So, you’ve just remodeled your bathroom. When will be the next time you need to renovate? Better yet, how often should you remodel your bathroom in the next few decades? To answer these questions, let’s consider why we need to remodel our bathrooms in the first place, as well as what experts have to say about it.
How Often Does a Bathroom Need to Be Renovated?
Newly built or freshly remodeled bathrooms could last many years, depending on the quality of the work. As such, there’s no definite interval between your previous construction and the next remodel. However, you will have to remodel given the following considerations:
Design update
Old bathrooms tend to fall out of fashion every after a certain number of years. You will need to remodel to keep the design up-to-date. This cosmetic makeover usually addresses the following issues:
- Outdated style. Some bathroom aesthetics don’t stay in vogue for long. As such, it pays to stay in the loop with the latest bathroom design trends. Take note of what works and remodel your bathroom accordingly when you notice it’s not aging too well.
- Peeling paint. Paint peels over time, especially in the humid conditions of a bathroom. When the paint layer starts peeling off and exposing the underlying material, it may be time to strip it down to the bare wall and give your bathroom a fresh coat.
- Worn tiles. Old, discolored, or cracked tiles don’t look appealing to any bathroom user. It may be wise to rework your floor, in this case—underlay, tiles, and all.
Structural issues
Any damage or structural issue in your bathroom could be a serious safety risk. It may also be a time bomb that could make a huge mess in the future if not immediately addressed. Structural issues demand immediate repair and maintenance, and they usually involve the following:
- Damaged floors. Floor damage can cause accidents or water damage to the house. Cracks, holes, and seams that are out of place require immediate attention and subsequent remodel.
- Extensive mold growth. Molds indicate the presence of moisture within your bathroom walls, which can lead to structural damage over time. Plus, molds release spores that can trigger allergies and cause respiratory issues to the residents. So, where there are molds, a remodel is in order.
- Leaks and bad plumbing. Plumbing in poor condition can be quite inefficient and prone to damage. A leaky faucet is often a good indication of this, or the fact that your faucet may need replacing. In any case, an extensive remodel should keep your plumbing straight
Usability improvements
It’s not uncommon for some bathrooms to have unintuitive designs. Alternatively, it may have plenty of underutilized areas, or unnecessary features. Remodels based on improving the bathroom’s usability usually solve the following problems:
- Poor layout. When certain fixtures get in the way whenever you use the bathroom, you might need to move things around. Such improvement might touch on the plumbing and tilework, requiring a more thorough makeover.
- Inadequate storage. Large bathrooms may have plenty of underused spaces that can accommodate cabinets and shelves. Some installation work is necessary in this case.
- Non-functional designs. Some bathrooms may have odd features that occupy significant floor space, but does not have real use. They may be unnecessary obstacles, and you can use the space for something more useful. Either way, you will have to remodel to make your bathroom a bit more useful.
How Long Do Bathroom Remodels Last?
It’s possible for high-quality remodels to last for many years, given ideal conditions. Modern fixtures and building materials have improved significantly over their predecessors from a decade ago. As such, they can last longer and you don’t need to replace them often. However, most builders agree that it’s necessary to renovate your bathroom every 7 to 10 years.
Ten years is the unofficial standard. There’s even an unwritten rule that you have to remodel your bathroom every 10 years, as the design, fixtures, and utilities would have gone out of date by then. Of course, this is not strictly enforced by any official regulatory body, but it makes sense given the following benefits:
- It lets you keep up with the recent design trends. This keeps your bathroom fresh and maintains its relaxing aura.
- It provides opportunities to maintain and upgrade plumbing and other utilities. Plumbing and utilities such as electrical networks may degrade overtime. Providing repairs and much-needed maintenance every 10 years can extend the useful lifespan of your bathroom.
- It allows for structural improvement. Remodeling your bathroom makes it possible for you to check the underlying structure. This exposes previously unnoticed flaws and possible water damage, giving way to the necessary repairs and upgrades.
It’s still possible for issues to arise before the 10th year after your last remodel. In this case, you will have to renovate your bathroom by year seven or sooner. This depends on the severity of the problem.
Are Bathroom Remodels Worth It?
Bathroom remodels are worth every penny spent. After all, there are plenty of benefits to renovating your bathroom.
For one, bathroom remodels practically increase the value and the useful life of your bathroom. As mentioned earlier, it allows for plenty of opportunities to give your bathroom its due maintenance. It also allows you to upgrade your fixtures, potentially adding new useful features to your bathroom while extending its useful life.
Additionally—and, perhaps, more importantly—any extensive bathroom rework adds value to your home. This should be helpful if you are looking to sell and attract potential buyers. Additionally, a full bath rework lets you recoup between 36.7% and 66.7% of the cost spent on the project.
Conclusion
That all said, it is important to remodel your bathroom regularly—every seven to 10 years, if things go well with your bathroom. Keep in mind, though, that you may need to remodel sooner if issues arise earlier than expected. After all, you don’t want to delay the rework once the pipes start bursting or the floors begin cracking.
