Bath Remodel Jacksonville FL is a great way to put your stamp on the space. Replace builder-grade materials with ones that fit your style and create a bathroom you enjoy spending time in.
The first step is to have a licensed plumber run new electrical wires. Then, your contractor can begin putting the finishing touches on your basement bathroom.
When you think about your outdated, dingy tub, replacing it with a new one might be tempting. But if you’re on a budget or like your bath’s layout, bathtub refinishing is an inexpensive and quick option that makes your tub look brand new. It’s also a better choice for the environment than replacing your bathtub, which involves wasteful demolition and a lot of dust and debris.
You can hire professionals to refinish your bathtub, but you can also buy DIY kits that contain the coatings and other materials for the job. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, protect the surrounding floors and walls with drop cloths, and use painter’s tape to mask off areas you don’t want coated. The etching, sanding, and spraying processes can produce strong fumes you shouldn’t inhale. So make sure to open windows, use an exhaust fan, and set up portable fans in your working room.
The first step in refinishing your tub is to prepare it by cleaning it thoroughly. Scrub the area with an abrasive cleanser, such as LimeAway, and clean away any mildew or other stains. Then, clean the surface with a degreaser and sand it down to create a smooth, even texture before priming. You can find primers and other products that are made to adhere to a tub’s porcelain surface online or at home improvement stores.
Once you’ve prepared the surface, you can apply the new coating, which typically comes in various colors. You can also choose a gloss, semi-gloss, or matte finish. Some of these finishes are more durable than others, but all of them will protect the tub from future damage.
If you’re refinishing your tub, be prepared to spend at least three days on the project. The coating needs to dry completely between each coat. Also, the new coating must cure for two weeks before use.
Keep in mind that refinishing isn’t suitable for all types of tubs. Cast iron tubs may need to be sandblasted or ground down to remove heavy layers of rust, while fiberglass tubs are more likely to crack and chip over time. Also, refinishing won’t fix major problems with your tub, such as serious leaks, stains, or discoloration.
If your tub is beyond repair due to serious discoloration, rust, or cracking, or it’s simply too small for your needs, replacing it with a shower can be an excellent upgrade. However, this kind of major renovation pushes the limits of what most do-it-yourselfers can reasonably tackle. It requires some demolition, carpentry, plumbing skills, and various hand and power tools. If you need more confidence to take on the challenge, a professional contractor should be consulted to design your bathroom and help you select the best new fixtures.
If you’re planning to replace your tub, start by preparing the area for tub removal by covering the floor with plywood. Next, shut off the water supply to the bathroom at your home’s main water valve, usually in a crawl space or basement near the water heater. You’ll also need to disconnect the drain, waste, and overflow pipes from their access panels by loosening the locknuts with wrenches. Before removing the tub, remove any wall tiles or drywall around it. Depending on the layout of your house, you may need to cut through load-bearing studs to get to the piping.
Once the bathtub is removed, carefully inspect and clean the wall studs and subfloor for damage. Any signs of water leakage should be repaired immediately to prevent mildew and mold growth. A new bathtub installation can usually be completed in one day, but it may be a good idea to consult with your contractors about their ideal work timeframe in advance of the plan.
While a new tub can be more expensive than refinishing, it’s likely to add more resale value to your home. In addition, today’s tubs come with several health and wellness features that can enhance your bathing experience. As a result, many homeowners opt to switch to a tub from a shower. However, if you’re considering making the change, consider how this will impact your lifestyle and how much you use your bathtub.
A fresh new faucet is one of the easiest ways to overhaul your bathroom. Replacing old, builder-grade, or dated fixtures with more stylish options is not only budget-friendly but will also significantly impact the look of your room.
Replacing a sink faucet is easier than it sounds, and it is a project that most homeowners can do themselves:
- You will want to ensure the sink is ready for a new faucet. Clear the area underneath the sink, and remove any items that may hinder your work.
- Turn off the water supply valves under the sink.
- You must remove the existing faucet from the sink using a basin wrench.
If you have an old, rusty faucet, you may need some pipe cleaner or plumber’s putty to clean the holes and threads. The instructions with your new faucet will tell you if this is necessary.
Once you remove the old faucet, you will need to clean all the areas under the sink and around the drain. You will then need to determine what kind of new faucet you need. If there is a lot of space between the two outside holes in your sink, you can install a wide-spread faucet, which connects the valves and the spout. If there is not much distance between the holes, you can install a mini-wide-spread faucet that is a single unit, including valves and spout.
You will then need to connect the new faucet to the water lines, either with braided or rigid lines. You will need to follow the instructions that come with your faucet for this step and ensure you have all of the parts required for your specific brand and style of faucet. Some faucets will require an extra nut to secure the handle, and some will need you to add a gasket under the sink. If you are still trying to figure out what to do, it is best to have professional help with this part of the project.
Many homeowners remodel their bathrooms to improve functionality, create a fresh style, or add value. While some of these updates are easy and inexpensive, others can require more time and money. However, it’s important to consider the project’s overall goal before making any significant changes.
Increasing storage capacity is one of the best ways to upgrade a bath. Sometimes, this is simply adding shelves above sinks or toilets. In other cases, it’s a matter of creating more space on cabinets or countertops.
Some creative hacks can offer extra storage in small spaces without taking up floor or wall space. For example, a pleated fabric skirt around a pedestal sink can introduce softer dimensions and color while hiding eyesores like plastic storage bins. Or, a narrow shelf above a bathroom sink can hold small essentials like skincare products and cotton swabs—especially if they’re pretty in their packaging.
In a full bathroom renovation, you can install a linen closet to hold towels, toilet paper, and other necessities. These closets can be built-in or freestanding, and they’re a great way to hide clutter from view while keeping them within reach. If your home doesn’t have an existing linen closet, you can also opt for a recessed cabinet installed in the wall—another great option if you’re working with a tight space.
Adding more storage is especially important in smaller bathrooms. You can also use clever hacks to make your existing storage more efficient, such as roll-out organizers in deep cabinets or toe-kick drawers under a vanity. Lastly, you can add open shelving that’s easy to keep tidy and doesn’t overwhelm the room.
