Do you have the "Group 11" advantage?

Do you have REBrammer? Email: captain@rebrammer.com

I am not a contractor and do not sell or install anything.

What I do is Design, Plan, Advise and Oversee the installation of Plumbing Systems. I am a licensed Master Plumber and have been in the trade for 35 years.

My abilities include: Creative Plumbing Designs, Contracts & Estimating, Operational Engineering, Research & Development, Plans & Layouts, Project Management, Systems Consultant and Quality Assurance.

Creative Designs is a service that provides assistance to customers who desire "especially" designed plumbing systems that may be out of the ordinary or one of a kind.

These can vary from Living Bathrooms, to Roman Baths, specialized kitchens, custom water features and even Aquariums/Aquascaping.

Styles can vary from "Island Style" Hawaiian & Japanese to Tropical Florida & South Eastern or to the ultra "New Extreme".

So what exactly is Group 11? We're going to get a little scientific here!

Group 11 is that section of the Periodic table of elements that deals with Copper, Silver, Gold, Roentgenium and together are known as the Noblemetals.

G11 (G11.2-0.3) on the other hand is the remains of a massive star that exploded around 386 A.D. as witnessed by the Chinese. More specifically G11 represents a textbook case of symmetrical Supernova.

Supernova occurs when a Star’s fuel supply is exhausted which takes about 6.6 billion years.

Supernova is a massive release of energy. Nova means “New” & Super means “Extreme”. (New Extreme)

The element Uranium forms near the time a Star begins its path to Supernova.

The final product of fully decayed Uranium is Lead.

Uranium 238 decays to lead 206, with a half-life of 4.5 billion years. Uranium 235 decays to lead 207, with a half-life of 710 million years.

Thorium 232 decays to lead 208, with a half-life of 14.1 billion years.

Lead (Pb-207) is element 82 or Plumbum

Plumbago is a name for “Lead Ore”.

Plumbago is also a genus of flowering plants native to warm temperate to tropical regions of the world. A common name also includes “Leadwort” from a plant at one time being a supposed cure for lead poisoning.

The name Plumber originates from the Latin plumbum or "lead”.

Lead was probably one of the first metals to be produced by man. Pearls of metallic Lead and Copper were found at archaeological stratum in ancient Lydia (modern Turkey).

The alchemists believed Lead to be the oldest metal and associated it with the planet Saturn. Because of its heavy weight it played a special role in the alchemic operations, they assigned to it the ability easily to be converted into Gold, the metal of the Sun (Sol).

In theory it is possible to make Super-Heavy Gold by combining lead and copper: 82 Pb + 29 Cu = 111 Rg “Eka-gold”.

They had many names for it, some secret, among others Plumbago.

The Romans were keen in developing and using lead pipes to carry water from point A to point B. A good example can be seen in the still-functioning “Roman Baths” located in Bath, England. Can you guess where the word bath came from?

In an ironic twist of fate, many wealthy Romans died from lead poisoning.

Lead (such as Galena) is usually found in ore with zinc, silver and (most abundantly) copper, and is extracted together with these metals.

Copper “cuprum” dates back to 8700 BC being relatively easy to mine and refine. Commonly used as tubing & fittings in Plumbing and Air Conditioning. When combined with Zinc you achieve Brass and when combined with Tin you achieve Bronze.

Silver (argentos) “white shining” is used in solder and brazing, Kohler had introduced a line of toilet seats that have silver ions embedded to kill germs.

Gold (aurum) meaning “shining dawn” is used for Gold plating plumbing fixtures. "Brass bathroom fixtures look elegant - until years of use turn them from dashing to dull. To give polished brass the durability of chrome, faucet manufacturers have developed protective, corrosion-resistant Gold coatings."

The ultimate bathing experience comes from a Roman Tub.

Real Roman baths and spas are permanently cast into your floor and tiled. You step down into them. They are extremely rare, highly prized and practically indestructible. I have only seen one in 35 years and it was built by me. The initial cost is free!

More on Roman Baths:

The first shrine at the site of the hot springs of “Bath” was built by Celts, and was dedicated to the goddess Sulis, whom the Romans identified with Minerva; however, the name Sulis continued to be used after the Roman invasion, leading to the town's Roman name of Aquae Sulis literally, "the waters of Sulis" or Sol. (Waters of the Sun goddess)

During the Roman occupation of Britain, increasingly grand temples and bathing complexes were built at Bath, starting in the first century CE and used for four centuries.

The term Thermae was a word the ancient Romans used for the buildings housing their public baths. The word thermae is a Latin borrowing from the Greek adjective thermos, Thermae sc. aquae means "hot waters, hot springs".

The universal acceptance of bathing as a central event in daily life belongs to the Roman world and it is hardly an exaggeration to say that at the height of the empire, the baths embodied the ideal Roman way of urban life. Apart from their normal hygienic functions, they provided facilities for sports and recreation. Their public nature created the proper environment—much like a city club or community center—for social intercourse varying from neighborhood gossip to business discussions.

There was even a cultural and intellectual side to the baths since the truly grand establishments, the thermae, incorporated libraries, lecture halls, colonnades, and promenades and assumed a character like the Greek gymnasium.

In today’s world we think of bathing as a very private activity conducted in the home.

The most common type of baths is in a shower or in a bathtub.

Bathtubs come in steel, cast iron and fiberglass. Steel tubs are worthless and are only good for watering troughs, where-as a Kohler or American Standard Cast iron tubs will last a life time.

Most Jacuzzi tub type tubs, hot tubs and large or varied shaped tubs come in fiberglass. Standard 5’ tubs come in fiberglass, with or without the walls and are good for motor homes and fish camps.

Roman baths are like showers on steroids. The possibilities are endless.

In today’s fast pace world, Steam Baths and Saunas are somewhat overlooked by the masses.

Nothing clears the sinuses like steam, nor soothes aching bodies like dry heat.

Steam bathing contributes to a brighter, healthier outlook on life, improves blood circulation and metabolism, and provides a safe haven from mental and physical stress.

Steam units are generally installed in custom showers, but they may be placed in standard prefab shower enclosures or standard tub any place that can be enclosed to keep the steam in. For optimum use, the ceiling in your steam room/shower should be seven feet high.

Regardless of the installation, the cubicles must be sealed, so shower doors must be custom-fitted to completely cover the opening. Conventional showerheads and controls will share the same space so you can shower off after your steam treatment.

The compact steam generator hides quietly in the vanity, closet or even an insulated attic or basement. In addition, low voltage controls are safe and easy to operate, and the system is virtually maintenance free.

Since the heating units are hidden from view, there aren't any decorative concerns to deal with other than the electronic controls, which are available in a choice of trim options.

Since you'll probably spend more time than normal in your steam room, you should definitely provide a seat so that you can relax and let the steam take effect. You might even consider installing waterproof speakers connected to your sound system.

Basically, what happens to the body during a sauna is quite simple — your metabolism and pulse rates increase, your blood vessels become much more flexible, and your extremities benefit from increased circulation. Physical fitness fans will recognize that some of these changes can also be achieved through strenuous exercise. Not to say that a sauna would put you in excellent physical condition without moving a muscle (don't some of us wish!), but that it brings about the same metabolic results as physical exercise.

The effects of the sauna are numerous and varied. Many people experience a feeling of psychological peace and contentment as well as physical rejuvenation. Many claim that the sauna relieves the symptoms of minor illnesses such as colds, revives the muscles after tough physical exertion, and clears the complexion. The sauna experience will often leave you feeling very much alive. Your senses will be sharpened, and your tactile sensitivity heightened.

Another aspect of the sauna that needs to be considered is your mental state prior to taking one. Many people attest to the healing powers of the sauna concerning mental depression and anxiety. They say that after leaving the sauna, the mind is in a relaxed, lucid state, free of the worries of the everyday world. Also, when the body feels soothed and energized, the mind and emotions often follow suit.

Saunas are usually sold as complete rooms, either in kit form, or as assembled units.

You can buy the heater by itself, and then build a suitable enclosure out of materials of your choosing. Most prefab designs use cedar because it stays cool to the touch, cleans easily with soap and water, doesn't splinter and resists stains and decay.

Don't buy a steam or sauna unit without consulting with someone like me. The place chosen for the unit must be accessible for service.

Both steam and sauna units come in gas or electric types. Electric types require a dedicated electric supply line, however. In most cases, this will be a 220-volt line rather than standard 110 volts.

Other cool stuff:

Vacation or emergency switch: Looks like your common everyday light switch except that it interfaces to a Solenoid valve connected to your water main. Place it in any convenient location easy to access and use it in case of an emergency leak or as a safety if going out of town.

Water free Urinals: No kidding, Sloan makes a waterless Urinal good for 7000 tinkles. All you need is a 2” drain and you save $$$$ on your water bill. Sorry, they haven’t invented Waterless Water closets yet, unless of course you want to count an outhouse as one.

Bidet is a French word for pony. Story has it that Napoleon and several of his horse riding staff officers had hemorrhoids and requested the invention this “Pony” for cleaning ones barn door. Anyone who has mobility problems and finds it difficult to get into a bathtub, or is afraid of slipping in the shower, may find a bidet an excellent solution for maintaining personal hygiene. Warning: Do not drink the water!

Wall hung Water closets to go with your Waterless Urinal: These units generally are found only in commercial installations but are great for residential use. They are easy to clean around and under. They come in both tank type and flushometer type. There is also the Concealed Flushometer like you see at the Airports.

Kohler DTV: This is pretty cool stuff to add to your already perfect Roman Spa. The thermostatic valve will control a total of six different outlets while a media server can control music, ambient light, chromatherpy (color) and steam.

Solar lighting: solar tubes, skylights, light pipes what ever you want to call them bring in Pure healthy natural light and its free.

Greenhouse Windows: Weather you call them garden windows, greenhouse windows or bay windows bring the outdoors inside. Automatic plant watering and draining systems can be installed for trouble free enjoyment.