Taking on a DIY bathroom installation can be an exciting and rewarding experience for you. Apart from saving a lot of money, you will learn valuable skills. Removing the tiles, installing a new shower, and fixing a toilet will give you a chance to do exercise and keep fit. Also, your home equity will increase and you will be able to enjoy a good return on your investment when you decide to sell your home.
However, it’s important to know that some aspects of your bathroom makeover will still need the input of professionals. You should allow experts to help you handle electrical wiring, sensitive plumbing, and installation of heavy stone tiles while you handle other aspects like tiling, painting, and installation of sinks, faucets, vanities. Before you begin your bathroom installation, you need to put together your tools, equipment, and materials, and have a well-designed plan, and cost estimate.
Materials Needed
If you have been building up a DIY tool kit for a while, you will have most of the tools you need for your bathroom renovation. Nevertheless, you should have these essential tools on hand before you start.
* Hand gloves
* Safety goggles
* Face mask
* Tape measure
* Hammer
* Chisel
* Spackle knife
* Utility knife
* Hacksaw
* Power drill
* Cordless drill (optional)
* Screwdriver
* Caulking gun
* Pry bar
* Pipe wrench
* Stud finder
* Bucket
* Extension cord
Here are some of the steps to follow to have a successful bathroom remodel.
1. Have a Definite Plan and Design
Before you pick up a tool to start your bathroom renovation, you should decide on a new design that will suit your lifestyle, budget, and DIY skill set. You can choose any of these approaches for your makeover:
* Beginning from scratch
* Gutting your bathroom space
* Swapping out your vanity.
Whichever option you choose, you need to be sure of your color scheme, bathroom fixtures, storage spaces, and the location of utilities like electrical wiring and pipes for plumbing. A good understanding of plumbing valve terms can also help if you decide to fix your plumbing yourself. After you have a sketch of your new design, you need to get an accurate cost estimate and local building approval where necessary. Then you can start removing or demolishing the existing fixtures in the bathroom.
2. Demolish the Old Bathroom
Take off any drywall and fixtures you want to replace. This could include the old bathtub, shower, toilet, and sinks. During the demolition phase, follow these steps to avoid serious mistakes:
* Drain and remove your toilet
* If you need to take out the bathtub, remove the bath tile to expose the studs
* Take off the insulation from bathroom walls
* Remove mirrors, vanities, cabinets, floor tiles, and other features.
3. Install Your New Tub Basin or Shower
Choose a basin or pan that fits your new design and space where it will sit. You can pick a square or rectangular shape with rounded edges. You may also opt for a combined shower and bathtub if you’ve got adequate space. Look out for any damage to your bathroom floor and fix it before installing a new bath fixture.
4. Install New Wiring
Before you install your new vanity, take precise measurements. If the dimensions are different from the previous ones, you may need to adjust your wiring. This may involve moving power outlets and other parts of the electrical wiring so you can align perfectly with your new fixtures. Unless you are a trained electrician, it’s best to call in an electrician to help you out with this step.
5. Fit New Floor Tiles
Laying new floor tiles is an essential aspect of a bathroom makeover. Start by using your chalk line to create reference lines at 90 degrees to the longest wall. This will enable you to lay your tiles on a straight line. After this, you can start working on your grouting.
6. Make a New Drywall
Cut the new drywall to fit around your vanity, cabinet, and other fixtures. Remember the following tips while doing this:
* Cover seams and fill up gaps with drywall mud
* Place a cement board at the wall where your shower or bathtub in place of drywall
* Put a waterproofing membrane on your cement board to prevent water damage. After you have hung up your drywall, you can start doing some painting.
7. Install Vanity, Cabinets, and Plumbing
Install the vanity first. This should include your new sink and faucets. Hook up your drain to the faucet before you take on other features like your mirror and cabinets. It is advisable to install your toilet last so you can prevent any damage that may happen to it while you work on other parts of your bathroom. Finally, you can add the trim around the bathroom and mirrors.
That’s a brief outline of the steps needed to install a DIY bathroom in your home. We hope this will inspire you to tackle this rewarding project and enjoy the excitement and numerous benefits it offers.
