Bathroom and Kitchen Renovation Cape Town
Every renovation project is uniquely different for a variety of reasons which requires different planning or provisions in preparation for the renovation.
Bathroom Renovation
Your bathroom is a space where you relax and refresh your body and mind.
Some bathrooms are purely functional and some are luxurious areas where you unwind and pamper yourself.
The Monster Plumbing team is here to help you with all your bathroom needs: bathtubs, basins, showers, vanity units, taps/mixers, toilets, bidets, urinals, low-flow (water-saving) fixtures, and extractor fans.
Kitchen Renovation
Your kitchen reflects your need for food and comfort!
Some kitchens are again purely functional and some are social areas where it brings people/families together to cook and enjoy the space.
The Monster Plumbing Team is here to help you with all your kitchen plumbing needs: sinks, prep bowls, taps/mixers, connecting washing machines, dishwashers, water filter systems, wash troughs and water supplies to fridges.
Planning your Bathroom and Kitchen Renovation
A successful bathroom renovation requires good planning. To get you started here are some tips for you to consider:
When planning the layout of your bathroom or kitchen renovation, consider existing drainage, water, and electrical points. Sometimes alterations to plumbing infrastructure are necessary to accommodate new sanitaryware or designs. Also consider the cost to demolish, rebuild, waterproof, plaster, skim, tile, and fit new fixtures.
Investigate the condition of the water and waste pipes to determine if they are suitable for retiling and new fixtures. Corrosion of old copper pipes can cause intermittent leaks. To reduce the post-reno risk of burst or leaking pipes we recommend replacing old copper pipes with modern non-metallic pipes that withstand corrosion and high metal content in the water.
Avoid joining new and old water and waste pipes inside the bathroom. Rather replace old pipes with new ones, until where it exits the bathroom or kitchen to the outside water supply- or discharge points.
The more expensive items of a bathroom renovation include sanitary ware, tiles, glass, mirrors, cupboards, vanities, and lighting. Due to wear and tear you will probably have to replace or repair some bathroom fixtures or fittings in the future. Only consider suppliers providing SANS/SABS-approved bathroom products. Check that the products you choose are locally supported by the manufacturer to ensure you obtain parts when required.
Because each project varies in size, finishes, and requirements, the renovation cost per m² varies.
Once you know what you want to achieve call Monster Plumbing for further advice before starting the project.
Bathroom Renovation F.A.Q
The shower trap is a key part of the shower floor area.
It holds water in the trap to keep bad sewerage smells from entering the bathroom via the waste water outlet.
Use a square metal frame trap for neat water proofing, tiling, and grouting finishes.
Avoid cheap plastic round traps. They complicate the cutting of tiles around the trap, present waterproofing challenges, and reduce the life expectancy of the shower base.
A proper shower floor starts with structural preparation, inspection, and water proofing of the shower base.
Use a waterproofing and bonding agent to join the concrete base to the structure.
Each layer in the constructing of the base should have a mix of waterproofing liquid present to withstand water ingress from the surface all the way through.
Allow ample time for the waterproofed base to cure. Strong adhesion ensures no water ingress occurs to the surrounding walls and floor base.
The slopes of the final tiled shower floor are crucial for water to flow into the trap. No stagnant water should remain on the shower floor.
Whether you choose a fixed single spray shower head, multiple shower heads, a rain shower head or adjustable handheld- or sliding bar shower head the choice is yours.
Based on your priorities and water pressure, choose a shower head in relation to the position of the taps and waste trap. Tap positions in a shower are important because you want the water temperature just right before jumping in.
Think practically about the height of people who will use the shower.
Consider the dimensions of your shower, the height at which you place the shower head, the length of the shower arm and water splashing on bathroom floors.
Bathroom layout, design, fixtures, personal taste, and water pressure should guide your decision when selecting taps/mixers for your bathroom renovation.
When selecting bathroom taps,/mixers function and specific area of use is important.
For example, basin taps are not suitable for use in baths and shower taps will not fit basins.
Remember that your existing water points may require alterations to connect with new tap designs.
Choose approved and locally supported brands for easy maintenance.
Space saving mixer taps use a single lever to easily mix hot and cold water. They work best with balanced water pressure and have cartridges which require maintenance or replacement from time to time.
Use single taps to run and mix cold and hot water manually. They do not require balanced water pressure and are ideal for homes with gravity fed (low pressure) hot water supplies.
In a semi-closed coupled toilet, the cistern is separate from the pan and connects to the pan by means of a flush pipe.
A closed coupled toilet is a compact design where the cistern joins the toilet pan and has no flush pipe.
With a wall hung toilet pan, the cistern tank is built into the wall with flush buttons (actuators) facilitating the flush.
Toilet flushing systems and mechanisms vary across different brands and models.
Although universal flushing mechanisms are available, some toilet brands will only work with their designated parts.
Cistern-based toilets use handles or push buttons to release water into the pan.
Recessed or built-in cisterns also use push- or actuator buttons.
The dual flush valve allows you to choose between a small and a large flush.
The amount of water needed for a small flush is separate from the second mode which facilitates a larger flush of water.
On demand tap flushing systems are directly connected to high volume and high-pressure water supply pipes.
Pressing the flush button, releases a metered flush of water to clear waste from the toilet pan or urinal.
Kitchen Renovation F.A.Q
There are a few things to consider when purchasing a kitchen sink: the type of material – the durability and longevity; the size – single or double and shape; the measurements and if you would need to adjust the plumbing and cupboards and the sink style – drop-in, undermount, farmhouse, etc.
When selecting kitchen taps/mixers, function and specific area of use is important.
Remember that your existing water points may require alterations to connect with new tap designs.
Choose approved and locally supported brands for easy maintenance.
Space saving mixer taps use a single lever to easily mix hot and cold water. They work best with balanced water pressure and have cartridges which require maintenance or replacement from time to time.
Use single taps to run and mix cold and hot water manually. They do not require balanced water pressure and are ideal for homes with gravity fed (low pressure) hot water supplies.
The dimensions and clearance space of your appliances is important to consider. You need to take into account for your appliance to fit into the space you have provided for it, that there is enough space around the sides and behind the appliance to allow it to be connected to the water and waste points whilst allowing the appliance to fit correctly into that space.