We are excited to announce the arrival of the new Elkay ezH2O Liv bottle fillers here at PlumbersStock. We’ve been excited about them since we saw them demoed at KBIS 2018. There are four options right now, and we’ll go over all the features in a bit, but it’s worth mentioning that the real selling point with ezH2O Liv is that it’s a beautiful fixture you will love having in your kitchen. Earlier ezH2O models look like they are meant for commercial applications, whereas ezH2O Liv is intended for residential installations. You could go commercial with these, but they are coming out with a commercial option (more on that below). All of these models are filtered:
GROHE is one of the most popular manufacturers among PlumbersStock customers. The new and innovative GROHE Rapido SmartBox rough-in valve (GROHE 35601000) is a great example as to why they are so popular. Installing a new shower or shower parts can be such a pain, but with a universal valve like the SmartBox, the process is simplified. One of the best selling points of this valve is that you can run up to 3 showers off it. The Rapido SmartBox is slim in size, with only a 3″ minimum installation depth. The bottom two inlets make connecting to pipe an easy process. There are other features to discuss, more on that later.
Rapido SmartBox Compatibility
The Rapido SmartBox valve is universal, which means it is compatible with all the various SmartControl trim options from the Grohtherm collection. The square wall plates come in chrome, brushed nickel, and moon white. Take note that the round only comes in chrome and moon white. All MPN’s below link to the chrome options:
Single Function – we carry both the single function round SmartControl (29 136 000), and the square SmartControl (29 140 000). The obvious configurations here would be for 1 shower head or 1 tub faucet, but you can also pair with the Triple Volume Control valve to deliver 4 functions.
Dual Function – maybe the most popular purchase here. Check out the round SmartControl (29 137 000) as well as the square SmartControl (29 141 000). Typically you would configure this option for a tub and a shower head or for a shower head and hand shower.
Triple Function – to get the most functionality out of your new SmartBox valve, this triple function round SmartControl (29 138 000) or the square SmartControl (29 142 000) are the way to go. A typical configuration here would be a shower head, hand shower, and tub spout, or tub, shower, with 3 body jets.
The new TOTO GS series is a great solution for updating your bathroom. There are several different choices for lavatory faucets and matching bathtub trim. There are three distinct finishes in this collection: brushed nickel, polished nickel, and polished chrome. Just add #BN, #PN, or #CP to the end of each manufacturer product number (MPN) to modify it for the finish. At PlumbersStock, TOTO is one of our most popular brands, and it’s easy to see why. Their innovative designs are always on the cutting edge of style and technology.
TOTO GS Bathroom Sink Faucets
All the faucets in the GS collection include metal pop-up drain assemblies, are made with brass construction, and are WaterSense certified. This means they meet high-efficiency standards, as they operate at 1.2 gallons per minute.
3-Hole Lavatory Faucet
There is only one model in the TOTO GS series that fits this description, and it’s the TLG03201U widespread lavatory faucet. You can get it in three different finishes. This is meant for deck-mounted installations and the handles can be installed with an 8″ to 11″ spread.
1-Hole Lavatory Faucets
There are three models in the collection that fit this description. If you have a regular drop-in or undermount sink, then you should go with the TLG03301U lavatory faucet. Now if you have a vessel sink, the other two faucets are going to be the right solution for you. There is the TLG03303U semi-vessel faucet and also the TLG03305U vessel faucet. These are deck-mount faucets and on all three models, the lever is on top of the fixture which is part of what makes it easy to use (it’s called Comfort Glide technology). The faucets are ADA compliant, and the fact that it’s a one-hole installation makes things simpler. The ceramic cartridge features of Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC), which is extremely durable.
The new Flo by Moen smart home water monitoring system and leak detector is an excellent solution for homeowners looking for peace of mind. This Moen Flo leak detection valve is great for tracking your water usage so you can change habits to save on utilities and lessen your environmental impact. Still, maybe the best benefit is that you can catch leaks before they become disasters. If you have a vacation home, a cabin, or rental properties, or just somebody who goes on extended vacations, this is a great way to stay on top of potential plumbing problems. There are 2 options, depending on pipe size:
At PlumbersStock, we are very excited about the release of the new GROHE Sense smart home water sensor system. It’s an innovative way for homeowners to prevent water damage and waste. Think about it, we’re all busy and we don’t have time to remember to check our plumbing connections frequently, and even if you do have the time, major issues can arise and cause horrible damage in a matter of a couple hours. GROHE’s solved this problem with GROHE Sense technology. There are three main solutions to choose from, as well as a few accessories:
We’ve got some innovative new bathroom solutions in this TOTO toilets release, summer 2018. There are also quite a few complete bathroom sets being released, like the GS and the GR, which we will cover here on the blog at a later date. For now, we’re going to talk about these awesome new toilets. No matter what TOTO fixtures you get, you’re going to love it.
Before we get into the products, we need to explain some of the features. All of these toilets come with CeFiONtect ceramic glaze (formerly referred to as Sanagloss by TOTO). The seat designs are modern and slim and SoftClose means you will be limiting noisy disturbances for sleeping babies and partners.
We can’t contain our excitement in introducing this new kitchen collection, the Elkay Lustertone Iconix sinks. There are four different options to choose from, and they vary in their sizes and configurations.
Each of the Lustertone Iconix sinks comes equipped with a Perfect Drain (which will discuss a little more in depth later). If you need a replacement, we carry Perfect Drains (LKPD1), too.
The sink is the busiest area of the house. Over the years, Elkay has proven traditional and modern kitchen sink designs, and this new line of Elkay sinks features clean lines and sleek style that will help to keep your kitchen always looking fresh and as beautiful as ever.
If you’re a meticulous cleaner, then this sink will save you a lot of time. If you are a lazy cleaner, this sink will help you maintain a cleaner kitchen. These Lustertone Iconix sinks offer timeless beauty and a resilient finish. Elkay Lustertone Iconix sinks come with a bunch of new features and upgrades that make them such a smart solution. Here are the four model options in the Lustertone Iconix Collection:
The kitchen sink is typically one of the most germ-ridden places in the home. These Elkay Lustertone Iconix sinks are innovative solutions to everyday inconveniences you thought you just had to live with. Your kitchen chores become easier, and that makes for better hygiene and cleanliness. There are other awesome selling-points, too, so let’s get to it:
There is an awesome new bathroom collection on the market, the American Standard Spectra+ Touch showerheads. There are four different options in terms of functionality, and then there are four different finishes for each option for a total of 16 Spectra Touch showerheads.
From traditional hand-operated to touch-operated units with adjustable spray patterns, the Spectra Plus Touch and the Spectra+ eTouch will help you achieve your desired comfort level. Not only are they beautiful, but they are also loaded with features. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find a wide array of available showerhead options here at PlumbersStock.
Here are the four model options in the Spectra Plus collection:
Whether you’re designing a whole new bathroom or looking for a replacement showerhead, it is best to be informed before making a big purchase decision. Shower faucets last for a long time, so spending a little extra time and/or money can go a long way.
There is a new sprinkler controller in town, and it’s changing the game. Rain Bird ESP-9V battery-operated sprinkler timers is a great solution for homeowners who need to install irrigation valves away from a convenient source of power. Rain Bird is the best when it comes to irrigation solutions. These innovative timers operate off two 9-volt batteries (standard alkaline) and that battery power should last more than two years. Before discussing the features, we want to list all the products in this series:
There is a lot going on with these timers, which isn’t immediately apparent. The ESP-9V’s are waterproof, including the battery chamber. It can withstand the harsh elements in a wet, muddy valve box, even. According to Rain Bird:
April is here and almost gone! Now is the time for spring sprinkler maintenance! Nothing quite beats the convenience of having a well-designed irrigation system. Efficient lawn and garden watering will ensure the best results while helping to save money on utilities.
Here we will offer some simple tips to help you conserve while maintaining a greener landscape. Sprinklers should be checked and tuned up yearly for the upcoming watering season, and the timers/controllers must be reviewed and possibly reset at least every month, so you can make sure that they are working correctly in each zone. If your controller has a backup battery, we recommend that you replace it every six months.
Make Your Setup More Efficient
Tuning up your sprinklers is a great way to prevent waste. Not only that, but proper care and focus will enable you to custom-tailor your watering schedule to your landscape’s needs. You want to ensure that water is applied uniformly to meet the needs of your plants and each type of soil. That attention to detail will help keep your lawn and landscape looking healthy and beautiful. It’s a good idea to stay on top of things for several reasons, but one big one is that an overlooked cracked PVC pipe or fitting in your system can result in significant waste.
Ensure that the water from one sprinkler’s head reaches the next sprinkler (with a 100% overlap in coverage). This is referred to as head-to-head coverage. In addition to ensuring proper positioning, check if the pop-up sprinklers are straight up and down or leaning to one side. You can correct them by removing soil from one side and filling in the other. As a general rule of thumb, you want your sprinklers perpendicular to the ground.