Like all hard working kiwis, we love a DIY project to sink our teeth into over the summer holidays. Last month we started you off with an intro to bathroom renovation. This week we will be continuing our renovating tips and tricks to help you get the best out of your brand new bathroom this summer!
Looking ahead for layout
Before you go picking a favorite spot for the tub and toilet, you might want to save yourself the heartbreak. Under your floor and within your walls are the unsung heroes of a successful bathroom: your plumbing and pipework!
Your shower, bath, sinks and toilet all need to be ‘hooked up’ to your bathroom’s current pipework. To do this, you can either work with what you have and install your new bathroom fittings wherever the old ones were, or – should you decide to change the layout – your Wellington plumber should be able to extend some of your pipework to suit your new layout…but there’s only so much rearranging one can do! Plus, any work that pushes your pipes beyond where their current positioning is bound to push the budget, too.
The best advice we can offer for your Wellington bathroom renovation layout is consulting your plumber prior to the project. Your plumber will be able to investigate your current plumbing positioning and can work from there to help you make renovation decisions that will cooperate with your pipework and won’t break the bank.
Keep your fittings flowing
Did you know that your water pressure plays a big part in affecting how your fittings work? Say, for example, you’ve always wanted one of those raining shower heads like the ones you see in all those interior design magazines. They shower a wide sprinkling of warm water down at just the right pressure – but will one work with your bathroom? That depends entirely on your home’s current water pressure.
The same rules will apply (in regard to your water pressure) for all your other fittings. The best thing to do is to check with your local Wellington plumber before making a purchase. Your plumber in Wellington will often have a series of helpful suggestions regarding your fittings. Talking to a professional plumber will help you understand valuable advice on which fittings will suit your current water pressure and which ones will last for years to come!
Don’t skimp on quality
Many people like to be ‘thrifty’ in their reno work, but there are some things you just can’t afford to be cheap with. Your plumbing is one such factor. Often a professional plumber will be faced with installing cheap fittings that clients have purchased online or shipped from overseas. More often than not, these items fail to meet the New Zealand high standard of pipework quality and either cannot be installed…or fail only a short while after installation.
To avoid this, we suggest either telling your Wellington plumber what sort of fittings and fixtures you’re after and accepting their suggestions, or heading to your local plumbing store. Your local Wellington plumbing shop should have a series of trusted New Zealand brands for you to browse, and the shop assistants will be able to answer any questions you have.
If you are planning to have bathroom installed in Wellington (or perhaps a bathroom renovation in Wellington) then you’ve come to the right place! Plumbspec are professionals when it comes to your home’s plumbing. Give us a call if you’d like to arrange an installation or even if you’d just like a little advice – we’re here to help!