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Five Common Bathroom Remodeling Mistakes to Avoid

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Bathroom remodeling is a process, too often, defined by trial and error, especially for rookie homeowners. Even with an extraordinary amount of preparation, some still fail to realize the immense scope of renovating even a small bathroom. These setbacks can result in anything from minor inconvenience to large-scale repairs that tack on thousands to your once-hardline budget.

If you're looking to avoid these common pitfalls at all costs, remain cognizant of the five missteps below while building your dream bathroom.

Forgetting to Add or Maintain Ceiling Vents

Stepping into a steaming shower or running a hot bath is incredibly soothing, but all that humidity and moisture can take a huge toll on your bathroom's comfort and hygiene over time. Condensation that permeates your walls can deteriorate paint and grout, while also weakening wooden or overly porous underlayment. Make sure to cap off your bathroom remodel by either installing a ceiling vent, or cleaning your current one to promote sufficient airflow.

Installing Overly Trendy Fixtures

There's nothing wrong with a little panache, especially if you don't have any plans to sell your home; but if you're remodeling specifically for that purpose, having a design scheme that's too niche could be alienating to future buyers. It's also important to remember that today's top designs will likely become tomorrow's forgotten fads-at best.

Some fixture trends are so momentary and closely tied to a particular time period, that in five years, they may be considered tacky and require immediate replacement. The same goes for overly bold paint choices and accessories. A good strategy is to rely on classically designed fixtures and a neutral color palate that won't leave your space feeling too personalized.

Using Porous Material to Construct Wall Surrounds and Flooring

Remember, preventing moisture permeation is one of your greatest functional concerns when renovating your bathroom. Avoid furnishing your space with materials that are overly absorbent or particularly vulnerable to water damage, like wood, textiles or porous stone. Too much moisture accumulation will not only lead to frequent repairs down the road, it will also make mold and mildew growth an ongoing concern.

Skimping on Product Quality to Get a Good Deal

It's no secret that bathroom remodeling can be expensive, and value hunting is certainly a priority; but if you're going to make such a significant investment either way, why not choose fixtures that are well-crafted and built for longevity? When you don't consider product quality, you're essentially opting for several less-expensive renovations over time that, ultimately, surpass the price of a single, high-quality remodel.

Also, depending on how you skimp, you may rack up additional utility costs. For example, if you choose to replace your toilet with a less-efficient model because of its lower price tag, you'll increase your monthly water bills and greatly reduce the new toilet's ROI since it won't add to the overall value of your home.

Rushing to the Finish Line

Bathroom remodeling is a time-intensive process, but it begins so enticingly. In the preliminary stages, it's all about your vision and planning how to make it happen, but less attention is paid to how complex the task will be.

When most people think about bath renovations, they condense it to several focal areas: the sink, toilet, shower, bathtub, etc. For example, say there's a family looking to make their morning routines more efficient in Roanoke; tub conversions, in this instance, may be their primary focus, but they may not be paying enough attention to other important aspects of their space, like its lighting or accessibility. By the time they've converted their old tub to a new shower, they're already mentally winding down from the remodeling process, even though there may be other vulnerabilities that need to be addressed, like rusted pipes or, as discussed above, clogged ceiling vents.

Instead of allotting the same amount of care and consideration to these equally crucial issues, the homeowners rush through their fixes and inevitably set themselves up for future costly repairs. Always remember that bathroom remodeling is a marathon, not a sprint; otherwise, you risk being left with an unevenly crafted result.

Though there is a wide range of mistakes a person can make during a bath remodel, you should feel comforted by the fact that they can all be prevented with a little patience and forethought. Sometimes those can be in short supply when you just want to complete a passion project, but staying attentive and adaptable during the process will help you deliver a bathing oasis that you and your family can enjoy for years to come.
 
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