Installing a new bathroom floor including below grade flooring

Since most bathrooms are relatively small in space as compared to other rooms in your home, the key to remodeling them successfully is to preplan the design. Measurements are critical more so than in any other room in your home. For example, you can't put a six-foot bathtub in 5 1/2 feet of space unless you change a wall or rearrange the structural members in the room.

A real boon to bathroom remodeling has been the acceptance of component parts. Since most components are prefabricated, you can easily make correct measurements and rearrange the units to fit the space you have to fill. But don't forget doorways and areaways through which these prefab parts have to pass. Also, consider 'working space' with the components. Do you have enough room to install them properly?

Plumbing and wiring in a bathroom are to your advantage; both are already installed. As a rule, its not difficult to rewire a lighting fixture or disconnect and reconnect a lavatory, toilet, or bathtub. If you feel you don't have the know-how to do this work, call in a professional. You can do the preliminary work; it shouldn't be cost-prohibitive to have a professional make the connections.

Building codes in your area may dictate what you may or may not do in a bathroom remodeling—more than any other room in your home because sanitary conditions are involved. Be sure you check with your municipal building department before you start any work that involves structural changes and plumbing and wiring connections. You may have to have a permit to do this work.

Carpeting: Indoor/outdoor carpet and carpet tiles may be used in the bathroom. Also available are moisture-resistant carpeting fabrics that may be washed. The key is to buy carpeting that will withstand the moisture.

If you decide on carpeting, make sure the floor underneath it is in good condition. Any water that soaks through the carpeting may cause structural damage to the floor, sub-flooring, and joists below.

As a check of the condition of the floor, stick a pen knife through the flooring at the floor joints. If the blade of the knife penetrates the joints easily, the floor may be water-damaged. Also, check below the floor, if at all possible. Water streaks sometimes indicate water damage from above.

Tile: You have two basic choices for use in the bathroom. Resilient tile includes vinyl-asbestos, solid vinyl, rubber, and carpet tiles. Non-resilient tile includes ceramic, slate, and hardwood or parquet-type blocks. Although there are just two basics, the range of patterns and colors is wide. You may buy tiles that are self-sticking, or standard types that you set yourself. If you choose the latter, make sure you use waterproof adhesive. The sub-floor must be in good condition, properly sealed, and clean before any tile is layed. Be sure there are no humps, bumps, or dents. These will show up in the finished flooring.

You may use sheet vinyl and linoleum in bathrooms, too. These are placed over the same under-lay conditions as tile counterparts. But there are specific instructions to follow; ask the dealer for help.

Wood: Wood flooring may be used in a bathroom, but, because of moisture, it is best to consider another type covering. If you do want wood, however, the surface must be thoroughly sealed with a good penetrating stain with top coats of moisture-resistant finish such as urethane. Don't use wood for shower floors.

Paint: A painted bathroom floor is not a wise choice, since moisture may cause the paint to peel and crack. Use ceramic tile, instead.

Materials you select must be moisture-resistant because of the dampness problem with most bathroom floors. To save you problems and money later on it would be much wiser to buy high quality ceramic tiles as a discount flooring choice and wait for the sales to come online.

bathroom floors