The Mushroom Factor

The question of reglazing bathroom fixtures often arises in homeowner forums and inevitably the answers are varied. Eight years ago, as we removed the 1950’s plastic tile from our Craftsman-era bathroom, we contemplated reglazing vs. replacing the bathtub.

Our decision to reglaze was pretty easy and for us, it’s been the right choice. We’ve since enjoyed years of luxurious soaks in a glorious tub.

Our old tub is a 5-ft. cast iron clawfoot that’s original to our 1917 American Foursquare home. It’s finish was worn but passable, save the pink non-skid flowers previous owners had stuck to the bottom. Over time the flowers began to peel and left behind an unsightly adhesive.

Have you ever submerged yourself in a clawfoot? Such a tub is pre-water-restriction era and to slip into its steaming bath, scented with a splash of essential oil, is truly nirvana. Needless to say, pink flowers or not, we did not want to give up this tub.

We called John Harrison of Cream City Tub & Tile. He promised reglazing would indeed bring new life to our tub, but I also remember him advising us that reglazing does have limitations. The acrylic finish he suggested came with a 5-yr. warranty and helpful instructions for care and cleaning.

Being a clawfoot, we could easily take the tub out of the bathroom for off-site refinishing. OK, maybe not easily…it was pretty heavy and we had to manuever it down the stairs. But taking it out of the house was advantagious. My husband sand and water-blasted away the old finish, thus saving us some costs. We also didn’t have to breathe the fumes as it was reglazed and cured.

The disadvantage? We had to transport the tub back home and get it up the stairs without killing each other or marring the finish. Somehow, we managed.

For us, the reglaze has worked well for several reasons. Cream City Tub & Tile are reputable specialists and did a top quality job. We care for the tub according to instructions. Because it’s not in our primary bathroom, the tub’s use is limited. And finally, our four children are grown and no longer at home.

Eight years later, what do we think? We love it. We plan to continue luxurious soaks for years to come.

Figuring my septic saga has readers sitting on pins and needles of suspense, I’m continuing with a follow-up.

We’ve recently been blessed with two visits in two days from the liquid and solid waste recycling company (doesn’t that sound so much cleaner than it actually is?) Happily, we now are unplugged and ready for use. But not without some interesting conversation with James, a very knowledgeable journeyman plumber. He offered further advice on how home owners can help the environment, pamper their delicate septic systems and defer what could easily be a $20,000 replacement.

Water, Pee and Poo

According to James, the knowledgeable plumber, we should be putting only three things into our septic systems. You’ve got it, I won’t repeat them again. To help my very right-sided brain visualize, he compared the septic system to the human stomach. They are very similar and both use bacteria to digest solids. In fact, the very bacteria present in human solid wastes is necessary for their decomposition in a septic system. When we introduce unnatural substances into our septic systems, we disrupt the chemical balance and kill the natural bacteria.

Ladies, are we listening? I know we hear this over and over, but once again let us be told we should not be flushing our you-know-what’s down the toilet. As if I don’t hear that enough from my husband. I can’t tell you how painful it is to admit he’s right.

But what about the biodegradable feminine hygiene products on the market? Are these bad too?

Apparently so. According to James, the plumber, these products are designed to be passable in newer systems with pvc piping. Even in these systems, however, they are slow to decompose. This, combined with other destructive factors such as artificial scents in feminine products and toilet papers which disrupt the chemical balance, creates a reduced life span for the septic system, whether old or new.

Which brings us to toilet paper. Of course, we have to add this to our list of three allowables. It’s an allowable and necessary sub-item. But we should keep it as that—a sub-item. While delicate on our derriere, today’s multi-ply toilet paper is not so delicate in the septic. Like feminine products, toilet paper today is taking much too long to break down. It’s also clogging in the pipes, as was the case with our system.

Now here’s another interesting issue. We know we shouldn’t be flushing food down our toilets. In fact, if you have an old septic, it’s advised you do not have a garbage disposal. Food disrupts the chemical balance of the system. But what I found concerning was the plumber’s mention of medication. He said they’re finding more and more chemical imbalances in the septic systems due to pharmaceutical residues retained in human wastes. Not only are pharmaceuticals showing up in our water supplies, they also are leeching their way into the soil through our septic systems.

Obviously, there’s more to flushing the toilet than one cares to think about. But, believe me, thinking green is much better than seeing another color that was rising in my toilet a few days ago!

Whether it’s in March or April, Easter in the Midwest is never predictable. This year certainly was an example. Various areas in southern Wisconsin received 7-12 inches of heavy, wet snow, which made for a true March Madness.

Unpredictable madness can also occur when living in an old house, especially a country house. Take for example, this Easter weekend. A houseful of company proved too much for our old, old septic system and it strategically chose to back up just as everyone was settling in for the weekend. Needless to say, they didn’t stay around too long!

So, what do you do when nasty, foul smelling you-know-what begins working its way up your lines and near to overflowing the toilet? 

Well, you act pretty darn fast. One unfortunate person—yeah, you got it, that handy husband of mine—had to remove the stuff while everyone else made less-than-handy suggestions such as “Uh, would you mind shutting the bathroom door so the odor doesn’t come through the rest of the house?” The same handy and now considerably less cheerful guy also had to dig an 18-inch hole to the expose the septic cover for pumping. Did I mention it’s still winter here in Wisconsin? 

Septic systems are definitely something to consider if you’re contemplating life in an old country house. Barry Chalofsky, in his article for Old House Journal, describes the ins and outs of old house septic system care. I won’t necessarily promote the article as fascinating—you have to remember the topic at hand here. But, as one who’s lived and cared for an old system for twenty years, or rather my husband has, I can vouch for the author’s informative advice: flush only biodegradable paper products, avoid planting invasive vegetation near the tank and disposal field, and have your tank pumped periodically.

So, you could say we had a crappy Easter. Well, not completely. Remember, we’re easy-going people and above all, Easter means a lot to us.

Jesus lives! 

Several years ago my husband decided he’d heard enough of my whining. He decided that, perhaps, if he helped me work from home rather than the office I continuously whined about, I’d shut my mouth and give him some peace.

And so, he built me a home office.

There are many factors to a successful office, all of which can determine the productivity of staying home to work. Typical to my husband, he covered these factors well. The office he built is beautiful, functional and offers an inviting work environment to come to every day.

Definition of Home Office

The IRS defines a home office as “a room used exclusively and regularly as the principal place of business.” I’m certainly no accountant and won’t get into the minutia of what exactly this means, but if you work from a home and keep meticulously accurate records, a home office can mean substantial deductions on your annual income taxes.

The room we chose for our office is an 11′x12′ space on our first floor. We previously used it as a TV room, which, of course, we now no longer do. As a graphic designer and writer, I don’t need a lot of square footage and I don’t entertain an endless stream of inhouse clients. On the rare occasion I do receive someone, I appreciate that the room is located near an outside entrance. This access is important. I don’t have to traipse clients through the whole house, which inevitably is a mess and belies my otherwise meticulous nature (said with great satire).

Decor

The great thing about a home office is the ownership it offers and the chance to decorate as one wishes. Mine has become an extension of myself. Design and art books are an obsession so my husband made an oak built-in system with shelves, cupboards and filing drawers. They’re an arms-reach from my desk and keep information organized and available.

Office-grey walls? Not here! I spend eight to ten hours a day in this room and it’s important I like its look and feel. An office needs to promote creativity and a positive attitude, yet it also needs to be cozy. I went with bold oranges and greens, colors I like and perhaps didn’t have the moxie to use elsewhere in my house.

Lighting

Along with color comes lighting. Whether you’re a secluded cave dweller who loves the intimacy of darkness, or a sunny window person who needs access to the outdoors, adequate lighting is a must in the home office. There are two double hung windows on each of the two exterior walls in my office. They offer plenty of natural light during the day and wonderful views of the rural setting in which we live.

This, however, leads to my next point: accessiblity vs. distraction.

Location

I love my windows. It’s important to know I’m not completely removed from the outside world and the inspiration it offers. Yet, depending on what’s outside, a room with a view certainly can be diversion. I made nice window shades that, when necessary, block the glaring sun or distracting view.

There are pros and cons to location as well. That easy-to-access office I described above is also smack in the middle of every day family life. For me, it’s not a problem. My kids are grown and have, theoretically, moved out of the house. On the occasions they do return, however, I find it’s far too easy to interest myself with them in the other room or for them to hang out in my office. My office likely wouldn’t work if I had younger children still at home.

Furnishings

And now to my final factor of a home office: its furniture. Again, consider the amount of time spent in an office: a good desk and chair are essential. My desk is huge. My husband built it according to my specifications and work habits. It’s L-shaped and holds my computers, scanner-printer-fax machine, telephone, adding machine, Rolodex, file folders and so much more. It’s amazing how many necessary office supplies one accumulates! He also made the desk with slide-out work panels, which I use whenever my desk becomes too messy and I need more space. Yes, I always am using those panels!

My chair? It’s nice as well. A good philosophy is to buy the highest quality chair one can afford. As we all know, those chairs start to feel pretty hard and uncomfortable after a while. A good chair not only provides comfort and support but it also looks professional when the client comes visiting.

So, have I stopped whining? Well, I never really was a whiner. I just wanted a cool office and the chance to work in my pajamas.