If there’s any home renovation project that you should be serious about doing, it’s the bathrooms in your home. You go to your bathroom multiple times a day, so it has to do its job. You wouldn’t want to be in a bathroom that’s moldy, wet, and dirty no matter how much you try to clean it every day. Plus, if there are functional plumbing problems, it’s very important that you address these early on.
Bathroom remodel problems are one of the biggest expenses associated with renovating a house, but it’s an expense that’ll always be worth it. As you go through the renovation, the last thing you’d want is to cause more problems. Otherwise, your renovation project will be ineffective.
That said, here are some of the common bathroom remodel problems you have to avoid.
1. Not Using the Best Materials
Even if you’re on a budget, this doesn’t mean you should skimp on the materials. While you may think that you’re saving right now, in the long run, you’re only going to spend more simply because you have to keep replacing broken or faulty materials.
A good renovation contractor and shower installer that’s local and experienced will know how to score and use the best materials without necessarily spiking up the total cost of the project. When you don’t know what the best materials are, don’t even attempt to DIY. It’s still better to leave the project in the hands of the experts.
If you’re trying to figure out the cost of a bathroom remodel, you’ll need to know what types of materials you need and which ones you can get for a cheaper price.
2. Not Giving Particular Attention to Mold
Mold can thrive best in cold, wet, and damp areas. Since it’s more prone to moisture, bathrooms are very prone to mold. Hence, before you even undergo any specific remodel project in the bathroom, pay close attention to solve an underlying mold problem first. To provide a permanent solution to this problem, look for signs of mold, and then start with that as your canvas.
Some of the most common signs of molds include:
- Black spots on walls above the baseboards.
- Patches of drywall that still look wet even when the bathroom hasn’t been used.
- Musty smell
3. Only Providing Temporary Solutions to Plumbing Problems
Plumbing problems are supposed to be given permanent solutions. After all, this is what comprises the bulk of your bathroom. Hence, when you do an Orange County bathroom remodel, your contractor should give you a permanent fix to these problems. Don’t accept a temporary one as you’ll keep facing this problem over and over again. It’s not about patching the plumbing issue; it’s about fixing it.
Common indicators of plumbing issues are:
- Rattling behind the walls while the water is running.
- Knocking sound when the shower runs, which is mostly due to improperly secured pipes.
- Leaking faucet and spouts even when the water is turned off.
4. Not Providing A Divider Between the Shower and The Rest of The Bathroom
Most bathrooms are shared by the toilet, faucet area, and the shower. Unfortunately, a common remodel mistake done is not providing an ample divider between these areas. This mistake is very common, especially with a bathtub. Remember, this will only result in an unnecessarily wet bathroom.
With renovation projects these days, most dividers are made of glass. This is the cleanest and best option. However, if the budget right is quite tight to accommodate glass yet, you can also go for an inexpensive but very doable solution: shower curtains.
Shower curtains are available in supermarkets and home depots. There are also many designs to choose from that you’re sure to end up with one that matches the overall look of your home. Just make sure you choose an inexpensive option that’s waterproof.
5. Not Installing A Proper Ventilation System
Ventilation is very important, especially when you can only put a small window in your bathroom. An exhaust fan and an outside vent are necessary not just to fix any smell that may stay in your bathroom, but also to remove moisture in your bathroom. If you keep the moisture in, this is how mildew and mold can form.
While not all bathrooms may need a ventilation system, there are ways for you to determine whether or not you need to have one. Here’s how:
- Run your hot shower, and then turn on a fan. With this fan, the mirror shouldn’t fog nor should the drywall sweat. It’s normal for the bathroom’s humidity to increase when the shower is on. But when it’s off, it should go down. If it doesn’t, then a remodel of the ventilation system is called for.
6. Not Paying Attention to the Drainage
The shower drainage is one of the most important parts of any bathroom, which is why you need to pay special attention to this. No matter how beautiful your renovation work may be, if the drainage isn’t repaired or solved, you’ll still face regular problems in your bathroom.
It’s simple for you to check the drainage. Run the water, then observe how long it takes for the water to drain and the direction it moves. Since it should immediately go down the drain, it shouldn’t create a pool around the area.
This drainage mistake and problem can be anywhere from minor clogged pipes that need maintenance to a more pressing issue of water that’s flowing in the wrong place.
Conclusion
Not only does a bathroom remodel project improve the overall utility or functionality of your home, but it also improves the aesthetics of your bathroom. In the long run, if you decide to re-sell your home, a bathroom remodel is also one of the renovation projects that’ll increase its value. However, for it to be worth it, you must do it accurately.
The goal should be to avoid the common remodel problems so every expense spent on renovating your bathroom will be worth it. Using a good contractor can give you this assurance.
