Bathroom Renovations - What do you wish you knew before you started?

Here’s a list of items that you will need to put in your new bath: • Tub or Shower Base • Toilet • Shower Body • Faucet • Accessories (towel racks, tp holder, towel ring, robe hook etc) • Sink (either pedestal or undermount bowl only) • Sink base cabinet • Cabinet countertop material and edging • Medicine Cabinet (recessed or wall mounted) • Lighting Fixtures/Switches • Exhaust Fan • Floor Tiles • Wall Tiles • Tile Borders or Decos if any • New Door and or Doorknob WWW.WORKWITHRIVA.COM

riva

in Renovation 10 years and 5 months ago

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duckwalk | 10 years and 7 months ago

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We are thinking about renovating one of the bathrooms in my condo in Cobble Hill. The building was built in 1988, so it’s looking a little dated. We’re not talking about expanding the size or relocating the plumbing in any significant way. My wife would love to remove the tub and replace it with large shower. I’d like to add storage space. Any helpful hints, suggestions of where to start, websites to check out, etc. would be really helpful.

greenmountain | 10 years and 7 months ago

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Many people advise tiling over substrate, which maintains its strength when it gets wet, in shower stalls and tub surrounds. I disagree. 20 years ago, I moved in to a 1930’s building, with an often repaired shower stall. I wanted to know why it was so bad. I wound up starting a business. I use waterproof fabric membrane over substrate, and the substrate stays dry. This is a big change since 1988, but the old ways are still common in NYC. In 1988 tiled shower stall construction was about the same as in the pre-modern plastics era. In the 1930’s sheet metal was folded in to waterproof pans. Then, thinset mortar was invented, so spongy layers of thick mud were gone or going from the walls, but they still used lead pans. Above the lead, and below the tile, there was still a thick layer of porous concrete, draining through a secondary route, hopefully. Now, we no longer need lead pans, and the mortar bonds tile to waterproof membrane, and membrane to substrate. It is thin, and dries quickly. There is no need for the lead pan, or vinyl for that matter, or secondary drain holes under the tile. Drainage can be direct now. Without thick mud reservoirs, showers can dry in minutes, or an hour, not more. Unless you are using the shower, dry is good. I use Schluter Systems, but there are other direct drainage systems. You can find me in Find a Pro here on Brownstoner, or http://www.houzz.com/projects/152834/barrier-free-shower-stalls. Green Mountain

resident2 | 10 years and 7 months ago

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If you are going for a shower only instead of a tub with an overhead shower, then as Greenmountain above has pointed out, the base of the shower is the week point especially if you want a beautiful tile base instead of one of the pre-fab bases, that tend to look cheap etc.. and I have yet to find a system that does not have leaking issues sooner or later. So do lots of research on shower base systems and choose a contractor that specializes in the type of shower base that you choose. Check references and it helps if the contractor has been in business, in Brooklyn (Or at least NYC) more than ten years. (That is a reference in itself)

Guest User | 10 years and 7 months ago

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We’re going to be renovating a bathroom as well. I came across this list of recommendations on This Old House: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20513573,00.html To some it might be too elementary, but I found it helpful. You’ve got to scroll through page by page to see each professionals recommendation. I’ve also been looking at Houzz for ideas as well as guidelines on how much space you need in front of a toilet, for instance, as well as other dimension recommendations. The Brownstoner forum is good for supplier recommendations for tiles, etc.

greenmountain | 10 years and 7 months ago

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Beyond the technical, or how to hire a contractor, Duckwalk is asking for websites, and how to get started. Sorry, the word “shower stall” provoked me. And, how a consumer can achieve satisfaction interests all of us. My clients find design ideas on Houzz.com and Pinterest.com. I have been following many websites lately, which promote or screen contractors for a fee, but these two are supported by advertisers, Pinterest is more general than Houzz, but it is also good for home improvement pictures. Based on what you said, you may not require a designer or architect (a licensed plumber can probably file it on a monthly report as “Ordinary Plumbing”), but if you want a contractor who can help you with design, check out their photos and interview accordingly. Who ever does the planning, consider waiting to purchase tile and fixtures until the tradesperson you select is on board to work with you collaboratively. Some items take several weeks to arrive, so you are doing well by just asking questions now about how to get started, and taking your time. Green Mountain

cate | 10 years and 7 months ago

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Remodelista, both the website and the book, is spectacular for bathroom design ideas and examples, especially storage ideas, such as shower niches. When I see an idea I like, I pin it to Pinterest so it is easy to find later or show it to others.

dorkofwindsor | 10 years and 7 months ago

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my 2c – if i could go back….. curbless shower with trench drain. also Wedi board requires no waterproofing membrane – but if you don’t use that (it is great for DIY btw), make darn sure you or your contractor is absolutely going to use a waterproof membrane in the shower over a backer that is *not* constructed of gypsum. Any hint of a shortcut is blasphemy. Also, niches in the shower are awesome. Lighting and good fan (dual pickup – one in shower one over toilet) is also the difference maker between an OK reno and an awesome one.

snowman2 | 10 years and 7 months ago

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Install grab bars at least in the tub/shower. Everyone needs them – a 12 year old can sprain an ankle. They now come in a variety of styles and don’t have to look institutional.

greenmountain | 10 years and 7 months ago

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Remodelista experts are architects and interior designers, nice pictures though. If you don’t want to start with (and pay more for) a separate designer, you can find contractors who also design single bathrooms – with licensed plumbers here, or on other sites. Wedi Board, and Schluter membranes are used less by generalists – a bit pricy for “handymen and handywomen.” Has anybody tried this one? http://www.finpan.com/products/shower-pans/clearpath/ It is mentioned on John Bridge as cheaper, and seems to be widely distributed. But this concept is the way to go. Use a substrate which stays dry under the tile, not one which is destroyed by water (gypsum board) not one which can get wet (cement board). There are other waterproof membranes and substrates. But, what happens when you install a grab bar, or cut a whole in the wall for a shampoo niche? Penetrations in wet areas are almost as critical as the waterproof floor and drain. Different systems vary in how they recommend joints and penetrations be treated. These products are not substitutes for lead (poison), which is still in the code, but not required. They are compatible with tile mortar and are installed by tile setters, not plumbers. Too technical for new home owners? Don’t be intimidated. It is all common sense: Water flows down hill, there is no magic here. The old pan system was hard to understand, no wonder it fails a lot.

mruby36 | 10 years and 7 months ago

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Is a copper pan and an old fashioned “mud job” too old school? A welded copper pan and a decent tile setter, done. Frame the space, bring the frame dimensions to a metal shop (or roofing contractor that does slate roofing because they should have a copper specialty shop in house), specify the sides to be at least 4″ high, set the pan, mud-tile-n-done. The entrance doesn’t have to be 4″ high, you can make a 1 – 2″ step and the sides of the pan would get cut and folded into the opening. The key to staying dry is the tile setter so make sure the tile setter doesn’t scratch his head or look puzzled when you ask about a mud job… Hope that helps! Happy Holidays! Matt R www.nyc-hs.com

mysteriousbrunette | 10 years and 6 months ago

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for beginners try these websites – apartment therapy houzz, sweeten.com. sweeten takes the guesswork out of searching for contractors. you post your job and your budget and they will match you up. the service is free and there is no obligation to take anyone. the guys have all there ducks in a row and if there is a glitch sweeten steps up to the plate and helps. some of them will work with a low budget…