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A disposable urinal mat underneath each urinal in a public restroom will absorb residue and odor and save on cleanup time and effort because there is no need for constantly monitoring and mopping the floor. The rubber mat is designed to be thrown away once it is fully soiled. Disposable mats are available in packs of 6 with a price range of anywhere from $30-$100 and can be purchased from a variety of manufacturers, including some discount warehouses such as Sams Club which may offer savings on bulk orders.
A urinal sanitizer dispenser can be installed in almost any public restroom. The chemical dispenser attaches to the flushing system and distributes odor-blocking chemicals with each flush. A standard model, such as the one made by Initial Washroom, lasts for approximately 1000 flushes and does not leave the residue that a urinal cake does; thus providing a cleaner alternative to odor control for urinals.
Urinal screens, sometimes also called urinal mats or bowl blocks, are small strainers that are placed inside the urinal bowl to keep cigarette butts, gum wrappers, and other debris from entering and clogging the urinal drain. These small mats are usually made of flexible plastic to fit a variety of urinal sizes. Some models have deodorizing and antibacterial features, and others serve as holder for disinfecting urinal blocks or urinal cakes. Most deodorizing features last about 30 days. Any type of urinal screen is an important feature in public restrooms to reduce the risk of clogged urinals.
Although some business owners still debate whether the waterless urinals are as sanitary as flush models, the waterless urinals do save water: a lot of water. Data have shown that waterless urinals save 1-3 gallons per use. In addition to the water saved per flush, waterless urinals save water by eliminating the water loss through overflows, leaks, and excessive flushing.
On average, the maintenance of a waterless urinal is $1 per 1000 uses, compared with at least $2 per 1000 flushes for a 1-gallon flush urinal. Not only do waterless urinals save water, but installing them during new construction saves the cost of installing a water feed line and flush valves. Even retrofitting a public restroom with waterless urinals saves money on maintenance in several areas, including the following:
Choosing to install waterless urinals in any business saves cleaning crews time and effort. Waterless urinals can be cleaned in seconds by simply pouring a fresh 3-ounce dose of sealing liquid, such as Blue Seal, into the urine trap. This process prevents odors and the biodegradable sealing liquid does not evaporate or freeze. One 3-ounce dose lasts for at least 1500 uses, thus saving at least 1500 gallons water that was not used in flushing. The urinal fixture itself can be cleaned as needed with any commercial cleaner used for flush models that is appropriate to the fixture's finish.
When retrofitting a public restroom with a waterless urinal, using the flange that is already in place from a conventional urinal saves time and effort. The installation process is similar, and the installation heights from the floor required by most
Portable urinals provide peace of mind while traveling or during recreational activities where there may be no public restrooms. For example, a portable urinal is helpful to have on board when spending long periods of time on a boat. Mid-sized pontoon boats, also known as “party barges,” or mid-sized fishing boats may have portable changing rooms, but they will not have plumbing.
Savvy boat owners who keeping a portable urinal discreetly located on board provide their passengers with a sanitary option in case of emergency, and eliminate the need to travel back to shore and disrupt an excursion to find a public restroom. In addition, families with children participating in sports may find that fields are located in remote places without public restrooms, and a parent who has a portable urinal in the car may be a hero, if not for the kids, then for other parents who feel uncomfortable answering the call of nature in nature itself.
Elderly persons, young children, or anyone who is traveling or staying home sick can use a portable urinal if they are not able to reach a restroom in time, or if a restroom is not available. Most portable urinals are made of plastic, with spill proof caps and are available from a variety of manufacturers such as Independent Living. Most models have female adapters as well.
Waterless urinals reduce the amount of bacteria present in public restrooms because the bowl remains dry. Normal urine is sterile; it contains virtually no bacteria. Bacteria thrive in moist places, but they die when dry. Standard flush urinals have chronic damp spots in which bacteria can grow, but the dry surfaces of waterless urinals reduce the prevalence of bacteria. In addition, waterless urinals reduce the spread of bacteria through hands because there are no flush handles to touch.
Guru Spotlight |
Barbara Gibson |