6 Signs You Need to Renovate Your Bathroom
A bathroom is where you perform your personal hygiene regime. And, its exposure to water, steam, and fluctuating temperatures can exacerbate the deterioration of the materials such as grout, tiles, fixtures, and paint.
Over time, heavy foot traffic and wear and tear in the bathroom start impacting its functionality, safety, and utility. And your bathroom may start showing signs that it needs remodeling.
Remodeling a bathroom improves its functionality and aesthetic appeal. Beyond this, it can also enhance the resale value of your house, especially in places like Tulsa, where there’s an extremely competitive real estate market. A remodeled bathroom can make your home more desirable for potential buyers and tenants if you plan to sell or rent it out for a stable income.
With that said, below are some signs that may indicate that it’s time to start a remodeling project.
1- Mold is growing in your bathroom
The constant use of water makes the batroom humid, making it the perfect place for mold growth.
Mold appears on the walls, grout, around the fixtures, and in other hidden places in your bathroom in the form of unsightly green stains. Mold can also cause the edges of the wallpaper to budge or discolor if it starts growing on the wall behind it.
Mold growth is not only injurious to your health, but such a situation can put you at a disadvantage if you are trying to sell your house. In places like Tulsa, the median home price, according to Redfin, is $240,250. Mold growing in the bathroom, especially in the shower area, can put off interested buyers, affecting your profit margin. In some cases, mold in the shower reaches the extent where replacement is the only solution.
Hiring an expert remodeler for shower replacement in Tulsa as a result of excessive mold spread is the right thing to do. But at the same time, you also need to take other measures to prevent mold from growing back. For instance, you can ensure that the bathroom stays dry all the time. Promote proper ventilation with the help of an exhaust fan or window during and after showering to allow steam to escape.
Additionally, when you Renovate Your Bathroom, use mildew-resistant paints, tiles, and grouts to inhibit the growth of mold and mildew.
2- Your bathroom has visible and invisible leaks
Leaks, visible or invisible, are clear signs that your bathroom needs renovation. Sometimes it is easy to spot leaks in the bathroom, for instance, when there are dripping faucets or water is pooling around fixtures. These signs clearly indicate plumbing issues in your bathroom.
However, there are instances when the leakage in the bathroom is not observable. Instead, you see mold growing on the walls, musty odors, discolored patches, and paint chipping off the walls and ceiling. This happens when the water continues to drip silently for weeks or even months.
Invisible leaks include those within walls or under floors—they are equally or even more concerning than visible leaks and need prompt action. Invisible leaks occur due to deteriorating seals, faulty plumbing connections, or worn-out pipes. Besides causing water damage, hidden leaks can also compromise the structural integrity of your bathroom.
In addition, leaks can shoot up your water bills by squandering substantial amounts of water without your awareness. According to estimates, around 10,000 gallons of water go down the drain yearly due to leakage (EPA). Furthermore, you can save approximately 10% on your water bills by addressing simple leaks.
3- Your bathroom design is boring and outdated
A bathroom with outdated fixtures, out-of-date color schemes, worn-out countertops, and cabinets can appear dull and unattractive. Other aspects of your bathroom that might be making it boring may include inefficient storage systems, the absence of modern amenities, and inefficient lighting.
Tackling the signs making your bathroom an uninspiring and outdated space does not always require a complete overhaul. Secondly, if so many things are making your bathroom dull, instead of working on everything, select a few prominent elements. For instance, you can upgrade the lighting, replace the shower with a digital one, and add more effective storage options. In the end, your aim is not to spend all you have got on your bathroom but to make enough changes to blow fresh life into it.
4- Your bathroom is less functional than before
The lack of functionality in the bathroom is a straightforward sign that you need to Renovate Your Bathroom. It suggests an issue with layout, organization, or the presence of necessary amenities. Some aspects that show that your bathroom lacks functionality include limited counter space, poorly positioned fixtures, and insufficient storage options.
A bathroom lacking functionality can impact your convenience and the usability of the space. You may find it hard to perform daily hygiene procedures, find storage to keep essential items, or accommodate multiple users comfortably.
Since functionality is a major concern, addressing it often results in a big renovation project. For instance, optimizing the current layout for better flow or upgrading inefficient fixtures will require you to knock down existing structures. However, by acknowledging the importance of functionality and addressing issues regarding it, you can enable your bathroom to serve your needs effectively.
5- Your bathroom tiles are chipped and stained
Chipped and stained tiles indicate that your bathroom is no longer in its original form and needs repair. Bathroom tiles experience various unfriendly conditions, such as heavy footfall, cleaning agents and scrubbing, moisture, and so on. All this makes it lose its shine and appeal and instead wear a clock of stains.
Besides compromising the aesthetics of your bathroom, chipped tile can also encourage structural issues and safety hazards. Cracked and broken tiles offer a route to water to access the ground underneath. And their sharp edges can pose risks, especially in a wet environment.
6- Your bathroom is not safe for all users
You can make your bathroom safe for individuals of all ages and abilities by adding handrails near the toilet and shower area and replacing the bathtub with a walk-in shower. Additionally, you can keep your bathroom clean, clutter-free, and dry to avoid tripping and falling hazards.
Removing extra elements to create an open and easily navigable layout to promote free movement and maneuverability also helps in making your bathroom secure for all users.
Conclusion – Renovate Your Bathroom
A bathroom is one of those places in the house which experiences extensive wear and tear. The primary reason is its frequent use within a household. As a result, it starts showing signs of damage, such as mentioned above, requiring a renovation. When you find these signs, it is better to make repairs to prevent more costly renovations.
