and to install partitions—or  longer partitions—between urinals. We can expect to find these solutions implemented in men’s restrooms moving ahead.

Enhanced ventilation

After the 2002-2003 outbreak of SARS in Hong Kong, studies indicated that poor ventilation played a role in exacerbating the spread of the disease. It is believed the same may be true with COVID-19. Joe Allen, director of Harvard’s Healthy Buildings Program, says in a recent article on nationalgeographic.com, “I always remind people to check the exhaust in the bathroom.” He added that moving “dirty” air out of the restroom is one of the best ways to safeguard against contamination.

Gender-neutral options

Gender-neutral restrooms were the talk of the restroom industry about two decades ago. Several avant-garde hotels and commercial properties wanted to be the first to install them. However, they never really took off.

But COVID-19 may have turned things around. With a gender-neutral restroom, toilets are housed in individual stalls. These stalls often have floor-to-ceiling partitions, eliminating open top and open bottom partitions, making them fully enclosed with walls. Sinks are available in a common area.

A totally enclosed stall offers privacy and safety, as well as social distancing. Steven Soifer, cofounder of the American Restroom Association, is advocating the installation of “single-person, gender-neutral restrooms.”  However, this may be a costly option.

The journey continues

We can expect more changes in the post-COVID restroom. Even when COVID is no longer an issue, it will have caused many restroom manufacturers to reconsider how restrooms are used and how they can be redesigned to further promote health and safety.

The Pros and Cons of Selecting Waterless Urinals

There are Pros and Cons to just about every product or service we use. This is also true of no-water urinals. Because our goal with the Waterless Blog is to educate and inform, and in order to provide complete transparency, we thought we would re-publish sections of a study conducted in 2006 by McClure & Associates, a leading engineering and consulting firm located in Tyler, Texas. 

The following are their pro and con conclusions when it comes to no-water urinals.

ADVANTAGES

Water Savings: Newer models of conventional flush-type urinals use about one gallon of water per flush. Older ones can use from three to five gallons of water. Because no-flush urinals use no water, one to five gallons of water is saved with each use.

Low Maintenance: Waterless urinals generally require little maintenance. The absence of a flush valve eliminates valve repairs and reduces opportunities for tampering. Additionally, overflow due to clogged drains and vandalism is not a problem since large amounts of water are not being flushed. Further, according to manufacturers, drain lines on waterless urinals are less susceptible to clogging.

Improved Hygiene. Water used by conventional urinals gives germs in the restroom the moist environment they need to grow. Manufacturers design waterless urinals to dry out between uses. This makes them hostile to bacteria and viruses. Also, since there is no handle, no-water urinals are touch-free, reducing the spread of communicable diseases.

Odor Control.  According to at least one manufacturer, the absence of a water-urine blend in the bowl lessens the prevalence of odors often associated with urinals. The sealant liquid filling the trap is designed to keep odors out of the restroom. However, some owners report that odors might become noticeable if the supply of sealant liquid is allowed to run out.

Environmentally Friendly. Waterless urinals contribute positively to the environment. The absence of flushing reduces the water demand. Also, since no water goes down the drain, additional wastewater requiring treatment is not generated. Further, the special drain cartridges and inserts used in some models are recyclable. Finally, the sealant liquid composed of natural oils is biodegradable.

Green Building Credits. Nowadays, many new construction projects are earning certification as "green buildings" under the LEED program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. Installation of waterless urinals helps gain water conservation points.

Costs: Costs for waterless urinal fixtures range from about the same to somewhat more than their conventional counterparts, depending on the model chosen. However, installation costs can be lower if no water supply plumbing is installed. Therefore, initial costs for waterless urinals are generally less than for flush type urinals in new construction.

DISADVANTAGES

User acceptance. Some owners report reluctance on the part of users to accept the waterless urinals at first. Two universities reported that signs posted near the urinals explaining how they work and why they were installed seemed to increase favorable responses in these cases. (NOTE: This is less of an issue today than when this study was conducted).

Retrofits.  When replacing conventional urinals, removal of flush valves and capping of water supply lines will be necessary. Some remodeling may be required to lower the drain lines to bring the new waterless urinals to the proper mounting height.

Local Approval. Acceptance of no-flush urinals varies from city to city. Some municipalities allow them and offer incentives for installation, but others reject them. (NOTE: This is no longer an issue. Waterless urinals can now be installed in every city in the United States. It was, however, an issue when this study was undertaken.)

Cleaning. While cleaning no-water and flush urinals are very similar, no-water urinals do require periodically attending to the cartridges placed at the urinal base. Liquid sealant does need to be applied to these cartridges. Further, they need to be replaced every two to six months, depending on usage.

SUMMARY

Waterless urinals can offer a viable alternative to the conventional flush-type. Potential advantages include odor control and improved restroom cleanliness, water savings, reduced maintenance, and environmental friendliness.

Before installing waterless urinals, a pilot program for evaluation is recommended. This allows owners to become familiar with and gain confidence in the product and properly train [custodial crew] to maintain them. There can be a learning curve for custodial staffs to understand the proper care of the fixtures. 

Also, a life cycle cost analysis should be performed to determine actual cost savings. 

"Waterless Urinals: Features, Benefits, and Applications," by Gary Bristow, P.E., C.E.M., James D McClure, P.E.; and David Fisher, P.E.; Journal of Green Building. Winter 2006

The Less Frequently Asked Questions About Waterless Urinals

We are all accustomed to reading FAQ's, the frequently asked questions, about this or that. But sometimes, there are LFAQs – less frequently asked questions – that can prove just as important and insightful.

Realizing this, we have put together the following LFAQs that apply to waterless urinals.

Many facilities are now re-imagining and renovating their restrooms because of COVID.

If yours is one of them, you just might want to print this out.

LET US BEGIN:

There is a trap or cylinder at the base of the no-water urinal. Does this need to be cleaned?

So, we are all on the same page, the EcoTrap ® is the cylinder installed at the base of a Waterless urinal. While the trap's top surface should be wiped clean when the urinal's interior is being cleaned, there is no reason to remove the trap for cleaning, nor does it require any special cleaning.

Does the waste-line or plumbing connection from the no-water urinal to the sewer below need to be cleaned?

Nope. There should be no reason for this to be performed, unless as with flush urinals, there is an obstruction in the pipe.

But doesn't urine crystallize, and won't this crystalized sediment build-up in the pipes below?

The hard urine crystallization one knows from flushed urinals no longer happen as no-water urinals are used. What remains in a waterless urinal drain line is a soft sediment, which should not harm the pipes below.

How long does it take to install a waterless urinal?

Interestingly, this question usually does not come up until the day the plumber arrives to install the urinals. In most cases, to remove an old, flush urinal, and install a new waterless urinal takes about an hour. This can vary if the "footprints" of the two urinals are not similar or if there are unexpected issues that arise during installation. But expect the removal and installation time to be about one hour.

How many waterless urinals are installed around the world?

This is a tough one to answer because there are many different types of no-water urinals worldwide. Some are not even what we would classify today as a no-water urinal.

However, it is believed that waterless urinals number about three percent of all the urinals installed in buildings and residences around the globe today. This means there is plenty more to go!

How many companies manufacture no-water urinals?

Another tough one because some manufacturers have entered the marketplace and then quietly disappeared. There are several manufacturers in North America, but just two key manufacturers of no-water urinals and Waterless is one of them.  In Europe, Asia, and India, there are a few more.

Should I shop around before selecting a waterless urinal?

Absolutely and once again, few people ask this question. It's probably because most people believe no water urinals are all the same.  Let us put that belief to rest: no, all waterless urinals are not the same.  There can be many differences in design, the ways the system work, and a key difference, is the cost of ownership. Some popular waterfree urinals cost far more to own after installing than other types of no-water urinals.

We are an all-boy high school, with over 700 boys enrolled.  Is there a "boy limit" when it comes to selecting waterless urinals?  Some of our staff thinks we have too many boys to install no-water urinals.

No, there is no such thing as a “boy limit”. Like flushed urinals, no-water urinals are designed for all high and low traffic facilities, including high schools and educational facilities.

As the Country Reopens, Concerns Mount About Stagnant Water

Photo Credit: www.palmettoexterminators.net

Water stagnation occurs when water is not drawn through the plumbing system of a building for extended periods. A school is a perfect example. Many schools closed at the end of May and do not reopen until September or October. During that time, water stagnation can occur.

This problem is intensified right now because so many schools have been closed for months due to the pandemic. Further, some that have opened may close again as the pandemic spreads.

When water stagnation occurs, it can result in the following:

· Water stored in the "P-traps," located directly under floor drains and other drains may dry up. This causes sewer odors to be released into the facility. But even worse, these fumes may contain pathogens that can cause disease. This was demonstrated during the SARS epidemic in Hong Kong. It was found that many of the P-traps had evaporated in a large apartment complex. The pathogens that caused SARS were in the sewer waters below the building.  When this happened, these pathogens were released through drains, spreading the disease. Scientists believe the same could happen with the pathogens that cause COVID.

· Harmful microorganisms, including Legionella, can build up in the water. Once again, this can include microorganisms that can cause COVID. If this contaminated water is consumed or inhaled, it can prove extremely dangerous, especially for children and older adults.

To address these issues, building owners and managers are advised to do the following:

·       The CDC and other organizations recommend pouring water into drains.  However, this is only effective if performed on a set schedule, as often as once per week.  A more dependable option to keep the P-pipes from drying out, is to pour a small amount of Everprime directly into drains on top of the water in the P-trap.  This helps prevent the traps from drying out for months at a time.

·       The microorganism issue is a bit more complicated because unforeseen problems can present themselves. Therefore, it is recommended that if a building has not been used for an extended period, building engineers should be called on to run sinks, showers, and flush toilets and urinals (if flush urinals are installed) throughout the facility before it opens for public use.

In most cases, this will help remove any contaminated water from the pipes. However, to be sure, and especially if this is an older building, tests should be conducted to ensure the water is safe to drink and use. In some cases, the building's water system may need disinfection treatment.

Stagnant water should not be an issue if waterless urinals have been installed. However, if the facility has been closed for several months, check that the Blueseal is adequately filled in each trap cylinder located at the urinal base.

While Blueseal does not evaporate and will likely not be impacted by lack of use or building closures, it still should be checked.

Finally, check your hot water system. Hot water heaters should be set at 120 degrees (F). When flushing hot water taps, run the water until it reaches its highest temperature. This will help move the stagnant water in hot water taps and ensure that the hot water heaters are working correctly.

Saving Water and Believing Your Saving Water are Two Different Things

Photo by Andrea Davis on Unsplash

One of the most promising developments in reducing water consumption, is the development of "dual flush toilets." They are being installed in both commercial and residential settings.

Their promise is this:

By releasing a smaller amount of water for liquid waste and a larger amount for solid waste, overall, the toilet will use about 1.28 gallons of water per flush instead of 1.6, the current standard, and required minimum.

However, just published tests by water-saving organizations in the U.K. are painting a different picture. They say that between five percent and eight percent of these toilets are leaking water. This is the result of the dual flush mechanism installed in these toilets. 

In the U.K., it is estimated that nearly 90 million gallons of water
are lost each day due to this failure.  

In many ways, we could say this is a "drop in the bucket," since millions of gallons of water are wasted in most water systems worldwide. 

However, this number mounts up. According to the BBC, it is enough water to supply nearly three million people annually.

But there is something more to consider as well. In most cases, people have selected these toilets because they want to save water. That really is the only reason to select them. Imagine their surprise when they realize their facility (or homes) water consumption has gone up since installing these toilets.

And one more thing: how many of us check our water bills that carefully? Many people never even realize they are wasting water, and if they do, it could be years after these toilets have been installed.

As we mentioned, this information has been uncovered recently, in mid-2020. Now, water companies are asking bathroom manufacturers to "design this problem out of existence," reports the BBC. "Individual companies have gone into looking at the issue… but haven't cracked what the underlying issue is. [However,] there is a commercial and moral imperative [for them] to ensure their products reduce leakage wherever possible."

While the story focused on the U.K, what is happening there is likely happening with dual flush toilets in our country and around the world. So, what can building owners, managers, and homeowners do to see if their toilets and other fixtures are leaking water and make sure their water-saving fixtures are really saving water?  

Among them are the following:

The food color test. Lift the tank lid and pour a small amount of food coloring in the tank. If the coloring appears in the bowl – before flushing - it means there is a leak.

The shutoff test.  With the water turned off to the toilet, flush the toilet. The water should now be at the bottom of the tank. Mark the water level. Wait a few hours. If the water has dropped further, this typically indicates a leak.

The drop level test.  First, get a calculator. Second, have a "drink" handy. It might make this test a bit easier.

Then do this:

1. Turn off the water to the tank. 

2. Measure the length and the width of the tank in inches. 

3. Measure how much water is in the tank, starting from the tank's bottom to the top water level (this is depth 1).

4. Flush the toilet and measure the drop from the bottom of the thank to the current water level (this is depth 2).

5. Subtract depth 2 from depth 1. This provides the "drop measurement."

6. Multiply the length of the tank times the width of the tank times the "drop measurement." This gives you the volume of cubic inches of water used per flush.

7. Next to the final step. Divide the volume by 231. This will reveal the total number of gallons per flush.

8. Grab the drink, celebrate, or if you made a mistake, start over.

Example:

Step 2 – Length: 17.5

Step 3 – Width: 7

Step 4 – Full level: 6

Step 5 – Low level: 3.5

Step 6 – 6 minus 3.5 = 2.5

Step 7 – 17.5 x 7 x 2.5 = 306.25

Step 8 – 306.25 divided by 231 = 1.32

Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Drain Covers but Were Afraid to Ask

Photo by Jackson Douglas on Unsplash

Something that is all too often overlooked in new construction and building renovation is floor drains. They perform an incredibly important job. They help remove surface water away from the surrounding area. Doing so helps prevent flooding, damage to surrounding walls, furniture, and equipment, and promote safety.

However, not all storm drains are alike, starting with their covers.  They are technically called "drain covers," but for our purposes here, we will call them drain covers. We have all seen them. Now we are going to learn more about the things most of us have always wondered about.

For instance, the grate's purpose is to prevent debris from making its way down the drainpipe, potentially causing a clog. If the drain is, for example, installed in a public restroom floor or in the laundry room in a house, the openings in the grate may be wider. The assumption is that there will be limited amounts of debris entering the grate, and the wider the gaps, the faster water will be removed from the area.  

On the other hand, the drain covers installed over drains outside of a building may have smaller openings, even if the grate's size is larger. 

This way, water can flow down the drains, while at the same time, leaves, paper, and other debris that might be found outdoors are blocked from going down the drain.

I bet you did not know this, but these grate openings even have a name. They are called "free areas." They must be open wide enough – free – to allow proper drainage while not creating a safety problem by being too large or allowing too much debris to go down the drain.

So now that you know some basics about drain covers, here are more things you probably have wondered about:

Are there designer drain covers?

Yes, in indeedy there are. Manufacturers make basic looking drain covers as well as more stylish drain covers for different settings, such as in a home or a fancy restaurant. A wider assortment of drain covers are now available because manufacturers want them to add to a décor and not detract from it. Plus, they can be custom made.

Are there regulations about drain covers?

Yup. Floor drains and drain covers need to comply with local plumbing codes where applicable. The ASME, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, has also established guidelines and regulations regarding floor drains and coverings. For the most part, these guidelines are written into plumbing codes around the country.

How do we know what size grate to install?

The grate and floor drain size must meet the anticipated volume of water that will flow through the drain covers and down the drain without causing any backup of water on the floor. The ASME guidelines mentioned earlier can also serve as a guide as to what size grate/floor drain is needed in different settings and situations.

Because we walk on them, how do we know the grate is safe enough to walk on?

Good question. There are light, medium, heavy, and even extra heavy drain covers. A light-duty grate can withstand about 2,000 pounds on it. An extra heavy grate, 10,000 pounds.

Do drain covers need to be cleaned?

Typically, with regular floor cleaning, the top of the grate – the part we see – can be kept clean. However, scum and debris, including germs and bacteria, can build up on the underside of the grate. This has the potential of attracting insects, so every so often, drain covers should be removed, and the underside cleaned.

What if odors are coming from the drain cover?

Unless the underside is heavily coated with scum, odors do not come from the grate, but the drainpipe below. Invariably, this means the P-trap has gone dry. The water in the P-trap that blocks odors has evaporated, creating a direct line to the sewer. Pour a little water and a few ounces of EverPrime into the P-trap. That will eliminate the odor problem for months.

Famous Photos of Paris Becoming a Modern City

If you’re comfortable about traveling in the fall of 2020, now might be a good time to visit Washington, DC. Currently on view at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, are a collection of 19th century photos taken of Paris, as it evolves from a medieval city to become, what Napoleon III was after, the most modern city in the world.

The images were taken by a man who had already made his mark as one of the most famous photographers in the world, Charles Marville.

Only 5 feet 2 inches tall and holding a large-format 8-inch by 10-inch camera, he took pictures of Paris districts moments before they disappeared. He knew where entire neighborhoods were about to be torn down, so he took pictures of them as they currently looked, as they were being torn down, and then again, when all that was left was rubble.

He also captured pictures of something that was quite common in Paris and most European – and possibly American – cities in the 19th century: tossing bathroom waste into the streets. 

Paris at that time was, as someone delicately put it, "a giant hole of putrefaction."  There was no sewer system so the only way to remove bathroom waste, along with dish water and just about any other form of liquid waste, was to toss it out the window.

While this is not part of the showing at the National Gallery of Art, it might be worth noting that it is because of all this waste tossed into the streets that high heels were invented.  In those days, women’s dresses tended to touch the floor.  High heels helped women stand a few inches taller.  This way, their dresses did not quite touch the street. And just in case, by wearing high heels, it also made it a bit easier to lift the long dresses up.

But getting back to our story.  One of the other things that captivated photographer Marville, were the new pissoirs being installed all over Paris.  This was quite an invention and something Parisians soon became enormously proud of.

All the pissoirs had a fence around them, supported by poles.  There was no roof and there was one opening, on one side, to enter and exit.  The fence provided privacy, covering the user from the shoulder down to the knee.

Urine traveled down to the newly built sewer below.  Some used water to help flush down the urine, but most were waterless.  By the 1930s, there were about 1,200 pissoirs around Paris and during the war, they took on a new role.

Unbelievably, the French Resistance found them to be one of the best meeting spots in the city and a good place to pass on messages.  There was even a game invented called The Saboteur.  Set in Paris during World War II, pissoirs were used as hiding places.

Sadly, the pissoirs were removed in the 1960s. They had done their job for decades, but the decision was made that they had to go.  However, forms of pissoirs, but a bit more discrete, are still found in the city and even in the U.S.

Should you visit the National Gallery of Art, you will see not only the old Paris being torn down and the new Paris being built, but all the things that has made Paris one of the most beautiful cities in the world, including the charming old pissoirs.