Bathroom and Shower Information
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| Whether you want to install a new bathroom or make improvements to an existing one there are some decisions you need to make and challenges to overcome. A bathroom must be tailored to your requirements and every plan will vary depending on the planner's needs. 1. Seek professional advice before planning a bathroom. You may need to consider local water regulations, existing plumbing facilities and the way your house is constructed. 2. Define the role and requirements of the new bathroom. Planning a bathroom involves more than the positioning of basic fixtures such as the bath, basin and toilet. Make sure your plan allows for plenty of floor for wall space and for extras such as towel rail, mirror and storage. 3. Decide if you need to make any changes to existing services and whether structural work is required. Measure up and note the position of the existing services, windows and doors and work out the plan to get the bathroom fixtures where you want them. You'll also need to decide if you need to move any doors, windows or walls and whether you need to make changes to the electricity wiring, water and drains. 4. Draw out the bathroom area on graph paper and work out how best to divide up the bathroom for different purposes or tasks. You may need to consider whether to use double or sliding doors, archways or curtains. 5. Ensure that you have enough space to accommodate your chosen fittings as well as enough room to move them into position. Think about how much room will be required for toiletries, storing towels, medicines etc. 6. Build in utilities such as heating, ventilation and lighting. These are important to ensure that your bathroom has enough light and works efficiently. 7. Make provisions for future plumbing and allow for access to potential trouble spots such as the shower pump and boxed-in toilet cisterns. If possible, fit removable panels instead of sealing these utilities behind fixed walls. 8. Find out exactly what sort of fittings you require and whether they will be suitable for the intended location. 9. Think about your style preferences in terms of the fit and flow with the rest of the house. There are products to meet most requirements or designs. Consider the trade off between price and good quality, and look out for longer warranties and guarantees. 10. Consider traffic patterns in terms of how many people will be using the bathroom and how often. Also, if people of varying ages use the bathroom, you may need to choose fittings that cater for different age groups in your household such as a slide shower so you can adjust the height of the spray. Taking time to plan ahead can help to translate your ideas into reality and ensure that you end up with your ideal bathroom. Copyright © 2005. Bridget Mwape writes for DIY Tips UK: http://www.diy-tips-uk.com/ which features how-to articles and products to help you with your DIY and home improvement projects. This article may be reprinted as long as all the above links are active and clickable. |
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| Despite regular cleaning mould can always occur in areas of high humidity around the home. Baths and showers create warm, moist air that condenses on cold surfaces providing the ideal breeding ground for the fungi that produce mould spores.The following steps will help prevent mould from taking root in your bathroom.1. Extract Moist AirOpening the bathroom window is not an efficient way of getting rid of condensation, as it can simply blow the moist bathroom air into the rest of the house. Mould will not grow on a dry surface so ensure you have an extractor fan fitted in your bathroom that will expel the moist air outside.2. Rent a DehumidifierThe majority of mould problems are caused by condensation, and most condensation is caused by poor ventilation. A dehumidifier will condense moisture out of the air in your home and store it as water in a reservoir, which must be emptied regularly. Renting a dehumidifier for a few weeks from a local tool hire company will soon establish whether you have a condensation problem or not.3. Remove CarpetsStepping onto carpet when getting out of the bath or shower can lead to it getting wet, which will keep the humidity level high in the bathroom. Look into alternative bathroom floor coverings that do not absorb water.4. Remove Pot PlantsPot plants need to be watered regularly, keeping the soil moist. This is an ideal breeding ground for mould producing fungi so keep them out of the bathroom.5. Check For LeaksA constant but small leak can lead to untold damage if left unchecked. Ensure all pipe-work is bone dry (especially around connections). Have a close look around the shower tray and bathtub to make sure that all of the seals are still intact. Mould growing in the silicone seal itself usually (but not always) indicates that moisture has got behind the seal.6. Install Surfaces That Do Not Harbour MouldCeramic tiles are commonplace in most bathrooms but are cold to the touch, attracting condensation. Although the tiles are waterproof the grout used between the joints can retain moisture and lead to mould growth.Plasterboard (drywall) ceilings and walls can suck in moisture if they come into contact with water, enabling mould to grow even if the surface looks dry.A modern alternative to these products is bathroom cladding. This is a form of waterproof wall panelling that is warm to the touch, so condensation will not form on it. Bathroom cladding uses no grout - each panel slots into the next using a tongue and groove system - so there is nowhere to harbour moisture.Following these steps should lead to a mould free bathroom. About the Author Mark Davies is the owner of The Bathroom Marquee a UK based online store specialising in bathroom wall cladding, ceiling cladding and the Outasight concealed shower curtain system. |
Internet Resources
Bathroom City - Bathroom Superstore Online
Bathroom City brings wholesale satisfaction direct to the public. We can offer you the lowest prices in the country, because you buy direct without the middleman.
Heated Towel Rails - Bathroom Radiators - Bathroom Heating
A huge range of heated towel rails and bathroom heating at discount prices from SMR Bathrooms. Traditional and contemporary design towel warmers. Central heating, dual fuel and electric only bathroom heating. Bespoke service on many towel racks. Finishes in chrome, stainless steel, brass, antique gold, polished bright nickel and brushed nickel. UK Bathroom and Heating products online.
Art tile, kitchen tile, bathroom tile, fireplace tile - Hand painted tiles by family tradition since 1922
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