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March Newsletter
Related Posts
How Much Does a Cast Iron Tub Weigh?
Cast iron is what makes a clawfoot tub feel so solid, and it's heavy. Most cast iron tubs weigh between about 350 and 500 pounds empty, depending on size and style. Our cast iron tubs, empty Tub Empty Crated for shipping Mendocino 5' clawfoot 352 lb 520 lb Como 5' leg tub 352 lb 520 lb Charles 5' rectangular leg tub* 404 lb 515 lb Lewis 5.5' rectangular leg tub* 437 lb 559 lb Michigan 5' pedestal 460 lb 593 lb Lagoon 5.5' pedestal 475 lb 635 lb Luna 6' pedestal 506 lb 640 lb * Includes its feet, about 30 lb. Our pedestal tubs weigh more than the ones on feet. Full of water Water weighs about 8.3 pounds a gallon. The Lagoon holds about 45 gallons, so the water alone adds around 375 pounds. Add the tub and a person, and a filled cast iron tub can weigh close to half a ton, spread across just four feet or one pedestal. Before it arrives Check the floor. Ask a contractor to check the floor where the tub will sit, especially in an older home or an upstairs bathroom. Plan the route. Measure doorways, stairs and turns from the street to the bathroom against the tub's size. Line up help. The crated weight is what arrives at your door. Have enough people, or a mover, to carry it in safely. Cast iron or acrylic? Most of our acrylic tubs weigh between about 70 and 150 pounds empty, a third of cast iron or less, which makes them easier for upstairs bathrooms. Cast iron holds heat longer and has a heavy, solid feel. Our cast iron vs acrylic guide compares them in full, and clawfoot tub sizes helps you check the fit. Browse cast iron tubs and acrylic tubs, or ask us about a specific model's weight.
Clawfoot Tub Drains: Chain and Stopper, Lift and Turn, or Toe Touch
On a clawfoot tub the drain is out in the open, so it's part of the look. It's called a waste and overflow: a drain at the bottom of the tub, an overflow near the top, and the pipe that joins them to your floor. Three ways to close it Chain and stopper. The classic: a plug on a chain. Lift and turn. A stopper in the drain that you lift and twist to open or close. Toe touch. Press the stopper with your foot to close it, press again to open. Our P0007 waste and overflow drain comes in all three; you choose the type when you order. It fits most leg tubs made from 1900 on. The measurements that matter Waste from the T: 12" Overflow from the T: 16" Drain and overflow flange: 3" Floor escutcheon: 2.5" across Measure your tub's drain and overflow before you order, and match the finish to your faucet and feet. Freestanding acrylic tubs Some freestanding acrylic tubs, like our Seneca, come with an integrated drain. Check the tub's specifications before buying a separate one. Keeping it working Washers and seats wear with normal use, and that's the most common cause of a leaking drain. A washer repair kit fixes it without replacing the drain. We also sell the chain and stopper set, the lift and turn part, a 1 1/2" × 24" waste tube and overflow brackets. See all tub drains and drain parts, or send us a photo if you're not sure what fits.
Thermostatic Shower Valves: How They Work and Why They're Worth It
You've felt it: someone flushes a toilet and the shower turns cold, or hot. A thermostatic valve is built to stop that. What a thermostatic valve does Inside the valve is a thermostatic cartridge. It mixes the hot and cold supply and holds the water at the temperature you set, so the shower stays steady instead of swinging hot or cold. Thermostatic vs a standard valve Most standard showers use a pressure-balance valve, which keeps the ratio of hot to cold steady when water pressure changes. A thermostatic valve responds to the temperature of the water itself. It also separates temperature from flow, so you set the temperature once and turn the water on and off with its own handle. Exposed thermostatic showers On our exposed systems the valve and pipes sit on the wall, so they're part of the look. For example: The P0902 has separate controls for the overhead shower and the hand shower, so both can run at once. The P1085 uses a 3-function diverter to switch between them, with a shepherd's crook shower arm. The Sacramento P1131 has adjustable centers to suit more plumbing layouts. Our exposed systems such as the P0902 and P1085 mount on 7" centers and use water-saving 1.75 GPM shower heads. See all thermostatic exposed showers. The same kind of valve also comes in thermostatic tub faucets and clawfoot tub shower sets. Looking after it Our thermostatic valve maintenance guide shows the routine, and which cartridge does my faucet need lists the replacement parts if one ever wears out.