Have you considered remodeling your bathroom but hesitated because you weren’t sure if you should spend the money? Perhaps you’d prefer an updated style or extra features, such as more storage, a second sink, or even one of those fancy bidets. Even worse, maybe your shower drips, and you’d prefer to conserve water and lower your bill. You know you will benefit from bathroom updates, but you have reasonable concerns about the expense.
As extra encouragement, you should know that bathroom upgrades top the list of home investments that make homes more marketable. Indeed, most families consider their bathrooms one of the most essential rooms in a home, and you shouldn’t need to compromise your convenience or preferences. Besides, repairing minor problems can keep them from turning into larger ones.
Why You May Need to Remodel Your Bathroom Sooner
Even if you plan to remain in your home forever, some bathroom issues should serve as a clear signal that it’s time to remodel. Fortunately, you can address many issues without spending a lot of money. You might only need a few hours, a DIY video on YouTube, and fixtures or tools from high-quality bathroom supply stores for many updates and repairs.
Consider these common problems with bathrooms that might call for urgent action:
Leaking Fixtures and Faucets
Worn washers and fixtures commonly cause problems as they begin to leak. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the average home loses 10,000 gallons[BV1] annually to leaks. Typical sources for leaks include worn toilet flappers, valves, and faucets.
Handy homeowners can usually fix these problems with spare time, affordable supplies, and simple instructions. If you have your tools ready, you could also update to a more contemporary, versatile style. For instance, you could replace your worn, leaky shower head with a convenient handheld spray nozzle.
Grout Stains and Broken Tiles
Tile and grout inside showers and behind sinks can make bathrooms appear more luxurious while protecting the drywall from splashes that can stain and encourage mold. However, stained grout and broken tiles can detract from the appearance while failing to protect the wall.
You can repair or replace broken tiles. Likewise, you could try cleaning the grout, but you may need to strip and replace it. If you’re ramping up for a tiling or grouting job, it might be the perfect time to upgrade with an entirely new color and pattern.
Changing Needs
Would two sinks for washing hands and brushing teeth relieve morning bathroom congestion? Perhaps you have children or a pet and would like a shower nozzle to ease bath time. Maybe you need to replace your traditional bath with an accessible walk-in shower.
You might need professional assistance for some of these jobs. At the same time, these home improvements can ease your life now and make your home easier to sell in the future. If you plan to invest in your home, you should do it as soon as possible to enjoy the maximum benefits.
Which Bathroom Upgrades Should You Tackle First?
Naturally, busy homeowners often need to deal with limited time and budgets. Thus, you may need to prioritize bathroom remodeling tasks. First, you should focus on repairs such as fixing leaks or potential sources of mold before you move on to address your bathroom’s appearance or functionality. Leaks or mold issues rarely remediate themselves, and they can cause even worse and more expensive problems in the future.
As you make repairs, keep an open mind. For instance, you might have trouble matching shower tiles, so it could make sense to change them. Also, remember that an updated style or more convenient arrangement can please you and your family now and command more attention when you put your house on the market.
AUTHOR BIO: Erica Garland is Content Marketing Manager at Modern Bathroom and has 15-plus years of experience in the bathroom renovation industry. Modern Bathroom sells various products you would need for any bathroom renovation project. With such a large selection of vanities, faucets, sinks, toilets, and showers, Modern Bathroom will surely have the perfect piece to give your bathroom an updated look.