How to Build an Accessible Home

How to Build an Accessible Home

If you need to build an accessible home, there are some key considerations you should factor into your planning. Nearly every area of a home will likely need some modifications, and by thoughtfully charting out those needs, you’ll narrow down how to make a home fully ADA-friendly, from roll-in showers to countertops accessible for those who use a wheelchair. 

Entries and exits

One of the most challenging areas of a home for people with disabilities is often the entryway. Many homes are built with steps leading to the front door, which makes it difficult for a wheelchair to comfortably get through. When building an accessible home, consider making the entryway as low to the ground as possible, with ramps and railings to help those who use a wheelchair enter safely. If a low entryway isn’t possible due to the orientation of the house, consider installing a chair lift.

Keep a clear path

When designing a home for those who use mobility aids, ease of movement should be a key factor. Narrow hallways and doorways will present a challenge for navigating in a chair or walker, so design the floor plan with this in mind. Hallways should be wide enough for a chair to fully turn around in—at least 32 inches—and wide doorways should be included for every room. French doors are a great option for accessible homes.

Consider functionality

Two rooms that require some careful planning are the bathroom and kitchen. Both rooms typically have appliances that aren’t necessarily ADA-friendly, meaning some adjustments should be made.

In the bathroom, the areas to think about are the shower/tub, toilet, and sink. When designing a shower, consider installing a roll-in entry. You might also consider making the entire bathroom a wet room by installing a drain in the center to deal with splashes from the shower. An accessible shower should have a seat and handrails, with shower handles that are easy to reach. The toilet should be raised, with handrails for easy access, and the sink and countertop should be at a lower height for wheelchair users.

The main things to keep in mind for an accessible kitchen design are countertop height and access to storage and cooking. Countertops should be lower than in an average kitchen—aim for 34 inches high to enable wheelchair users to prepare food at a comfortable height. The kitchen sink should also be adjusted to allow for a wheelchair user’s knees to fit underneath while washing up. This can be achieved by installing a shallow sink at an appropriate height, with the drain placed in the rear of the sink so the piping isn’t blocking the chair from rolling underneath.

Finding contractors

When you’re ready to get the ball rolling, be sure to find contractors who can build with accessibility in mind. The right contractors will understand the importance of creating an ADA-compliant home. Kevin Szabo Jr. Plumbing is a great option for your plumbing, HVAC, and electrical needs.

An accessible home doesn’t have to be purely about function—when working with contractors and architects, seek out inspiring examples to help guide your design.

Keep possible restrictions in mind

When you’re getting ready to build, remember to get a property surveyor to take land measurements to determine exact boundaries and potential restrictions for your home. A property surveyor can help you determine exactly what should be done to make a home fully ADA-compliant, ensuring you haven’t missed any details in your design.

Building an accessible home doesn’t have to be difficult, so long as you’re careful in your design work and planning. Consider each room of the home and make adjustments where needed, consulting experts who can help guide your planning. Do your research and find contractors who have experience building accessible homes, and keep your mind at ease as you build. 

Guest contributor: Patrick Young

Handling Plumbing Repairs During COVID-19

Handling Plumbing Repairs During COVID-19

Getting your plumbing fixed? Here are some ways to keep your home safe when having plumbing repairs during COVID-19. 

1.  Screen plumbing contractors before hiring

As with any home repair contractor, it is good practice to thoroughly research and vet candidates first before signing a deal. Your home is your biggest investment so you want the plumbing job to be done only by capable plumbing contractors. But now that we are transitioning to the new normal with COVID-19, it is important that homeowners be proactive in screening plumbing professionals. Being concerned about letting a complete stranger into your home to take care of needed plumbing repairs is a valid state of mind. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry. 

Aside from the usual ways of screening contractors such as asking for licenses and references, you may also ask questions about how their plumbing companies handle the COVID-19 situation. For instance, you may ask if they are screening their employees for COVID-19 symptoms and if they are restricting them from work if they are suspected of being infected. You may also ask about measures that they have in place to prevent the spread of the virus. 

Once you are satisfied, make sure you talk to them clearly about your plumbing issue and ask if it is possible to minimize direct contact between you and the contractor over the course of the project. If there is a way to pay for the service without having direct contact with the contractor, clarify it to avoid payment issues in the future. 

2. Keep family members away from the repair site

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified the groups that are at a high risk to contract COVID-19, who include those that have underlying medical conditions such as chronic lung disease, serious heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disease. In addition, people who also have diseases that cause their body to be immunocompromised such as those that had recent organ transplants, those that currently use immune weakening medicines, and those that have HIV are also at risk. Finally, older adults especially those 50 years old and above are highly susceptible to the virus. 

If any of your family members belong in any of these groups, they need to avoid entering the repair area as much as possible. There is no vaccine or cure for COVID-19 yet as of this writing. The best way to minimize the risk of getting the disease is through social distancing. 

3. Ask the contractors to wear masks and gloves

The CDC recommends wearing protective clothing such as masks and gloves when going out in public. The science behind wearing masks is persuasive. Wearing a mask not only prevents you from getting the virus but it also keeps you from spreading the virus in case you already have it but do not experience any symptoms. The risk of transmission is drastically lower when wearing a mask compared to not wearing at all. 

As you and the contractor go through the home inspection and the repair project itself, always wear masks and gloves throughout. The mask doesn’t have to be the N95 type as they are usually reserved for medical front liners. You may use surgical masks and even cloth masks as long as you use them properly. 

When it comes to home repair such as plumbing, it is still advisable to weigh the need to get the fix versus the risk of possible transmission. Some repairs are really necessary so with these cases, it is important to take the necessary precautions to ensure the risk of getting the virus is very close to zero.

About the Author:

Kevin Rabida is a content marketing specialist writing in-depth articles and guides about new technology, small business challenges, and blue-collar industry issues and has been featured in several US, UK, and Australian trade publications. He's worked with companies like UPrinting, PrintPlace, and Handle.com

Guest Contributor: Kevin Rabida