Renovating Your Bathroom!
Why should you renovate your bathroom?
Bathroom renovation is one of the best ways to add value to your home. Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation says, "A bathroom renovation typically offers a 64-71 per cent return on your investment, meaning increased value of your house for resale." You can make your home a safer and more relaxing place by creating an attractive warm and comfortable bathroom.
Questions, questions questions.
Where do you start?
Conduct a thorough inventory of the existing bathroom.
How much or how little needs to be done?
Determine your priorities? What has to be done for health and safety? What is cosmetic?
| Look for these symptoms | Consider these solutions |
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Fixtures:
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Repair cracked, leaking fixtures and seals. Replace toilet with insulated tank and low water volume tank. Replace fixtures to improve appearance, water conservation and energy efficiency. |
Floors and walls:
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Ensure no structural elements will be threatened by the renovation. Find the cause of deterioration and fix it before proceeding. Ensure walls have adequate support for grab bar installation. Properly insulate exterior surfaces to protect against condensation and mold. |
Moisture:
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Identify source of moisture e.g. plumbing leak, building leak, humidity. Fix these problems. Hiding these problems will create bigger problems later. |
| Cracked grout or caulking | Follow CMHC guidelines to clean up the mold. Provide adequate ventilation. Repair and maintain grout and caulking. |
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Plumbing
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Repair leaks, slow drains and upgrade to meet code. This will avoid further deterioration and mold. Replace lead or corroded pipes. |
Electrical
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Upgrade electrical service to accommodate whirlpool tubs or space heating or additional lighting. Upgrade with energy efficient lighting fixtures. |
Heating and Ventilation
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Ensure adequate heat. Consider ventilation for the whole house, e.g. heat recovery ventilator or install exhaust fan to handle excess moisture. Proper heating and ventilation will ensure adequate air quality in your home. |
Layout-size
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Consider enlarging or re-configuring the layout to make improve efficiency, convenience and usability. |
Users
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Accommodate the needs of the primary users. |
Do you have the time and/or the ability to do some or all of the work yourself?
The average do-it-yourselfer can remove the old fixtures, strip back to the studs, remove non-loadbearing walls, fix minor leaks, and install a toilet. You will have to determine if you have the time to complete the work.
Will you need a professional contractor for some or all of the work?
You will need an electrician for any new wiring, a plumber for new piping work and perhaps a heating contractor to install or move exhaust fans, heating or ventilation systems. If there is structural work to be done you may need other trades depending on the extent of the project.
What is your budget?
You'll have to decide where to spend your money, and how much you can safely do within your time frame.
Monthly Maintenance tip:
It's that time of year to:
- Clean leaves from eaves troughs and roof, and test downspouts to ensure proper drainage from the roof.
- Drain and store outdoor hoses. Close interior valves to outdoor hose connections and drain the hose bib (exterior faucet), unless your house has frost-proof hose bibs.
- Winterize landscaping, for example, store outdoor furniture, prepare gardens and, if necessary, protect young trees or bushes for winter.
If you didn't hear, we won!
Key Home Inspections was nominated and has won 1st place
for best home inspection in the 14th Annual Reader's Choice Award!
Thank you to everyone who voted for us!
Call us at Key Home Inspections
Tel: (905) 851-0824
Toll Free: 1-866-559-6100
or email us at: Key@KeyHomeInspect.com
Member of Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors
Member of Ontario Association of Home and Property Inspectors