Following Proper Building Codes when Remodeling Your Bathroom

A bathroom remodelling job can be a thankless task, particularly when you are trying to keep to strict building codes. No matter how you dislike them, building codes are there for a reason, and they have to be implemented and observed. So long as the building codes are taken into consideration, there is no reason why you should not be able to remodel your bathroom however you choose. In order to keep within bathroom codes, there are a few things that you should know.

Building Codes for Showers

When installing a shower, you are now obliged to install pressure balance or thermostatic mixing valves into your shower: this is to ensure that people are not burned while using the shower: however, if you are not changing the valve of the shower, you can keep the old one. Walls above showers must have a smooth, non-porous finish, such as laminate or acrylic. Shower walls must be 70 inches or more above the shower drain, and all shower doors must open outwards.

Ventilation

Any bathrooms must have at least one window which opens, or a mechanical ventilation system. Any ventilation mechanism must take the air into the outside, rather than to another part of the house. Proper ventilation is now mandatory in building codes, in order to prevent humidity and moisture which can cause mold and wood rot to the structure of the house.

Using Gypsum

If you are using gypsum board as a base for any tile or wall panelling for showers and bathrooms, you are obliged by building codes to use gypsum water-resistant board in order to prevent water from seeping in to internal structures. In addition, you are advised not to use any kind of gypsum board in wet areas, as it can encourage mold: so far, this is advice, rather than another addition to the building codes.

Using Paints

By far the cheapest way to remodel your bathroom without having to observe and building codes is by simply painting the room. This can create a very different feel to even the oldest of bathrooms, and you can paint the bathroom in colors that make it appear new and shiny. Replacing fixtures and fittings such as door handles and towel rails can also vastly improve the appearance of a room.

Lighting and Mirrors

Remodelling the lighting in the bathroom, and installing or removing mirrors can also have an enormous impact upon the bathroom without involving any bathroom codes. You can remodel mirrors to perhaps reflect a different style theme, and you can also give your bathroom better lighting and modelling of light switches. These little things all add up when you want to give a fresh appearance to a bathroom.

Hire a Professional

If you are unsure about your ability to understand and comply with all of the building regulations that exist in your local area, then a better solution than risking a building inspection might be to employ a professional renovator. You could still project-manage the renovations if you wanted, although this would require you to become familiar with building codes (as the project manager you would be responsible for any building code violations).