When it comes to washrooms it’s impossible not to judge a book by its cover.

Regardless of the overall cleanliness, if there are bad smells and damaged fixtures it will paint a different picture.

Regular cleaning is essential, both to ensure a safe, sanitary area and to help identify potential problems before they escalate – but it’s not the only thing you can do.

Want clean, safe, and attractive school washrooms?

Here the team at ONVO share some of the most common bathroom issues and how careful design and a few simple changes can solve them.

Common problems

 

1.      Bad smells

All bathrooms can smell, but if a bad odour lingers, even after the area has been cleaned, it’s a sure sign of a bigger problem.

There are obvious solutions, such as ensuring adequate ventilation and using automated air fresheners, but these will only mask the problems for a short time. Once windows close or the air freshener dissipates, you’ll be back to square one.

Instead, it’s important to identify the root cause. This could be blocked drains – in which case it’s advisable to seek professional help. Or it could be something as simple as damaged or poor-quality fittings.

For example, if tiles are cracked or seals broken, this can expose porous surfaces. These will adsorb liquids, causing bad smells to linger.

To prevent odours from becoming a problem, re-tile damaged sink areas, and swap cracked or poor-quality surfaces for a more seamless, non-porous and durable material.

Here at ONVO, we only use Corian – a solid and high-performing surface – to construct our modular wash trough systems. Resulting in washrooms that not only look better but smell better too!

2.      Damaged fittings

There’s nothing more frustrating than an out-of-order sign in a busy bathroom or entering a cubicle only to discover the door won’t lock, or even worse you can’t wash your hands!

Plastic or cheap metal fittings break easily, making them unsuitable for the demands of a school environment. Switch instead to aluminium for a hard-wearing and long-lasting solution – or go one better with sensor taps.

3.      Stiff locks

We all want privacy using the toilet, but this is particularly necessary in a busy school setting.

Ensuring students feel comfortable and safe is essential, and one of the easiest ways to do this is to fit cubicle doors with easy-to-use, working locks.

4.      Leaks

Leaks don’t just look bad (and potentially smell bad) – they’re dangerous too!

Wet floors create a hazardous environment and may result in toilets having to be declared out of use.

Wondering how this can be prevented? Damage to pipework is one of the leading causes of leaks, so the best way to avoid a problem is to protect your plumbing.

A wash trough is designed to reduce the danger of overflowing sinks. Combine this with a modular frame to conceal pipes and not only will you increase protection and reduce risk, but the area will also look more attractive too!

5.      Mould

Mould is the enemy of the bathroom. Thriving in damp, wet environments, it can quickly establish itself growing on damaged tiles or within grout or silicone joints.

Eradicate the issue by investing in the simple design of wash troughs. As one continuous basin with a built-in splashback, the number of joints and seals needed is dramatically reduced – making cleaning easier (and quicker) and reducing the threat of mould.

6.      Rust

Hardy fixtures and fittings are needed to endure the demands of a school washroom – and also to prevent rust.

Once exposed to a damp, humid environment, cheap metal fittings will begin to rust. Not only does this look poor, but it can also be dangerous, with corroded surfaces easily snagging skin and causing minor cuts.

Rust can also stop taps from working, making it difficult for users to try to release or tighten them. Even worse, if a tap has really rusted it may never turn off completely – wasting water by dripping, or not running at all.

Switch to sensor taps or self-closing taps, for a great-looking, safer, and more robust solution to rust.

Banish school washroom problems

If you’re in the market for a new washroom, keep these issues in mind – a little long-term thought about design and durability can go a long way and will save time and money in the long run.

Not planning a full redesign? You don’t need to. The great news is, many of these concerns can be tackled retrospectively – change the locks, replace hand basins etc.

At ONVO, we simplify installations with our clever modular wash trough solutions. Every element of our wash troughs has been carefully designed to meet the demands for seamless, attractive and low-maintenance school washrooms.

Shop the collection now, or for more information, call the team on 0161 302 5340, email sales@onvo.com or fill in our contact form and we’ll be in touch.