For questions regarding the room where one bathes or uses the toilet.
2
votes
1answer
224 views
How should I remove this bulb?
My bathroom bulb died and I am trying to replace it, but before I can figure out what sort of bulb to buy I want to remove it so I can take it with me to the store and get an exact one. However I've ...
2
votes
1answer
91 views
How can I repair the carpet around a new shower?
I just had a new shower put in, and the existing carpet doesn't quite go close enough to the bottom of the shower. It looks uneven. Is there something I can buy to make it flush?
9
votes
5answers
6k views
Why does my shower switch keep burning out?
I have a Mira Shower 10.8 kW.
My switch is a 45A switch. I have a 50A fuse for the shower. The shower uses 10mm2 cable.
9 months ago the switch sparked and refused to turn off and the fuse ...
1
vote
1answer
111 views
Should I tie into the ERV or just vent outside to increase bathroom ventilation?
Our bathroom currently only has an intake connected to the Energy recovery ventilation (ERV) to remove humidity, and it's completely inadequate even for a quick shower. Should I install an exhaust fan ...
3
votes
1answer
221 views
Can a bathroom fan be vented just outside the bathroom?
I belong to a housing cooperative in the arctic and the temperature drops below -40 C. We are having problems with mold on the ceilings in the bathroom. The buildings were built in 1984 with an air ...
2
votes
2answers
265 views
How can I repair peeling finish on a faucet handle?
I've got a faucet in my bathroom that has a bit of the finish peeling off after what appears to be some kind of oxidation has built up underneath it. I'd like some suggestions as to how to repair this ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
What are the standard sizes/clearances for bathroom elements?
I expect to be asking several more questions about this project; but I'm starting with a general one, and will get more refined as things develop.
We are working on finishing our basement, which ...
1
vote
1answer
109 views
Why would a bathroom emit an odor if pipes aren't clogged?
House has crawl space and the pipes aren't clogged, yet bathroom has stench that wasn't there yesterday. Only thing different today than yesterday is that it's raining today. Why would stench all of a ...
4
votes
2answers
559 views
How can I replace a non-standard (20cm) bathroom faucet?
The bathroom sink has a separate cold and hot tap, their centres are 20cm apart. I want to replace them with a mixer tap. However, the mixer taps I see have 18cm distance.
What are the options for ...
3
votes
2answers
282 views
Is there software or a web site that lets me upload a photo and visualize changes to a room?
I'm thinking of changing my kitchen and bath floor, countertops and backsplash. I don't have all day to create a 3-D model from scratch. Can I start with a photo and visualize changes?
0
votes
1answer
142 views
How do I install a vanity that's higher than the mirror?
I'm doing a bath remodel. The existing wall mirror is resting on a Formica back-splash. The existing cabinet is wheelchair height.
The remodel cabinet will be higher than the bottom of the wall ...
1
vote
1answer
459 views
Should I use inline bathroom fans?
I'm building a new full bathroom in my basement and I also have an existing full bathroom without an exhaust fan. The sizes are 207 ft3 and 470 ft3 respectively. I was initially thinking of buying ...
4
votes
1answer
217 views
How can I protect bathroom wood from mold?
I have bought bamboo fittings in the bathroom (towel holders, dishes etc). I see that as a result of hanging damp towels on the towel holders, a black mold is accumulating on the bottom of the holder ...
4
votes
2answers
20k views
How soon can I use my shower that I recently grouted and tiled? Should it cure first?
We have been retiling my tub surround area and finished grouting the tile last night. I used non-sanded PolyBlend grout (sold at Home Depot) and added a bottle of Grout Boost Advanced Pro. Everything ...
11
votes
2answers
721 views
What kind of caulk should I use around my bathtub?
I would like to recaulk between the bathtub and the ceramic-tile wall, but there are many kinds of caulking for sale. What kind should I use?
1
vote
2answers
446 views
How do I install a bathroom wall light?
I live in a small, newly built flat in London. The walls are plasterboard. In our bathroom, the only lights are two halogen down lighters on the ceiling. I would like to install two new lights on the ...
7
votes
2answers
929 views
How can I remove stuck anti-vandal rings in tap head?
Most of the taps in my new house are fitted with so-called "anti-vandal" screws in the tap heads, as shown in the image. These screw into the tap head to tighten them onto the stem.
I can't remove ...
5
votes
2answers
444 views
How to best keep floor vent by shower dry/mold free?
We just moved into a rental home. It turned out after living there for a few weeks that we discovered the vents were innudated with mold. They were so bad the landlord had to replace all the vents in ...
0
votes
1answer
168 views
Are “Waterproofing Primer” and “Grout Sealer” the same?
As I'm getting close to end of bathroom renovation, hardware store recommends me to purchase 'grout sealer' to finish off new layered grout. When I test it out, I found out it is very similar to ...
3
votes
1answer
132 views
Can we install an above-counter sink (large, about 31“ x 18” x5") on a bottom-mount countertop?
Currently, we have a small oval undermount sink in our bathroom that is roughly 16 by 19.5. We are thinking bout changing it to a large, rectangular, above-counter sink (13 x 18 x 5) but we obviously ...
2
votes
1answer
120 views
What information do I need to give a general contractor to get a good quote?
I'm looking to do some major renovations:
removing an interior wall
removing popcorn ceilings
new kitchen (layout, appliances, counters, cabinets, etc)
new master bath
new flooring throughout
new ...
5
votes
1answer
316 views
Should I seal around the base of a bath/shower?
I was planning on putting caulk around the base of my bath/shower, but I have been told by someone that it is preferable not to seal the bottom of a bath as it "prevents it from being able to breath" ...
4
votes
4answers
2k views
How do I install this wall mount bathroom sink?
I'm replacing a sink that was on a vanity cabinet and hoping to do as little busting through the perfectly good tile as possible. I heard a rumor that I need to make very sure that the sink is ...
1
vote
1answer
107 views
What should I be aware of as I prepare to replace my bathroom vanity with a wall mount sink?
We have a super tiny master bath, and the sink, which is a vanity type is pretty destroyed. I think someone used some caustic cleanser on it or something. I'm thinking of replacing it with a wall ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
How do I run new water lines from the basement to the second floor through a finished wall?
I am redoing an upstairs bathroom that has galvanized steel pipes currently running to it for water supply that run straight up from the basement. I am debating between using PEX or copper for the new ...
5
votes
5answers
13k views
How do I remove a stuck faucet/tap cover?
I've been fixing leaking faucets in a bathroom. There are total six faucets in a bathroom,
two made into a bathroom basin, two made into the wall in the shower tube
and the last two are on the wall ...
2
votes
4answers
422 views
How can I fabricate a custom one-off plastic part?
Here's some background: I just moved into a house and am in the process of fixing up the bathroom. I want to keep the two florescent lights that frame the medicine cabinet but the plastic covers are ...
6
votes
1answer
498 views
How can I fix an uneven and damaged transition from drywall to tile in the bathroom?
We recently replaced some old, cracking shower walls in a bathtub area with tile. Looks great. However, on one wall the drywall next to the tile bows out so it's not even with the tile in the middle ...
2
votes
1answer
90 views
What are the building regulations in the UK for fitting a light in a bathroom?
What designs of lights are allowed?
When do I need to get a building regulation inspection?
5
votes
3answers
1k views
What is the minimum required distance from a shower to an electrical outlet?
In Fairfax County Virginia, what is the minimum distance that an outlet must be from a shower in the bathroom? Does the minimum distance change if it is GFI outlet?
3
votes
1answer
640 views
Why is my third floor hot water pressure so low?
The hot water pressure in our 3rd floor shower is very low. The 2nd floor shower however, has very good pressure. The problem is not the shower head, which actually produces great pressure when ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I repair drywall around a bathtub?
I have an area of drywall that is next to my bath tub that has gotten soft and crumbly. Mostly held together by paint & caulk now.
I'm reasonably sure I understand why. We're getting some water ...
3
votes
2answers
633 views
How can I prevent water pooling on a windowsill from getting behind wall tiles in a shower?
I have a windowsill in a shower which had regular 6" ceramic wall tiles over drywall.
Some water had obviously pooled on this, got under the joint at the lip of the tiles and rotted the drywall. So I ...
0
votes
1answer
242 views
How can I determine if the mildew on the bathroom ceiling comes from the upper floor?
I live in a flat on the second floor. The building in which I live is
five levels high.
How do I find out if the mildew on the bathroom ceiling comes from
the upper floor? I removed the mildew just a ...
7
votes
2answers
872 views
Why won't my new water valves turn on?
Alright I just replaced my bathroom sink and faucet had some problems but managed through. Turned my water back on and the went back to the bathroom sink to turn the valves on but they won't turn. ...
3
votes
1answer
292 views
How to install tub into non-square rough opening?
I am remodeling a bathroom and I am putting in a new tub and then tile the walls of the tub. My problem (right now) is that my rough opening is 60-3/4" at the back and 60-1/2" at the front. This ...
0
votes
2answers
265 views
tiles getting spongy and water coming up between the cracks
I have press-on tiles in my bathroom. We noticed they are getting spongy near the cooling vent. When I press it with my foot, I can see little bit of water coming up between the cracks. Duct work is ...
1
vote
1answer
95 views
What are the pros/cons of installing glass doors over a whirlpool tub?
I'm building a new bathroom and I have a whirlpool tub. I really like the tile behind it, and I would like the look and the feel of being able to see through wall to wall. However, I'm worried about 2 ...
2
votes
1answer
243 views
Do tiles need to be cut to fit area between back wall and the edge of the bathtub?
I am in the process of remodeling a bathroom and I am putting in a new tub and plan to tile the walls. It seems most tubs are standard depths of 30 or 32 inches, ours is 32". Now the new tub is ...
1
vote
2answers
296 views
How to find and fix a bad smell of moisture?
We just bought a 3-year old house and there is an odd smell of moisture in the master bedroom and attached bathroom. It smells like someone just took a shower although the house has not been used in ...
9
votes
6answers
422 views
How can I alter these wooden towel hooks so that the towels don't fall off?
We have this rack of towel hooks in our bathroom, but the hooks are so smooth that the towels easily fall off.
How can I alter it so that the towels don't fall off?
I'd rather not roughen up the ...
3
votes
3answers
263 views
How can I straighten pipes behind a wall?
The original builders did a shoddy job when they installed the plumbing in the bathroom, causing the taps/faucets to come out of the tiled plasterboard wall at a slight angle - about 5 degrees - so ...
3
votes
1answer
903 views
Can I use epoxy grout on tiled shower and bathroom floors?
I'm considering white grout for bathroom shower walls (the floor will be covered with a shower tub). Wanting to avoid problems with graying, mold and mildew in the shower and sink back-splash area, I ...
13
votes
3answers
2k views
Is there a device that will allow a bathroom fan to run for 5 minutes after it is switched off?
There is one switch that controls the lights and fan in the bathroom. Users turn the light/fan on when they enter, and off when they leave.
I'd like for the bathroom fan to run for a time after they ...
1
vote
1answer
268 views
How to remove a tub insert
We're looking at the effort and time for a bathroom renovation, and the biggest item on the list is replacing an old fiberglass tub insert/surround with a standing shower insert/surround.
Looking at ...
3
votes
2answers
724 views
How can I fix a ceiling above the shower that was damaged by water?
Our pipe coming out of the wall was leaking a very fine stream of water. We haven't had time to fix it. I don't know what that bumpy stuff on the ceiling is called but it's all peeling off. I know the ...
8
votes
3answers
694 views
Should a bathroom fan vent to a separate duct system?
Is it acceptable to route a bathroom exhaust fan to the return of a central air system? I'm afraid this will cause mold to grow in the air return ducts. There is currently a fan in our bathroom and ...
1
vote
0answers
431 views
Is it advisible to block a bathroom vent due to cigarette?
I live in an apartment, and there's cigarette smell coming from the bathroom vent (probably from a neighbour who smokes). I'm wondering is it advisable to block the bathroom vent to block the smoke ...
4
votes
1answer
565 views
Can I use the white from one switch, but the black from another?
Some terminology, because I don't know any better:
light-fixture - An existing, separate, light fixture...currently with dedicated 14/2
vent-unit - A new vent just installed, has three ...
1
vote
1answer
329 views
How should I prepare the shower walls for tiling to prevent mold and mildew?
What is the proper way to prepare a bathroom wall before tiling for a shower area to prevent the growth of mold and mildew?
