How to Install a New Bathroom
Planning and installing a new bathroom requires looking at lots of ideas. Visit bathrooms in the homes of friends and family members to see what they've chosen. Ask each person what he likes or doesn't like about his bathroom. Go over acrylic shower units vs. tile showers, for example. Look at floor plan layouts, special features and lighting, plus color schemes used. Make a list of faucets, showerheads and hardware you find appealing. Come up with a workable budget for your project as you select materials and fixtures you want to include. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Premade shower or tub
- Toilet
- Glass doors
- Wall cabinets
- Vanity cabinet
- Graph paper
- Towel bars
- Shelving
- Electric circular saw
- Boards for framing
- Sub-flooring
- Water lines
- Drain pipes
- Electrical wiring
- Drywall
- Insulation
- Paint
- Tile
- Wax ring
- Interior doors
- Baseboards
- Light fixtures
Instructions
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Choose main fixtures and cabinetry. Select the type of shower, shower-tub combo, sinks and toilet you want to use. Figure out details, such as purchasing glass doors for a shower and purchasing a toilet that automatically flushes. Go over ideas for wall cabinets or a vanity cabinet that will fit the space. Keep costs in line with the home's value. Plan to recoup all of your investment, if the home is sold in the near future, if possible.
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Draw a complete plan on graph paper. Sketch a bird's-eye view of the floor plan, plus each wall facade. Include towel bars, shelving and cabinetry in the plan. Figure out how each interior closet door will open, so you can allow adequate space in the drawings. Envision how each family member will use the bathroom space to make sure ample room for foot traffic is allowed.
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Set aside time to tear out the old bathroom and complete the work in stages. Be sure to disconnect plumbing and electricity before starting to gut the room back to the studs. Spend one or two days to remove old fixtures and flooring. Cut an old tub or shower unit with an electric circular saw if either fixture is too large to take out in one piece. Pry an old vanity loose and keep it for recycling in the garage or perhaps the basement. Remove old flooring to examine the sub-flooring and floor joists for any water damage or weak places.
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Construct the framing for new fixtures. Build the skeleton framework for a whirlpool tub, shower unit or premade bath-shower combo. Lay new sub-flooring after running new water lines or installing new drains. Add new electrical wiring while the walls are open. Be sure to insulate exterior walls of the room thoroughly, if the old insulation is inadequate, before installing drywall over framing.
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Cover walls with drywall and install new fixtures and amenities. Finish the drywall, paint and install main fixtures, plus all tiled walls needed. Wait until the flooring is complete before seating a new toilet with a wax ring. Hang interior doors and add baseboard materials next. Hook up new lighting last of all, so fixtures won't get broken during the construction process.
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References
Resources
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