Let’s upgrade the bathroom: How about beautifying your bathroom to suit modern times? Bathroom – Modern Makeover Tips
After a house has been built and occupied for some time, the bathroom often becomes the area that causes the most headaches. Problems such as dampness, leaking water, malfunctioning taps, and other maintenance issues may begin to appear. As time passes by, such issues appear frequently and cannot be fixed easily.
Older bathrooms may also lack both beauty and convenience. Experts say that bathrooms should be renovated periodically, and fixtures such as closets (toilets) should be replaced when necessary. Doing so helps maintain the bathroom’s appearance and freshness for years. There are also many ways to enhance a bathroom with modern updates.
Before you start renovating your bathroom, here are a few things you should know.
Prevent Damage on walls and floors
In earlier times, bathrooms were usually built outside the house. Those spaces were noticed less, and given very less creative beauty. As bathrooms became part of the interior living space, the need to keep them clean and hygienic became even more important.
Because bathrooms remain damp most of the time, they can become breeding grounds for germs such as bacteria, and invite bad smells too. Moisture can seep into the walls, causing damage to the paint. They can combine with chemicals, creating other health-related problems like an allergy.
Take care of these points during construction and early maintenance
Replace Fixtures Periodically
Experts recommend replacing the toilet closet at least once every seven years. You can choose a reasonably priced replacement. Repointing or regrouting the tiles can also help keep the bathroom in good condition without major repairs.
Use Quality Materials
One of the main causes of bathroom problems is poor-quality construction materials.
In the past, clay-based tiles were commonly used. These tiles were soaked in water before being fixed with cement. The soaking was necessary because the tiles absorbed water. Today, tiles are usually fixed using adhesive. Tile adhesives are available in different grades. It is advisable to purchase products that meet ISO standards rather than those that do not conform to recognized quality standards.
Instead of white cement, epoxy grout is now commonly used. When applying epoxy grout, spacers should be used to ensure proper gaps between tiles. This helps prevent water seepage. If water penetrates through the joints, it can damage the waterproofing coating underneath.
Cleaning the Bathroom
Using strong chemical cleaners available in the market to clean toilets and bathrooms can damage the protective coating on tiles and other sanitary products. It is better to clean them using a mild shampoo or a gentle cleaning solution. Also read: Ultimate Steps to Keep Your Washroom Clean and Tidy
Avoid Excessive Water Pressure
Some homeowners install pressure pumps designed to supply water to three or four bathrooms. Later, only one bathroom may be used regularly. As a result, the water pressure in that bathroom becomes excessively high.
Excessive pressure can loosen the tile adhesive and damage sanitary fittings and other bathroom products over time.
Things to Keep in Mind When Renovating or Doing a Bathroom Modern Makeover
Fixing a leak by laying new tiles over old tiles can lead to various problems. New tiles should not be fixed directly over tiles that have been cleaned with acid. The surface should first be washed with a soap solution or alkaline cleaner. Since tile adhesive is expensive, mixing cement with the adhesive may not give good results.
Ideally, the old tiles should be completely removed and replaced with new ones. Floor tiles should always be removed and re-laid. When removing wall tiles, minor cracks may develop. If the plaster comes off along with the tiles, replastering should be done. After that, waterproofing should be applied, followed by concrete work and tile installation.
While renovating an old bathroom, the wet area (shower area) is often lowered by about 1½–2 inches. If needed, a glass partition can be installed. For a small bathroom, a single glass panel of about 90–100 cm is usually sufficient.
Bathroom renovation costs generally start from around ₹85,000. The actual cost depends on the size of the bathroom and the materials used. Renovation may take 11–14 days to complete.
A one-piece toilet is considered the best option. If you install a concealed-cistern toilet and the manufacturer later stops producing that model, replacement parts may become difficult to obtain. In case of damage, the entire unit may need replacement. With a two-piece toilet, dirt can accumulate in the joint between the tank and the bowl.
Siphonic toilets, which flush quickly by mixing air with water, are not always the best choice. They require an air vent within about one metre. Without adequate venting, flushing performance may suffer, and waste may take longer to clear. The siphonic passage is usually narrow (about 1 cm); if it gets blocked, special tools may be needed to clear it, and many plumbers are reluctant to do such work.
Wall-hung toilets are a good option because the floor underneath can be cleaned easily. There are two main mounting systems: plastic-bush type and anchor-bolt type. Plastic bushes can crack. If tightened too much, they may break; if not tightened enough, they may become loose. Either situation can cause the toilet to detach and create a safety hazard. Therefore, the anchor-bolt type is generally recommended.
PVC doors are often suitable for bathrooms and tend to be durable. If using a PVC door, it is better to use PVC latches rather than steel latches. PVC doors are of good quality but are more expensive. When buying FRP (Fibre Reinforced Plastic) doors, make sure they are of good quality; otherwise, they may deteriorate quickly. Also read: Wood and Its Stylish Alternatives for Doors in Modern Interiors
Even when high-quality taps are installed, they may become damaged if the water contains a high amount of iron. Installing a water filtration system for the household water supply can help. The filter should be backwashed and maintained regularly, and any defects should be repaired promptly.
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