Tackling a bathroom renovation can be challenging if you’ve never dealt with a project like that before. The bathroom is one of the most complicated rooms to renovate, due to all the plumbing and fixtures that will require dismantling and putting back in their old or new spot. Add removing the tiles and gluing the new ones alongside painting the walls, and the entire project becomes more demanding than you’d ever think it could be. However, if you’re about to start with your big project, here’s how to do it.
Make a plan
Every large project demands you to have a detailed plan for its execution. That’s why you should plan every step of the process in detail and make sure you follow the plan for the best results. First, plan on the budget to know how much money you can spend on the remodel. Next, draw a plan of the bathroom and how it needs to look after the remodel. That is especially important if you plan to move the toilet, a bathtub and any other fixture.
Remove old fixtures
When you start remodelling, you’ll want to remove the old dingy fixtures. It’s time to invest in a new toilet and a shower. Make sure you shut off the water supply to the bathroom and drain the water from the fixtures before you remove them. While you’re throwing away the old bathtub and boiler, consider what new fixtures you want in your bathroom. Once the bathroom is empty of old items, imagine where the new ones will be and plan for additional sanitaria even. You should consider the best commercial hand dryers for your new bathroom to add a dose of elegance while also making hand drying more convenient. Plan along as you get rid of old sanitaria and make room for new items.
Retile floors and walls
Once all the sanitaria are out, you can start drilling and ungluing the old tiles. That will be one of the most daunting and longest tasks, but it will offer a whole new canvas for you to design. The minute the floor tiles lose their original shine, your bathroom starts looking dingy and unattractive. That’s why investing in new tiles with stain-friendly patterns will be of the essence. Go for large dimensions to make your bathroom look posher. Use a chalk line to create reference lines so that your tiles will be straight. If you haven’t before, choose materials that withstand high humidity and water splashes for the walls. Wall tiles are the safest choice, but a paint that’s specially formulated for bathrooms will work well too.
Install new plumbing fixtures
The tiles will require a day or two to stick well to the floor and walls, so you can take that time to shop for new fixtures and look for accessories. Once you have your new sanitaryware with you, place them according to plan. If you’ve chosen new locations for the toilet and a shower, it would be a wise choice to call professionals to deal with plumbing readjustment. You should only tackle that issue if you have experience with plumbing. Otherwise, you can risk having a pipe burst and flood the entire bathroom or more. Having a shower with glass doors will make your bathroom look spacious because there will be no visual barriers. If you have kids, then a bathtub will be a wise choice too. If the size of the bathroom allows it, consider having both a shower and a bathtub. If the budget permits, installing a thermostatic shower valve will be a good idea too. That little fixture will automatically adjust the hot and cold water to avoid scalding in the event of pressure changes.
Invest in new lighting
Wall lamps, ceiling lights or recessed spotlights they’re all great options for bathrooms. Choose a protection (IP) rating that’s compatible with the bathroom zone you plan to fit the light in for the best illumination in your bathroom. If you want to add more lamps, or built-in lighting fixtures, be sure to contact electricians to do all the work. Dealing with wires and electricity can be dangerous unless you’re an expert.
Add accessories
Towel warmers, vanity units, laundry baskets and shower mats are just some of the accessories you’ll need to make your bathroom look complete. Those usually come at the very end of the process when you’ve already installed the new sanitaryware, a hand dryer and lighting. If your bathroom lacks space, consider built-in towel storage in the walls, or mount additional shelves on the walls. A built-in vanity is also very useful for small bathrooms, but if you have a large bathroom feel free to spruce on a large free-standing vanity that will add charm to the bathroom.
Final thoughts
Remodelling a bathroom can be challenging, but with little help, you’ll have no trouble doing it. Just make sure you follow all the steps from our comprehensive guide, and you’ll finish your big project without any fuss.
Jack Kewell is writer, science editor, naturalist, entrepreneur. He is focused on writing and illustrating books. Also, he is a regular contributor on mountaintechblog