5 ways to streamline your next bathroom remodeling project.

Creating your dream bathroom can be a daunting task when you consider the complexities of the project. Bathroom remodels as well as new construction projects require that you think through the aesthetics of the rooms, and equally important, know how you would like them to function. Being able to communicate this to your plumber is key to ensuring a smooth execution of your bath construction project and achieving the best version of your dream bathroom. Here are some ways you can streamline the process.

1) Before anything else, make sure that you hire a licensed Plumber.

This is the first and most important step you should take. Aside from the guarantee that you have hired a certified professional, a licensed plumber is expected to be fully insured to cover any damages or injuries that may happen during your project work. If an unlicensed plumber damages your house during the job, your homeowner’s insurance policy may not cover it. You shouldn't have to worry about this with a licensed plumber, their insurance is there to protect you.

2) Make sure you choose the right bathroom fixture for the function you want to achieve.

The plumber is there to expertly install the fixture you have chosen to use in your bathroom project. But understanding what you want to achieve with your project is key to picking the right kind of bathroom fixture. Some questions you should have when choosing your fixtures are:

• Would you need a hand shower in addition to the main shower head?The heights of those in your household using the shower will help answer this (i.e. small children, pets, etc).
• Will any of the fixtures be wall mounted?
  A wall mounted vanity or toilet will require extra wall reinforcement to support them properly.
• What type of drain system do you prefer?
  A linear drain system will require a specific pitch to the floor to allow the water to drain correctly.
• Will you need one sink or two in your vanity setup?
  Examining what your morning routines look like will help you decide if this will help eliminate any “getting ready bottlenecks”.

3) Know the flow of water in your bathroom project.
Knowing the GPM (gallons per minute) output of all the heads of your shower fixtures will avoid low pressure water flow from the shower heads and faucets. The GPM flow rate for shower heads has decreased over the years to help conserve water. But, with the right shower set and more importantly the proper valves inside the walls, you should be able to achieve the desired pressure. The valves in the wall need to feed your specific set of fixtures simultaneously so you might need to have more than one valve to run them correctly.

Using a thermostatic volume control gives you the most control of your water output. A thermostatic valve can give you 13-15 GPM, while a pressure balance valve will only give you 4-5 GPM. Your plumber should keep his installation as streamlined as possible. The more elbows, the greater the reduction in water pressure.

4) Know the type of drainage you’ll need.
Knowing the proper drainage needed for your shower or wet area is important to avoid puddling of water. Each shower head has a different GPM, which when added together will dictate how many drains you will need for proper drainage.

5) Make sure that the design works for your bathroom’s interior space.
Each bathroom fixture that you introduce to your construction project will require a certain amount of space to not only function properly but also look aesthetically pleasing in the overall interior design of the bathroom.

Drain space limitations vary depending on the drain type being installed. Center drains slope towards the middle of the shower, while linear drains require the slope to one side of the shower. Because of this, smaller showers might not be ideal for linear drain installation as the slope required of the small area would require a greater pitch making standing in the shower uncomfortable.

Shower length and width should not fall below 32 inches (81 centimeters) in length or width.

Single sinks require 30 inches (76 centimeters) of width at minimum, with smaller average sizes falling in the 36 to 48 inch (91 to 107 centimeter) range. You should double this minimum when adding a second sink.

Tubs require at minimum 60 inches (152 centimeters) in length and 30 inches (76 centimeters) in width. It is recommended that you check the tub you are considering in person to make sure it is a good fit for you.

Toilets can fit into spaces as small as 30 inches (76.2 centimeters) wide and 54 inches (137 centimeters) long. The 30 inch (76.2 centimeters) width is measured from the center of the toilet out 15 inches (38.1 centimeters) to the left and right of it.

These are some of the most important considerations to take when designing your bathroom construction project. Always know that we are here to guide you with any questions you or your plumber might have regarding the installation of the bathroom fixtures we carry. And we can definitely help you choose the right fixture to build the bathroom of your dreams.