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No matter if you are moving, or improving, our newsletter is packed with the best tips, tricks and ideas to help you dwell well.
If you build over loose plasterwork you will be making a BIG mistake.
It might seem like a ridiculous idea, but this gives you the opportunity to get rid of the loose plaster and tiles and start moving the plumbing around to suit the new layout.
Gutting the room does not take much time (but it is dusty and dirty, and you will need to invest in a good face mask and some protective gear).
If you want a really modern shower you will also need to remove the floorboards and reset the floor levels to allow for a hidden drain.
This also gives you the opportunity to increase natural light by incorporating a sun tunnel.
A number of manufacturers make products that can bring natural sunlight into a room from a roof light where you do not have an external window.
Even if you’re not an expert plumber you can still plan where you want the plumbing to be located, where you want to turn on and off the water and where you want your fixtures to be.
Design and layout are essential. You want to make sure your valves, fittings and drain lines are installed correctly.
Three really essential plumbing ideas:
Can you turn the water on and get into a warm shower without getting wet? Make sure you put the valve in a place you can get to (either by putting your arm in with the door open or by walking into a spot which is far away from the shower head). There is nothing worse than getting drenched with cold water first thing in the morning.
Where do you want the drain located? Don’t just put the drain in the middle as you’ll end up standing in a big puddle of dirty water. Because you’ll naturally stand 600mm or 2 feet away from wall consider putting the drain near this wall
Give yourself access to the plumbing without cutting into the new shower walls. Put the valve on an interior wall where you can change the valve if it developed a fault, you never know!
In order to fix shower valves, shower door, glass block wall and fittings to the wall you will need to provide a structure “noggins” bridging or blocking (pieces of wood) in the wall cavities where you are going to fix. You’ll also add WBP (water and boil proof) marine plywood on the lower part of the shower for strength if you decide to add a fold down bench seat or a safety grab bar.
Don’t use normal plasterboard which is totally unsuitable for wet situations. That would be a disaster!
Proper waterproof wall backer system such as those made by Hardibacker, Knauf Aquapanel or British Gypsum Glasroc H, together with the right joint tape is essential.
In the past you only had one option- a shower tray. It is a nightmare to keep the joint between the wall and tray watertight and it restricts movement when you shower.
How much better to have a shower room and not a pokey cubical!
In modern bathrooms a low maintenance shower will ensure you don’t have to spend the weekends re-grouting.
PVC composite wall panels. If you want a natural stone look – without the cost or maintenance of natural stone these panels come in a range of sizes to fit a custom shower.
High gloss wall panels – The sleek and contemporary choice that come in range of different colours
Solid surface wall panels – engineered stone which will stand up to the toughest environments
Once you chosen which panel system you like best make sure you get the right colour matched adhesive and not just silicon. Don’t risk ruining your new shower by using the wrong adhesive.
Keep the glass frameless and off the floor is the modern option. This gives you the perfect combination – low maintenance and high style.
If you want to get the most out of other areas of your home (in addition to your bathroom) why not start with the loft? Why not have a look at our loft conversion guide to help get you started or even just something to think about
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