Did you know that excess moisture is the leading cause of decay in bathrooms? And even worse, most bathroom moisture issues will go undetected for years – until it’s too late and menacing mold develops or structural damage befalls. The following is a list of five steps you can take toward guaranteeing that moisture will not be a problem in your new bathroom.

1] Tubs and showers should be located on interior walls -

The idea is to make certain that you are not running supply and drain lines in an exterior wall where they are subject to extreme temperature variations. These fluctuations can produce moisture in the wall around the areas where the plumbing is located and should be avoided if at all possible.

2] Proper ventilation is a must -

If you are planning your dream bath with a whirlpool tub or a steam shower you must not forget that these luxury items can create enormous amounts of steam in the bathroom. You should look for a high capacity super quiet bath fan – and don’t be afraid to spend more for a high quality unit. Make certain that the new fan is ducted through an exterior wall by the shortest path possible. Most of all, run the fan. If you have luxury items such as a whirlpool or steam shower, turn the fan on while taking a bath or steam. Afterwards, close the door and leave the fan on for a minimum of 30 additional minutes.

3] Toilet sweat… don’t sweat it -

Condensation on toilet tanks is common during the summer months when the water temperature inside the tank can be 20 to 30 degrees cooler than the air temperature. Air conditioning is the best way to eliminate this problem. Alternatively, you could consider using a toilet insulation kit or installing an anti-sweat valve which operates by adding just enough warm water to the tank to keep the temperature differential to a minimum.

4] Looks vs. leaks -

If you are planning a large and costly master bath remodel it’s not likely that you will consider using anything other than tile for your shower. If your goals and means are more modest, then you might consider using a one piece shower unit. By design, these units are seamlessly constructed and when properly installed will provide the ultimate protection against leaking. Of course, tile applications look nicer, but each grout line is an opportunity for water to penetrate.

5] Design a dryer wall -

On exterior walls the location of the vapor barrier can play a big roll in determining how much moisture is trapped in the bathroom. This issues is relatively simple to address in a bathroom remodel. The determining factor in proper vapor barrier placement is climate, as moisture typically moves in the direction from warmer areas to colder areas.

Your geographic location will determine proper vapor barrier placement. In Michigan we have a heating climate dictating that vapor barrier is placed on the interior of wood wall and ceiling framing while permeable exterior sheeting is used to allow for any vapor that does get into the wall to escape. In a cooling climate the opposite may be true. Check with a local building expert to design the best system for your location.
By applying these five tips when remodeling of your bathroom, you can help fight the effects of moisture and have a great looking and functioning bathroom for many years to come.

Gerry Snapke has been in the kitchen and cabinetry design business for nearly 25 years. As a custom cabinet manufacturer and kitchen designer he has a broad background in all aspects of the industry. Gerry is currently offering his services as freelance designer and can be reached through his web site at http://www.gsidesignconsultants.com

7 Easy and Inexpensive Ways to Update your Bathroom!

Designing a bathroom is an exciting process! Following a few simple tips to improve your bathroom can create a spa-like luxury in your own home and ensure it’s the perfect fit for your home and lifestyle. Whether you are redesigning after repairs, updating an outdated bathroom, remodeling to sell, or just looking for a change there are a few important things to consider:

1. First, think about the layout of the room itself. A few simple changes such as adding or changing a bathroom sink, vanity or medicine cabinet can make a big improvement in the look and feel of your bathroom, while leaving the big things can save you money. TIP: Save a bundle by leaving the plumbing in place and designing around it!

2.  To make a small bathroom look and feel larger, consider the color of the room. Choose pale or neutral colors to make the room seem larger. Because many older toilet models are larger than newer designs, consider replacing your toilet with a newer compact model. Installing pedestal and vessel sinks can also increase your usable square-footage because they don’t take up as much floor space as traditional sinks.

3. Consider a vessel sink! These free standing sinks can sit directly atop furniture, or a special pedestal on which the sink is mounted. Although the vessel sink is a century-old design, they can now be found in a variety of contemporary materials to meet your design needs, including cast iron, glass, vitreous china and stainless steel, many of these options carrying a surprisingly low price tag.

4. Custom showers can be created simply by placing shower heads and body sprays in desired positions. Place sprays at a lower level for showers that will not get your hair wet, and raindrop shower heads at a higher level to achieve that rainfall effect!

5. Update the look and character of your bathroom inexpensively by changing the accessories—new towel rods and shelves, toilet paper rods and even toothbrush holders and soap trays are relatively small changes that can add big character to your bathroom!

6. The walls are biggest area of your bathroom and can be used to make the biggest impact. A new coat of paint can refresh the whole look of your bathroom, while tile transfers are a creative and easy trick to make plain tile look unique. These waterproof, washable stickers go over your existing tile and even come in embossed 3D and textured varieties.

7. Modernize your bathroom lighting by switching out a modern, stainless steel lighting fixture in place of an outdated one to give the room a fresher look. Install dimmer switches on overhead lighting to enhance mood.

Updating the look and functionality of your bathroom doesn’t have to be a complicated or expensive process. A few simple changes to your current room can make sure your bathroom retreat is the perfect fit for your home and lifestyle!

Based out of Los Angeles, Syd Crawford has over 25 years of experience with Kitchen and Bath remodelling and has worked for some of the leading plumbing companies in the industry. Syd’s experience is a driving force behind a team dedicated to bringing customers the best deals in Kitchen and Bath Fixtures and Supplies– www.regenfalls.com