7 Common Bathroom Renovation Mistakes
Bathroom renovation is one of the very most popular home improvement projects, but it can also be one of the most challenging. Although getting caught up in the excitement of a new bathroom is very easy, you must also carefully consider every aspect of your renovation before you begin. Sometimes it seems we are incapable of doing anything right. In our haste to complete the bathroom renovation project, we make mistakes that range from small and negligible to enormous and costly. No matter which category they fit into, they can be avoided if you pay attention to details. This blog discusses the seven common bathroom renovation mistakes.
- Not Finding a Good Contractor
Finding the right contractor is critical to renovating your bathroom on a budget and on time. Ensure you interview at least three contractors before deciding who will handle your job. Ask for references and check them out before making a final decision. You'll need a contractor to help with everything from demolition to tile work, so make sure you hire someone who has experience in your area and who is reliable and trustworthy.
- Forgetting About Ventilation
The bathroom is one of the least ventilated areas in the home, which means there can be health risks associated with poor ventilation. One way to ensure adequate ventilation during bathroom renovations is by installing extractor fans to remove odour and moisture from the room. This will also help prevent moulds from forming on walls and ceilings and keep humidity levels low enough so that moulds won't grow on surfaces such as grout or tiles.
- Not Thinking About the Plumbing
Don't forget that plumbing is critical when it comes to bathroom renovations. It is probably not something that you think about every day, but it's essential to ensure everything works smoothly when you're ready to use your new bathroom. And if you don't get it right, it could cost you more money down the line. A leaky toilet or bathroom can cause significant damage to your floor and walls over time, so it's essential to have a plumber check the system out before starting any work on your bathroom.
- Reusing Old Pipes and Wiring
The plumbing pipes and electrical systems in your home are decades old, and it's unlikely they'll pass the code when inspected by city inspectors. If they do pass inspection, they may require costly upgrades in the future. And even if they pass inspection today, they may fail at some point in the future, possibly with disastrous results.
The absolute best way to avoid these problems is to replace all of your existing plumbing and electrical systems during your bathroom renovation. This is usually easy enough since most bathrooms don't have much going on inside them other than plumbing and electrical services.
- Choosing the Wrong Tile and Flooring for Your Bathroom Renovation
Not all tile is created equal. Before you choose your tile, you should know precisely what kind of space you're working with. For example, if you have a small bathroom, you would want to choose a light and bright tile. Choosing a glass tile would work well if you want your bathroom to be more modern.
The flooring in your bathroom should be easy to clean and durable enough to withstand moisture. Tile is a popular choice for many bathrooms because it's easy to clean and comes in many different styles. However, if your bathroom has hardwood floors, then installing ceramic or porcelain tiles would not look right because they're too flat and smooth compared to natural stone or wood floors.
- Making the Shower the Focal Point
The shower is a big part of your bathroom, but it shouldn't be the only thing that matters when you're planning a bathroom renovation. In fact, if you focus on making the shower look good while ignoring everything else in the bathroom, you'll end up with a room that lacks balance and harmony, and that's not what anyone wants in their space.
- Installing Recessed Lighting Incorrectly
When installing recessed lighting during your bathroom renovation, it's vital to ensure the fixtures are level and straight. If they're crooked or not level, they can be very unsightly and contribute to other road problems (such as water damage). It would be excellent to use appropriate caulk or sealant around the lights so that water doesn't seep into the walls or ceiling behind them.
Conclusion
If you are planning on starting a bathroom renovation project, then it is always best that you learn the common mistakes involved. Following these tips and ideas for your next bathroom renovation will help you prevent many issues from popping up down the road. This way, once your project is complete, you can get excited about the results and not worry about any mistakes made along the way. The bathroom is where you will spend half of your time, so consider this as an investment on something that will pay off psychologically and economically.
