Eventually, it happens to all of us. You walk into your bathroom and wonder when the faucet started rusting and why the paint on your walls no longer looks like the colors you chose. With regular wear and tear from daily use and many features becoming outdated, it probably leads you to wonder, “Can I DIY a bathroom remodel?”
At Iron Mountain Plumbing, our #1 team offers bathroom remodel services in Santa Clara, UT, and surrounding areas. So, we know a thing or two about what you can update in one of the most relaxing rooms in your home. Below, we’ll explain why a remodel is necessary, what you can do with little to no renovating and plumbing skills, and when to call on the professionals.
Why Is a Bathroom Remodel a Good Idea?
Did you know that in a nation where the average home value is $281,900, the houses in Santa Clara have a higher price point of $465,600? That means our city has an expensive housing market, where homes like yours are in high demand. Still, in order to keep your property value, you need well-designed rooms with updated appliances and fixtures, especially if you’re planning on selling.
Even if you’re claiming your current house as your forever home, you can still renovate it for your benefit. For instance, adding cabinets and islands in a larger bathroom fills holes in your floor plan while removing unnecessary clutter from your eyesight. Renovations also help with the following, which leads many to wonder, “Can I DIY a bathroom remodel?”
- Solves current bathroom issues like fungal growth and plumbing problems
- Increases functionality
- Enhances energy efficiency with updated Santa Clara fixtures
The First Step in Renovating Your Santa Clara Bathroom
It can be easy to tell when a room in your home needs renovating, but one of the biggest concerns that plague residents is where to start. That’s why gathering inspiration from showrooms, magazine layouts, Pinterest, or other sources is ideal. It helps you better understand what you do (or better yet, don’t) want in your home and decide on the following.
Choosing Color Schemes
From there, you can decide on details like color scheme. For instance, if you want a modern and sophisticated look, neutral colors like off-white and beige go well with soft pastel pinks, blues, and greens. However, if you’re up for something more trendy when considering, “Can I DIY a bathroom remodel?” deeper Hunter Green or Navy Blue accent hues sit beautifully over a white background.
Determining the Right Water Fixtures
After choosing your palette, decide if you want to stick with traditional white fixtures or segue into more vibrant colors that suit your Santa Clara color scheme. However, colors are far from the only thing you should think about when considering new fixtures. For instance, do you need a new sink, showerhead, or toilet? If so, are you repurchasing items similar to what you already have or trying something new?
You may have a shower now but want a two-in-one shower and bath that allows you to have more spa nights. On the other hand, trading your existing bath for a standing shower might free up a lot of much-needed space. You can also opt for energy-efficient systems that use less water so that you have a smaller footprint and save on your monthly bills.
Planning Your Layout
Now, you know the answer to “Can I DIY a bathroom remodel?” is a resounding yes, and you have your Santa Clara bathroom colors and fixtures in mind. The next question is, where is it all going to go?
First, determine where all your plumbing pipes and bathroom wiring run so you don’t accidentally disturb them during your renovation. From there, decide where you want your cabinets, counters, storage shelves, and fixtures to go.
The right layout is crucial to functionality and safety since everything needs to be properly spaced apart with distinct zones to avoid clutter and accidents. Those zones include separate toilet and shower areas alongside a sink and vanity space. Not only does that allow you to conduct activities, but it also makes cleaning your Santa Clara bathroom a breeze.
The Process of Your Santa Clara Bathroom Remodel from Start to Finish
After asking yourself, “Can I DIY a bathroom remodel?” it’s time to start wondering how to get started. If you’re doing a partial or full bathroom renovation, remove what you don’t need. That includes everything from the fixtures and appliances to the drywall when gutting.
Out with the Old: Disposing of Items While Gutting
Begin by turning off your water main and draining your toilet if you plan to remove it. Then, with the toilet out of the way, remove the tub and start uprooting the bath tiles on the walls, revealing the studs. That way, you can uninstall the plumbing pipes and prepare for new piping that accompanies your modern Santa Clara fixtures.
If you have any insulation within these walls, wear gloves, masks, and safety goggles since the fibers can irritate and inflame the skin. Also, to ensure you’re not releasing particles into the air, cut out the panels with a reciprocating saw rather than tear into the walls with a hammer. Then you can rip out things left on remaining walls, such as cabinets, mirrors, and baseboards, alongside flooring and lighting fixtures.
In with the New: Installing Updated Showers or Tubs
So, how can I DIY a bathroom remodel, starting with the tub? After you pull your new tub out of its box container, fully rest the leveling pad, which is on the outer base of the tub, on the subfloor. Once it’s flush and level, it should fit snugly.
Use a pencil to mark lines along the studs before removing the tub once more. Add a stringer along this line to help support the tub. Then, you can install the overflow drain assembly and connect the drain before permanently reinstalling the tub or shower in your Santa Clara home.
Finish Up the Walls
It’s best to work from top to bottom when reconstructing so that you don’t damage your new flooring, so start by reinstalling new drywall. After measuring and cutting them to fit your walls, carefully nail the boards up one at a time. You can also go in and close all gaps and holes with drywall tape or mud.
However, for walls in the shower or tub area, consider sturdier cement boards instead of drywall. Coat them with a waterproofing membrane like Redgard to further prolong their lifespan. However, you may be wondering, “How can I DIY a bathroom remodel without wall painting?”
Luckily, this is your chance to add that once you lay down a primer that suits your paint type. Add two layers of paint with colors from your chosen color scheme. Otherwise, opt for tile or wallpaper finishes.
Put Down Your New Flooring
Tile flooring is the most common type of bathroom flooring material, especially in Santa Clara homes. So, after you’ve chosen your tile and prepared the subfloor, measure the area to ensure you have enough tiles. You can also draw a layout on the subfloor and perform tile cutting to finish small or irregular areas.
Then, prepare the mortar before laying and grouting tiles in sections. Opt for laminate or vinyl flooring if you need more cost-effective solutions. If you want, you can also install your new toilet now, although many prefer to install this last to prevent chipping while working around it.
Add Sinks and Cabinets
Here’s the part where you finish installing your water fixtures and their accompaniments. Starting with a vanity installation, caulk around the bottom lip of the underside of your sink basin and carefully fit it into the countertop. Use connective clips to hold it in place if necessary while you install a faucet and flange.
Once you attach the tailpipe to the P-trap and connect your Santa Clara water supply, you can caulk the connections and turn on the water within 24 hours. But “How can I DIY a bathroom remodel without adding other fixtures?” From here, install the mirror and cabinets and add any trim around the tub or shower area you deem fit.
Trust Iron Mountain PlumbingA Santa Clara Team with a Solid Foundation!
These above steps are easy enough for the average homeowner to conduct with little understanding of plumbing and general renovations. However, other tasks are better left to the professionals. That includes dangerous electrical wiring, tricky waterproofing, and massive structural changes (like adding or removing walls).
Our five-star team comprises licensed and insured contractors who are not only experienced in difficult tasks like these but also conduct them with optimal customer satisfaction in mind. Our team also builds trust, reliability, and integrity as strong as iron and steadfast as a mountain.
So, when you need help finding the best plumbers in Santa Clara, UT, and the surrounding areas, look no further than Iron Mountain Plumbing. We’ll answer, “Can I DIY a bathroom remodel?” and more when you contact us today!