Service Access

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Any of you who have done a tiled-in whirlpool tub know that service access is the holy grail. Too often exceptionally expensive tile work has to be destroyed to repair the tub--either that or live without the whirlpool.

I've been mulling over access to this one for quite a while. There is room for a little vanity area and some storage--but not much and fractions of an inch really matter. Door opens against the wall and proportions REALLY matter in this space.

Call me obsessive or anal (I've been called much worse) but HAD to make a model in this case. The major part of the body will be two layers of cement board stuck together with thinset and wire mesh then tiles on all sides. Drawer and door will probably be Formica over wood--top will be soapstone. Support for the projecting end will be either a really nice wall bracket or a decorative iron floor-standing "thing" if I can find someone local to make it...

Soapstone will just lift off (its EXTREMELY heavy) and the cabinet portion will be "gravity anchored" as well. If the "connection" to the tub works like I want there will be a nearly invisible line of plumber's putty where the tile on the back (it won't continue all the way down except around the corner) laps over the tile tub deck. Corner joint will be nearly invisible.

While I probably take some things to the extreme, I think that if more architects and designers took the time to consider the poor **** that actually has to service their creations EVERYONE would be happier--particularly whoever has to pay the repair bill!

Don't you just love the McMansions where the clothes closets are often much larger than the relative shoe box allotted for mechanicals?

J.C.A._3

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

Sorry Swampie, I just can't stop laughing ! An ARCHITECT, think of systems ? No no my friend ! Things work by magic in their world . Space is the last thing they think of when it comes to mechanicals. We're supposed to be both, mind reader, and magician !

My best suggestions so far....have been removable "towel closets" or hidden panels as close as possible to the mechanical devices that WILL need servicing. Best of luck, and to beat the dogs to the bone (if at all possible) get included BEFORE all the spaces are accounted for.

kevin coppinger_4

thats some toilet!!!!

i have to ask...what is it? kpc

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Glad for your health that you got a chuckle but sad that it's so easy...

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Ceramica Cleopatra, Egypt. Bought the set of fixtures and about 6 tons of tile in my one trip out of North America.

Strong, good cleaning flush for a low flow toilet.

BUT--"guts" that I thought looked "standard" AREN'T!

Ballcock can [probably] be replaced with something off the shelf but the flush mechanism... At least it looks really sturdy but am having a terrible time finding a replacement flapper (actually a rubber disc something like the American Standards with the big black "actuator" mechanism).

Anyone know of a U.S. distributor for Mamoli (Italy)? I have enough frequent flyer miles to get anywhere in the world, but never the time. Maybe I'll finally use them and take a trip to Italy to buy plumbing parts!