If you have around ten rooms available in your home, which among them give you a hard time when they are out of order?
Your bedroom? You can temporarily sleep on the couch while it is under repair. You can even reminisce your childhood and sleep inside a pillow fort.
Your entertainment rooms? Why not spend some time outside and explore the great outdoors for a change, instead of binge-watching on Netflix every chance you can get?
The kitchen? There are delivery services and your outdoor grill for that.
Your bathroom? That is another story. Unless you are fine with taking a bath outside your yard, or doing your business while hiding in the bushes, a bathroom that is out of order is a nightmare for anyone.
Any bathroom issue that you discover, no matter how minor it may seem to you, should be fixed asap. They will never go away on their own; they will always get worse until you get them repaired.
If this is something you are currently facing, and you know that you need a bathroom contractor to help you out, give yourself a pat at the back because you have come to the right place.
Not only can we help you find a contractor, we will even give you some ideas on how you can give your bathroom a new life.
So, are you ready to spruce up your bathroom and make it your new favorite room?
Types of Bathroom Repairs
No matter how tiny your bathroom is, there is a long list of potential problems that can always pop up at any time. In fact, every homeowner knows that a clogged toilet is the least of their worries.
Whether it is your first time to encounter a bathroom-related issue or not, it pays to be aware of the common problems you may experience, as well as how they are repaired.
We can classify these problems into these categories:
Flooring:
- Worn-out floorboards or tiles
- Damaged or warped floors
- Wrong flooring choice
- Floor feels uneven or spongy
Walls:
- Peeling paint or wallpaper
- Mold growth
- Warped or bulging walls
- Wall leaks
- Broken or missing wall tiles
- Excessive condensation or dampness
- Cracks and other damage
Tiles:
- Damaged or loose tiles
- Tiles falling out or missing
- Missing grout
- Stains, including watermarks and discolorations
- Leaks
- Mold and mildew growth
- Insufficient waterproofing
- Scaling and buildup of minerals, such as limescale
- Cracks and crazing
Fixtures and Hardware:
- Water leaks
- Clogging on drains and toilets
- Water heater or boiler failure
- Rust
- Hissing or “singing” faucets
- Damage due to wear-and-tear or improper installation
- Running water from toilets
- Malfunctioning lighting and exhaust fans
Tub and Shower:
- Cracks and other physical damage
- Breaks present between the tub, shower tile, and caulk or grout
- Constant clogging or slow drain
- Nasty smells
- Leaks
- Low water pressure
- Tub overflow
- Scum, dirt, or mineral buildup
- Water stains
With all these problems, any homeowner may worry that repairing the bathroom is going to be complicated. The truth is, you only have a few options to repair them; one method can solve different problems already. Most professionals often combine these methods when dealing with more complicated issues.
The most common types of repair in a bathroom are:
- Using a drain snake, auger, or plunger – for unclogging drains and toilets
- Home remedies and chemical means – for cleaning, mold and mildew removal, and also unclogging. Chemicals should only be used as a last resort because it can cause damage to other parts of your bathroom, especially the plumbing
- Parts replacement – for worn-down, ill-fitting, or damaged components. Most bathroom components are easily replaceable, and replacements are often a more economical option
- Patching – for covering up holes and cracks
- Tightening loose components – particularly for pipes and fixtures that leak
- Adding more caulk, grout, and waterproofing – for cosmetic issues, as well as leaks originating from the bathroom that already affect other parts of your home
- Descaling – for mineral buildup and to solve low water pressure coming from showerheads and faucets
- Reassembly – for malfunctioning components, such as running water on toilets because of a flapper chain that got stuck or a faucet that makes noise when switched on
- Debris removal – for clogged plumbing that not only leads to blockages but also results in nasty odors
At some point, we tried fixing bathroom issues present at home. And, you are probably aware of how challenging they can be.
Bathroom DIY repair work is not always a success, and there are issues that are always best left to professionals. A bathtub repair is not as easy as unclogging your toilet, and some even also require using special equipment that only professionals have in order to be fixed.
And after the repairs have been successfully completed, you also need to make sure that you do regular maintenance to prevent the same issues from happening again or getting worse.
Thinking of remodeling your bathroom as well for the longest time and already have the budget for it? Why not get it done at the same time you get your bathroom repaired? You will definitely hit two birds with one stone.
Bathroom Remodel Ideas
Bathroom remodeling does not have to mean a complete overhaul; you can even change just one aspect of your bathroom and already produce a dramatic transformation.
If you are interested in sprucing up your bathroom, here are some ways of doing so:
Changes in the Floor Plan or Layout
If you have a limited space in your bathroom, maybe it is about time for you to get rid of your large, fancy bathtub that you only used a handful of times ever since you got it. Why not get a space-saving shower instead that has shower jets? But if you can’t stand the thought of not having a tub, you can opt for a clawfoot tub that is smaller but has a classic feel to it.
And if you keep bumping into your toilet whenever you use your bathroom while still half-asleep, you can ask your contractor if moving it to a more convenient spot is possible without affecting its plumbing.
Cosmetic Changes
Changing the wallpaper or repainting the walls is also another way of remodeling a bathroom, especially if you are on a tight budget. In fact, giving it a new coat of paint is the cheapest way to give it a new look.
You can also just change or add more grout to your tiles, since they can get grubby or crack over time. It may seem like it will not change much, but you will immediately see the difference afterwards.
But if you have some money to spare, updating your fixtures is also a good idea. If your fixtures have a vintage feel to it, consider replacing them with those that have modern designs. Also, newer fixtures can also be a more environment-friendly choice.
Do you want to have a new theme for your bathroom without changing your fixtures, and don’t mind the cost? Re-tiling is the best way to do it. You can change your granite tiles with mosaic ones for a lively look, or even mix and match various tile designs if you want an artsy bathroom. Accent tiles are also a great idea.
And if you are tired of your old, boring, circular sink, switching to a rectangular one will already do wonders for your entire bathroom.
Bathroom Sink Remodeling
Are you tired of waiting for your household to finish their business in front of the vanity before you can finally brush your teeth and go to work? Adding another one to your bathroom is not just for aesthetics but also a functional upgrade that you will all enjoy. No more racing to the bathroom to see who gets to use it first.
You can also opt to change your current vanity from a classic style to a floating one or integrate it with the counter.
If storage is a major problem for you, you can also get cabinets installed where you can keep all your towels and extra toiletries. But if space is an issue, you can modify your standing sink to have a cabinet under it, or change it to a countertop one with a cabinet.
Extending or Adding a New Bathroom
If space permits, you can also get your contractor to extend your bathroom. This will not only give you more space to move around, you can also finally get that jacuzzi tub that you have been eyeing for the longest time.
And although not exactly a way of remodeling your existing bathroom, having a new bathroom added to your home is also a remodel that you should consider. If your sole bathroom can no longer accommodate your entire household, a home addition like the one described will be a huge relief for everyone.
Giving your bathroom a new look does not have to be costly. However, bathroom remodels often take some time to finish, especially for extensive ones, and you may have to make alternative arrangements for it. Just make sure that you always consider your budget, as well as the time your bathroom may be unusable, to minimize your expenses.
Mistakes to Avoid When Upgrading a Bathroom
Are you one of those who enjoy going around home improvement stores, checking out their items, and making a mental list of which ones to use when you finally decide on remodeling?
If you are due for a bathroom upgrade, the thought of choosing new taps, showers, tubs, skylight and lighting is sure to excite you. But before you whip out your credit card and pay for that fancy whirlpool tub, ask yourself: are you sure that that is going to fit in your bathroom?
A lot of homeowners get too excited at the idea of updating their bathrooms, only to regret it when they buy fixtures and hardware that take up too much space. Or, their completed bathroom is too impractical for them to use.
We all want beautiful bathrooms, but we also tend to make uninformed decisions when it comes to remodeling them. So, make sure to familiarize yourself with these common bathroom upgrade mistakes if you want it to go without a hitch:
- Focusing on appearances over practicality – how would you enjoy your new bathroom if you can hardly walk around, you need to be careful when opening the door to avoid knocking down your bathroom necessities, or everything seems to be just out of reach?
A proper layout is vital in any bathroom; you must be able to sit, stand, and move around. All the things you need while bathing should be within reach without you leaving the shower or tub, and there should be enough space, ideally at least 60 cm, between the toilet and the wall or fixture in front of it, among others.
- Changing the layout without considering other factors – it may be more trouble than it is worth to get your contractor to move the toilet bowl to the opposite side of your wall or transfer your vanity to another area in your bathroom, because it also means having to change the connected plumbing, which can get really expensive.
- Improper placement of pipes – your bathroom’s plumbing system not only involves pipes for your water but also drain and soil pipes for sewage. If you don’t want to end up with a smelly bathroom because of drainage issues, it starts with a proper pipe layout. For this, it is best to get help from a professional to make sure that water and sewage will flow properly.
Make sure that your soil pipes are at least 4 m or more away from your sinks, tubs, and showers, while a 6 m distance at minimum is best for toilets.
- Not enough heating – no one wants having to step out and be immediately greeted with ice-cold air during winter mornings after a warm shower, so heaters are a must. Some homeowners have no clue that the radiator present is not enough to warm up the entire bathroom.
Although most are fine with having a radiator installed, nothing beats the consistent and equal heat provided by a radiant floor heating.
- Insufficient storage – most homeowners fail to add cabinets and other storage in their bathrooms, especially those who want a minimalist feel. That is why they end up storing their towels in their closet and their stocks of toiletry mixed together with food in the pantry.
Bathroom cabinets and storage units do not have to be bulky or look unsightly. There are so many ways of having shelves and cabinets that will not only hold your stuff but also complement your bathroom.
- Misusing tiles – floor and wall tiles are classified differently to minimize slips on wet floor and prevent chipping and other damage to them because they are too heavy to be placed on a wall or too light and cannot support your weight. Make sure to use the appropriate wall and floor tiles, not choose them because they just look good.
- No tile plan – a proper tile plan is important if you are using tiles with designs or want to achieve a certain look for your bathroom using tiles. If you just let your tiler install it without proper planning, you are unlikely to get the design you envisioned. Also, some tile designs and sizes work best with either small or big bathrooms only, so make sure to get suitable tiles for your bathroom’s size.
- DIY all the way – some homeowners scrimp on bathroom remodels by relying on tutorials and doing everything themselves, not knowing that they are setting themselves for failure. Minor bathroom repairs can be done through DIY work, but not major renovations or upgrades.
And if you don’t consult professionals for it, you may not notice that your planned layout is going to cause you a lot of problems or that your plumbing system is not going to be efficient. Also, you may even be fined by the local government if they discover violations on your renovated bathroom.
- Not sticking to your budget – it is very easy to overspend and not have enough to finish your upgrade, because you decided to go for high-end fixtures that blew off your entire budget or hired a contractor that overcharges.
Always shop around not just for materials but even bathroom contractors and compare their prices and rates. Also, ask your chosen contractor if they can get the materials at discounted prices for you.
- Using unsuitable fixtures and fittings – you may be one step closer to having body jets in your shower, but they will be useless if there is inadequate water pressure to your bathroom. Also, that chandelier you are eyeing is a bad idea if it means ducking down whenever you are inside your bathroom.
Choose the right hardware and fixtures that will make your bathroom use convenient, not hassle you every time.
- Ventilation is absent or inadequate – molds are common to bathrooms, especially those without windows, and a ventilation system is your best way of preventing their growth. Some homeowners choose to skip this, much to their regret later on.
- Not anticipating delays and order issues – delivery delays are a regular thing, but this will also mean delays on your project and added expenses if your contractor is already at the site and has nothing to work with.
And once your order arrives, also check each item for damages or wrong shipments to avoid further delays and to get them replaced asap. Most stores will no longer allow replacements after certain periods.
- Forgetting to protect the rest of your home – don’t think that the effects of work on your bathroom is confined there. All that dust, noise, and hauling of tools and equipment may also affect the rest of your home. It may also cause damage, so make sure to use covers to prevent scratches and scuffs on your belongings and your home itself.
- Lack of backup bathrooms – major renovations and upgrades involve shutting off water, which means no showers and bathroom breaks on the bathroom being worked on. If you did not make arrangements for this, you will have to hit the gym when you need to take a bath and go to the nearest restaurant for your toilet needs.
- Skipping on grout – contrary to what some might think, grouts are not useless; they are used for sealing and to keep tiles in place. This explains why bathrooms without grout have tiles that easily break. And if you have no plans of renovating anytime soon, grout is essential to make your tiles last long.
- Installing components that are too big – it is a bad idea to get a tub good for two if it means your toilet will hardly fit and you will have to get rid of your vanity to accommodate it. Choose pieces that will fit your bathroom and still leave enough room for you to move around and have ample space for your other fixtures and sanitary wares.
Bathroom remodel mistakes will always result in wasted materials and shelling out more money than you anticipated, and this is not something anyone of us wants.
Getting Free Quotes from Competing Bathroom Repair Companies Near You
Now that you are aware of the basic do’s and don’ts of bathroom repairs and remodels, it is now time to find a bathroom repair company near you to do the job for you.
If you are wondering what the fastest way is to do so, nothing beats just sitting in front of the computer, filling out a form that will only take you a few minutes to do, and waiting for the bathroom repair companies to get back to you.
So, where would you find a service like that for free, which also lets you receive as much as four quotes from bathroom contractors?
Through us, of course!
And because these contractors know that other companies are also eyeing you as their potential client, expect to get highly competitive quotes from them that they feel will attract your attention.
But if there is not a single offer that entices you, just turn them down; we will never require you to choose among those who sent in their quotes when you use our service.
So, let the pros handle your bathtub repair, leaking pipe issues, and any other bathroom-related repair you need. Or, get the dream bathroom you have always wanted.
Get in touch with a contractor today using our form!