May 2021 – Bathrooms Darwin

Waterproofing rules and regulations in the NT

admin Articles May 17, 2021May 17, 2021waterproofing

Bakewell Darwin Bathroom Renovation 2 March2021

Waterproofing is a must in any bathroom renovation in the NT.

Waterproofing rules and regulations

There are regulations in place that your waterproofing will need to comply with, as set out by the Building Code of Australia and Australian Standards (AS 3740-1994). In short, they require that:

In the shower, the whole floor must be waterproof and the shower walls should be waterproofed up to 1800mm.
The walls need to be waterproofed up to 150mm.
If the bathroom floor is made of or contains wood or if the bathroom is on the second story or higher, the whole floor must be waterproofed.
Over the step down to the floor should be waterproofed to 100mm.

These are the minimum requirements, but depending on your needs, you may also want to waterproof the areas around the bath, toilet and vanity unit.

*Rules and Regulations were provided by build.com.au.

Who can do waterproofing?

The rules about who can do waterproofing differ slightly between different Australian states and territories. In the NT, the person doing the waterproofing in your home needs to carry a current waterproofer’s license. In some other states, waterproofers must provide a statement of compliance once the job’s done, indicating that the work they’ve done complies with Australian Standard AS 3740 – Waterproofing of domestic wet areas. TPS are qualified waterproofers, and have been properly trained in how to apply waterproofing according to the Australian Standard.

How is waterproofing applied?

Waterproofing is best done in stages. Some of it will need to go down before the floors and walls are fully laid, some of it will need to go down after everything is in place, including the paint. Perhaps the most important areas are where the walls meet the floor. Any gaps where water can seep in can cause major structural damage, which is hugely expensive to repair.

Liquid sealants are normally applied in a similar fashion to paint. A primer is used first, then a first coat is applied from left to right (horizontally). There are several stages to applying waterproofing products. Waterproofing products usually need about a day to dry, so as to ensure that they create a proper seal – and they shouldn’t be disturbed at all while they’re curing.

Waterproofing can be a messy, costly experience if it’s done wrong and it can lead to all sorts of problems, ranging from creeping mould infestations to baths crashing through floors. If you’re looking to rein in your budget or to get involved, DIY waterproofing is definitely not the place to do it!

Contact us for a free onsite quote before you undertake any renovation work in your bathroom. We can identify any structural damage or problems prior to undertaking any work.

Are plantation shutters suitable for a bathroom in Darwin?

admin Articles May 17, 2021May 17, 2021plantation shutters

Many people don’t know that plantation shutters can be installed in a bathroom. In this blog post, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of installing plantation shutters in your bathroom. Read on to find out more!

There are many advantages and disadvantages to plantation shutters in a bathroom, depending on your circumstances.

Advantages with Plantation Shutters:

Plantation shutters will never go out of style

One of the biggest selling points of plantation shutters is their sleek, timeless design. This means they will not date as interior design tastes change. It also means that they suit most Darwin house styles, from rustic and traditional through to contemporary and minimal.

As plantation shutters are also visible from outside the property, they can also improve a house’s overall appeal, all while protecting the privacy of the residents.

Improved Airflow

When they are open they provide maximum airflow through your bathroom.

The open shutters will help to keep your bathroom cool during warmer periods of the year. When closed, they can block out light and noise from the outside world and keep heat in during the cooler months.

Lower Power Bills

There’s no need to turn on an additional fan, which means you’ll be saving money on power bills.

Plantation shutters can make your house more secure

For most homes, windows are the easiest way for someone to illegally enter. Plantation shutters can help minimise this risk by providing an additional physical barrier and can be customized to include a locking system, to make them even harder to breakthrough. In fact, the impact on home security is so significant that some insurance companies offer lower premiums for houses with plantation shutters installed.

Disadvantages with Plantation Shutters:

Privacy

If you’re looking for privacy within your bathroom, make sure that there is a way to cover up the slats which may lead others into seeing what’s going on behind closed doors!

Condensation

They will start getting condensation build-up over time due to humidity so it’s important not only take this into account when purchasing them as well as before installing them if possible.

Cleaning

The downside is that households with children may find them hard to clean. If you have small kids, it might be worth giving them a regular wipe over when you clean the bathroom, as they will accumulate dust.

In many cases they are not easy to clean because there are slats near most surfaces including windowsills and benchtops – so make sure you’re prepared to buy a duster / squeegee on a pole before installing them!

In summary

We love the look of plantation shutters, but remember to keep them clean with a regular wipe-over – they provide maximum airflow during warmer periods of the year with no need for an additional fan and may make your property more secure.

Bathroom renovation cost breakdown for $20,000

admin Articles May 13, 2021September 23, 202120000, bathroom renovation cost breakdown

Darwin bathroom renovations & remodelling

Interested in renovating your bathroom? Confused about how the cost breakdown works under $20,000? We also outline 8 steps that will help you avoid spending more than your budget.

When planning a bathroom renovation, you need to factor in the various skilled tradesmen involved in your work, any licenses that need to be applied for, plus the actual bathroom demolition costs, materials and they will all contibute to the cost of a bathroom renovation. It is very simplistic to think about a cost per square metre and want to apply it to your bathroom. If you have previously received a quote from another tradesperson, who estimated a price per metre, then be careful as you cannot use this as a indication about how much you should expect to pay.

Bathroom renovation cost breakdown

Just say that the average bathroom renovation in Australia is around $20K, the breakdown for the main bathroom would look something like this:

$3000 Tiles

$1250 Waterproofing

$850 Bath

$1900 Shower Screen

$1700 Vanity

$250 Taps, Mixers, Wastes

$150 Accessories (towel rails and hooks, etc.)

$200 Lights and Exhaust Fan

$1500 Electrician

$4000 Plumber

$600 Carpenter

$700 Plasterer

$3900 Tiler

This breakdown helps you understand the jobs that need to be considered. Obviously the size of the bathroom, also affects the overall total cost of the job.

Of course, costs will increase if you have works that need to be undertaken first before starting the renovation. It’s a good starting point and since we are qualified plumbers and only work with licensed professionals we have a bit of leeway here.

Tips to reduce your costs on materials

Here are our tips to reduce your costs on materials and work with us to get a result you are happy with.

1) Shop around for a good deal on materials- try going to home improvement stores or looking online for deals and coupons. You can also get a quote from our expert plumber at Talbot Plumbing Solutions before buying anything so you know what you’re getting into.

2) Make sure to buy quality products that last longer than cheaper alternatives- this way, if something breaks down within 5 years (like your toilet), you won’t have to spend as much money fixing it.

3) Highlight any necessary repairs during our onsite visit so we can get onto them before starting the renovation- we look for things like leaky taps and clogged drains anyway but like to know in advance about problems you are aware of.

4)Taken care of the necessities? Good! Now it’s time for a bathroom design plan:

-Use an old picture or sketch as inspiration, then spend some quality time in your current space figuring out how much storage is needed, what fixtures should go where (sink vs bathtub), etc. Sketching out a floorplan can help with this step.

-Find layout ideas by looking at pictures online that show your desired style or if you don’t have any specific preferences try using Pinterest boards from other people who have done their own DIY projects on bathrooms like yours. You’ll find everything from inspirational photographs to instructions on certain tasks like installing fixtures.

If you are considering moving plumbing fixtured from one side of the room to another, note that it can add $$ onto the job.

5) Decide on your budget. Hopefully, you have a rough idea of what the process will cost and how much money is available to spend on it. Write down this number as well as anything else that will be needed (such as paint, fixtures or new flooring).

6) Set up an appointment with us so we can ensure everything fits together properly from start to finish. Our qualified professionals can also tell you if there are any other problems with the walls or pipes behind tiles that would require them being removed first which might affect your budget even more than anticipated.

7) Go through all of the measurements one last time to double-check that everything is the way it should be. If not, now is the time to make adjustments before any work begins.

8) We’ll provide you with a detailed quote and timeline of when we can do this project for you as well as what materials are required (e.g., paint or fixtures).

Once your quote has been confirmed and you engage us, our team will deliver you a bathroom renovation that will be a delight to use and be an asset to you for many years to come! We will always try to find a solution that’s within your price range so at anytime throughout this process.

Please see attached Newcombe photos of before and afters.

Each Bathroom consists of the following:
-Demolition
-Install of tap ware in walls and re direction of pipework
-Supply of waterproofing and full tiling of floor and walls
-Supply of fixtures and tap ware
-Supply of custom vanity with stone bench top.
-Supply of custom shower screen
-New fans, downlights and switches
-Full Certification.

Total Ranges between $20,000 – $25,000 depending on selections

Laundry Renovation on Same property
-Demolition
-Re direction of pipework to suit new cabinet works.
-Supply of new custom cabinets with stone bench top.
-Supply of laundry trough and tap
-Full certification

Total Ranges between $6,000 – $8,000 depending on selections.

10 Reasons to Install a Bidet in your Home

admin Articles May 1, 2021May 2, 2021

The bidet is a fixture in many homes around the world. It’s easy to see why, too – bidets are more hygienic than toilet paper and offer an effective way of cleaning up after using the bathroom. If you’re on the fence about installing one in your home because you think it’s expensive or unnecessary, here are 10 reasons that might change your mind:

Bidets use less water than toilet paper and offer an effective way to clean up after using the bathroom.

2. Even if you have never used one before, installing a bidet in your home will help prevent UTIs or yeast infections caused by wiping with dry toilet paper.

3. If you are environmentally conscious, bidets save on resources like garbage bags, tissues and cleaning supplies that go into landfill when people rely solely on tissue wipes for hygiene purposes.

4. Bidet seats can be installed easily with help from your plumber, because they attach directly to the existing supply line from the faucet which provides the necessary pressure for spraying a stream of water.

5. Bidets are also so much gentler on your skin than toilet paper can be and bidet users report feeling less dryness during their bowel movement.

6. A bidet offers a refreshing, clean feeling that is superior to toilet paper.

7. Bidets are available in many styles and materials like stainless steel or wood so you can match the look of your bathroom decor.

8. Bidets are also designed to be easy to clean and maintain.

9. A bidet offers a better way of personal hygiene that can make you feel more confident about going out into the world because it eliminates bodily odors.

10. It’s great for women during their period.

For older family members:

-Bidets offer a cleaner, more comfortable experience for those who have hemorrhoids or anal fissures.

– Bidet use is especially helpful to people with mobility problems like arthritis because the spray of water means they don’t have to wipe themselves down after using the bathroom.

If you’re looking for an easy way to improve hygiene in your bathroom, consider installing a bidet in your home now. Installing one could be the best thing for your family this year!