7 Hidden Bathroom Problems We Can Spot Before You

A bathroom seems like a pretty simple thing, right? Tiles, toilet, shower, sink, that's basically it.

Well… there is actually a lot more to it, and if you've ever seen a bathroom completed stripped out before a new installation, you'll know what we're talking about here.

With any type of bathroom renovation, there is a checklist of potential issues that we look at before proceeding because they are the most common. However, despite being found in most bathrooms, they're also quite difficult to spot, without being a professional and highly experienced bathroom fitter.

Here are the issues we look out for before beginning a refurb.

This is pretty common in old properties, especially when the bathroom hasn't had a refurbishment for a while. If the floors aren't perfectly level or structurally sound, they won't be able to hold a modern shower tray, tiles, or baths. We're usually looking for stuff like bouncy floorboards, improper spacing between joists, signs of rot or damp, or incorrect falls.

Overlooking the floor can cause serious leaking issues or even long term structural damage to the property.

The bathroom could look perfectly fine, but we are quick to notice if there is an issue with airflow, damp course, mould, or signs of humidity. We'll usually aim to work out if a more powerful fan could help, if the ventilation route needs adjusting, if the humidity can stay under control, or if more insulation could help.

There's nothing worse than having a new bathroom installed only to discover mould building up in the corners of the room or on the grout, so this needs to be tackled professionally.

Countless bathrooms are still working off aged copper pipes or inadequate plastic ones. We'll instantly recognise this from lower pressure in the shower, from spotting narrow pipes, spotting old leaks, or corroded joints. Upgrading pipework is a cost-effective way to future-proof your bathroom and avoid potential leaks or poor water pressure.

Damp isn't always visible, it can often make its way behind tiles or panels. In that sense, the fitters look out for loose tiles, discoloured silicone, or bad smells to pinpoint potential mould zones.

This type of damage usually spreads behind walls, which will need addressing before installing the new suite to avoid long term damage.

Fixtures and fittings are heavier nowadays, so that means old walls may not provide enough support. Whether it's a wall-hung unit, a towel rail, or a mirror, these fixtures require quite a lot of support to avoid issues. We'll look out for things like hollow or crumbling plaster, weak stud walls, or lack of noggins.

Sometimes reinforcing a wall can prevent serious issues, so it's worth considering.

Most customers go into a bathroom refurb with some sort of layout in mind. Although aesthetics are essential, functionality is more important. We'll always do whatever we can to accommodate your preferred designs. However, we make sure to point out potential issues such certain fittings interfering with each other, leaving enough space between items, storage considerations.

With professional layout advice, you can avoid multiple issues down the line, which can be extremely costly and frustrating.