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What are the most common types of bathtubs?

Bathtubs are often considered the centerpiece of your bathroom, so you’ll want to choose one that fits your bathroom’s style and space. The most common tub styles are free-standing, alcove, drop-in and corner tubs.

• Alcove: Alcove tubs are the style most of us grew up with. They’re surrounded by three walls, usually covered in tile to allow them to be fitted with a shower. The alcove tub is ideal for small spaces. It is also the cheapest on the market, costing around $500.
• Free-standing: Free-standing tubs, also known as clawfoot or slipper tubs, aren’t connected to walls or other surfaces. They require a bathroom with more square footage and are typically deeper than other tubs. They’re also more expensive than other types of tubs, costing around $2,000.
• Drop-in: Drop-in tubs are similar to free-standing tubs, just without the “feet.” Drop-in tubs are placed in a pre-built deck or island on a specified area of your bathroom floor. They require a large amount of open space and cost around $700.
• Corner tub: Corner tubs are designed for relaxing and act like a jacuzzi or spa-therapy tub, using water jets or built-in seating. They come in triangular shapes and require a fairly spacious corner of the bathroom. At around $1,000, they’re more expensive than drop-in and alcove tubs.

What are the most common types of showers?

Like bathtubs, you need to think about space and design when deciding on the kind of shower you want. One-piece enclosures, sectionals and low-threshold or walk-in showers are the most common styles available.

• One-piece enclosures: One-piece enclosures are great for angled and corner spaces. You can choose from tile or smooth acrylic finishes. They often have built-in features like soap shelves and handles. The average cost of a one-piece enclosure shower is around $400 to $600 with a separate installation cost of around $1,000.
• Sectionals: Sectional showers are perfect for remodels with minimal space. You typically see sectional showers as a tub/shower combo with a shower curtain instead of shower doors. Sectionals can cost anywhere from $150 to $400, depending on their size.
• Walk-ins: Walk-in showers are popular in large bathroom remodels. They don’t have a lip or step-up from the main bathroom floor into the shower and are usually enclosed by large shower doors. This creates a seamless look and feel. Some spaces are large enough that no door is needed. In these cases, the shower relies on the slope of the floor to drain the water. Walk-in showers can be designed with stone or tile floors and walls. Depending on the style, size and luxury accessories (multiple shower heads, heated tile, etc.), a large walk-in shower can cost you $2,000 to $10,000.

What are the most common types of sinks?

When people walk into your bathroom, one of the first things they see is the sink. Therefore, you'll want a sink as stylish as it is functional. Choose from pedestal or stand-alone, self-rimming, vessel and wall-mounted sinks to install in your bathroom. If you’re looking for more space, you can add two sinks on almost any type of vanity.

• Pedestal: Sometimes called stand-alone sinks, pedestal sinks are great for small bathrooms with minimal storage space. They’re not installed into a vanity and resemble a birdbath. You can find pedestal sinks for under $100 at your local chain home improvement store.
• Self-rimming: Self-rimming sinks or drop-in sinks are the most common type of sink and one of the easiest to install. They are fitted into an existing counter with a rim encircling the sink that sits on the countertop to support the sink’s weight. Self-rimming sinks cost anywhere from $250 to $500, depending on the size and material.
• Vessel: Vessel sinks are bowl-shaped and sit on top of a countertop. They require no undermount installation. They’re bold designs that cost on average $200 to $600.
• Wall-mounted: A wall-mounted sink makes use of minimal space. You affix them to a wall, eliminating a need for countertops, legs or a vanity base. You can install a vanity underneath to make use of the space under it. Find wall-mounted sinks with dual faucets to act like a two-sink setup. Depending on the size, wall-mounted sinks cost around $200 to $700.

What are the most common types of toilets?

Height and comfort are the most common considerations when choosing a toilet. The standard height for a toilet is 14 inches, but many manufactures make them a few inches taller to accommodate taller adults. You can choose between a one-piece, two-piece, wall-mounted or tankless toilet. Almost all new toilets have efficient flushing technology, using only around 1.6 gallons of water or less per flush.

• One-piece: A one-piece toilet integrates the tank and the toilet bowl into one piece. They are easier to clean because they have no seam but are more expensive than a two-piece toilet. The average price of a one-piece toilet is around $200 to $250.
• Two-piece: A two-piece toilet requires you to bolt the toilet tank on top of the toilet bowl. It's the most affordable type of toilet on the market. You can find a two-piece toilet for as little as $150.
• Wall-mounted: Wall-mounted toilets are considered a high-end style typical of commercial restrooms like those in hotels and restaurants. They require thicker walls to mount the toilet and hold the tank. They’re easy to clean under, but future maintenance might require you to open up the wall. Wall-mounted toilets cost an average of $350.
• Tankless: Tankless toilets do not require the bowl that holds water to flush waste down your water line. Instead, they receive water directly from a supply line at extremely high pressure to flush waste away. Tankless toilets can cost anywhere from $250 to $800.

Routine inspection

An annual plumbing inspection will ensure your pipes and plumbing systems are in great working order. Call a plumber annually to check for leaks, drain your pipes, look for signs of rust and fit the supply line to your valves and fixtures.

Maintenance

Your inspection will alert you to potential problems that you can tackle before they become major headaches. Some examples of plumbing maintenance include unclogging drains, checking indoor and outdoor faucets for leaks, checking appliances for leaks and cleaning gutters. While most homeowners are capable of handling DIY plumbing maintenance, hiring a plumber to do this job will ensure nothing gets missed.

Repairs

Plumbers can handle all types of plumbing repairs, from fixing a leaky faucet to replacing burst pipes. If you’re dealing with indoor flooding, look for a plumber equipped to handle emergencies. Many plumbing companies have a 24/7 emergency phone number to call for fast service at any time of day.

Homeowners

As a homeowner you will most likely need to call a plumber at some point. Whether it's to unclog pipes or help you with a bathroom remodel, a plumber will help you do the job right.

Contractors

Plumbing contractors hired to work on a bathroom remodel need access to all major brands of bathroom appliances, tubs, showers, toilets and sinks.

» MORE: Plumbing industry statistics

DIYers

You can fix some minor plumbing issues yourself as long as you have the right tools and appliances. DIYers can check their local hardware and chain home improvement store for plumbing parts, fixtures and accessories.

If you have a plumbing emergency, you need to find a local company that can get to your home quickly. We compared our favorite plumbers in major cities across the country to help you find experienced help for your plumbing problems.

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