Small bathroom renovation

[Pinoy adventure]

Unless you're using small mosaic tiles and get lucky, it's simply not possible to future plan tile alignment to ensure that a hold would only require mounting points to be drilled along joints. Many of the grab rails use three fixings in a triangular pattern at each end.

Tile positioning should be dictated by the dimensions of the tiles and your space to ensure you end up with even sized cuts at both ends of a wall.

It's usually easy enough to adjust the position of a hold by a cm or two to ensure that you're not drilling too close to the edge.

Leo -you can get a specific drill bit too drill tiles which helps a lot. The name of the alludes me.

 

[RetirementPlan]

Unless you're using small mosaic tiles and get lucky, it's simply not possible to future plan tile alignment to ensure that a hold would only require mounting points to be drilled along joints. Many of the grab rails use three fixings in a triangular pattern at each end.

Tile positioning should be dictated by the dimensions of the tiles and your space to ensure you end up with even sized cuts at both ends of a wall.

It's usually easy enough to adjust the position of a hold by a cm or two to ensure that you're not drilling too close to the edge.

I was more thinking about planning your design so you'll be able to fit your supports to non-tiled sections, if at all possible - just a bit of forward planning shouldn't be a huge deal.

 

[Leo]

Leo -you can get a specific drill bit too drill tiles which helps a lot. The name of the alludes me.

Yeah, I've done lots of tiling and tile cutting. You're probably thinking of carbide which work well even on porcelain, but must be kept cool. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Armeg-CTCSET6-0-Carbide-Tipped-Porcelain/dp/B00MISKR0U (Armeg) make really good carbide bits.

You can also get diamond tipped bits, but these are usually flat at the top and are best used with a tile guide. Ceramic bits are also available from the likes of Bosch now, I haven't tried them yet though but they can handle higher temperatures without dulling, so don't need constant cooling.

I was more thinking about planning your design so you'll be able to fit your supports to non-tiled sections, if at all possible - just a bit of forward planning shouldn't be a huge deal.

Fair enough, but you mentioned grab rails and a shower seat, so I assumed they would be in or around the shower in an area that would be tiled.

 

[elcato]

Another great invention (in my eyes) is the sheets of PVC which can look like tiling (Sorry Leo). Way easier to clean as there is no grouting. Just wipe down with a window wiper after use it stays clean longer. Still need tiles on the floor though.

 

[Leo]

Another great invention (in my eyes) is the sheets of PVC which can look like tiling (Sorry Leo).

Oh, I'm a DIYer, not a pro so no apology needed.

I never liked the idea of those, but the ensuite in my current home had them and they do the job. They don't look as well as a good tiling job, but they are easy keep clean.

 

[IsleOfMan]

I hope to have mine done this year. Similar to Gipiman's. One side panel.....open at the back.....length of bath. Flat tray...maybe an inch or two step up.

I would need a non slip floor and a smart modern looking hand rail just to hold on to....more for balance.

Back of shower...near open end ....put in place a heated towel rack/radiator.

I have an existing radiator on the wall that is heated like all the other radiators in the house. The plan would be to put an electric operated towel rack above this radiator. Would this be dangerous so close to water? Or can I use my existing radiator in some way for instant/summer heat?

 

[Sue Ellen]

I find quite handy in the shower from Argos but you do need to check them regularly and re-set if they come loose. Handy to move around if necessary and at €25.00 for 2 they won't break the bank.

 

[Seric20]

Wow, sorry am only after coming back to this thread now and seeing the heaps of replies. Busy with smallies and work! ‍
Thank you all for the replies and debate. I'll have a proper think about it now. The €5k probably sounds right and I do agree with the walk in shower. This relative is fit and able for their age now but as you have pointed out this may not stay out as such. Be great if it did....considering the bathroom is upstairs!!

 

[IsleOfMan]

Are there non slip walk in shower trays that someone might recommend? We have an existing small shower and the tray that has a ridged surface, but I would not call it non slip by any means. I have been to hotels where the surface seems to be slate or even light sand paper style non slip surface. Any thoughts?

 

[phoenix53]

Are there non slip walk in shower trays that someone might recommend? We have an existing small shower and the tray that has a ridged surface, but I would not call it non slip by any means. I have been to hotels where the surface seems to be slate or even light sand paper style non slip surface. Any thoughts?

Granlusso™ Slim Slate Shower Tray - Anthracite

Granlusso Slim Slate Shower Tray Anthracite Create a stylish and modern hotel look within your bathroom with the Granlusso Slim Slate Shower Tray. These slim profile slate shower trays are made of a hygienic polyurethane with a full-body textured finish, providing anti-bacterial and fungistatic...

deluxebathrooms.ie

No connection to company. Just saw them when we were in the showroom recently. They have a number on their site as I'm sure other companies do also.

 

[Leo]

I have an existing radiator on the wall that is heated like all the other radiators in the house. The plan would be to put an electric operated towel rack above this radiator. Would this be dangerous so close to water? Or can I use my existing radiator in some way for instant/summer heat?

You could replace the existing radiator with a 'dual fuel' model that will also house an electric element that you can use when you're not using the central heating.

 

[IsleOfMan]

You could replace the existing radiator with a 'dual fuel' model that will also house an electric element that you can use when you're not using the central heating

OK. So I would have to take out existing radiator and install a new dual fuel model.

It may be easier to leave existing radiator there and put heated towel rack above?

 

[Leo]

OK. So I would have to take out existing radiator and install a new dual fuel model.

It may be easier to leave existing radiator there and put heated towel rack above?

You can't convert an existing rad to dual, so yes, an new one would be required. If you found one with the same spacing on the water connection pipes it's be easy enough to fit.

You certainly could put an electric heater rail above, but it may look a little weird in effect having one radiator above another with a reach to place towels on it.

 

[IsleOfMan]

You certainly could put an electric heater rail above, but it may look a little weird in effect having one radiator above another with a reach to place towels on it.

That's what Mrs. Isle says. Go for broke, treat ourselves and stop making do and mend.

Just one question on the slate non slip floor. Are these slates enclosed within a plastic tray or are they the tray themselves? Just wondering about having to seal them every so often, water leakage etc. Are there other super non slip surfaces out there?

 

[TrundleAlong]

We have an existing shower cubicle. Standard size about 800 x 800. We want to put in place a more modern walk in type 1400 x 900 with panel to one side.

Our existing tiles outside our cubicle area, extend to the top of our skirting board only. When we take our skirting board off to extend the length of our shower tray by about 600, we will have a section of wall with no tiles at the bottom where the skirting board used to be. Is it possible to run a row of tiles in this area so that the new shower tray will fit against them. (anyone done this)?

Or, could we get a deeper shower tray with a higher side and slightly raise this up above the level of our skirting board and use our existing tiles. This would mean that we would have a step up of about 6" to enter and exit our shower?

 

[SlugBreath]

I'm very happy with the tray, which was bought and installed. It's higher than the level of the floor (a couple of inches), is the length and width of the bath it replaced, with one glass panel and a gap to walk in (no shower door).

Is the one glass panel the same length as the shower tray or slightly shorter? Is the wall area where you "walk in", completely tiled?

I have received a quote and the installer wants to take down the four walls in our bathroom (all of which have some tiling). He doesn't want to take the existing tiles off, just rip the whole wall down. Then replace with new walls, then retile.

Can the existing tiles on our wall not be taken off carefully and replaced with new tiles?

 

[Sue Ellen]

I have received a quote and the installer wants to take down the four walls in our bathroom (all of which have some tiling). He doesn't want to take the existing tiles off, just rip the whole wall down. Then replace with new walls, then retile.

Sounds very strange. Have never heard of anyone doing that. Presumably stud wall so this is why he perhaps feels that it is quicker. Would have thought that in taking the walls down that it would be very hard not to damage the ceiling.

 

[gipimann]

Is the one glass panel the same length as the shower tray or slightly shorter? Is the wall area where you "walk in", completely tiled?

I have received a quote and the installer wants to take down the four walls in our bathroom (all of which have some tiling). He doesn't want to take the existing tiles off, just rip the whole wall down. Then replace with new walls, then retile.

Can the existing tiles on our wall not be taken off carefully and replaced with new tiles?

The shower tray is the same length as the old bath and the glass is about 2/3 of the length of the tray, leaving a walk-in gap at one end. The entire shower wall area is fully tiled. The rest of the bathroom is tiled to a height of approximately 1 metre from the floor up.
My installer removed all of the old tiling before putting the new tiles on the wall.

 

[SlugBreath]

Sounds very strange. Have never heard of anyone doing that. Presumably stud wall so this is why he perhaps feels that it is quicker. Would have thought that in taking the walls down that it would be very hard not to damage the ceiling.

I totally agree. It seems to be a very lazy way of doing things.

My installer removed all of the old tiling before putting the new tiles on the wall.

I am being told that this could cause problems to the stud wall behind. They don't want to do "surgical work" was a comment used by one company. They don't want to keep old sink or toilet either. Labour only quote €8000. Everything else on top of this.

 

[Pinoy adventure]

Taking old tiles of plaster board is fairly difficult as it can pull the board with the tile.
It would be much easier too replace both board & tiles.
(Make sure it’s not replaced with just plain plaster board but the green boards).