Author: FCSDev

5 Signs It’s Time for a Bathroom Remodel

Posted on by FCSDev

Are you getting bored with your bathroom?

Maybe you moved into a home with a drab bathroom that you haven’t had a chance to fix, or your personalized bathroom isn’t interesting to you anymore. Whatever the reason, you’re feeling an urge to make a few upgrades.

But how do you know when it’s the right time?

A bathroom remodel isn’t cheap, so it’s important to know if you’re ready for it. There are several indications that a bathroom remodel is the next thing that you should do for your home.

Here are 5 signs that it’s time to call a bathroom remodeler.

1. Your Needs Have Changed

It’s normal for your bathroom to no longer be suitable for you or your family. As our lives change, our needs change. While you might not think about the bathroom as a place that needs upgrades based on your needs, it is!

Have you expanded your family? If you’ve added children to your family, you might want to switch from a shower to a bath/shower combo. This allows you to easily bathe and observe your children while they’re little when showers aren’t as easy. While you can bathe infants in the sink, older children need more space.

This is also true if you’ve brought an older family member into the home. Some people, as they age, may feel more secure if they have a more accessible bathroom. They may want a bar in the shower to avoid falls, a walk-in shower, or a place to put a shower seat.

Speaking of accessibility, have you developed your own mobility issues? If you or a loved one is in a wheelchair, you may want to make some changes. You need enough space for the chair to get around and you may need to make modifications to the sink and storage so it’s easier to reach.

All of these things can be discussed with a good bathroom remodeler.

2. You’re Struggling With Storage

When you’re dealing with a small bathroom, storage is almost always a problem. We don’t all have the luxury of spacious bathroom closets, but there’s often so much to store.

Between towels, toiletries, sanitary products, and cleaning supplies, there’s often not enough room in your medicine cabinet and under-sink cabinets. You might resort to using another closet outside of the bathroom for spare storage, but how can you get to things when you need them in a rush?

What about storing things out of the reach of children (or things where children can get them if they need them)? If you have medication, you need to find space where kids can’t get access to it, and not everyone already has that.

If you have a child that needs to be able to grab towels, toilet paper, or a stool, they need to have it at child-level.

Extra storage can help with this. A good small bathroom remodel is the answer.

3. You’re Bored With Your Bathroom

There’s no need to keep a bathroom that you no longer like. Even if the only problem with your bathroom is that you no longer like it, that’s more than enough of a reason to change things up.

There are plenty of reasons that you’d want to change it up for your own aesthetic needs. Do you feel like you deserve a fancy new tub? You do!

Do you want two sinks instead of one? What about a larger shower? Are your boring old linoleum tiles bringing you down?

You don’t have to feel like it’s a waste of money. The bathroom remodel cost can be steep, but you’re worth it. Make that bathroom feel like it’s yours again.

4. You’ve Remodeled The Rest of the Home

Even if you used to love your bathroom, it’s possible that it just doesn’t fit in anymore. When the rest of your home looks different, why not match that energy with your bathroom so that it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb?

You don’t have to match the rest of your home exactly, but this is a great time to adjust your color scheme and overall aesthetic to match the vibes that you’ve been going for in the rest of your home.

5.  Your Bathroom Needs a Modern Upgrade

So you like the look and feel of your bathroom. What now? Can you still remodel it?

If you live in an old house, it’s possible that it hasn’t gotten a good bathroom update in ages. You might have sinks that need to be replaced due to rust or poor plumbing, your bath tumb might have experienced some wear and tear, and your toilet looks downright ancient.

Modern bathroom upgrades tend to have better water pressure and environmental benefits, and they’re often easier to clean.

While there are some nice things about having old bathroom fixtures (like a clawfoot tub, for example), it’s best to upgrade everything. This also helps to improve the overall value of your home if you ever decide to sell.

Is It Time for a Bathroom Remodel?

Don’t hesitate to get your new bathroom remodeled. You can make your bathroom fit your ideal home aesthetic, upgrade all of those old and outdated fixtures, make your bathroom more accessible, and finally have all of the storage that you’ve ever wanted or needed.

A good bathroom remodeler can bring your vision to life. Why hesitate?

If it’s time for you to remodel your bathroom, we want to help. Our experienced remodelers can help you find your perfect bathroom fixtures so you can lounge in the tub or relax in the shower in style. Contact us for more information or to get a quote today.

7 Potentially Life-Saving Bathtub Safety Tips for Seniors

Posted on by FCSDev

According to the CDC, about 36 million seniors fall each year, resulting in more than 32,000 deaths. Falls are the leading cause of injury and injury death among the aging population.

With that being said, bathtub safety should be a top concern for those who are aging in place, and loved ones alike.

If your current bathroom is not safe, it may be time to look into a bathtub replacement or even a bathroom remodel. A bathroom contractor can inspect your bathroom and make recommendations to improve safety in your home.

Still, there are some life-saving bathtub safety tips that every senior should follow.

1. Use Night Lights

Bathroom falls can be fatal. To reduce fall risk, automatic night lights or motion sensor lighting are used to help seniors find their way at night.

2. Install Grab Bars

Bathtub safety bars such as grab bars or handrails can save a life when a senior has a slip. Many seniors rely on towel bars to help them keep their balance, however, those are not designed to support much weight.

Grab bars are best wall-mounted in the bath or shower and next to the toilet, as well. Although there are suction cup bars available, it is best to purchase the ones that bolt in place. This will prevent the risk of injury from a suction cup bar that slips off the wall.

3. Apply Gripping Tape and Non-slip Mats

When it comes to bathtub safety, seemingly small details such as using gripping tape and non-slip mats are very important.

Gripping tape can be applied to grab bars and handrails to ensure these are slip-resistant when wet.

Non-slip mats or bathtub safety strips should be placed in the bath or shower. You can also place non-slip rugs on the floor outside of the tub and in front of the toilet or sink. This will help prevent slips and falls on slippery, wet tiles.

4. Use a Handheld Showerhead

Handheld showerheads are convenient as they allow seniors to stand or sit while they bathe.

These come in lightweight options that won’t cause strain on hands or arms. There are also some available with large hand-dials that are easy to turn to change spray settings.

It is also best to look for a showerhead with a long hose and flexibility, providing ease of movement.

5. Install a Raised Toilet Seat With Arms

Another easy-to-install option for seniors and loved ones who are concerned about bathroom safety is a raised toilet seat with arms. This device makes it easier for older adults to sit and get up from the toilet.

6. Purchase a Good Shower Chair

Many seniors have limited mobility or balance issues. A shower chair or transfer bench can provide the support that a senior needs to get in and out of the tub as well as bathe comfortably without fear of falling.

7. Consider a Bathtub or Shower Replacement

Sometimes the best move one can make for their safety as they age in place is to have their bathtub or shower replaced. There are options such as tub to shower conversions, which can provide greater handicap accessibility by eliminating barriers that seniors must maneuver over with bathtubs.

Bathtub Safety Is a Priority

With the number of falls, injuries, and deaths that occur each year for seniors, it is undoubtedly urgent for bathtub safety features to be prioritized. These tips can minimize the risk of slips and falls if followed. Don’t forget that bathtub maintenance is always important to keep your tub in great condition.

If you are still concerned about whether your bathroom is safe and wish to learn more about remodeling options, please contact us. We will be happy to make recommendations and help meet your needs!

7 Warning Signs for Replacing Your Bathtub

Posted on by FCSDev

If your tub is making bath time more cringe-worthy than calming, it might be time to start looking at making a change.

Updates like a bathtub replacement can boost the value of your home and improve your bathroom’s appeal. As your tub starts to show its age, the wear and tear become increasingly unsightly and potentially dangerous.

How do you know when to replace your bathtub rather than repair it? What bathtub issues are big enough to justify the time and expense? Is your tub or jacuzzi tub in poor condition regardless of any bathtub maintenance you do.

If you’re trying to decide if it’s time, here are some definite signs you need to replace a bathtub.

1. Leaks, Cracks, or Chips

When you notice damage to the structure or surface of your tub, it’s just a matter of time before it starts to fail at its one job – holding water.

Tiny chips may not seem like a big deal, but they grow into cracks, and cracks allow for leaks. Water can start pooling outside the tub, getting into your floor and walls. Eventually, you end up with mold, mildew, and wood rot in the space around the bathtub.

With a leak, you might wonder – “is my bathtub beyond repair?” The answer is almost always yes because leaks are difficult to repair and constantly return.

2. Staining

No one wants to take a bath in an unclean tub, right? As the surface of the tub ages, stains can start to get so deep into the tub that you can’t scrub them out. They make the bathroom look unappealing, and you never quite feel like it’s clean.

3. Mold and Mildew

Your bathtub might have surface cracking too small to see, but you’ll notice it if you have a constant issue with mold and mildew growth. It seems minor to start, but it will keep coming back as long as those tiny cracks are there. It looks terrible, hurts the value of your home, and can be a health risk.

4. Accessibility

The older you get, the more difficult it is to get in and out of the tub. If the sides are too high, it can be hard to feel safe moving in and out even with rails and non-slip surfaces.

If you have mobility issues with your current tub, it might be time to consider a walk-in tub or conversion of the bathtub space to a shower.

5. Size and Comfort

If you have an older house with an older tub, you might not use it. Older homes had bathtubs designed with much smaller dimensions. These tubs can be too narrow and too short to feel comfy when sitting in them.

Most renovating homeowners who upgrade their Birmingham or Huntsville bathtub choose a soaking tub to get a deeper and larger space than the standard options.

Ready for a Bathtub Replacement?

If you see any of these signs, it’s time to start seriously considering a bathtub replacement. A new tub brings better safety and comfort to your bathroom, not to mention a sense of joy from not having to look at the old one anymore!

Contact us to talk about the bath and shower replacement services we offer here at Express Bath. We can help you pick out a tub that meets your needs and budget as part of a complete remodel or a simple upgrade.