Common Bathroom Remodeling Mistakes

We see (and fix) these mistakes a lot- water leaking from a recently remodeled shower or toilet, mold growing on the bathroom ceiling, loose grout from between tiles and those “quick fix” cover ups that you’re seeing all over TV. Below are problems we see the most, and ways to avoid them.

Leaks

Some of the most common things we see are leaking showers and leaking toilets. This usually appears as water damage on a ceiling or floor of an adjacent room. By the time water leaks out and starts to cause noticeable damage, its usually been there longer than you think.

The O-Ring and Wobbly Toilets

A property installed toilet will not move while on the base and should be sealed with a wax ring. It should be securely bolted and leveled. A leaking toilet will, generally, leak below where it is placed and rarely directly on to the flooring surface.

Layers, Layers, Layers

Unless you’ve just opted for the out of sight out of mind option and went with a full plastic coverup, which just covers up the existing problems (including MOLD), most of the bathroom issues start with the lack of proper shower installation. It’s important to understand how showers are built and that’s where layering comes in to play. Properly installed water barrier layers are a pinnacle to a good shower.

After the initial framing, layers of cement board or mud are put down along with a waterproofing membrane, cement board (on the walls), a shower pan followed by properly placed ceramic or stone tile coverings. Proper installation of all of these items is what keeps the water from escaping the shower. Make sure you talk to your contractor about what they'll be doing to ensure the shower is water tight. Pro Tip: It’s important the shower floor be slope towards the drain. There should be no standing or pooling water on the shower floor.

Mold and Poor Ventilation

Mold. The dreaded four letter word when it comes to bathrooms. Mold problems can be caused by leaks, which we spoke about earlier, as well as inadequate ventilation. Installing the correct size exhaust fan vented to the outdoors can help to keep mold at bay. Bathroom exhaust fans are rated by the volume of air they move per minute - CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute). The greater the CFM, the more air is exchanged. The size of your bathroom along with variables like whether or not you have a jetted tub or shower or both, will dictate what size you need. Pro Tip: Once you have identified and fixed the cause of the mold in your bathroom, you can inhibit mold growth in the future by using mold/mildew resistant paints, which can be found at the big box home supply stores. To keep mold away, the fan should run at least 20 minutes after a shower or bath to adequately draw out moisture.

Electrical

Poorly placed electrical outlets and lighting is a hazard. Depending the location, lighting fixtures must be enclosed and gated for use in wet areas The IP (Ingress Protection) mark of a bulb or light fixture declares the level of protection it has against dirt or water. And while it may look really cool to hang a chandelier over a tub, it may not be the best idea. Water and electricity do not mix.

Along the same line, outlets within a certain distance of water source and depending on your local codes, should be GCFI (ground fault circuit interrupters). These outlets have safety devises built into outlet to protect against electrical shock. Many codes require at least one GCFI protected outlet be installed in your bathroom. A licensed electrician can tell you the code requirements in your area.

Tile

Tile options are endless but if it isn’t installed correctly you’ll have problems later on. You want a look that is beautiful, safe and long lasting. Poorly installed tile is an eyesore and can be a mold hazard. You can recognize a poor tile job by cracked or separated grout, lifting tiles, lack of clean lines, excessive use of caulk in corners and improper tile placement along door jams, to name a few. Many times the only way to correct these issues is to redo the tile work- an intimidating and expensive endeavor.

If you are planning to do a bathroom renovation, asking a few questions along the way can you save you time and money in the end. Make sure to work with a qualified, experienced contractor to get the job done right, the first time.