Bathrooms from Around the World

By Billy Aldridge

In our last episode I told you all about the high tech gizmos that were now finding their way into bathrooms in the US.  So today I thought I'd share with you some toilet tech from foreign shores.  You can't make this stuff up folks. Actually I found this topic to be quite fascinating. Some counties are much more sophisticated than we are here in the good ole USA, while others seem to be just out of the Stone Age. So as we go around the world with this venture, you will probably be saying to yourself either “Hey, I want that” or “Wow, I’m glad I don’t live there. “ So let’s get started shall we.

Japanese toilets - Toilettes Japonaises (Photo credit: BrainWashers)

GOING JAPANESE

Of all the countries I researched, Japan wins hands down or should I say hands off.  Japan has what they call an “ElectronicToilet”. This toilet does it all. It’s basically a wall mounted push button computer or you can operate it by remote control. Here’s a list of functions it can do. 

1.      Posterior Wash. A nozzle below the toilet seat washes your bottom. Also the nozzle is self-sanitizing,

2.      Front Wash (Bidet) for the ladies. Every Japanese electronic toilet has this feature.

3.      Water Temperature Control. This allows you to adjust the warmth of the water your tush is going to be sprayed with afterward.

4.       Heated Seat. Need I say more?

5.      Noise Maker. To cover up those embarrassing sounds. Many models play music for your listening pleasure while others pipe in white noise.

6.      Auto Lid and Seat. Yes ladies, some Japanese toilets raise and lower the seat for you.

7.      Self-Washing Bowl. That’s right, you can put away the scrub brush.

8.      Power Deodorizer. Some units come with an exhaust fan built into the bowl.

9.      Night light. Good for those late night emergencies, no doubt.

10.  Doctor Alert. This is in its experiment stages. However these toilets are designed to run medical test and then email the results to either you or your doctor .

GREECE TO GO

On the other end of the spectrum there’s Greece. Unlike the Japanese the Greeks find going to the bathroom as a duty rather than an experience. It is quite common to find yourself in a coed bathroom and with no doors for privacy .You also will find yourself in a squatting position over a piece of porcelain and it doesn’t stop there. The Greeks don’t flush the toilet paper because it’s to be placed in the basket next to you with everybody else’s. I know enough said, so let’s move on.

THE TURKEY TROT

The people of Turkey believe that bathing is a cleansing of the body and soul. They take it very seriously. The Turks truly equate cleanliness with godliness and their bathroom credo is that cleaning their bodies is tantamount to cleansing their souls.  So as I was doing my research I came across a hi-tech Turkish bathtub called “TheAquatic Thermal Bathroom”. This particular bathtub looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. You Might mistake it for U.F.O. Never the less it is really cool looking, roomy, and inviting. It is designed by Didem Hazindar. His creation is to allow you to really stretch out and relax. Touch button controlled, it offers different cleaning functions for the body. In fact it doesn’t simply clean, it also plays relaxing music, massages and even dries you afterward. 

Turkish toilets on the other hand can be anything but hi-tech.  An article on eHow.com entitled "How to Use a Turkish Toilet" reads: "Start by knowing your enemy. The Turkish toilet or squat toilet is a glorified hole in the floor. It is usually built on a slant and is often made of tile or concrete. There are corrugated holes, made of tile or porcelain, on either side of the hole. These are where you plant your feet. Think of them as boots attached to skis. There may or may not be a flush handle. Often there is a water spigot as well as a hose and a bucket."

The article then goes on to instruct the reader to roll up their pant legs, empty all items from their pockets and take aim.

THE GOLD STANDARD

So there we have it, three different countries with very different styles of bathrooms. However I feel this topic wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention the Top 10 most luxurious toilets in the world, including (believe it or not) a gold plated one from Russia. It can be yours for only 250,000 Euros.  There is also an eToilet from Microsoft that includes a 21-inch monitor built into the lid.  While many of these hi-tech commodes are kind of out there, who knows, they may give some ideas for your own home.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Any comments are welcome. As always when it comes to your plumbing needs Aldridge Plumbing is ready and willing to take care of you.

Billy Aldridge is one of the Doctors of Plumbology at Aldridge and Sons Plumbing in Jacksonville, Florida.  For more helpful hints including a number of how-to videos, visit his site at http://plumbers-jacksonville-fl.com

Plumb Crazy

By Billy Aldridge

There’s an old saying that plumbers spend most of their time in the bathroom. I suppose the humor in that old saying is true, but keep in mind it’s usually someone else’s bathroom that we’re in.  Unclogging sinks, toilets, and tubs or fixing leaks has always been our primary reason for being called out, but not anymore. With today’s cutting edge technology gradually making its way into the bathroom, plumbers have to brush up on their engineering. That’s right folks, technology has found its way into the bathroom and you will be amazed at some of the things that I have found. In today’s blog I will tell you about some of the latest gadgets that can take any bathroom makeover to a whole new level.

GO GO GADGETS

Well for starters let’s start off with a singing showerhead called the Moxie by Kohler. It’s wireless, so this sound system in a showerhead runs off batteries and can be programmed through your Bluetooth. Since water doesn’t mix well with electricity, the unit is both wireless and rechargeable.  This unit has gotten rave reviews for sound quality and durability. What a great birthday present for your teenager or for anyone that loves singing in the shower.

Movie anyone?

Relaxing in the tub takes on a whole new meaning when you can watch a movie while you soak.   Called Mirrorvue Mirror Television, this product can be installed as a vanity mirror or in the shower-bathtub enclosure. Now I know what you’re thinking…”Bathrooms get kind of steamy.”  Well the folks at Mirrorvue have taken this factor into consideration.  Their screen is guaranteed not to fog, so you’ll receive a crystal clear picture no matter how hot you like your water.  Of course, soaking in the tub for a couple of hours while you watch your favorite flick might leave your fingers a bit pruny.  So far there’s still no cure for that.  

Tired of stepping from a warm bed onto a cold tile floor?

You no longer have to with the advent of thermostatic touch button controlled heated flooring. That’s right, you will never have to walk on a cold bathroom floor in the middle of the night. Thanks to the folks at Laticrete, a complete floor warming kit, including LATICRETE® Floor Warming mat, LATICRETE Floor Warming Thermostat and LATICRETE Wire Fault Indicator is not only easy to install, it is virtually undetectable beneath tile and stone floors.  Controlled by a digital, programmable thermostat such as the one used on your home’s heating system, the system is designed for both comfort and energy efficiency. 

Can Commodes Go Tech?

Think toilets can’t go hi-tech?  Think again, because the people at Kohler have come up with the ultimate commode.  Called Nuni, this Cadillac of crappers comes complete with a self-opening and closing lid, a self-cleaning bidet with adjustable controls for temperature and water pressure, a self-heating seat, a built-in speaker system, and a deodorization system that sucks air from the bowl through a charcoal filter. It even has a touch panel remote that you can use to program the system to your requirements.  Of course, Nuni also comes with a Cadillac price tag of $6,653.

PEACE OF MIND

For you and your family’s safety, before you start any major electrical upgrade in your bathroom, be sure to check with your plumber first. Especially if you’re planning a major overhaul, pipes may need to be relocated or walls may need to be torn out to make room for your new tub toys. A professional plumber can tell you what would be involved in order to make any major changes. He may also have suggestions that may make more sense and make it a lot easier on your wallet. Also keep in mind that anytime you run electrical wires near water, you should always seek the advice of a plumber and an electrician just to be on the safe side.

SUMMARY

I hope you have enjoyed this week’s blog. Feel free to post comments or tell me about other hi-tech bathroom gadgets that you have come across. Along with the rest of our world, bathrooms have finally joined the Technology Age.  However, bathroom tech is still in its infancy.   In the next ten years I can only imagine what is to come. The possibilities are endless.  In the meantime, have a seat on your hi-tech toilet and enjoy the ride.  

Billy Aldridge is one of the Doctor’s of Plumbology at Aldridge and Sons Plumbing in Jacksonville, Florida.  For more helpful hints and how-to videos, go to http://plumbers-jacksonville-fl.com