How to Plan Your Bathroom | Bathroom Maintenance Tips

The planning process for your new bathroom must include future access to the bathroom plumbing fixtures. You will need to create a suitable access area.  With proper preparation, the replacement of plumbing fittings can be straight forward. To plan your bathroom and enjoy easy bathroom maintenance, consider the following:

Cleaning Agents

There are many  suitable bathroom cleaning agents in the marketplace, including regular soap and water. It is usually best to wash bathroom fittings after use with warm soapy water, and polish them dry with a soft dry cloth where applicable. Natural vitreous china is impervious to bleach and other acid-based cleaners and can be safely cleaned. However, more care and attention is necessary when cleaning cast iron baths, or gold or chrome plated items such as faucets and accessories.

Power Shower

A power shower pumps hot and cold water to your shower where there is low pressure but does not heat the water. Usually found in homes where pressure is low, an electric pumped shower pressures and heats the water at the same time. You will need to buy a cubicle or over bath screen that is suitable for use with your power shower.  When purchasing these items, make sure you get plenty of good advice.  You may want to screen interview bathroom remodeling contractors in your local area to decide who should install your shower.

Wood Bathroom Vanity Cabinets

Wood bathroom vanity cabinets must be treated with the utmost care. Even though wood products are coated with a special finished lacquer that is specifically produced to withstand splashes and condensation, you will need to ensure that water is not in prolonged contact with them to avoid damage to the surface.

Bathroom Mirrors

Always ensure that your bathroom mirror is suitable for such use. Quality bathroom mirrors are specifically coated on the rear to withstand continually subjection to steam and condensation.

Acrylic Bath

Fitted properly, an acrylic bath will provide rigidity and longevity on par with the steel or cast iron equivalent. Although each bath comes with a supporting, height adjustable cradle, it is best to fit a supporting timber batten along the underside of the entire bath. This provides much stronger weight support, stops the bath from moving while being fitted, and helps prevent the sealant between tiles and bath from coming apart.

Positioning A Basin

Place a sink or basin slightly away from the wall, especially when fitting to an exterior wall.   This practice prevents thermal shock due to temperature variations between the basin and the wall, and helps reduce condensation on the surface.

Wastes and Sealing

Use a good silicon sealant to ensure a water tight seal between the metal waste and porcelain. Never fit a dry waste. An overly tight waste can produce undue stress to earthenware, porcelain, and stoneware and in some cases, crack porcelain.   When you take the time to plan your bathroom and enjoy easy bathroom maintenance, you can only reap rewards.