Mark the Plumber has completed numerous bathroom renovations over the years. Here are a number factors to consider when planning a bathroom renovation:
Toilets
Prior to purchasing a toilet you must know the following:
- Trap – there are three types:
- S Trap – the outlet (waste) pipe goes through the floor
- P Trap – the outlet (waste) pipe goes through the rear wall
- Skew Back – the outlet (waste) pipe goes through the left or right wall
- Set-out – there are two types:
- For a S Trap installation the Set-out is the distance from the finished tiled wall to the centre of the waste outlet on the floor. The Set-out can vary greatly depending on the age of the house. Most new homes will have a standard Set-out of about 140-165mm, which will enable most toilet suites to be installed. However, if the Set-out is more that 200mm or less than 100mm, it will limit your choice in the type of toilet you can buy.
- For a P Trap or Skew Back installation the Set-out is the distance from the finished tiled floor to the centre of the waste outlet on the wall. Generally a standard set out for a P trap installation is 185mm.
- Position of the water inlet (this allows the cistern to be filled with the water that’s used to flush your toilet) – there are two types:
- Bottom inlet – identified by a tap placed on the wall on either the right or left side of the toilet under the cistern
- Back inlet – connects inside the cistern
All toilets are required to have a 4.5/3 litre dual flush system to meet Australian Standards.
There are generally four types of toilets:
1. Close Coupled 2. Link 3. Back to Wall 4. Concealed Cistern (the pan may be Wall Hung or Floor Mounted)
Shower
If your bathroom has the space Mark the Plumber recommends a walk in shower. This means less cleaning as you won’t have a glass shower screen or annoying tracks to deal with. The shower floor will be level with the rest of the room with a slight slope towards a long grated drain to catch all the water – keeping the rest of your bathroom floor dry. Consider having a double shower head – one for you and one for your significant other (or a child).
Besides the contemporary look that a walk in shower provides you will have the perfect set up for the elderly, injured or disabled. (Be sure to select non slip floor tiles.)
Bath
While free standing baths are very fashionable at the moment we suggest you consider the weight of the bath both empty and filled with water as some floors require extra bracing. With free standing baths you can often lose an edge to hold your soap, a candle or a glass of wine. You should consider getting a ledge recessed into your wall next to a free standing bath to address this issue.
Vanity
Think about who will be using the bathroom and when. Will two basins be better than one? A wall hung basin or vanity will add a feeling of space if your room is small, however they compromise on drawers and cupboard space. When in a showroom looking at vanities keep in mind the space required for drainage pipes as these will take up space under the basin.
Mark the Plumber will need to know the type of vanity you want in your bathroom prior to commencing a renovation as this will impact on the type of drainage you require.
Fixtures (Taps, spouts, shower heads, towel rails etc)
Many people make the mistake of trying to save money on fixtures. Beware of imitation products and don’t be fooled into buying them. Initially they may look just as good as a more expensive alternative but will soon leak, bend, crack, mark or come loose. In particular, mixer taps will need the cartridge to be replaced at some point in the future. It can be very difficult to find replacement cartridges for cheap and no name mixers. Your only option will be for your plumber to replace the whole tap and this can be costly. If the mixer is in the wall (such as for the shower) you may need to remove tiles – further adding to the expense.
Mark the Plumber can recommend retailers and brands that use quality materials, are reliable, meet Australian Standards and offer a great warranty – saving you money over time.
Storage
You can never have enough storage in a home but this is often forgotten when designing a bathroom. Drawers and shaving cabinets are very handy for storing small items such as tooth brushes, toothpaste, makeup and deoderant. Storage space should be allocated near a power point for a hair dryer, electric shaver, hair straightener etc. The more items that can be stored in drawers, cupboards or baskets the cleaner and more inviting your bathroom will be.
Ventilation
Ventilation is essential for preventing mould and dampness. Windows are great but most don’t get opened in winter making mechanical ventilation (such as an exhaust fan) a must have. Opt for a quiet exhaust fan that will effectively remove steam from your bathroom. It does not need to be connected to the same switch for turning on your lights. Ask your electrician to set the wiring up so the fan has its own switch.
Light
A morning shower filled with warm sunlight will awake and envigorate! Natural light from glass windows, glass bricks and/or a skylight is best. Tinted or frosted windows provide privacy and will save money on blinds. When chosing lights for your bathroom be sure to place one above your vanity in a way that will eliminate shadows and provide the best light for applying makeup and shaving.
