The Tub King Blog - Tub Talk: April 2015

Traveling Tubs on the Wagon Trail

It was 1867 in a small mining town called Denver, Colorado. With signs of winter fast approaching, the sun set at 4:30 p.m.and didn’t rise again for nearly 15 hours. With the thought of the long, cold hours that lay ahead, there was only one thing on the miners' minds -- whiskey! The hard-drinking miners knew they didn’t have enough liquid gold to make it through the winter, and this made them grow restless.

Determined not to face the harsh mountain weather without it, they hired a group of Irish Teamsters to transport 40 wagon loads of whiskey through the Colorado plains. To ensure its safe arrival, the US Cavalry was commissioned to escort the load.

However, when a crusading group of women from the Temperance movement learned of the shipment, they were furious. They formulated a plan to intercept and destroy the "evil cargo" on its way to Denver. Dressed in their finest Victorian gowns, they packed up their wagons and headed west for the 185-mile journey, singing as they went.

Image courtesy of fotolauncho.com

Knowing it would take at least a month of hard travel through dangerous territory, these ladies of refinement turned their wagons into little mobile homes. They packed every luxury their prairie schooners could hold. There were tables, chairs, linens and silverware, colorful rugs and lamps, even pianos and several bathtubs.

The Temperance ladies were committed to their cause. But they drew the line when it came to traveling without their washtubs. And these were no ordinary tubs. We aren’t just talking galvanized buckets. These traveling tubs were Victorian furniture, replete with intricately decorated modesty covers. All these ladies had to do was slip into the tub while another one poured hot water through an opening at their feet.

Image courtesy of movpins.com

Meanwhile, several other groups became aware of the shipment and decided they, too, wanted a bit of the joy juice. Local Native Americans who were interested in easing the pain of an approaching winter sought to intercept the shipment. To make matters worse, the Irish Teamsters began to grumble and soon decided to strike. Receiving word their precious cargo was in peril, the miners created a posse that headed eastward, ostensibly to recover their wayward shipment. With so many opposing parties looking to get their hands on the whiskey, the wagon train came to a halt … in the middle of nowhere. Inevitably, the women caught up with the whiskey wagon train as it made its way west, and demanded demolition of the alcoholic "mountain dew." (BTW: To learn the fate of the whiskey wagon train, you’ll need to rent the movie, "Hallelujah Trail," made in 1965 starring Burt Lancaster and Lee Remick.)

Early Bathtub History

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But in 1867, it wasn’t only women that enjoyed the luxury of bathing on the trail. It's reported that the Bathtubs that existed during the antebellum period before indoor plumbing came into vogue were large but relatively light containers. They were usually hidden away and only pulled out when needed, perfect for on-the-road washing. The typical mid-19th century bathtub was a product of the tinsmith's craft, commonly made from a shell of sheet copper, or zinc. The use of copper continued into the mid-1900s as a liner for wood-enclosed tubs. Commanders and officers of the US Cavalry also enjoyed some downtime relaxing in traveling tubs.

More commonly, tubs back then were steel-cased. By 1867, tub manufacturers started using cast iron, which had been used for several years for making sinks and toilets. The problem with metal was corrosion. Copper and zinc discolored readily around water and soap, and the seams of sheet metal were hard to keep clean. Iron and steel, of course, rusted eventually, even under the most meticulous coat of paint. Bathtubs made of lead were only found in more progressive homes equipped with early water-heating devices. As running water became more common in the latter 19th century, bathtubs became more prevalent and less portable.

Birth of the Modern Bathtub

Photo Credit: brettcogburn.com

While some members of the US Calvary and the Temperance ladies were enjoying their high society tubs, the miners most often bathed in horse troughs, if at all. Bathing wasn’t considered a necessity by these hard-working men. In fact, personal hygiene was considered something of a nuisance. Over time, as bathing became more fashionable, more tub manufacturers entered the market and began improving designs. Out with the horse trough and in with cast iron bathtubs with porcelain interiors on "Clawfoot" pedestals. These tubs rose to popularity in the 19th century and remain so today.

To combat the corrosion problem, tub makers began successfully marketing porcelain-enameled, cast iron bathtubs, a process that remains broadly the same to this day. Some modern bathtubs are made of acrylic or fiberglass; occasionally, waterproof finished wood. In addition to the advanced materials used in making today’s modern bathtubs, many new and innovative bathtub designs have entered the market.

Photo Credit: huffingtonpost.com

One such design is the Walk-in tub that is perfect for seniors. These bathtubs provide a great safety advantage to handicapped persons or those with limited mobility. Not only are these tubs highly functional, there is also a range of hydrotherapeutic options available. Walk-in tubs are perfect for everyday bathing needs, but importantly, they also provide personal safety and independence wrapped in therapeutic luxury.

Tub King's cast iron/porcelain Clawfoot and Pedestal tubs as well as our therapeutic Walk-in Our tubs are made to fit in your bathroom. Or, if you want one for your covered wagon, we can hitch you up with that, too.

In this article, I first gave a brief historical account of the development bathtubs. I highlighted a story made famous by the motion picture, "Hallelujiah Trail," about a skirmish between whisky-thirsty miners and Temperance-minded women of the Old West. It then goes on to talk about elegant cast iron/porcelian Clawfoot and Pedestal tubs as well as safety-minded Walk-in tubs.

If you found this article useful, please share it with your family, friends and co-workers. If you have a comment related to this article, leave it in the Comment section of this blog. Thanks again for visiting with us.

Tub King Customer Walk-in Tub Testimonial

If you’d like to receive a FREE Clawfoot Tub Buyers’ Guide, fill out the form below.

If you’d like to receive a FREE Walk-in Tub Buyers’ Guide, fill out the form below.

Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article and my brother, Alan, who heads up Tub King, will personally get back to you. It’s been my pleasure sharing this information with you.

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Alan Knight has many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. His companies not only provide superior products, they are also multi-award winners, receiving the “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Award” four years running. If you’d like to contact Tub King, call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231; or send an email to Alan@tubking.com.

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How to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar

By Kerry Knight

Photo Credit: budgetingthenest.com

Whether you're moving out of state or just across town, when getting ready to sell our house, it seems most of us are in a hurry to do so. We want to get away from its financial encumbrances so we can open up a new chapter in our lives, but not at the expense of selling out too cheaply. Having recently sold my house in Jacksonville and moved to the mountains in Alabama after retiring from as cofounder of Tub King earlier this year, let me offer some tips on howto do it right.

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Choose a real estate broker who can offer the best services to get the job done. Ask for an appointment to talk to a couple of them before making a decision about who you’re going to hire. Ask questions and be specific. For example, ask them what they can offer that is unique with their realty office and skills. Make sure they’re up-to-date on MLS offerings. Ensure they’re tech savvy so they offer the latest in online services. And it’s also very important that they have a good track record of closing sales within the listing period. Also see how they advertise on the Internet. If their company pops up near the top of Page One when you google real estate offices in your area, this means they’re spending money on advertising and they've been in business for a good while with a proven track record.

Price your home right. Your real estate agent will help you with this. They will perform a comp evaluation to see what similar properties have sold for in the last six months. Then they can add or subtract value based on how your house compares. Keep in mind, today's buyers are researching the buyer’s market. They want to get the most house for the least amount of money. Understanding this will help you to price your home for a quick sale, and you have to worry that you’re giving your house away. Just a little adjustment here and there can help tremendously.

Photo Credit: pinawahomes.com

Be ready to show your home on short notice. Don't be difficult. Don't leave the impression that you’re being inconvenienced when someone wants to see the house. Be available at all times, and have the house “show ready.” That means each and every morning, you’re going to clean the house first ... no dishes in the sink or clutter on the floors. If you have to leave the house, leave it looking like a model home. You never know when the real potential real buyer will walk through your front door for a look-see.

The first impression is the only one that matters. If you knew that a willing and able buyer was about to come to your house to buy, wouldn't you make a little extra effort to make it feel warm, welcoming and safe? Wouldn't you also want the exterior landscaping to look fantastic, because that would give the buyer a positive impression before they walk through your front door? By planting a few inexpensive shrubs and some colorful flowers near the front door, you’ll get your money back many times over.

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Hide the dogs and cats. Maybe you think that adorable kitten will make a positive impression on your potential customer, but be warned, not everyone is a dog or cat lover. Walking into a kitchen and seeing a bowl of dog food, with the hound spreading it across the floor doesn't create a good impression. The same goes for the objectionable smell of cat litter. Cat hair and dog dander can kill a sell quickly, especially if there is an allergic reaction. Put the pets outside or in the garage, or better yet find a pet sitter.

Don't have full, cluttered closets. I never thought about this when selling one of our homes some years ago. We were crowded and in need of more space, and that's why we were moving. We had every closet full to the hilt, and the garage was running over with the excess. The real estate agent recommended we remove some of our things and move them into a rented storage unit. We then had closets that were only half full, and it made a difference. I discovered that people viewing the house wanted to be able to imagine their own belonging in the closets and they wanted to perceive the current storage areas as large enough to handle their belongings. It all made sense.

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Take all your family pictures off the wall. One of our favorite things in decorating the walls is to put up pictures of our grand kids. Not just any picture, I mean all of them. Now that's fine if you're planning to live there forever, but if you're trying to sell your home, the photos have to go. Why? Because, just like the cluttered closet, customers want to be able to envision their own family photos ... not yours. Offended? Sorry, that's just human nature. They have to see themselves in your house, as if it was their own home.

Focus on your kitchen and bathrooms first. You can easily transform your kitchen with a little paint and cleaning. If you have the money for it, try for granite countertops or ceramic tile floors, however don't spend money that you think you can never get back in the sell. The agent can help you with this one.

Photo Credit: cnbhomes.com

The bathrooms are easy. You can tile them for much less money. Vinyl flooring now has patterns that look a lot like more expensive ceramic tile. And here again, a little paint can go a long way. Another good idea is to invest in a beautiful cast iron/porcelain Clawfoot tub to replace the out-of-date drop-in tub. Also, make sure, especially in the bath and kitchen, that you have plenty of light. Did you know that after “location,” the number one thing that customers site as a positive characteristic is “good lighting”?

Add a nice deck to your exterior. People want to see themselves grilling on their new porch and having company over. If you have a small concrete pad for a patio, consider investing in a nice wooden deck and furnish it with some comfortable, weather-resistant lawn furniture. Also, landscaping in the back of the house is just as important as the front. A screened-in deck or patio is a great addition because it offers protection from pesky insects. This is very important if your home is in the South.

Selling your home involves some careful study and planning. Do it right and you can see a quick sale for the price you need.

In this article, I provided ― from recent personal experience ― some of the best tips and practices homeowners can do to ensure their house sells quickly and at a good sales price. I mentioned various to-do’s and not to-do’s such as upgrading the bathroom by installing a cast iron/porcelain Clawfoot tub, ensuring this room and the kitchen have adequate lighting, temporarily removing pets and family photos and other useful tips.

If you’d like some suggestions and professional advice about what type of bathroom upgrade would work in advance of selling your home, whether it’s a Clawfoot or Pedestal tub, a Walk-in tub or a Safety Suite Shower, Tub King’s experts are here to help.

If you found this article useful, please share it with your family, friends and co-workers. If you have a comment related to this article, leave it in the Comment section of this blog. Thanks again for visiting with us.

Cast Iron/Porcelain Tubs by Tub King

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Kerry Knight is the former co-owner of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville, Florida. Together with his brother, Alan, they have many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. Their companies not only provide superior products, they are also multi-award winners, receiving the “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Award” four years running. If you’d like to contact Tub King, call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231; or send an email to Alan@tubking.com.

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Related articles

New Tips for Spring Remodeling

By Alan Knight

Photo Credit: woodstockhomes.com

Noted American author, Tad Williams, once said, “Never make your home in a place. Make a home for yourself inside your own head.”

So you have some ideas you’ve been thinking about, and you're finally getting around to doing that remodeling job on your house. Spring is that time of year when most of us, after spending much time during the winter staring at the walls, decide to put some long-thought-about ideas into motion. This means you can now take your renewed positive attitude, motivation and home remodeling skills to good use. However, before tackling a major project, let's look at some ideas you may have overlooked.

Shower Design Power

Photo Credit: houzz.com

We have many customers that come to our showroom looking for remodeling solutions, especially in their bathrooms. One family wanted a very nice bathtub, but also wanted to include a separate, freestanding shower unit. The problem was they couldn't afford both. In the end, they chose to spend a little extra on the tub, a beautiful, deep-soaking Clawfoot tub, and economized on a separate shower with sliding doors. The wife dressed up the drab shower by putting a handsome, fabric shower curtain to hide the sliding doors.

Room for Expansion

Photo Credit: innovationdesignconstruction.com

I’ve purchased many houses over the years, and one thing I always do is to make sure the property is expandable. By that I mean are the property’s boundaries and set-backs such that I could add an extra room in the future if I so chose? If the house is on a foundation with “crawl space” it could be rather expensive to expand the floor system. A slab would be a little easier to work with, but don't forget the cost of drawing up plans, pouring more concrete, and more importantly, making sure the addition fits the current footprint design. Many people have created an oddity with their home by randomly adding rooms and extensions that don't follow the original footprint concept. A once-beautiful home can become an “albatross” if over-all design is not taken into consideration. A wise choice would be to hire a professional designer to help with this before you start.

Kitchen Tops Our Discussion

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Let's talk about the kitchen for a moment. As you know, counter tops are a real focal point in any kitchen. The old style of laminate counter tops are being replaced with abandon by most homeowners. That style has never had a reputation for holding up very well over time. A “laminate” is just that, a shallow surface of vinyl or plastic that is laminated over pressed board. The corners are notorious for being easily damaged. The surface will start to lift over time, regardless of the care.

Thank goodness for innovation. Today, granite countertops are the craze. However, even newer are the engineered quartz counter tops. Two words about counter tops: remember resale. Spend a little and it usually pays off in the long run. In one of the houses we built some years ago, we decided on laminate counter tops to make sure we stayed within our budget. We took good care of them over the years and they still looked good after ten years of living there. But, when we decided to sell, and before we put the house on the market, we spent a little money and replaced them with granite. It was a wise decision. The house sold quickly and the new homeowners could only rave about how beautiful the new counter tops were.

Photo Credit: poorlytitled.wordpress.com

Another thing about kitchen remodeling, unless you’re a professional cook or money is no object, don't buy an expensive commercial-style range and fridge. There are many mid-priced, great looking appliances out there. Appliances can be plenty big for your needs, so start with what you can afford. When I was growing up in the 1960s, we always had the same Frigidaire refrigerator. It was more like an old-time icebox. The inside was about half the size of modern, regular size refrigerators, with a place for two ice trays in the top. There was no freezer portion to speak of and it was about two feet shorter than today's versions. So today, be practical. You can always move up to something larger and nicer later. Save your money for custom cabinets and countertops.

There is a trend now to make the kitchen and bathroom huge, but they needn't be — after all, they're also the most expensive rooms to build. Opt for functionality over size. A nice touch in a shared bathroom is a separate room for the toilet. It can be relatively small, but include a window to provide light and a feeling of connecting with the outdoors.

Curtains Up

Photo Credit: saffronmarigold.com

Choose shower curtains over custom shower doors. Glass doors cost about $1,500, and they require a good deal of maintenance. Soap film build-up is one problem, requiring the need to squeegee them every time you take a shower. On the positive side, great-looking fabric shower curtains are very affordable, plus they add color and design to the shower area. And, if you get tired of the curtain color or design, you can always change it for little money.

Here is another tip for the bathroom: Buy a good toilet ― the new ones are quiet and use less water. Most showrooms don't have working models, so be sure to check the reviews. Dual-flush models are a good option.

WW2: Walls 'n' Windows

Photo Credit: capitalcityexteriors.net

Throughout the house, keep the windows the same size, if possible. That said, you can also make a spectacular change with really big windows or French doors. Increasing natural light is always a good investment. If you have single glass windows ― even if they're in decent shape ― it may be worth replacing them with insulated windows, which will save money on heating and cooling and also help reduce noise. Also, insulate all exterior walls and ceilings. If you open any internal walls, put in insulation, particularly around bedrooms and bathrooms. It's cheap and it helps reduce sound.

Nuances Make a Difference

Photo Credit: switchhits.com

Small areas to consider are door hardware and light fixtures. Many homes have the typical cream-colored light and receptacle plates. By simply upgrading to something as simple as pewter light fixtures will speak volumes about quality and elegance. Light fixtures in old houses are normally ugly, discolored and out of date.

Bedrooms nowadays are fitted with ceiling fans, which come with their own light package. It’s easy to catch a sale on ceiling fans. They sometimes run as low as $59or $69. If you’re ever considering a future resale, this is invaluable. And don't forget the porch, especially a screened-in porch. A ceiling fan that is rated for outdoor use can turn the porch into a key gathering spot.

Never underestimate the transforming power of color. Paint offers immediate gratification. Even the good stuff is relatively inexpensive, and a careful amateur can do a good job. Hate the look of your house? Try a fresh coat of new paint first.

These are just a few suggestions for keeping your home beautiful and functional. “There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort,” wrote English novelist, Jane Austen, in the 18th century. Her wise words ring true even today. Make your home a place of leisure that you can be proud to show off.

In this article, I discussed some useful ideas for spring remodeling such as adding a cast iron/porcelain Clawfoot tub, upgrading kitchen countertops, adding new ceiling fans, replacing electric plates with pewter, repainting rooms, and myriad other suggestions.

If you’d like some suggestions and professional advice about what type of bathing solution would work for your bathroom remodeling project, whether it’s a Clawfoot or Pedestal tub, a Walk-in tub or a Safety Suite Shower, Tub King’s experts are here to help.

If you found this article useful, please share it with your family, friends and co-workers. If you have a comment related to this article, leave it in the Comment section of this blog.

Thanks again for visiting with us.

Testimonial for Tub King's Pedestal Tub

Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article and I’ll personally get back to you.

If you’d like to receive a FREE Walk-In Tub Buyers’ Guide, click here.

If you’d like to receive a FREE Clawfoot Tub Buyers’ Guide, click here.

It's Remodeling Season. Click Here for Lowest Prices Ever & Free Shipping on Cast Iron Tubs.

Alan Knight is the owner of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville, Florida. He has many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. His companies not only provide superior products, they are also award winners, receiving the “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Award” four years running. To contact Tub King directly, call (800)843-4231 or email alan@tubking.com.

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