Now that you have watched this video on how to install a bathroom vanity, perhaps you have some questions that need answered.  See below some common questions from our readers. 

I got a new bathroom vanity and the drain doesn’t line up with my drain. Is there a way to connect without moving the whole pipe?

What would cause sewage smell in bathroom after new remodel?

How To Replace An Elbow Connector Of PVC Pipe?

Bathroom Vanity Drawers – Are they working drawers?

48 Inch Single Sink Bathroom Vanity in Driftwood Finish

What Are the Different Types of Bathroom Faucets?

Second only to kitchen renovation, bathroom renovation tops the home improvement wish list. Out of many bathroom accessories such as hardware, sinks, faucets and bathtubs, bathroom faucets that are truly unique can offer style and functionality to the bathroom area. Faucets come in wide range of materials to match the theme or decor of your bathing area. Additionally, there are several types of designs for bathroom faucets, which can be chosen according to your requirements. Bathroom faucets definitely give a customized feel to the bathroom.

When choosing bathroom faucet, you will have to consider the practicality as well as the appearance of the faucets. For example, two handled high arch faucets are perfect for vessel with high edges. Not all the faucets work with every sink basin. You have to consider the size or measurements of the sink before buying the faucet for your bathroom. Some of the unique bathroom faucet types are:

89 Inch Double Sink Bathroom Vanity with Offset Sinks

Waterfall Faucets: This is a beautiful and elegant type which offers a unique and classy look to any bathroom. It offers both functionality and style and is an affordable upgrade to transform your ordinary looking bathroom in to a modern and updated one. Waterfall faucets are made for three-hole installation and most of them are suitable for wall mounting. Before buying waterfall faucet for your sink, check out whether your sink comes with pre-drilled holes.

Wall Mount Faucets: Wall mounted faucets are mounted on the wall above the sink and extend over the center of the sink. They are best for sinks which do not have any hole drilling. One of the latest fads (though we feel it may not be lasting) finds some people use ceiling mounted faucets that seem to recreate rainfall over their sink.

Single Hole Faucets: This is a simple design best suitable for smaller sinks or vessels whose countertops are drilled for a single hole faucet. It can also be used in 4" hole drillings by using the one with an optional deck plate.

Widespread Faucets: This type has two handles located at the sides of the sink, each one for cold and hot water and a water spout. The three pieces are distanced further apart and are suitable for bigger sinks. The warm and cold water comes from two different places and the unit requires a three-hole installation.

Centerset Faucets: This type is smaller than the widespread basin taps, and have separate handle for hot and cold water on both the sides of a spout. They require three-hole installation basin as the spout and valves combine on one pool unit.

Bathroom Faucet Buying Guide - How to Choose the Right Faucet for Your Bathroom Sink

Here are a few common questions regarding your plumbing and what you need to do about them.

What’s the Scoop on Water Spots?

How To Locate Drain Lines in a Basement?

Why Are My Pipes “Whining?”

Installing a Tankless Water Heater: A DIY Project?

How to Unclog a Bathroom Sink

Everything About Showers Including Tiling

This is a very thorough video by Lowe’s that goes over how to install a tile wall in a shower. Sample basic procedures will come in handy if tiling another area of your home like say a backsplash. When doing a shower however, there will be a few extra steps involved. As with any project, make sure you have all the tools needed prior to starting your project. When tiling anything, keep in mind that you will want to have extra tiles on hand just in case you cut wrong. This is key to be sure you have tile from the same lot number to ensure a perfect match. There are a lot of steps involved, but as long as you follow it step by step, it should be a smooth project. They give some pointers like for instance if you find mold after removing the wall, you need to stop what you are doing and contact a pro to get that taken care of first and foremost. You don’t want to install a new shower and tile over mold.

How to Prep and Tile a Shower

How to Install a Wet Room Shower Floor?

Tiling a wet room shower floor is not too much different than tiling any room. The difference lies (literally) in what goes underneath it. Basically all a wet room floor needs is a rubber PVC shower pan liner put down. This material comes in 5' wide rolls to cover most showers in one piece but If you have to put a seam in it, it of course will need to be watertight. Don’t worry; they do make an adhesive to seal the seams, shower pan liner PVC glue. Make sure the liner goes up the sidewalls at least 12 inches and that there are no penetrations other than where the drain is. Normally, you will want to do a preliminary water test to make sure the area is watertight. You don’t want to get the whole thing tiled and then find out your guest bedroom below now has a shower coming out of the ceiling! You can do this by plugging the drain and filling it with 2-3 inches of water. Mark the water level and leave it sit for 24 hours. If, after 24 hours, the water level has dropped or you have a pool rather than a shower in your guest bedroom underneath, you’ve obviously got a leak.

Before you install the pan liner, you’ll apply a mortar bed (often called a dry pack mortar) which will need to slope towards the drain. Once that sets, and you have installed the pan liner you will apply thin set and lay your tile on top of that! Voila! A walk in shower!

Click here to learn more about linear shower drains - Linear Shower Drains

 

Photo by Sweetlake Interior Design LLC

 

What is the Industry Standard Height for a Showerhead?

For an Ask the Contractor question, we asked our in house contractor Randy what the standard was for the height of a showerhead. With all the new technologies, massage panels, and new age showerheads available right now, many people are opting to change them up. We thought it would be a good question to ask: When you’re changing your showerhead, should you change the height?

His personal opinion is that they should be stubbed out at 7' though many plumbers/contractors install them at 6'6". In days gone by, showerheads were generally placed at 6′, but it seems that Americans are getting taller, as most new installations are well above that!

How Can You Get More Water Pressure?

Have you ever moved into a house and felt like you could stand under the shower for an hour and still not be rinsed off? In some cases, the showerhead is regulating the amount of pressure you feel when standing below it. However, for the most part, it is probably the water pressure in your home that needs to be adjusted. And while this seems like a job that would scare a DIY homeowner (or renter) thanks to the magical resource of the internet, there are quite a few step by step walk tutorials! Here’s one we found that explained it pretty well:

How to Adjust a Water Pressure Regulator

Here are a few more great resources on common questions you may have when it comes to showers…including new technology and water conservation.

Windows in Showers: What To Do

Open Shower Rooms

Water Conservation & Your Bathroom

Shower Speakers: Moxie Research

Shower Systems: More Technology for Your Bathroom

Now that you have plenty enough resources on tiling the shower floor and walls, you may need some cleaning tips and repair tips.

How Often and How To Clean Tub Toys

How to Clean and Seal Your Tile Grout—The Easy Way!

Bathroom Tile Grout Trick

Replacing old cracks in your grout can be extremely labor intensive but you can repair them pretty easy. Depending on the condition of your grout will determine if you have to rip it out or just cover it up. Try to find color matching grout chalk, looking closely because older grout color will be harder to match. Those of you who need to replace it can call in a pro; they have special tools to get the job done.

Toilets

The last major project in a bathroom is the toilet…some may think it might be the easiest.  The first key takeaway is knowing how to make toilet rough-ins.  This involves making careful plans for drainage, measuring all the pipes, and of course the right size toilet seat.

Toilet Plumbing: Some Helpful Reminders

Here is a quick how-to video to guide you through replacing an old toilet.

If you’re ready to change that old toilet with a new one, this video will guide you through the process. Start by shutting off the water to your bathroom. Remove the bolts in the floor that hold down the toilet, once removed scrap off old wax ring. Put down a new ring and carefully lift the new toilet in. Once all bolts are tighten and the bottom is sealed with caulk your ready to use your new toilet.

For a more in-depth step by step video tutorial, here is a great video from Lowe’s

I sure wish it only took a few minutes to install a toilet like in this video. This video, Lowe’s goes through the steps on removing an old toilet and installing a new one. Another very helpful tool for the do it yourselfer. It is very thorough and makes it look and sound very easy. There is a lot involved so make sure you follow the steps and take any precautionary measures like turning off the water supple. Otherwise, you’ll have a huge mess on your hands.

How to Replace and Install a Toilet

Now that your toilet is installed, here are some common questions you may ask.

Common Toilet Problems

How to Test a Toilet for Leaks – Home 101

How to Fix a Leaky Toilet

Why Does My Shower Gurgle When The Toilet Is Flushed?

Basement Bathrooms & Upflush Toilets

Preventive Plumbing Maintenance

Prevention is better than a cure. This applies in all areas of life, including plumbing. The little things that we do, and the effort that we put in to consistently do preventive plumbing maintenance can save us from a lot of troubles and expenses. To encourage homeowners to be more proactive in maintaining their plumbing system, we have listed and discussed very simple things that any homeowner can put into practice.  To Learn more about preventive maintenance, click here.

Preventive Plumbing Maintenance