Well, it’s not the hardest job in the world. But if you choose to take on the job yourself rather than hiring a plumber, then there are some deadly mistakes you’ll want to avoid at all costs!

Don’t Go Charging Out To The Shops

I understand buying a brand new toilet can be exciting, but shooting off to the local bathroom store and buying the first stylish loo you clap eyes on could turn out to be a big mistake.

The very first thing you need to do is measure the distance between the wall and the drainpipe – the bit that takes your toilet waste through the floor. If you don’t do this you could end up buying a toilet that doesn’t fit in your bathroom, resulting in a waste of time and money.

Once your old toilet is off the floor you can take an exact measurement, or if you want to get a rough estimate before you remove your old toilet you’re best measuring the distance between the wall, and the plastic caps you’ll find at the foot of your unit.

Choose Your Loo Wisely

Think about the size of your bathroom, and the position of your toilet in relation to the other units in the room.

If you’re looking to save as much space as possible then a wall hung toilet with a concealed cistern would be a good choice. A close coupled unit also saves space as the bowl and the cistern are much closer together than on a standard coupled unit.

Also take into consideration the colour and style of the other units you have. Do you have a bidet in your bathroom near your toilet? Will the two look good together or will they clash horribly?

It may seem like a small detail, but if you don’t like the way your bathroom looks once the new loo is installed you’ll have to start all over again!

Be Sure You Know Where Your Water Valve Is

You’re on your hands and knees; you’ve just managed to remove your old toilet from the wall when suddenly water starts flooding out at you. Now is not the time to go hunting for your water valve.

Make sure you know exactly how to turn off your water supply before you start work on your installation. Many people have made this mistake, and the damage caused to the rest of your home can be extensive if you can’t find your supply control quickly.

Take Your Time Replacing The Vital Wax Seal

The place where your toilet connects to the floor contains a super important wax seal. This seal is essential as it stops the toilet from leaking water all over the bathroom floor. When you rip out your old bowl you’ll find the old wax seal comes up in bits. Make sure you clear this up completely so you’re left with a smooth surface for the new seal.

When you install the new seal, take your time, and properly secure the new bowl in the right position. Get this wrong and the first person to flush is going to get soggy feet!

Take Your Time

The best advice I can give you is to take your time. Rushing is going to result in mistakes and a poor result. You risk breaking your new toilet, or even worse damaging the drain and pipe work underneath. If you do you’ll have no choice but to call in a tradesperson.

For more assistance with replacing your toilet contact us.

One common misconception sink buyers have is that you have to buy your bathroom suite as one set. In fact, you can buy each unit individually, giving you the freedom to design the bathroom of your dreams.

The type of basin you choose depends on the amount of space you have, and the amount of money you want to spend. Are you looking for something plain, cheap, and cheerful, or do you want something unique and trendy?

Here’s an idea of the different types of basins available to give you some inspiration.

Counter Basins

These stylish basins sit on top of a bathroom unit or counter, with waste and drainage pipes concealed beneath the unit. They look modern, sleek, and tidy without unattractive plumbing on show.

These type of basins are great if you a luxurious look.

Inset Basins

Inset basins are similar to counter basins, except instead of sitting on top of your bathroom counter they sit within it. An inset basin is a great space saver, and gives a very tidy feel to the room. The great thing about the “inset” is that it conceals pipe and waste works.

You’re also less likely to catch yourself on them if you move through the bathroom in a hurry!

Wall Basin

This is the most common type of sink found in the home. It simply hangs from a bathroom wall. You can buy these in many different styles and designs from the most basic, to some very modern and trendy looking models.

Glass Basins

If you want to add an ultra modern twist to your bathroom… then a glass hand basin is definitely worth your consideration.

These are almost always counter style models, but in the right setting can look absolutely stunning. You can find them in clear glass, although these can be quite tricky to keep clean.

Frosted glass sinks are also very popular. Aside from looking as if they’ve come straight out of a 5 star hotel, they’re also a little easier to keep immaculate.

It’s worth mentioning that when you buy your sink you may be able to choose the type of basin taps along with it. Don’t assume you have to have the taps seen on the display model. If you opt for different taps try and select them at the same time you buy the basin unit. This will save you the time and any hassle of having to measure the tap holes, or risk buying ones that don’t fit!

Some retailers allow you to upgrade your taps to match the rest of your bathroom. If you have a bath with gold taps you’re not going to want a basin with silver ones are you?

Think about the rest of your bathroom suite when choosing a sink. If you have a rounded bath toilet, then a rectangular hand basin seem will seem out of place.

And if you have plain white units, you probably don’t want a bright red or stone basin turning up in the middle of the room. Try to pick something that’s going to match, or at least positively compliment the other units you have in the room.

Take your time, and don’t be afraid to ask for advice. Whilst the way your bathroom looks is personal to you, a professional will be able to give you some tips on the best type of basin to look at, depending on your overall room size and design.

For more information on the finding the perfect basin for your bathroom contact us.

Bath Showers

These are a bath and shower unit combined. This is the usual standard, normal bathtub with taps and drainage at one end, and a shower unit above it. It can either be part of a mixer tap unit where you simply press a button and the water starts coming out of your shower head instead of the taps, or you can buy a completely separate shower unit that sits independently on the wall.

These types of shower will have a fitted shower screen at one end that can be retracted when not in use.

A unit like that is ideal for smaller bathrooms, or for en-suite rooms where space is limited. If you wanted to have an extra item (like a bidet), then a combined shower and bath would give you the extra space you need.

Quadrant Enclosures

Quadrant enclosures are perfect for tighter spaces or bathrooms where the shower will be positioned in one corner of the room. They have a tray with two straight edges and a curved front. Around the curved front you’ll normally have two sliding doors which allow you to get in and out the shower.

Pivot Shower Enclosures

If you prefer a shower door that opens outwards instead of sliding, then consider buying a pivot shower enclosure. It has doors that have a hinge mechanism and whilst it doesn’t offer many benefits over a sliding door, it tends to be less prone to sticking. These again have a tray for you to stand in except they tend to be square and not quadrant shaped.

If you opt for a pivot unit you also need to consider space, as you’ll need room for the door to open outwards.

Walk – In Showers

These are better suited to bigger bathrooms where space isn’t much of a concern. The surface area of the shower tray itself is generally much bigger than with the other types of enclosure, and they don’t have doors.

Instead you’ll have a shower screen, which usually curves around one side, creating a sort of maze effect. This allows you to get into the shower without the use of a door, but without having to worry about water getting all over the place.

Once you’ve decided on the type of enclosure you want, you then need to think about the actual shower unit itself. Most units now are powered by electricity, and come with different features and settings.

You’ll be able to buy standard units which simply throw jets of water out with a control for you to choose your temperature and pressure level, or you can go for a more sophisticated shower which gives you control over the type of water stream you experience.

Would you like a soft stream of water or a powerful jet? Would you like a consistent jet or one that pulsates? You can even get ones that have a setting to throw out water and soap at the same time!

Who needs a sponge anymore!

Of course the more complex your shower unit the more you’re going to have to pay, so think about your budget before you go splashing out! Make sure you also take those all important bathroom measurements before you hit the stores. Otherwise you won’t know how much room you have to play with!

For more information on picking the right shower for your bathroom contact us.

Whilst getting your bath, toilet, and sink right is important, in our opinion a well designed and functional bathroom vanity is the critical element in any stylish modern bathroom.

Here’s why every bathroom needs its own vanity unit.

A Great Use Of Space

Unless you happen to live in a very large home, most bathrooms are fairly modest in terms of size and space. Bathroom vanities and cabinets provide an excellent way to save space, whilst providing some much needed storage solutions.

Most vanity units are made up of a mirror, a sink, and a set of cabinets. They come in hundreds of designs and styles, from the most basic and affordable, to the top end of the market models, which wouldn’t look out of place in the home of a pop superstar!

Depending on the size of the cabinets you can use them to store anything from towels and sponges, to creams and soaps. Take into consideration whether your cabinet is based above or below your sink, as you wouldn’t want children rifling through draws if they contain creams or chemicals!

Provide A Focal Point

When you enter a well-designed bathroom, the vanity unit is normally the first thing your eyes are drawn to. An attractive mirror, set above a delightful counter top complete with sink, with two deep drawers underneath in a lovely marble effect, will create the perfect centrepiece for any bathroom.

Many designers will actually start off a bathroom plan with bathroom vanities, before building everything else around it. For the best impact you really want to place your vanity unit or cabinet in the centre of a wall rather than to one side or in the corner.

Not only does it help keep things symmetrical, but it also helps create that focal point you’re looking for.

The other trick when picking out a suitable unit is to consider the size of the mirror. If you pick a bathroom vanity with a large mirror you’ll create the illusion of space, making your bathroom seem much bigger than it is.

This is especially effective if you only have a small space to work with.

Create Peaceful Lighting Effects

You want your bathroom to be a place of peace and tranquillity, and you can use vanity lighting to create some very soothing and relaxing lighting for the room.

Most bathrooms will have a main light in the centre of the room, and this will normally be quite bright. Hardly conducive of the atmosphere you are probably looking for. You can, however, buy vanity units that come with much softer lights, perfect for when you’re lazing in the bath.

Try a soft peach coloured light effect, or perhaps a simple shaving light will produce the perfect balance between light and darkness.

They Don’t Have To Be Expensive

Like all bathroom suites you can buy top of the range units, which can cost a few hundred dollars, but you can also find very attractive and functional vanities at very reasonable prices. Take into consideration the rest of your bathroom suite and try to get something that fits the theme, but don’t be fooled into believing you have to spend a fortune to get a decent quality unit.

All in all, the bathroom vanity is a wonderful piece of furniture, and a vital component for any modern family bathroom. It really should be the first thing on your designers list.

For more information on bathroom vanities contact us.

When you’re in the market for a new tub you can pick and choose from dozens of different bathroom baths. The spa bath sits right at the top end of the market.

A spa is a tub fitted with special jets that turn your bath into a massage by means of millions of soothing warm bubbles rushing all over your body. You can choose the direction of the bubbles and the power of the stream as you relax.

So what are the potential health benefits of having one of these in your bathroom?

Stress And Anxiety Relief

Spa and whirlpool baths are to this day used in many hospitals and rehabilitation centres. In fact, in some mental institutions these tubs have been used to calm stressed and agitated patients.

They’re also common in maternity units where expectant mothers can relax and prepare themselves for labour.

Tests by various medical associations have also shown that when people with high blood pressure are placed in whirlpool or spa tubs their pressure returns to normal, and their respiratory function becomes more regulated.

Better Circulation

Proper blood circulation is vital for our well-being. Our blood carries vital oxygen, vitamins, and minerals around our system, without which our body struggles to function correctly.

It’s believed that a warm spa bath helps increase vasodilation, which aids the transfer of these important nutrients around the body.

Many doctors recommend patients suffering with skin problems take regular whirlpool baths as the improved circulation can help the long-term treatment of their condition.

Pain Relief

Spa and whirlpool tubs are now being used in sports medicine, with many physiotherapists using spa treatments to help sports people recover from certain muscular and skeletal injuries.

Adding salt to a spa bath can also compound the effects you enjoy, especially sea salt, which is heavily promoted in the health and beauty industry for its relaxation inducing properties.

But Do You Need One?

So they can help you relax and unwind, they can improve your circulation, and they can help your body repair itself from an injury faster than usual. But is a spa and whirlpool bathtub really an essential part of your bathroom?

You’re not going to suffer poor health by not having one, and a relaxing soak in any tub is going to give you some degree of physical and mental benefits, regardless of how big it is, or whether it has jets. With that said, spa baths give you a bathing experience which is unrivalled by any other tub.

They don’t have to be expensive either. Whilst you can happily spend thousands of dollars on a very advanced unit with acres of space and dozens of different settings, you can find very reasonable priced units which are little more basic.

You only need a tub with a few jets positioned at varying intervals around the bath, and one or two settings to enjoy a soothing and blissfully relaxing soak anytime you like.

We would suggest caution is exercised if you’re buying one of these and you have children. It’s not uncommon for little fingers to get stuck, or for household items to be shoved into the jets. This can be dangerous for your child, and fatal to your bath!

For more information on spa baths contact us.

Bathtubs have been a peaceful haven for tired bodies and souls for hundreds of years.  Nothing quite beats the feeling of warm water and soft comforting bubbles surrounding you with the gentle glow of candlelight, keeping away the dark.

But not all tubs are created equal, and the type of bath you choose for your bathroom sanctuary will make a big difference to your overall bathing enjoyment. So what sort of baths can you choose from, and what’s the difference between them all?

Standard

This is the most common type of bath seen on the market. These are generally rectangular in shape, with two taps at one end and waste drains underneath. You can buy them in stone, metal, or acrylic and they vary in size and depth.

Shower Baths

These are similar to standard tubs in that they have taps and waste at one end, and are mostly rectangular. The main differences are along with two taps and waste at one end of the tub, you also have a shower unit. This type of bath will usually open up into a circular shape at the shower end of the tub, and most will come with a shower screen fitted as standard.

Freestanding

These are also known as roll-top baths and stand on their own within your bathroom –independent from any walls. They can come with or without feet, and are often best suited to bigger bathrooms. You should also take into consideration the lack of side panels, as your plumbing will be on show. Some cosmetic work will probably be required to disguise it.

Corner

The corner tub has enjoyed a real surge in popularity over the last few years. Perfect for the smaller bathroom, these baths are neat, comfortable, and luxurious. You’ll just need to get used to having the taps at an odd angle. As is the case with double ended baths where the taps are in the middle of the tub, corner units generally have their tap and waste units situated somewhere around the middle.

Spa/Whirlpool

For the ultimate in bathing and relaxation, try a spa or whirlpool bath. Turn your bath into a full body massage as these tubs come with special jets, which send gentle soothing bubbles all over you.

Although these only used to be found in the most exclusive and expensive hotels and gyms around the globe, you can now have one of these babies in your bathroom at a fraction of the price you’d expect.

Years ago you’d have been lucky to find a whirlpool tub for less than $2000, now you can enjoy some luxury in your home for a few hundred dollars.

Things To Consider

The main things to think about before choosing which bathtub you’re going to put in your bathroom are:

Space - How much room do you have? Is it realistic to buy a freestanding tub if you only have a compact room?

Budget – Baths vary dramatically in price. Are you looking to spend more money on other aspects of your bathroom? You also need to consider the quality of what you’re buying. Cheap and cheerful may save you money in the short term, but is it worth it if you’re going to have to replace your bath in a year or two?

Safety – Who’s going to be using the bath? Do you have children? If you do is it wise to have a whirlpool bath with jets just the right size for little fingers to get trapped in?

Be sure to look around, and take plenty of time to decide which bath you’re going to buy. After a busy day you want to be able to look forward to slipping into the bath of your dreams.

For more information on choosing the perfect tub contact us.

The scale of the renovation can dictate this decision. If you own the property you’ll probably not mind spending a bit more on the project than if you’re a tenant.

There are plenty of “how to bathroom renovation” guides out there, but if you want to go it alone then following these tips will help you to get organised and hopefully save you a bit of money as well.

The other thing that will influence whether you do the work yourself is whether you feel you are competent enough to do the work. If you’re thinking of tiling a large area think about your experience. Have you ever done tiling because if you haven’t, it can be quite tricky?

Having established who is doing the work the next thing to think about is how big the bathroom actually is. This will help you decide whether you want both a bath and a separate shower or a combined unit. Would you like to have a vanity unit? If so, where and how many?

Another thing to consider is whether you have kids and what their ages are. If they are youngsters, safety becomes very important. You wouldn’t necessarily want large expanses of glass that could injure them if there was an accident.

Think About The Materials You Need

Try to be as accurate as you can with this, as some of the materials can be quite expensive and you don’t want a lot left over when you have finished.

What you also have to decide is whether you will still be able to use the bathroom whilst you are renovating it. If you take out all the pipe-work then it will be impossible to use it until you have installed the new pipes, but if your renovation is less dramatic then you may be able to carry on using it during the process.

By now you’ll have started to think about the style you want for your new bathroom. Are you just going to go for the latest and shiniest in bathroom fittings or are you going to have a theme.

This could be as sensible or wild and wacky as you want it to be. For example, we’ve seen a small bathroom made to look like a ship’s cabin with a porthole behind which was a painted scene on glass and illuminated from the back by a light. This was really effective as the porthole created an illusion of space and made the bathroom seem much larger than it really was.

It is important to think deeply about what’s involved in bathroom renovation and what you actually want. Do think very carefully about a theme (if you’re going to have one) and make sure it’s something you’re happy to live with. You don’t want to be halfway through the project and then decide you don’t like the idea.

So to sum it all up; decide what you’re prepared to spend, decide on a theme (or not), work out the cost of materials, decide if you can use the bathroom whilst it is being renovated and then get started. Above all, because we all spend a lot of time in our bathrooms, make sure that once you’ve renovated yours you enjoy it!

For more information on things to consider when doing a bathroom renovation contact us.

The whole purpose of a renovation is to be able to step into your bathroom and immediately feel immersed in another world – a world where you can truly relax and enjoy a sense of tranquillity and calm.

Say you’re a stay at home parent who spends long days running around after the children. Or maybe you just want to create a sanctuary that allows you to escape from the everyday stresses of the workplace.

When you plan your ultimate bathroom there are some things you need to keep in mind. In doing so your bathroom will be kept practical.

Think about these questions:

• How big is the space?
• What’s your budget?
• Are you planning on doing the work yourself?

You may have fallen in love with the idea of having a huge bath, a walk in shower, and a bidet all in the same room. But if you only have a small room it’s not going to be feasible!

Bathtub Options

One of the first things a perfect bathroom needs is a perfect bathtub. Many homeowners choose to install larger tubs such as whirlpool or Jacuzzi bathtubs. Some people find this an unnecessary expense – even so it’s very luxurious!

If you have smaller children, consider their needs before installing new showers and bathtubs. Typically, if you have younger children in the home, you want something that’s going to be as safe as possible.

Heated Flooring

If you live in an area that gets quite cold in winter, then heated tile panels on the floor can provide that extra warmth when you get out of the shower.

You’ll also find heated towel racks you can incorporate into your ultimate bathroom renovation. And these will help with keeping your towels warm and dry. Imagine getting out of a relaxing bath and wrapping yourself up in a nice snug towel while the weather is playing havoc outside.

Cabinet Space

Think about what you want from cabinet space. Cabinets can be a great space saver and you can separate all of your items into different draws so you know exactly where everything is.

The lady of the house can have hair accessories, makeup, lotions, perfumes, and other cosmetics in one draw, whilst the man can keep his shaving equipment in another, and children keep their bath toys in their special draw. If you have the space to add more, consider upgrading to more spacious cabinets to help accommodate everything you have without being crammed.

Lighting

Lighting sets the mood in any room in the house, and if your bedroom contains an en-suite you want the lighting to match. You don’t want your bathroom to be super bright if your bedroom has a more romantic feel to it. Keep the lighting dim enough so you can relax, but not too dim you’re struggling to get things done.

When creating the ultimate bathroom, there are a number of things to consider. The most important thing to think about is working with the space you have. If you can work within the size of your room without making changes, then do it. Start knocking down walls and you’re going to end up spending much more than you planned.

Make the best of what you already have. Even the most modest sized bathrooms can become a beautiful and peaceful oasis!

For more information on how to plan your ultimate bathroom contact us.

Nothing finishes off a beautiful bath, or basin better than the perfect set of taps. Whilst you may think that tapware shopping is pretty straightforward, there are some things you need to be aware of before you spend your money.

Here are 5 things you should know about taps…

1. Know Your Type

As the old saying goes, there’s more than one way to skin a cat, and there are plenty of different types of taps on the market. You can choose from old favourites like stainless steel, polished brass, and high shine chrome; or you can buy ultra sleek fibre and glass varieties. If neither of those strikes a chord with you, why not decide between mixer taps, shower taps, or a 3-piece set?

You may even want a tap that swivels and swerves. These are quite common in kitchens and can come in quite handy when used with a double bowl sink.

Whilst aesthetics are important when you make a decision, you should also consider the other tap features. Many of today’s new designs are more energy and water efficient.

Some tap units are fitted with special caps that reduce or eliminate dripping altogether – even when the unit isn’t completely turned off. You can also opt to have cartridges adapted on installation. These reduce the maximum temperature of the water, which makes them children friendly and help save on energy.

If you want to control the flow of water (and why wouldn’t you), then you’ve got choices that can also save you money. Knowing about these is smart.

2. Check Compatibility

Most bathroom units are manufactured so you can choose your own taps. But quite often you’ll find you need a tap unit (made by the same manufacturer). If for instance you’re buying a Caroma recess basin – but don’t like the tap unit that comes with it – you may need to choose another set of Caroma taps to go in its place.

So just make sure you can actually buy a different set of tapware if you prefer to go with another manufacturer.

3. Don’t Forget Your Measurements

The last thing you want to do is buy a brand new tap set, rip out the old tap set from your beloved bath, and get your tools out ready to fit the new ones, only to find they’re too big or won’t fit!

Make sure you know the exact measurement of the new tapware. You also want to make sure the tap matches the unit. A swivel tap isn’t appropriate for a bath, especially if you have young children! Wet floors anybody?

4. Poor Workmanship Causes Bathroom Disasters!

Although fitting a new tap unit isn’t the hardest DIY job in the world, it can lead to a number of problems if not carried out correctly.

A poorly installed unit can lead to dripping and wasted water, major leaks, air locks, and in the worst case scenario – major flooding. If you’re not 100% confident in doing the job yourself then don’t be embarrassed to call in a plumber.

Whilst you may feel you’re wasting your money, it should only take them a short time and won’t cost the earth. It will certainly be much cheaper than having to replace the carpets in your home because a bad installation caused a burst pipe!

5. Keep Them Clean

Once your new taps are fitted you want them to last for years to come. You can increase the tap’s lifespan by keeping them clean. Soap scum and lime scale can quickly erode your unit, and reduce its efficiency. Be sure to give them a good wipe a few times a week, along with a deeper clean once or twice a month.

This will keep them looking pristine, and more importantly, working as effectively as the day you brought them!

For more information on quality taps contact us.

Styles

There are two main styles of tapware and these include three piece tap sets and mixers.  Three piece tap sets provide a more traditional look, however, mixers are proving to be the most popular as they are easy to use, easy to clean and are in keeping with the trend for a minimalist design approach.  Chrome plated finish on tapware is also very popular as it provides a sleek, clean look to compliment most bathroom design styles.  While sophisticated geometric styles have featured prominently in tapware in recent times, you can now see the emergence of styles featuring soft organic curves.  This follows the recent trend in more organic shaped and curved freestanding baths and basins that provide a more natural feel to your bathroom space.

Water Conservation

There is definitely a greater focus on environmentally friendly and sustainable products when it comes to bathroom tapware and water usage, so the WELS rating should factor highly in your purchase decision.  Water saving tapware has come a long way in both design and functionality.  Clever design and the use of aerators that soften and control water flow mean you don’t have to compromise a pleasurable bathing experience.  There are many five star WELS rated products in the market and you can now see an increasing number of six star WELS rated products emerging which means even greater water efficiency.

For more information on the latest tapware trends contact us.