SKILL LEVEL 2/5

Basic plumbing skills would be useful. Good agility and dexterity are essential to work in cramped conditions.

SAFETY FIRST

Ensure all metal pipes and the bath (if metal) are bonded to a common earth. Take care when using a blowlamp. Keep naked flames away from flammable material. Make sure that the water is off and well drained before placing a lead lamp near the underside of the taps. If possible, use a water-resistant double-insulated lamp. When working upside down, wear eye protection.

INTRODUCTION

Changing taps can give a new lease of life to a bathroom suite or kitchen, and modern fittings make the job a lot easier than it used to be.

The most difficult part is removing old taps which, in bathrooms, may be puttied in. On a workbench it would be a fairly easy job but the inaccessibility makes it awkward, so don't rush into it. Invest a little time in getting comfortable, and you will work faster with less strain. Get a good light so you can see exactly what you are doing and, if you have to lie on your back, use a cushion for your head.

SKILL LEVEL 5/5

A good knowledge of plumbing techniques and some understanding of building construction would be an

advantage.

SAFETY FIRST

Be careful not to strain yourself whilst manoeuvring the appliances. Ensure that all metal pipes and fittings are cross-bonded with 6mm squared sheathed earthing wire. Protective goggles, gloves and ear defenders may be needed for some operations.

INTRODUCTION

Changing your bath and washbasin gives you the ideal opportunity to re-style your whole bathroom.

Plan your new installation thoroughly. If you only have one bathroom in the house, the work must be carried out efficiently to minimise the time that the amenities are unavailable. If you have any concerns, ask professionals to carry out the work. The methods described here refer to the separate removal and installation of each fitting. However, in practice it is more convenient to strip out the room first, then carry out the new installation.

2 - Preparing the room

Clear the room of all storage units and fixtures, such as towel rails and blinds. If the bath has a shower screen, remove it. Take up carpeting, but leave sheet vinyl in place until all the fittings have been removed. If you plan to install new lighting or an extractor fan, make the alterations at this stage.

The bath and basin are connected to the plumbing by water-supply pipes and wastepipes. These pipes must be disconnected before the fittings can be removed. First shut off the hot and cold supply.

If your house has old lead pipes, make the most of this opportunity and ask a plumber to replace them with copper or plastic plumbing.

About bathrooms

Because replacing your bathroom is an operation that will have a lot of influence in your daily live for a few weeks, it is probably not something you will do for pleasure. But think of the result, and it will all be worthwhile. This article will guide you to a relaxing and refreshing bathroom!

Bathroom Planning

It makes a lot of sense to assess the needs of you and your family before you start planning your bathroom. Are you single, living together or having a family with different age groups? All these things matter when you choose your fixtures, storage, flooring and wall coverings.

Families will use a bathroom very intensely at all times of the day. Especially in the morning members of the family might need to use the bathroom at the same time. Young children will appreciate toys they can play with in the bath and stools to stand on when brushing their teeth and all these things will need storage, so plan this carefully.

When you're single or living together, you don't need to worry about storage that much. Get a few smart storage boxes for your toiletries and even the most compact bathroom will look clean and uncluttered. You can opt for more luxurious wall coverings and flooring, because it will get less wear and tear.

Bathroom Design

There are a lot of different styles to be found in bathroom fixtures, so that you can choose the style that reflects the rest your house. In bathrooms, everything is possible, so let your fantasy loose on gleaming taps, funky toilet seats and tiles that make a statement.

Colour is a keynote in the design of your bathroom. Fixtures are available in a lot of colours. Although white goes with most of the styles, if you really want something different, a coloured fixture might be something for you. How about a frosted glass basin with a chrome pedestal or a shower enclosure made of glass bricks? Wood is also a successful material to use in the bathroom.

Not only bath, shower or toilet design or colour have influence on the atmosphere of your bathroom, taps, shower fittings and levers do too. They will really set off your design and take your bathroom to another level. There are a lot of designs available, from Victorian taps and overhead showers to state-of-the-art chrome shower mixers or levers.

Buying a Bathroom

Set a budget for your bathroom: how much can you spend maximum on your fittings? Bear in mind that when you buy at a DIY-shed but can't install the bathroom yourself, that you have to hire somebody to do it for you. Try to get a few good quotes from recommended plumbers before you start the project.

Also make sure you list the possible redecorating costs. The fittings might be the

first step to your new bathroom, but your walls and flooring will make all the difference. Accessories and storage are the just as important to create the look that you want. Include them in your budget as well.

If you decide to your new fittings in the same place as your old ones, then measure them before you go to look for a replacement. That way you know that your new bath will fit. Check that the shower tray you're buying has a non-slip surface. Check with your plumber that the drainage can take the amount of water your shower is producing. Nothing is worse than having an overflowing tray. And always buy the enclosure and the tray as a set. This way you know that the enclosure fits to the shower tray. And last but not least, try to match your taps and levers with the style of your bathroom. If you have chosen romantic fittings then ultramodern will just not do!