Renovating the bathroom… not just sanitary ware, taps and tiles!

Hidden desires

Raise your hand if you have never thought about redoing the bathroom according to your wishes:

• "I would do it again with the ‘xxx’ brand sanitary ware, because they are of the suspended type, with an attractive design and perfect dimensions"...
• “I want the double sink ... so we don't fight and we are comfortable”...
• "I want the shower built into the walls, with glass door and extra large shower tray, so that we can go in together”…
• "I'd put a freestanding bath tub, perhaps oval-shaped"...
• "The taps must be of the ‘yyy’ brand, because they are beautiful and last a lifetime"...
• "I want a colorful and wavy towel warmer"...
• "I want the floor with modern tiles that simulate wood"...
• "On the walls I want ‘zzz’ tiles, with a discreet but elegant Greek"...

I agree with you! What we have in mind is a dream bathroom!

Hidden components

Aren't we missing something?

Everything in the bathroom necessarily requires 2 basic functions: hot and cold water supply and wastewater discharge!

These are two systems that will remain hidden from our view, but which perhaps have primary importance: the water distribution system and the “wastewater” drainage system (this is the name of the once "dirty" water).

We must bear in mind that these systems are the essence of the bathroom! Everything else can be repaired, replaced, integrated ... What remains under the floor and inside the walls must be done perfectly and work forever!

Let's ask ourselves a simple question: have we just redone the bathroom chasing and making our dreams come true... are we willing to crack the floor after a year or two, because there is a water leak or because the bidet no longer drains?

The answer is ... ABSOLUTELY NO!!!

Dispassionate advices

The following tips are absolutely personal, but dictated by many years of experience spent designing systems and possibly following the construction site workers (unexpected events are always around the corner on the construction site!).

The water distribution system

For the water distribution system (hot and cold water pipes) the solution with distribution manifold and connection pipes of the individual sanitary ware is preferable, as shown in the following image:

The reason is quite simple: the only fittings used are the initial ones to the distribution manifold (inside an inspectable box) and the final ones to the sanitary ware. Should these fittings show water leaks over time, they would be immediately visible and easily accessible for repairs. Conversely, by adopting a system that provides for the use of concealed “T” fittings, any repairs would inevitably lead to the breaking of the floor or walls. It matters little if the company that produces these "T" fittings guarantees them for 100 years.

Let's remember two fundamental things:

1. each connection is a possible critical point of the system;
2. in the event of a dispute, the manufacturer of these fittings may no longer exist and in any case will do everything to blame any installation error, even in the event of a manufacturing defect! Better to avoid problems and adopt an easily repairable system.

Please note. I also remind you that if you want a whirlpool tub or a shower with one or more particular shower heads (waterfall, buttons, massagers, etc ...), these devices require a higher than standard water flow rate. Therefore, this must be taken into account already in the construction of the water pipes, because it will be advisable to adopt a suitable diameter!

The wastewater discharge system

For the waste water drainage system it is very important that the installer has a graphic scheme for laying the pipes.

This system works well only with proper precautions. We try not to improvise with solutions studied on the spot, using more or less imaginative expedients! There are technical standards (UNI EN 12056) that establish the requirements. These requirements do not constitute a "surplus", but the "minimum indispensable" for proper functioning:

• The toilet must be positioned as close as possible to the stack, due to the presence of solid parts in the waste water.
• Each sanitary must be able to drain without massively interfering with the drainage of other appliances.
• The path of the water, from each single appliance to the stack, must not exceed a certain length and a precise number of curves.
• The drainage piping network must be laid with a suitable slope.
• There are minimum diameters, imposed for the wastewater pipes of each appliance.
• The siphons (see previous article, to know how they work), must have adequate hydraulic protection! To resort, for space requirements, to siphons produced outside the European Community, means putting your health at risk!

Very often I am asked the following questions:

"I just redid the bathroom, but ........."

• But is it normal that every time I flush the toilet there is a backflow from the bidet?
• But is it normal that I have to turn on the sink tap every day because otherwise it smells like sewer?
• But is it normal for the shower tray to struggle to drain?

The answer is: NO! IT'S NOT NORMAL!

These are not paranormal phenomena, but obvious errors made in the design phase or in the construction phase of the wastewater discharge system!

Reflection

If we decide to tackle the renovation of the bathroom ... let's get ready to devote much of our time to a certain number of choices: bathroom ware, taps, tiles, furniture, towel warmers, etc ...

But let's not forget to dedicate some of this time to the water and wastewater system too!

A diamond is forever ... But so is the bathroom! :-)

P.S. If you are facing the renovation of your bathroom and you need advice or clarifications on the solutions that are proposed to you ... do not hesitate to contact me. Tekno Training is at your disposal!

 Please note. Source of some images: web