7 Bathroom Remodel Mistakes to Avoid, Straight from the Pros

Remodeling your bathroom is a great way to make a space the oasis you’ve always dreamed of. And while it seems like updating your bathroom is straightforward, there are many mistakes that you may encounter that you didn’t account for. Common pitfalls like not setting a timeline or forgetting to shut off valves can turn your remodel into a nightmare. To help you prepare for your next bathroom renovation, we reached out to experts across North America, from Toronto, ON to New Orleans, LA, for their best tips on bathroom remodel mistakes to avoid. There may be things you might not have thought of. Keep reading to see what they had to say.

1. Set a realistic timeline

Make sure all procurement and fabrication are completed 100% prior to the construction start date. Keep an open mind in terms of project specifications. Supply delays are an industry-wide issue at the moment. – Quay Construction

2. Practicality trumps design

I have had several customers that want to include a shower with a “drop-in” bathtub. This can create a ledge for water to accumulate. Many believe that caulking will prevent a costly leak, however, eventually, that caulk will fail and water will find its way below. – Al Bourgeois Plumbing

3. Don’t let the existing configuration limit potential layouts

The notion that moving plumbing isn’t possible or is too expensive actually isn’t true. The overall plumbing costs are about 10 % to 15% of the overall costs of a bathroom remodel so, don’t let this hinder you from choosing the right layout. – Larry Jensen, Owner of SL Jensen

4. Don’t forget to change your shutoff valves

The lifespan of the main shut-off valve is usually about 10 to 25 years, so right around the same time you decide to renovate your bathroom you have to change your main shut-off valves. This complex procedure requires total shutdown of the riser from the basement of the building for the time your plumber needs to change the valves for a new one, but don’t worry for an experienced company this is a day-to-day routine. – Moose Condo Reno

5. Be sure to get an asbestos test done to avoid confrontations with hazardous material

The last thing anyone wants is to break down a wall and find themselves knee-deep in this stuff. Better safe than sorry. – Iraca Group

6. Choose appliances that make cleaning easy

We suggest getting a skirted toilet as it is less likely to accumulate dust and gunk. For sinks, opt for a wall-mounted faucet. Since it doesn’t have a base, it won’t gather dirt and gunk after a few days. – Payless Bathroom Makeover

7. Apply a waterproof membrane

Replacing a tub or basin and the surrounding flooring? Always apply a waterproof membrane over the boarding, before the tiling. The board itself should be 100% waterproof to avoid moisture (which could result in mold) from seeping through any cracks in the tile or flooring. Standard plasterboards may claim to be water-resistant, but aren’t 100% waterproof. – 360 Home Renovations

Originally published on Redfin.com