Tilting toilets cause alarm

By The Beacon | November 1, 2011 9:00pm
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New devices installed in Corrado help support toilets

(-- The Beacon)

By Rachel McIntosh Staff Writer mcintosh14@up.edu

Physical Plant has installed a new device on toilets in Corrado Hall in an attempt to secure them to the wall and prevent tilting as a result of poor installation.

The device, called the "Big John," has been installed at the base of each toilet to act as a stilt and prop the toilet up in order to keep the toilet level, according to William Vandervelden, Physical Plant foreman.

While the toilets in Corrado and Shipstad are intended to be bolted into a concrete wall, they were bolted into a wooden wall, which caused erosion around the bolts.

Sitting on the toilet causes the front of the toilet to move up and down, creating a teeter-totter effect which continually loosens the bolts. The "Big John" aims to add support to the base of the toilet to prevent bolts from loosening, according to Vandervelden.

The same problem arose last year in Shipstad Hall when residents noticed toilets rocking due to the same issue.

"It got to the point where you could see them move," senior Sarah Klemsz, Shipstad's fourth floor RA last year, said. "You don't even have to push down and you could see them rock from the wall … which is a little alarming. At first everyone was really concerned because it isn't something you're usually concerned about. It was more of a concern for what would happen in the future if the problem was left the way it was."

According to Vandervelden the device costs $145 per toilet for both Shipstad and Corrado. However, replacing the toilets would cost anywhere from $200 to $300 per toilet. The Big John will also prevent the need to replace the walls behind the toilets every six years as the bolts will no longer be able to hold the toilet.

"The only problem we haven't figured out yet is how the students will react to a device underneath their toilets," Vandervelden said. "Will they kick it? Will they take it? We don't know yet so we are starting in Corrado to see how our students will react to a new toy to play with."

Physical Plant is waiting to put the device in Shipstad until they can ensure its effectiveness in Corrado.

So far the device has been a success without any obvious negative implications, according to Tyler Ochsner, assistant hall director of Corrado. Ochsner was the hall director in Shipstad last year when the toilets on the fourth floor became loose.

"I think they will be more effective," Ochsner said. "Any way they can add more support to the toilet is helpful. If there is any feeling that the toilet is coming of the wall or being unbalanced, the perception can be that it is not necessarily secure. The more support that is added the better off it will be for all the residents in all the wings."

Junior Corrado resident Patrick Chapman noticed a difference in the stability of the toilets after the Big John was installed.

"The situation is concerning, but the toilet didn't move last time I sat on it, which was a relief," Chapman said. "I haven't seen students messing with them so I think they could last. Good toilets make life easier, so I couldn't imagine life without them. I'm glad they've fixed it."


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