Adding Second Bathroom In Your Home
Filed Under Bathroom, Bathroom Pictures | Posted on December 17, 2007
Adding another .bathroom in your home, the first thing to do is scour your home for possible locations, mark off spare space in your attic or basement to add a new bathroom to your home. Bathrooms can be constructed with a small amount of space, and a bathroom hidden away in another part of the house decreases congestion in common areas.
Once you’ve taken the plunge and decided to move ahead with the room, start by checking your local building codes to determine minimum room size. In general, a powder room should be at least 18 square feet, a bathroom with a shower no smaller than 30 square feet, while a room with both a shower and tub should be no less than 35 square feet. You will also need the proper permits from your city before beginning the job.
Next, get a feel for the room by using masking tape to lay out where the fixtures will be located. A standard size toilet is usually 30 inches in width with a clearance of two feet in front. Don’t forget to map out the sink area and a tub or shower if that is in the plan, too.
If the new space you have targeted shares a wall with an existing bathroom or kitchen, you can save hundreds of dollars by not having to extend the plumbing, according to Garry Gage, a 20-year West coast plumbing veteran and consultant for FlowGuard Gold pipe and fittings. “Plumbing also will be less expensive if the area beneath the new bath is a basement or crawlspace without any obstructions,” says Gage.
Another tip for keeping the plumbing costs low is to locate the room as close as possible to the main waste drain, or the stack. Gage also advises homeowners to ensure that all drains are vented by routing them to an exterior wall or the roof to prevent sewer gas from entering the house.
Indulge your love of accent pieces and delicate designs with your bathroom light fixtures. You can select a hanging light with a modern aesthetic and matching lights surrounding the mirror for a futuristic bathroom.
Most critical is to ensure that the area is structurally sound, especially in an older home where floor joists may need reinforcement in the process of adding the bath.
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