The pandemic has impacted life in New York City in so many ways. One of the ways we have to think about is how we’re all going to keep ourselves safe and healthy in the weeks, months, and years to come. Citylab recently had a fascinating story on how the war against Coronavirus could impact bathroom design, and it raised some interesting points:
The emphasis on hand washing is not going away. We have all learned to sanitize our hands before entering stores and again when we leave; that being said, simply doing errands for most of us means coming into contact with potentially hundreds of surfaces that could be carrying the virus.
Many people now regularly wash their hands upon arriving home. To make this process easier, the idea of a vestibule – similar to a foyer or entrance way, but provisioned with a sink for handwashing – may make a comeback. This applies both to residences – especially for busy families as well as anyone who works in health care, public safety, and other professions that deal with the public – and businesses, including restaurants and hotels.
What You Need to Know About Bathroom Installation in NYC
New York City building regulations are such that you need the services of a licensed master plumber for any major plumbing renovations, such as installing a new bathroom or adding sinks for hand washing to vestibules, foyers, entrance areas, lobbies and hallways.
The Citylab article mentions that many older buildings once had sinks in the hallways, before it became common for every apartment to have running water. The implication is that that original plumbing may still be in place to tie into in order but for most homeowners, that will not be the case. Even if that old piping was still there, the odds that it would be in compliance with current standards are pretty slim. Your NYC master plumber will help you find the best, most cost effective way to route new piping for your sink or bathroom installation.
