Moisture Free Bathroom Plans * 5 Remodeling Tips

By Author: Lester McGuiggan
Total Articles: 6
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The single biggest reason most bathrooms need to be remodeled is due to moisture damage. Slow and steady moisture accumulation if left untreated can cause structural damage and result in the growth of mold. This type of insidious, slow developing decay can be prevented by using smarter construction methods when developing bathroom plans. By including the following five steps in your bathroom plans you will greatly reduce the chances of moisture issues in your new bathroom.

1] Tubs and showers should be located on interior walls -
Due to temperature variations related to exterior walls plumbing placed inside these walls can sweat, drip and accumulate moisture over time. To avoid this issue in your bathroom plans keep supply lines and drain lines confined to interior walls whenever possible. If you must have plumbing in exterior walls use pipe insulation on each run of plumbing.

2] Remove moisture through ventilation -
If your bathroom plans include 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 large steam producers such as a whirlpool or steam shower, turn the fan on while taking a bath or steam. Afterwards, close the door to the room and leave the fan on for a minimum of 30 additional minutes.

3] Toilet sweat... don't sweat it -
During the hot and humid summer months the cold water in your toilet tank can cause condensation to form on the outside of the tank. This condensation can drip onto the floor and if the floor is not completely water proof water damage can occur. To prevent this from happening in your bathroom consider insulating the toilet or have an anti sweat valve installed which will add a touch of hot water to the tank to keep the water temperature from getting cold enough to generate moisture.

4] Eliminate Shower Stall Leaks -
Many shower floors are covered with tile and each individual grout line represents and opportunity for water to penetrate. While many shower floors can last for years the best protection against grout leaks is to reduce the number of grout lines in the shower. This can be done by using a one piece shower floor pan. Plenty of standard sizes are available and some floor pan producers will make custom sizes to fit your exact lay out.

5] Build a Better Bathroom Wall -
Bathroom walls must be designed to work well with the particular climate of a given region. The climate will determine exactly where a vapor barrier is to be placed within the wall during construction. Since moisture generally travels from a warmer to a cooler area, if you live in a Northern climate the vapor barrier would be installed on the inside of the ceiling and wall framing while breathable, permeable exterior sheeting is then used on the exterior. This will allow for any moisture entering the wall space to escape. A local building pro will be able to best help design the right wall system for your new bathroom plans.

If you make these five steps part of your new bathroom plans you will help ensure a dryer and healthier bathroom in your home and eliminate repair costs.
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