Boom I Advance Plumbing

and

Advance Plumbing offers bath options that look good while filling a need.

Lynne Konstantin { Contributing Writer

he eternal question (one of them,
anyway): Form versus function?
In home design, this becomes a
very real dilemma, particularly for baby
boomers who are "aging in place" —
meaning, they don't need to move to a
retirement home, but could benefit from
the assistance of functional equipment
in their home. But can you also create
the sanctuary of your dreams while also
making it functional for real needs?
Advance Plumbing and Heating
Supply Company, with locations in
Detroit and Walled Lake, is renowned
for its selection of plumbing and
heating products. In keeping with
their commitment to offering the best
customer service possible, they carry
beautiful products that also serve a
specific need for people with balance,
agility and mobility concerns.
"We can make it easy to retrofit
a bathroom to make it usable and
accessible, while also keeping it looking
beautiful, rather than institutional," says
Joshua Moss, operations manager of
Advance Plumbing. "You can have form
and function."

T

Walk - In Tubs
Advance Plumbing offers a full line of
innovatively designed walk-in tubs that
minimize the risk of slipping and falling
while maintaining independence. Taller
than standard tubs, walk-in tubs allow
the bather to walk into the tub, sit
down on the sculpted 17-inch-high seat
and completely submerge the body in
water while remaining upright, without
lying down or bending over. A water-
tight, inward-swinging door makes it
easy to maneuver in and out, and a
quick-filling and draining system means
less waiting time. Walk-in tubs are
available in a variety of configurations,
including soaker, whirlpool, air bath
and combination bath, with a number
of add-ons, from in-line heaters to
chromatherapy lights, to make bathing

4 BOOM Magazine • February 2013

screened by frameless glass panels,
made to fit almost any existing
bathroom.
Once you've chosen a curbless shower,
it can be personalized with functional
accessories for confidence and
assistance, including heavy-duty grab
bars and handrails (which can be made
to look like part of the decor, rather than
looking institutional), sauna-room-styled
shower seats and benches, shower
heads that can be adjusted on the wall
A walk-in tub from Mansfield
(making it easier to use for bathers that
require extra assistance) and shower
heads with multiple spray options, from
a massage spray to a gentle rainlike
sprinkling.
Founded by the late Harry Chernick
in 1920 in Detroit (where it still thrives
in its original location), Advance
Plumbing boasts four generations of
family members including Chernick's
late son-in-law, Ronald Moss; Chernick's
grandson, Jeffrey Moss; and his great-
A curbless shower from Level Best
grandson, Joshua Moss, who now run
a spa-like and rejuvenating, yet safe and
the day-to-day operations. The state-of-
effortless, experience.
the-art Walled Lake showroom — which
opened in 1990, just weeks before
Curbless Showers And Accessories
Joshua Moss was born — brims with
A gorgeous showpiece in any bathroom,
the cream of the crop of the decorative
curbless showers by Arc Inc. make
plumbing industry. When choosing
showering easier and safer for the aging
collections that appeal to their baby
baby boomer as well as for anyone
boomer consumers, Advance Plumbing
requiring simplified access to his or her
is careful to keep its commitment to
shower — while maintaining a luxurious
quality, craftsmanship and customer
experience. Also called zero-entry
service. "In our showroom, we offer
showers, the seamless design of curbless
the best of the best,
showers means they are
but we also carry an
flush with the floor, so
enormous price range,
Advance Plumbing
there is no bump, no ramp
so that we can work
Supply
necessary and no tripping
within
any budget to
2984 Grand River Avenue
hazard. "They are an easy
please
any customer,
Detroit, MI 48201
retrofit for an existing
no matter what their
(313) 831-7770
bathroom, and the result
needs are," says Joshua
is a more spa-like feeling,"
Moss. "That is our goal.
1977 E. West Maple Road
says Moss. The Tuff Form
We want them to know
Wet Room System from
Walled Lake, MI 48390
we have what they
Arc offers the beauty of a
(248) 669-7474
need, and that it can be
fully tiled shower area
advanceplumbing.com
beautiful." ❑