Before you start renovating

• What aspects of the current bathroom need to be changed?
• Is the layout convenient? Is there enough storage?
• Does the bathroom meet the needs of everyone in the household, including anyone with special needs, extended family and guests?

• Choose a design option that meets your existing and future needs. This may be a simple renovation to replace fixtures or a complex project to change the layout, enlarge the bathroom or add an extra bathroom.

• The layout may not be flexible enough to meet existing or future needs for space and storage.
• Also, the layout may not be suitable for anyone with special needs such as wheelchair accessibility.

• Are the fixtures or seals damaged, cracked or leaky?
• Is the styling outdated?
• Are fixtures water and energy efficient?
• Is there often condensation on the toilet tank?

• Replace or repair damaged, cracked, leaky fixtures or seals.
• Choose fixtures that enhance the appearance of your bathroom while conserving water and energy.
• Install an insulated toilet tank to keep the tank surface warmer.

• Plumbing leaks will continue to cause damage to finishes, the house structure and will promote mold growth.
• Outdated fixtures usually mean higher energy and resource costs. New toilets can save more than 70 per cent of water per flush. Low-flow showerheads can save 60 per cent on water usage. Compact fluorescent light fixtures are four times more efficient than standard incandescent bulbs.
• Cold toilet tanks are prone to condensation that leads to moisture problems.

• Which walls are load bearing? Will they need to be cut or removed as part of the renovation?
• Are there any cracks, slopes or bulges that might mean that the floors or supporting members are deteriorating or inadequate?
• Are the walls deep and strong enough to allow installation of grab bars, new windows, plumbing or ducts?
• Are exterior walls, floors or ceilings cold or drafty? Is it noticeably cold while taking a bath?

• Assess the structure carefully. The proposed renovation must either fit the existing structure or the required structural changes must be possible. Expert help may be needed.
• Repair or upgrade structural elements so that they are able to meet expected loads.
• Install structural blocking or backing as needed for grab bar installations. Build out walls to accommodate new windows, plumbing or ducts.
• Insulate and air seal the exterior wall, ceiling or floor assemblies to provide warm surfaces and a draft-free space.

• Improper structural changes, new loads or proceeding with changes that stress the structure may cause wall settling or collapse.
• Ignoring the underlying cause of bulges, slopes or cracks can result in recurring problems.
• Installing structural blocking for grab bars after renovations are complete will cause expense and disruption. Insufficient wall cavities may limit or prevent installation of windows, plumbing or proper ducts.
• Poorly insulated exterior surfaces, poor quality windows or poor air sealing will result in cold surfaces that cause discomfort and are prone to condensation, which can lead to mold growth.

• Are any finishes moisture damaged?
• Are there water stains or visible mold growth on any surfaces?
• Is there any blistering or peeling paint?
• Are any surfaces buckled, swollen or rotten?
• Is there any chipped or cracked grout or caulking?

• Determine if moisture comes from building leaks, plumbing leaks or high humidity. Fix the causes of the deterioration—for example, repair roof, wall or window leaks. Repair or replace all water damaged or deteriorating elements.
• Clean up visible mold growth following CMHC guidelines.
• Ventilate to control excess humidity.
• Maintain grout and caulking to prevent water access to cavities.
• Choose low-odour, low-toxicity materials and finishes to minimize the effects on indoor air quality (IAQ).

• Unresolved water problems will cause renovations to deteriorate quickly, whether the water comes from building leaks, plumbing leaks or the high humidity generated by bathroom activities. Leaks may contribute to mold growth and result in serious IAQ problems.
• Hiding moisture damage behind new finishes can cause deterioration and mold growth to continue.

• Are there any signs of leaks such as mold growth, soft drywall or rotting materials?
• Is there sufficient water pressure?
• Do the pipes make a banging noise (water hammer)?
• Does water drain slowly? Are there any unusual noises or smells coming from the drains?
• If the house is pre-1950, are there any lead or galvanized steel waterpipes?
• If the house is more than 30 years old, is the electric service and wiring safe and adequate?
• Is the lighting adequate, providing good overall and task area light?

• Repair any plumbing leaks. Upgrade plumbing to meet current codes and the needs of new fixtures.
• Install larger diameter water pipes to allow greater flow or pressure balancing valves.
• Provide an air cushion to eliminate water hammer.
• Ensure that the drainage system is sufficiently vented and that proper traps are installed.
• Replace lead or corroded metal pipes.
• Have an electrician inspect the electric service and wiring. Repair and upgrade electrical service and wiring if needed. Equip outlets with ground fault circuit interrupters for safety.
• Update lighting so that it is adequate and energy efficient.

• If plumbing problems aren’t repaired, deterioration will continue and mold will grow.
• Poor water pressure and water hammer problems will continue.
• Plumbing problems such as slow drains or smells from poor venting will still be annoying, may get worse and be a source of poor IAQ.
• Lead piping and corroded metals can contaminate water and leak.
• Electrical service, wiring and outlets may be inadequate or unsafe for increased loads (e.g., whirlpool tubs or space heating). New lights or outlets may overload existing wiring.
• Lighting may be poor and use energy inefficiently.

• Is the bathroom cold?
• Does condensation form on windows, mirrors or other surfaces?
• Is there a stale, musty smell?
• Is there an exhaust fan that doesn’t work? Does the fan vent directly to the outside? Is the duct insulated where it passes through unheated spaces?

• Provide an adequate heat source.
• Ideally, install a whole house ventilation system, including a heat recovery ventilator.
• If the whole house system is not an option, install a quiet exhaust fan with adequate airflow capacity to handle excess humidity. The fan should have a sound rating of two sones or lower and must vent properly to the outside.

• Problems can arise if heating, ventilating or air conditioning (HVAC) needs cannot be met by the capacity of the services available. The heating supply must be enough for comfort. Proper ventilation is needed to control excess humidity and to remove indoor pollutants.
• HVAC problems affect how the entire house functions as a system.

Rewards

• Correcting structural flaws, fixing leaks and making sure that all services are adequate before renovating will make renovations look better, work better and last longer.
• Using low-odour and easy-to-clean finishes will improve IAQ and help prevent mold growth.
• A warm, comfortable, attractive bathroom can contribute to a safe, relaxing lifestyle.
• A bathroom renovation typically offers a 64-71 per cent return on your investment, meaning increased value of your house for resale.

Skills to Do the Job

A homeowner with good fix-it skills may be able to do some of the work including:

• Removing old fixtures.
• Gutting old wall surfaces.
• Removing non-load bearing walls.
• Fixing roof or window leaks.
• Insulating, installing a vapour barrier and air sealing.

Serious structural work may require the services of a professional renovator. You’ll also likely need an electrician for any new wiring, a plumber for the plumbing work and a heating contractor to install or move heating or ventilation outlets. You may want to hire tradespeople to do the structural work, roofing, window repairs or installation and any exterior wall repairs.