Common mistakes when renovating a bathroom
Slopes, ventilation and storage: what's most often forgotten in planning.
In this article
A bathroom is small, but it packs in water, electricity, ventilation and heavy daily use. That is why mistakes show quickly and are expensive. These are the most common ones and how to avoid them.
1. Forgetting the falls
A shower tray or a tiled walk-in shower needs a fall towards the drain. Without it, water sits in the corners and ends up in the joints. With low-profile trays, the drain and base are prepared before tiling.
2. Not enough ventilation
Without a window or extractor fan, moisture stays on the ceiling and in the joints. On the coast, with high humidity, mould appears even sooner.
- An extractor fan sized for the bathroom.
- Paint suitable for damp areas on the ceiling and untiled walls.
- A small gap under the door so air can circulate.
3. Choosing the material from a photo
A very porous or very smooth tile can cause trouble: stains with the first, slips with the second. On the floor, a non-slip finish is better; in the shower, water-resistant, well-sealed joints.
Tip
Ask to see a real tile before buying all the material. The bathroom’s light changes the colour a lot.
4. Too little storage
Towels, toiletries and the hairdryer have to go somewhere. A vanity unit with drawers, a niche in the shower or a tall cabinet stop everything ending up on the basin.
We'll help you define the scope of your renovation and prepare a clear quote.
5. Badly placed sockets and lighting
Light points and sockets are decided before tiling. Think about where you will use the hairdryer or shaver and what light you need at the mirror. New electrical installations are always done by a licensed professional.
6. Not planning the days without a bathroom
If there is only one bathroom at home, plan beforehand how you will manage. Ask for the real timeframe and which days it can’t be used.
Before you start
- Shower or bath type and drain decided
- Ventilation sorted
- Materials seen in person
- Storage planned
- Sockets and lights marked on the plan
Founder of OSTEZA. I assemble kitchens and furniture, organise moves and coordinate the professionals on each job on the Costa Blanca. I write about what I see in homes every week.