Check Paint Under Various Brightness Conditions

At bathroomgurureview we examine every aspect of the bath design and creation process. For those of you that hate not getting the results that you hoped for, this is for you. One area that we find homeowners naively overlook is how color and light affects the overall look and feel of their washroom.

We have received several emails from frustrated home remodelers complaining about how differently their lavatory looks from when they originally chose their paint color at their local home improvement store. While this sucks and repainting your washroom is not that hard, this problem could have been easily avoided.

From natural light to your choice of artificial lighting bulbs, it is imperative to know ahead of time that a specific paint color that looked great under the fluorescent lights of a bath showroom or local renovation store will look completely different under the tungsten bulbs in your home bathing space.

One way to overcome this disparity is to bring home a paint sample so you can view it under the lighting conditions in your lavatory before you commit to any specific paint color. If you are lucky some home improvement facilities have a staging area where you can actually view the paint samples under different lighting conditions so you don’t make this newbie mistake.

Coming up With a Luminosity Plan That Works

Needless to say, one of the most challenging facets of choosing a timeless paint color that is right for your bathing facility is knowing how that hue will behave under different lighting conditions. To assist you in figuring this out and avoid the “what the heck happened, ugly bathroom syndrome”, we will examine how different light bulb choices can make or break your bath design choices.

Whether you use tungsten, spotlights, fluorescent, or halogen illumination in your restroom, you can still come up with a luminosity solution that is practical as well as aesthetically pleasing. Professional interior decorators know that even subtle changes in the quality and brightness level in our baths can readily alter the way we perceive the colors around us.

The first step in understanding how color and light work together in your interior space is to look at how different bulbs resonate: Tungsten bulbs produce a slightly yellowish hue over everything. This can make blues appear green and white walls appear tainted. Halogen, as well as spotlights produces a white radiance however halogens are much more cost effective than spotlights.

Exploring Illumination Solutions

Fluorescent bulbs normally produce a flat, cold light giving your bathroom decor a bluish tinge but thanks to modern technology you can also get these bulbs with full spectrum lighting that actually mimics daylight. The other good thing about fluorescent bulbs is that they are also great for saving energy.

If you are fortunate enough to take a paint sample home, make sure you examine the swatches in natural rays of sunshine as well as different times of the day to get a feel of how the color interacts with your home environment.

You will be surprised to find that some colors you thought were perfect might actually seem gloomy under diverse lighting conditions making your grooming area quite uninviting.

Your main concern however is how the color changes in the iridescence of different types of artificial light since we mainly use our bathrooms in the early morning and late at night when natural brightness levels is not an option.

Remember that pools of luminosity produced by directional spotlights have a tendency of creating a gentler mood than a single light source. Tungsten lights cast subtler shadows than the harsher light of fluorescent bulbs.

Improve Upon the Visibility of Your Environment

The interaction of color and light in your bathroom can be used to your advantage when coming up with a color scheme for your restroom. In less than perfect conditions you can pick room colors that can actually a[...]

Fundamentals of a Successful Remodeling Project

Welcome to the Second Chapter of Module 1 of the bathroomgurureview design training series. In this tutorial we are going to look a little closer at what it takes to have a successful remodeling project. Good planning, careful designing and accurate workmanship will just about guarantee that your efforts will be rewarded with a bathroom you are proud of. And while you may be considering hiring a contractor for bathroom renovations, the more input and work you contribute to the project yourself, the more money you will save, and the smoother your project will progress. Meaning you can do a lot of the physical demolition, cleaning and prep work yourself and leave the more technical stuff such as plumbing or electrical to the experts if necessary.

Planning is the Key

This training series will guide you through a complete bathroom remodeling project from start to finish. Hopefully you have had the opportunity to go through Module 1 chapter 1. Now that you are familiar with a brief history of bathroom design you are now ready for an overview of the design process. In the first module we will present ideas and techniques for planning the overall design of your bath using your present bathroom layout as a jump off point for better usage and creative remodeling of the space.

In the next module we will dive even further into the more targeted bathroom design ideas such as choosing and planning your fixtures. Details are important if you are to create a professional looking bathing area, so we also cover finishing materials and accessories.

Who Will be Using Your Bath?

But for a lavatory to be effective it must actually meet the needs of the end user therefore we will not only look at the more common bathroom layouts for families and guest, it would also be beneficial to examine creating a bathroom for the physically inhibited such as children and older individuals. The chapter will be rounded off by finalizing the bath design process to create a blueprint that you or your contractor can follow and use as a guide for what needs to be done.

 

Dealing With Contractors and Permits

In module three of the bathroomgurureview design training series, planning the construction of the space is the next step in the programme. In the first stage you used your creativity to come up with some interesting and useful design ideas for your bathroom, now in the more practical construction phase, we teach you how the professionals plan the process to make it work safely and efficiently. This outline is also an effective tool to map your progress and keep timelines and expenses in check along with building codes, acquiring permits and dealing with mandatory inspections.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Getting down to business is what the fourth module is all about. Get those work gloves on as we present to you a comprehensive remodeling construction guide. From general construction skills such as carpentry, we also teach you the skillsets and tasks necessary to build your unique bathroom. Follow step-by-step instructions on how to remove your old fixtures. Learn structural rough in techniques for heating, plumbing, and electrical work. Install fixtures, prepare surfaces for finishes and put in accessories.

The Fundamentals of Great Bathroom Design

At bathroomgurureview our goal is to help you succeed with your bathroom design and remodeling project. Knowing the basic principles of design will ensure a beautiful and functional bathroom. Our hope is that you will learn enough from these tutorials so that you will actually enjoy the process of creating a new and exciting bathing and relaxation area in your home. Just remember that the planning and construction of your new bathroom will go a lot smoother if you have a grasp on the concepts of construction and installation.

Enjoy all That Hard Work

Today’s homeowner wants to create a room in their home with a spa like atmosphere where they can temporari[...]

Creating Space is all About Perception

Open up and transform your small bathing space with a remodeling project that will unleash the big bathroom hiding within. By using simple, tried-and-true home improvement tactics you can greatly reduce the diminutive effect of a tiny washroom and banish your claustrophobia.

Space is all about perception. By amplifying the spatial relationships of bath elements,  you can make any room feel bigger than it actually is. Use these remodeling tips to create the acuity that you want, and turn that tiny grooming area into a lavatory that feels expansive.

First and foremost, proper use of the layout that you have is vital in smaller powder rooms. You need to say goodbye to those clunky cabinets that dominate the chamber and look to slimmer, more elegant solutions for sinks that will open up the room. Pedestal sinks have been around for ages and seem to come in and out of vogue, but regardless of where these small basins sit with the fashionable crowd, they’re a great way to help you open up your bath.

Clean lines and a small footprint really give you the illusion of greater volume in the room. Want to make even more use of the limited grooming space you have? Then you might be in the market for a wall mounted sink. These are just like they sound, a fixture that you hang on the wall, leaving your floor uncluttered and there is no need for a pedestal or a vanity to support them.

Use Your Walls to Expand Your Options

For even greater use of your limited bathroom space, you can get hanging sinks that install in a corner. Of course, the trade off with a pedestal or hanging sink is that you give up some of the storage space a vanity gives you. So to regain some of that lost storage that is so vital in a tiny lavatory, you can turn to petite vanities that give you the best of both worlds.

Sticking with the topic of storage solutions, your washroom redesign can take advantage of the many flexible stowaway ideas available to help turn underutilized spaces into practical and usable baths. A great recommendation is to tuck shelving out of the way and into a corner, especially in your typical residential washroom . You don’t have to worry about building that into your tub surround; most bed and bath stores carry adjustable corner shelving that will be a great addition to help keep you organized.

Storage That Works

Stackable modulated containers are another great way to take advantage of your limited bath space. And if you’re really adventurous, and have a bit of a handy streak when it comes to renovating your home, you can create shelving without intruding on the tiny bath area that you have by fashioning a nook in the wall to create recessed shelves. Walls in bathrooms that don’t face an exterior wall usually don’t have any insulation. Therefore in between the interior wall and the wall on the other side are studs that create a gap.

You can increase the stowing capacity in your lavatory by cutting out the drywall and creating a little recessed area for toiletries. This project does require a bit of skill working with drywall, and you need to check for electrical and plumbing lines running through your homes structure before you can proceed.

Knowing What to Not Put in

The last thing you want to do when remodeling a small bathing ares is to put in a great big tub. While soaker tubs are great for lounging in, they’re big and bulky and aren’t a great way to optimize your limited space. Try to find a low profile, flat bottom bathtub with a small footprint to get the most bang for your buck.

Of course, if you really want to augment the limited space in your lavatory you can choose to go with a corner shower install. If you’re not a bath person, or if you just don’t have the room, then this solution will keep the chamber . fairly open.

Colors Play an Important Role

Finally, the colors that you choose and the lighting that you use will make a huge difference in the perception of the limited space you ha[...]

Eliminate Traffic Jams at Prime Usage Times

Typically people take for granted the convenience of half baths. For the most part bathrooms are defined by the mixture of critical fixtures they contain. This pint sized room is normally furnished with only a sink and toilet and is sometimes referred to as a powder room. Contrary to popular belief, these convenient chambers and powder rooms are two distinct habitats, both intended for different purposes. While the similar washroom space may hold the same fixtures, a half bath is primarily for family use whereas a powder room services visitors to your home as well as accommodating household members.

Its all About Location

These handy little spaces are a convenient alternative to the family’s main bathing area when things get a little dicey in the morning rush hour. Location will determine the ultimate usage of the space, so when planning thi s small room for washing up, you first must determine who will chiefly be using the facility.

Despite the diminutive space of the chamber , there are innovative ways to make the facility appear larger and more user friendly. Pedestal sinks are great but a novel space saving strategy another recommendation is to install a pull out sink. With this approach, the vessel is hidden away behind a drawer façade until needed at which time the sink attached to a roll out drawer conveniently pulls out from the wall on drawer hinges to reveal a fully functional basin and counter space.

Maximize the Limited Space

Another space saving idea for your ensuite is to construct a narrow section of countertop on either side of the sink extending over the toilet tank for display and storage of toiletries and rolled up hand towels. Make sure the section above the toilet tank is hinged so that the tank remains accessible. Using the cavities between the wall studs in the interior walls of your privy can also be used for shallow shelving. A sliding pocket door means you can place you toilet or sink where you want without having to worry about how your door swings.

The minimal ideal space for such a comfort station would be larger than 4×6 feet. The three most common room layouts for these types of facilities locate the sink and toilet on same the wall, opposite walls or adjacent wall. If space is at a premium, you can even fit your washroom into an unused closet or extra hallway space. Also take into consideration that adding a new smaller bath next to an existing bathroom or laundry area is much more cost effective than adding a washroom in a part of your home that is too remote from your existing plumbing.

Arranging The Room

When planning the layout for the room, the fixtures have to be located efficiently with respect to one another and with enough clearance in and around them to make them convenient and accessible to use. You must remember however that what you actually see is only half the picture. What most first time bath renovators don’t take into consideration is the network of water supply and waste piping behind the scenes. A good rule of thumb is to keep as many fixtures on the same wall as possible when arranging the space to save money and reconstruction when upgrading or putting in a new rest room.

These small rooms make a useful second bathroom, especially if located on the main floor. If you intend to use your half bath as a powder room, locate it on the main floor for a convenient facility for your guest, close to, but not in plain view of the living or dining room. If you can, try to locate the toilet so that it won’t be seen when the door is open by anticipating the direction of the door swing to help shield the toilet from view.

Accessorize to Impress Your Guest

As a powder room , this “little ladies room” can leave a memorable impression on your guest, if this is the case, here you may consider decorating the room with more stylish materials. Splurge a little on fancy faucets and surface materials, so that when your fri[...]

Eliminate Ugly Cast Shadows

Natural light can have a profound effect on the atmosphere of your bathroom and its decor. In the past, bathrooms came with a fixture over the sink or a combination light fixture/ventilation fan located somewhere in the middle of the 5ft x 8ft bathroom ceiling.

The narrowly focused light from this fixture did a super job of lighting the sink but unfortunately created weird shadows under your eyes, cheek bones and chin. Its a good thing that coming up with a better lighting solution isn’t difficult.

In today’s bigger, more beautiful bathrooms, lighting plays a new major role. Gone forever are the days of unimaginative lighting fixtures where a single light over the sink was enough to get the job done.

Create Striking Results With Layered Illumination

Modern bathroom gurus recommend a more layered approach to lighting your bathroom. Start with some daylight that comes from windows or purposefully placed skylights that open to provide ventilation as well as warm stimulating sunshine into the room.

Add a bit of agreeable artificial luminescence that complements the sunshine and basks the whole room in a soft radiance at night. Also be sure to add stylish contemporary fixtures that can be used for task lighting to create efficiency and safety in bathing and grooming areas.

The whole lighting effect can be enhanced through large mirrors which optically open up the space and magnify the luminance to paint your bathroom with light.

A Pleasurable Bathing Experience

Most people don’t realize how tub technology has changed the way we use our bathing space. When you get home from work do you throw off your shoes, slump down on the couch and put on the “boob tube” in hopes it will take your mind off the trepidations of the day. Well I guess that is one way of dealing with stress. But you know… there is a better way to take a load off. Picture this instead: You get home, undress and head for your bathroom as you step into the bathtub. The tub starts the whirlpool and as you sink into the invigorating water, you are gently massaged by a foot, neck and lumbar massage system.

Touch Equipment at Your Fingertips

You reach over to the digital touch screen panel and turn on your CD/Radio player as the music softly drifts through the speakers and up through the water. Lights in the side panels of your soaking bathtub turns the shimmering water yellow, creating the illusion of bathing in a pool of iridescence sunshine. You begin to think to yourself, life isn’t that bad after all as your body begins to unwind.

Refining the System

Today’s bath basins are no longer lacklustre vessels filled with water; they circulate the liquid, maintain a constant temperature and use the same H2O to massage specific areas of your body. If that isn’t enough, today’s bath innovations can soothe your cares away with music, colored lights, heat therapy and even aromatherapy to calm and stimulate the nervous system. Air jet technology circulates warm air instead of water, which effectively eliminates the possibility of stagnant, bacteria-prone water in your plumbing lines.

Luxury Products With-in Reach

There is a trend in affordable bathroom luxury products becoming more accessible to stressed out homeowners who want to escape, if even temporary, from the hassles of everyday life. Today’s manufactures have heard the cries of consumers and have rolled out pimped-up whirlpools for under a thousand dollars. The master bathroom has transcended from being just a ready-room into a holistic sanctuary outfitted with the latest advances in home spa technology that anybody can enjoy, not just the rich. With everything becoming much more affordable, the hardest part is deciding which model to buy.

Spas are Enjoying a Resurgence

In your home there is usually an item of distinction that creates atmosphere in a room, in the kitchen it’s your appliances, in the living room it’s your home theatre and in the bathroom it’s normally your bathing area. Some professional home decorators have even made the bold statement that modern bathtubs can be likened to an in house entertainment system for your bath. With surround sound music to elevate your emotions in addition to candles and chromatherapy to stimulate healing, you are transported to a place of relaxation for a pleasurable engrossing bathing experience.

Kohler Underscore Jetted Tub

Submerge Yourself Completely

People who have switched from traditional bath tubs have declared they would never go back to a static tub. And with the introduction of “airbath” systems, in which air channels deliver a steady flow of warm air bubbles that gently circulate around your body to de-stress your muscles, who would blame them? This technology offers the bather a much gentler soak than the more robust jets of “old school” whirlpool models, not to mention a reduction of monthly maintenance.

Spa Treatment

An example of this air bath technology is the Kohler – Underscore with its streamlined, unassuming lines and well-defined design. Underscore would fit well into any modern bathroom environment. This is a luxurious deep bath with a slotted overflow drain and gently sloped backrest that allows a comfy, sumptuous soak to submerge you completely. This deep soaker offers a range of hydrotherapy options, wi[...]

Spatial Relationship

If you are thinking of converting a single sink to a double configuration, the most important consideration in your renovation decision is to determine if you have enough space for adapting into a double spread. Sure, remodeling your only sink into a contemporary double basin masterpiece is a great way to update an older grooming space , and a pair of fixtures is always better than one in a busy washroom environment. But the last thing you want is to make your bathing facility feel more cramped and crowded than it is.

Changing out your old hand basin for new practical dual his and her double basins should feel like a natural use of your grooming station. If you are renovating your entire bath, then you may have more design options for the layout. But if you are simply replacing your single sink with a double set, then your options are limited to the available space.

The Bump Test

The best way to test this is to have two people stand side by side in the space where you want to place the fixtures to  see if they feel like there is adequate room. If they can go through the motions of regular bathroom activities, like washing their face and brushing their teeth, at the same time without constantly bumping into each other, then chance are your space is acceptable.

Once you have your elbowroom issues sorted out, the next step is to choose the design that suits your personality and your needs. D o you have classic bathroom design tastes, or do you lean towards the more modern decor spectrum?

If your notion is towards traditional then you should be able to find a fixture replacement in most home improvement stores. However, if your design choices are more modern bent, then you might have to turn to high-end, specialty shops to find the fixture design that’s right for you.

Do You Need to Update Your Plumbing?

Of course, when retrofitting your grooming space you have to take into account the plumbing.  More than likely you will have to make some changes to your pipes and fittings to accommodate the extra bowl. Just how far you want to go with the conversion will impose some limitations on the design of your double basin layout.

For example, you may want to simply go with a dual pedestal sink spread, or two small lavatory vanities. However, chances are your plumbing is only designed to accommodate a single fixture, which means having to install a second set of drains and lines to accommodate your new arrangement. But if you want to lessen your construction without major plumbing adaptions in your bathroom, then you should consider a single vanity that contains two washing bowls.

This way, you can use the existing plumbing lines and tie both sinks into what you already have, hiding all of the plumbing within the single vanity. T he good part is that all of the parts necessary will be available online or at your local hardware store.

Making the Most of Location

Renovating a single bath sink into a double is becoming a popular home improvement idea. As we get busier and space gets harder to find, compartmentalizing your layout makes practical sense. While double sink status is a relatively easy and straight-forward remodeling project, it’s important to take into account the amount of space that the conversion will occupy.

Remember that this means that two people will be occupying your bath at any given time so plan carefully to avoid conflict . But if you do have the space, then converting a single sink to a double basin arrangement is a great way of redefining your grooming station and making more efficient use of your home.

What Has The Greatest Impact in the Chamber

Are you having trouble coming up with the right look for your bathroom? No one likes to live with an ugly washroom that they are dissatisfied with. If you have been struggling with how to approach styling your bath space, then fret no more as we leap over this design hurdle and kick start the remodeling process. Your bath ‘s space is defined by both the room’s physical restrictions and by the atmosphere and smartness created within the layout.

To get a handle on refining the appearance of your bathing space you first have to understand what has the greatest impact upon the space. In any washroom your permanent fixtures are the foundation of the rooms structure. Successful home decorating makes creative use of the available space that not only combines the various design elements together into an integrated whole but must also successfully reflect your personal mannerisms and tastes.

Fundamental Building Blocks

Elements like the sink, tub, shower and toilet are the fundamental building blocks that links all the rooms makeup together no matter what the size of the facility. When planning and designing a powder room, start with the permanent fixtures . Their placement not only determines the primary orientation of the space but how it will function and feel so it is important to pay attention to spatial relationships when trying to get the layout to flow .

To begin t he reevaluation process you initially have to take stock of what you already have. Start with your fixtures then determine the rest. Functionally you should be looking at ways to create zones within the spatial layout. And this rising compartmentalizing trend can be accomplished by organizing areas of activities.

Believe it or not whether you are constructing a new rest room or remodeling an existing one, essentially the design process involves the same fundamental steps. The first step is to examine your existing space, agree upon a design theme, layout your fixture locations and then choose finishing materials. Sounds complicated, well it’s not as difficult as you originally thought if you follow each step sequentially .

Size and Shape of the Room

Look at your square footage when reorganizing the chamber’s space. The size and shape of your layout will often point you in the direction of a particular style of décor. Can you expand upon your given space or are you restricted by your homes architecture. Large open areas tend to feel so much cozier if you humanize the layout by including comfortable furniture like upholstered chairs for curling up and relaxing in before and after your bath.

Consequentially if you do have lots of space, think about putting in a deep tub for relaxing soaks and a separate enclosure for those quick morning showers. And remember subdividing areas in your layout with screens or partitions can create intimacy and increase functionally and privacy. For example separating the sink from the toilet can make your lavatory more efficient so that more than one person can use the space at the same time.

Use Proportions to Your Advantage

It’s no surprise that many of us have to work within the confines of the limited space in our homes but knowing how spatial relationships affects us, allows the renovator to optimize the framework they have to work with. Its important to note that the outcome you are striving to achieve will be profoundly affected by not only the shape of the room but by the proportions of the area as well. Due to its definitive shape, a square room has a tendency to draw attention to the center of the restroom whereas an oblong bath gives you more flexible and can be easily divided into usage zones.

The longer the bathroom, such as a corridor-like layout, the more cramped the space is perceived but this can be alleviated by lining the walls with shallow shelves to effectively position storage off the ground through the installation of wall hung units. This configurat[...]

Fighting the Clutter Bug

Modern bathroom cabinets can bring new life and more storage space to any bathing environment while maintaining a comfortable floor plan. Clutter is the enemy and keeping your bath organized starts with having a place to put your belongings. Since storage space is so important in powder rooms, and newer cabinets offer plenty of it, many people opt for them, even if their other fixtures are quite old.

From already assembled mass produced stock cabinets to furnishings you have to assemble yourself, modern bath collections come in a wide range of sizes to fit most contemporary homes. These cupboards, containing drawers for storage or display, offer the homeowner a choice of doors but for the most part, drawers and shelving options are not as customizable when purchasing this type of built-in furniture.

There are however semi-custom cabinet pieces made in a vast variety of styles, sizes and finishes for you to create your own combination of fashionable washroom units. Tall cabinets can be substituted for linen closets. Frameless models are more common in non – classical and contemporary styled homes whereas framed units with face frames, fit more comfortably into a traditional or period styled home.

Measure Twice – Install Once

Regardless of what type of ensuite you have, it never hurts to know how to install this home addition, because you never know when you may want to redecorate or add more storage, convenience and comfort to your bathing area.

As is the case with installing bath furniture, some tools are required to properly incorporate trendy present – day cabinets into your homes design. Here’s a list of essential tools that you will need for your custom storage solutions:

• Drywall screws

• Tape measure

• Carpenter level

When trying to decide which current restroom cupboards to purchase, you need to visualize the amount of actual storage space you will need as opposed to how your compartments will look. The first step you need to take, before even looking at the many different options for your articles of furniture, is to measure the space where you want to install your stylish lavatory cabinetry.

If you want a custom-made cabinet, you will need to provide the size to the company creating it, and if picking an already-made unit you must check its size to see if it fits where you want to place it.

This may not seem like a major issue for those with a large bathroom, but keep in mind that there are plenty of people that have a small bathing area where every bit of space is important and furniture placement has to be optimized to make the most of your storage area.

Convenience and Accessibility

Next you need to think about placement, mainly how accessible your cabinets will be from your sink and that what you need for bathing is conveniently within reach. This will also help you determine just how many units you will ultimately need.

As we all already know, storage space in a home lavatory is especially deficient for the storing of toiletries and grooming supplies so make sure that you have sufficient room to ensure that these essentials aren’t stuffed together in a drawer. Fashionable modern cabinets can be built-in vanity components designed to maximize wall space and in return supplying plenty of open and closed storage to meet your needs.

You don’t want your cabinetry to encroach on much needed floor space in front of your toilet, tub or sink. It is only after you have developed some sort of placement strategy that you can turn your attention to picking the right cabinet style.

After the measurements for the storage furniture is complete, some marking is in order. Use a pencil and a ruler to draw guide lines on your walls for placement, once you think you’ve found the perfect position for your new fashionable fittings.

If you have the space, when using these furnishings as a design element, more than one unit can easily be installed to create an interesting vanity com[...]

Circumstances Determine Your Course of Action

Each homeowner has their own reasons for remodelling their bathroom yet if you were to take those reasons and categorize them into sets they would fall into four main groups. The four main reasons to remodel your bath are: health and safety issues, overcoming cramped spaces, plumbing issues and planned investment matters. The older your home, the more likely a remodel is in your future. Of course if all of the above is true, not matter how old your home is then a full renovation would be your only saving grace.

One of the most pressing issues to remodel your bath is plumbing woes, even though modern bathroom manufacturing techniques and the materials used have greatly increased the lifespan of your fixtures, unfortunately they will not last forever. There is nothing that says fix me now than a burst water pipe or toilet that won’t flush.

Unplanned emergencies sometimes happen!

These are water system problems that have to be dealt with now and if left unchecked the consequences would be disastrous and eventful to say the least. And while repair problems like leaking shower heads, inadequate water flow to your faucets or toilets, poor drainage in your sink and bathtub and noisy pipes can essentially be put off, you have to take into consideration the cumulative effects of poor maintenance and the underlying hidden damage to your floors and walls if these plumbing problems are allowed to continue unimpeded.

Problems Sometimes Run Deeper

Don’t make the newbie mistake and think that by replacing or repairing the offending fixture you have solved the problem. Look deeper and you may find that you have let the delinquent plumbing problem go on for far too long and now you may not only have to replace the problematic fixture but the surrounding wall or floor because mold and mildew has taken root in your bathroom due to wetness being a chronic problem.

The safety and well-being of yourself and your family members is another good reason to remodel your bath and this reason should not be taken lightly. As we all know electricity and water do not mix yet if you live in an old house, there may be hidden dangers lurking in your walls, just waiting for an accident to happen.

Rodents may have chewed away at electrical wires or your switches and reciprocals may not have the proper insulation or modern anti shock mechanism or they may have become old and brittle over time exposing wires. The house may have shifted on its foundation, putting undue tension on framing members which in turn may inadvertently be putting unwarranted pressure on old plumbing or stretching electrical wires.

Is Your Home up to Code?

Turn of the century building materials were usually substandard compared to the manufactured goods of today because the processes were rarely regulated. Electrical and plumbing codes were practically non-existent and even if you were lucky to have your home built by a conscientious contractor, the building code standards of today far exceed the building code criteria of yesteryear.

Improper ventilation and a lack of a bathroom fan are issues that need to be addressed in older homes to prevent the growth of unhealthy mold. What about your shower, older homes did not incorporate a water resistant barrier behind the tiles in the shower area and water being the unrelenting force of nature always seemed to find a way past improperly sealed grout. Needless to say most older washrooms would be declared unsafe by modern standards. If that isn’t a good enough reason to overhaul your bathroom then I don’t know what is to take on a restoration project.

Mold behind your tiles is a problem in older homes.

Enough Space is Frequently an Issue

A cramped, tiny and dysfunctional lavatory is another good reason to remodel your small bath. This type of bathing area is not only unsafe because you are constantly bumping into things, it will also cause undue stress to your family life if more than one person[...]