Not everyone likes to use public bathrooms. But unfortunately, there would come a time that you have to use one. Typical public bathroom stalls usually have gaps between the different stall panels.
There are also significant gaps under each stall door, and sometimes it even has a blue light, which is not pleasing at all for the eyes.
There are a number of rational explanations of why bathroom stalls are not directly installed on the floor. Several of these facts are blatantly clear (they are easy to clean and maintain, and they are cheaper to install), but other reasons are not so easy to guess.
Please keep reading to know the simple truths as to why bathroom stalls are installed in such a way that it would not touch the floor on why this is a very good thing.
- It makes the cleaning and the maintenance a breeze.
Although it would be nice for a bathroom stall’s door and wall to reach the floor, it would also be one of the primary reasons that a bathroom is dirty. Because of the gaps in stalls, now sanitation workers can mop the floors with ease by sliding their mops directly under the stall gaps and all around the area.
Dirt will not accumulate in the wall corners, and it can be cleaned quickly and efficiently. The gaps also allow having water freely flow for more efficient cleaning. In addition, if the wall and door gaps are narrower, janitors would have had to bend over, which would be troublesome for them.
Furthermore, it would also substantially make the entire cleaning process longer.
- If someone passes out or has an emergency, it will be easily noticed.
Usually, when a person does not feel well, they generally prefer to be at the restroom to gather themselves. Someone could lose consciousness while in the bathroom stall, and it is more likely that no one would be able to find them for hours if there was no gap under the door.
If someone passes out and becomes incapacitated, it would be immediately noticed in bathroom stalls, which does not reach the floor. They can also be retrieved far more efficiently, as an emergency responder could very well slip through the gap to unlock the door rather than breaking down the door.
- It discourages people from using the bathroom for doing drugs, any sexual activity, vandalism, and several other inappropriate conducts.
If a person feels less enclosed and less protected away from other people’s eyes, there would also be less probability of them to engage in activities that they can criminally liable. Completely enclosed bathroom stalls will likely let a person feel that he or she is in a private and secluded place where they can indulge in any illicit or illegal activities (as with drug use).
Such occurrences decrease when bathroom stalls have gaps at the bottom, because there is a sort of transparency, and keep them reminded that a public restroom is still a public place.
- It is cost-efficient and easier to install.
Bathroom stall installers are able to implement simple stall partitions that can be used in any setting, notwithstanding a floor’s even flooring or the width and height of the bathroom area. With floor-to-ceiling bathroom stalls, it would require custom cutting, and it must also perfectly fit the full height of the area; thus, it would need more materials so it can cost twice or thrice the expenses of building a stall with bottom gaps.
It would be more financially sensible to go for shorter and more versatile bathroom stalls.
- It provides better aeration which is hugely beneficial for the next user.
It is a profoundly gag-inducing experience to be the next person to walk in a fully enclosed bathroom stall after someone has just defecated. This is why it is obviously much better to walk in a public bathroom stall with bottom gaps because it provides better aeration for the next user.
Albeit, there would undeniably be a stench, it is considerably better because the air can circulate freely.
- You can immediately see if a bathroom stall is occupied, thus avoiding mistakenly queuing up in a stall where nobody is inside.
It is an undeniable fact that a public bathroom usually has people queuing up to use the toilet. To avoid any unnecessary queue, anyone who will use the restroom must easily determine if a bathroom stall is occupied or not.
This is possible with bathroom stalls that have gaps between the door and floor or by the use of mechanical devices that can signal that a stall is occupied.
- You will not be trapped inside the bathroom stall even if the lock will unfortunately jam.
It is common to have a stall door or lock being jammed with a person trapped inside the bathroom stall. However, this would never be the case with stalls that has gaps. One can easily get out and escape by just crawling between the gap of the door and the floor.
- It encourages the user to take care of their business quickly.
When using the bathroom, when someone is isolated by a full-length bathroom stall away from the stream of chaotic bathroom traffic, they tend to lose the feeling that there are people outside waiting for their turn. The user will be more likely to take a longer time to do their business.
If a bathroom has a gap, the user tends to become more rushed and thus takes care of things a lot quicker, which in turn speeds up the flow of bathroom traffic.
Changing places restrooms offer a clean private facility for people living with a severe disability, providing convenient access to assisting equipment and additional space to manage their personal needs. You can read more about the changing places toilet layout.
- You can pass toilet paper between stalls if the need arises
There might come a time that it is too late for you to realize that there is no toilet paper, and you will need a friend, or even a stranger, to help you out during this unfortunate scenario. With a floor to ceiling stall, it would be impossible to easily pass a toilet paper without having to open the stall door.
However, a stall with a gap will definitely help you out of this hitch with just seamlessly passing the toilet paper through the gap.
Life is often full of surprises like this, isn’t it? Similarly, you might wake up one morning to find a flooded bathroom or a clogged sink. It’s in moments like these that you understand the importance of having a go-to solution. In the case of plumbing issues, that solution is finding a local plumber.
It may seem like a minor detail, but knowing who to call when your pipes burst is as crucial as being aware of the location of the nearest public restroom. In both cases, the right knowledge at the right time can save you a world of trouble. The relief that washes over you when a kind stranger passes a roll of toilet paper under the stall is not unlike the sigh of relief you breathe when a competent plumber arrives just in time to fix a disastrous leak.
So, just as you value the architecture of restroom stalls for their ability to pass the much-needed toilet paper through the gap, appreciate the convenience of finding local plumbers.
More Bathroom Tips
- Five Ways to Keep Your Bathroom Clean and Organized
- How to Plan a Bathroom Remodel
- Take Your Bathroom from Messy to Dressy with the Right Vanity Cabinet
- How to Update a Bathroom in Minutes with Peel and Stick Wallpaper
- 5 Tools to Use When Planning Your Bathroom Remodeling
[…] 9 Reasons Why Public Bathroom Stalls Have Big Gaps […]