FREE ONLINE DIY BATHROOM CHECKLIST

Over time, small issues from use and normal wear and tear in any bathroom can turn into big issues if left unattended.

Use our checklist below to work out whether it might be time to consider renewing your bathroom and maintaining the integrity and value of your home.

close up of moisture damage to house frame

These photos show an extreme but real example of what moisture damage can do to the structure of a building over time if left unchecked.

Projects like these and others we have found have inspired us to make the DIY checklist.

Please enter your details below to get started.

DIY ANNUAL BATHROOM CHECKLIST

NO. 1: TILE CHECK. Tiles are used in bathrooms as the first line of defence against moisture damage to the structure of your home. They also offer robust protection over the top of a more fragile waterproof membrane, which is the second line of defence. If tiles are cracked or loose, moisture will very likely be building up under them, and over time will penetrate the waterproof membrane, allowing moisture to move into your walls and/or subfloor structure. Over time, even a small amount of moisture can cause significant damage to the structure of your home.

NO. 2: GROUT CHECK. Grout is the hard infill between your tiles. Grout acts as a moisture barrier and spacer to ensure the strength & integrity of your tiles. Underneath your tiles is a waterproof membrane, and the tiles and grout work together as a first layer of defence against moisture getting to the membrane.

an example of cracked and missing grout in an old bathroom

NO. 3: SILICONE CHECK. Silicone is a flexible waterproof sealant used in bathrooms to ensure a waterproof seal between materials. Examples include a tile-to-tile seal at a wall joint, a tile-to-glass seal in the case of some shower screens, or tile-to-fixture seal for sinks, benchtops, vanity units etc. If silicone is not intact in anyway it is very likely that moisture will be penetrating the joint, potentially causing damage or unhygienic mould growth in that area. Some older bathrooms may not have silicone at all, with material joints being filled with grout or left open altogether.

an example of bathroom fittings missing silicone

NO. 4: FIXTURES CHECK. Fixtures are the functional items within your bathroom such as shower screens, taps, sinks and bathtubs. Fixtures will wear over time with normal usage, and when they wear out they can start to cause damage to the materials around them. In particlar, tapware that isn't operating properly could be leaking both externally (where you would see it) or internally within the wall cavity (where you can't see it).

an example of a loose bathroom tap allowing water ingress

NO. 5: CHECK OUTSIDE THE BATHROOM. Sometimes evidence of damage from a bathroom may not be visible in the bathroom itself, but from the rooms around it. If your bathroom is on the first floor or there is a crawl space under your home, visully check for any moisture. Moisture may look like a wet patch, or a dried stain on the ceiling under the bathroom area or under the floorboards. Check the rooms next to your bathroom, looking for any bows in the wall plaster, and swelling or peeling of paint from architraves, skirting boards or door jambs. Also check all adjacent rooms for any evidence of mould growth especially down around the floor.

an example of water damage to a ceiling from a leaking bathroom

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The Bathroom Renovation Co.

FREE ONLINE DIY BATHROOM CHECKLIST

DIY ANNUAL BATHROOM CHECKLIST

The
Bathroom
Renovation
Co.