Whether you want to add a bit of style or replace worn fixtures or flooring, renovating your bathroom can be a great investment for your home. Some experts believe a bathroom renovation can offer you a return on your investment of between 58 and 66 percent, depending on the size and extent of your remodel. Therefore, the benefits should be easy to see.
Unfortunately, the process of removing a bathroom can be overwhelming, so proper understanding is key. Considering the many plumbing elements in a bathroom, plumbing contractors should assist during the process. Here are a few mistakes to avoid during your bathroom renovation.
Not Repairing Leaks
During the renovation, flooring, cabinets, and fixtures may need to be pulled up and removed from the bathroom. One of the most surprising things you may see is underlying water damage.
Dark discoloration, warped wood, and even patches of mold growth are all signs of water damage that stems from a leak.
In most cases, you and your remodelers will repair the areas damaged by water, which can be time-consuming and costly. Address the underlying cause of the leak to prevent damage to your renovated bathroom.
Repairing the leak is also essential for reducing water waste. Even the smallest leak can be wasteful over time. Corroded pipes, broken toilet flaps, worn washers in faucets and showerheads, and leaking valves may all leak water without you realizing it.
Plumbers can help you find the location of the leak and repair issues to protect your newly-renovated bathroom.
Not Designing the Right Shower Slope
Another mistake that many homeowners make during the renovation of their bathroom has to do with their shower’s slope. Without the right amount of slope, water will not drain properly, creating standing water that makes your shower experience uncomfortable while increasing moisture levels in your home.
Higher levels of moisture increase the risk of mold and mildew growth. This growth will make your shower and bathroom floor slippery, but the mold can also be detrimental to your health.
Your remodeling and plumbing contractors can work together to determine what size slope your shower needs for the most effective and efficient drainage.
Experts at SFGate recommend an average of a 4 percent slope, which equals about 1/2-inch drop for every 12 inches from the shower walls to the drain.
Not Going Green
From conserving energy with LED lighting to installing recycled glass tiles, you can go green in many ways during your bathroom renovation. Incorporating eco-friendly plumbing fixtures into your bathroom is also beneficial when living a green lifestyle.
To get started, consider a tankless water heater. This appliance works in the background of your bathroom, creating the hot water you need while using the bathroom space to shower and bathe.
Tankless water heaters use less energy even though they create a continuous supply of hot water. Also known as on-demand water heaters, tankless models use energy to heat water only when it is necessary.
Low-flow plumbing fixtures are also smart additions to consider during your bathroom renovation. Low-flow faucets and showerheads use less water without affecting the actual water pressure.
Lastly, invest in a new low-flow toilet model for your bathroom. According to Consumer Reports, old, traditional toilets use an estimated 6 gallons of water with each flush, but water-efficient models will only use between 1.28 and 1.6 gallons of water with each flush.
Remember that going green while remodeling your bathroom will not only benefit the environment, but green choices will also add value to your home while cutting utility costs.
When you are ready to start the bathroom renovation process, consult Quality Plumbing to help you avoid common plumbing mistakes.