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So you’re thinking about adding another bathroom to your home. There are many reasons to contemplate this project, ranging from an elderly parent moving in, to your teenagers’ constant fights over the current bathroom, to wanting more space to accommodate guests. Whatever your reasons, adding a bathroom will enhance your home’s resale value and provide increased comfort and convenience in the short term.

According to a 2003 cost-versus-value report from Remodeling magazine, you could make up to 94 percent of your investment back on a $15,000 mid-range bathroom addition. That is even more than the 80 percent this report cites for a major kitchen remodeling job. Finding Space in Your Existing Home The good news is that most homes offer sufficient space for another bathroom. The first thing to do is scour your home for possible locations; you’d be surprised at how much extra space you have in your house if you’d just look for it.

A basement area, the attic, under the hallway stairs, an enclosed porch or even an empty corner of an existing room can be turned into a bathroom. Maybe you would even be willing to give up a linen closet or space in a guest bedroom to accommodate a new bathroom. Look around and see what is available and what makes sense.

Planning the Room Once you’ve taken the plunge and decided to move ahead with the room, start by checking your local building codes to determine minimum room size. In general, a powder room should be at least 18 square feet, a bathroom with a shower no smaller than 30 square feet, while a room with both a shower and tub should be no less than 35 square feet. You will also need the proper permits from your city before beginning the job.

Once you’ve taken the plunge and decided to move ahead with the room, start by checking your local building codes to determine minimum room size. In general, a powder room should be at least 18 square feet, a bathroom with a shower no smaller than 30 square feet, while a room with both a shower and tub should be no less than 35 square feet. You will also need the proper permits from your city before beginning the job.

Next, get a feel for the room by using masking tape to lay out where the fixtures will be located. A standard size toilet is usually 30 inches in width with a clearance of two feet in front. Don’t forget to map out the sink area and a tub or shower if that is in the plan, too.

If the new space you have targeted shares a wall with an existing bathroom or kitchen, you can save hundreds of dollars by not having to extend the plumbing, according to Garry Gage, a 20-year West coast plumbing veteran and consultant for FlowGuard Gold pipe and fittings. “Plumbing also will be less expensive if the area beneath the new bath is a basement or crawlspace without any obstructions,” says Gage.

Another tip for keeping the plumbing costs low is to locate the room as close as possible to the main waste drain, or the stack. Gage also advises homeowners to ensure that all drains are vented by routing them to an exterior wall or the roof to prevent sewer gas from entering the house. Most critical is to ensure that the area is structurally sound, especially in an older home where floor joists may need reinforcement in the process of adding the bath. Purchase Considerations What are some of the products you should consider for your bathroom addition?

Pedestal Sink

The small base of this sink makes it the perfect choice especially for a powder room where space issues may be of a concern. If positioned across from the toilet, a pedestal sink provides more leg room when using the toilet and also enhances the openness of the bath. These sinks have become a very popular decorative element in today’s bathrooms.

CPVC Pipe and Fittings

Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (or CPVC) which is used in FlowGuard Gold CPVC plumbing systems, offers a number of benefits over copper pipe. Primarily, it will never pit, scale or corrode, which eliminates the risk of premature failures and costly re-piping.

FlowGuard Gold CPVC systems are energy efficient keeping hot water hotter and cold water colder than metallic systems. And, it virtually eliminates condensation, significantly reducing the risk of costly drip damage to walls, structure and contents. Even if you have copper plumbing in the rest of your house, you can easily add CPVC pipe using simple transition fittings. CPVC pipe is connected with a solvent cement joining system removing risk of fire from a soldering torch required for copper pipe installation. Special Door Configurations If space in your new bathroom will be at a premium, consider using a pocket door which slides out of the wall. Or, try a colonial-style door which swings outward rather than the standard inward pattern to save additional bathroom space.

Soundproofing

If the space you have carved out for your room is in close proximity to another living area, you may want to soundproof the room for the comfort of both the person using the bathroom and those outside. This is another reason to select FlowGuard Gold CPVC pipes, which have been proved to be four times quieter than metallic systems. Not only is water flow noise reduced, but water hammer (commonly referred to as banging pipes) is virtually eliminated.

Exhaust Fan Especially if there are no windows in your new powder room, an exhaust fan is a must. It will prevent condensation and moisture from building up in the room. Corner Shower To save space in a small bath, consider opting for a corner shower stall. Although this alternative may be a bit smaller than a standard shower stall, it will increase the overall space in the room. Article Courtesy of ARA Content

Links to Articles About Home Improvement

A.C.Q.C.: Pyrite And Your House - Answers to many questions Montreal area home-owners have asked about possible foundation problems, especially problems caused by the swelling of pyritic backfill. Document on site in pdf format, or available in a hard copy print version.

Home Improvement Ideas - Offers suggestions for kitchen remodeling, home siding, residential windows and doors, home security, and pools and spas.

HomeOwners for Better Building - Dedicated to helping homeowners resolve their construction defects, and exposing the use, abuse, and unfair tactics of binding arbitration in new home contracts.

HomeTips.com - Media home remodeller Don Vandervort offers some tips and free advice about selected subjects. Detailed buying guides for home appliances and other home products are also for sale.

Roofing Installed by Home Depot - July, 2002 - Photographs of problem areas, letter to The Home Depot and to Installed Products USA, LLC, as well as notes and commentary related to certain aspects of the installation.

The National Roofing Contractors Association - Consumer information section of the Association's homepage. Gives advisory bulletins, advice for homeowners about roofs, glossary, roof checkup guide.

We Roof America - Providing information for roofing needs. Includes choosing a contractor, materials, and links to contractor resources and Better Business Bureaus.