Maintaining Your Property and Its Value: Bathrooms
Over the past few weeks, we’ve talked a great deal about the importance of regular maintenance of and additions to your property as a way of retaining its value and increasing its overall appeal. One area that neither be ignored nor neglected is the property’s restrooms, the importance of which can’t be overstated. A privilege we enjoy as occupants of the First World is the expectation that the restrooms we use will be clean, sanitary, and afford us all the amenities we’re used to, and this expectation carries over to, and indeed perhaps starts within, our very own homes. In other words, just as we’d be embarrassed to have a guest use a dirty restroom in our own home, so too do potential homebuyers expect to see a properly constructed bathroom that’s not only clean but, almost as importantly, built in a way so as to make regular maintenance and cleanliness easy for the homeowner.
We’ve talked at considerable length before about various ways in which you can improve the appeal of your property and increase its value, whether you’re intending to fix it up and flip it or hold on to it and rent it out, and we’ll certainly explore ways you can inexpensively dress up a restroom in this piece. What’s of slightly greater importance, though, is ensuring that the bathroom(s) in your property are properly furnished and in a way that’s both appealing to potential buyers or tenants and ensures durability by making continued maintenance and upkeep doable.
Tile and Grout
Tile and grout, combined with ventilation, are probably the single most important things to pay attention to, especially when purchasing a property or calculating renovations/repairs if you intend to fix and flip. There are a lot of subpar tile and caulking jobs out there, so you want to make sure the grout is properly laid, the tile is orderly with no gaps, and the caulk is tight and adequately seals corners and edges. Even if there are no visible signs of water damage, a poorly tiled bathroom will eventually allow water through any gaps and cause you as an owner to end up spend money on costly repairs further down the road. If the bathroom needs to be retiled in the case of a fix-and-flip, go ahead and do it; you never know what damage may have already occurred, and you can be sure that a serious potential buyer will take note of any weak spots. The tiling in and around the shower area, in particular, is what will prevent water damage and mold resulting from the moisture from steam and splashing water.
Shower and Bath
The shower or bathtub is the area most susceptible to water damage, for obvious reasons. Drainage is the first step to avoiding this, so you’ll want to make sure there’s an appropriate incline leading up from the shower or bath drain in order to prevent standing water from accumulating. If there’s a walk-in shower with a tiled floor, watch out for any depressions that aren’t around the drain, as that could indicate water damage that’s already occurred or at the very least will allow water to collect in inconvenient places. A silicon-based caulk should be used to seal up any gaps and prevent mold from growing.
Ventilation
Without a doubt, every bathroom needs a fan. Not only does this help cut down on odors, but it will also ensure that steam and moisture has an escape route, so to speak, without causing too much moisture buildup or condensation. Each bathroom, especially if it has a shower or bath, should also have a vent from the central HVAC unit. Even in the winter months, ventilation from house’s climate control keeps air moving and moisture from collecting. If you’re renting, it’s especially important to instruct tenants to always keep the bathroom vents open and to use the fan when showering. Such things are commonsense, simple measures to keep the bathrooms on your property in good shape.
Faucets and Fixtures
Fixtures are both a matter of aesthetics and utility, and if you pay attention to both, you can win big on the overall appeal of your property. For starters, high-pressure showerheads, sleek and shiny faucets, and convenient amenities like toilet tissue rolls and towel hangers all go a long way towards sprucing up a bathroom and are fairly inexpensive. Plus, if you follow the above steps, you’ll be able to extend the lifespan of the fixtures, saving money and hassle over the long haul. Details matter in this regard, such as matching amenities and convenient placement. When installing new faucets, a new commode, or showerhead, make sure they’re tightly fixed to the plumbing to avoid leaks, and again, seal up any gaps in the wall, tile, or mount with caulk.
Nothing will turn a prospective buyer or tenant away faster than an inadequate or poorly constructed bathroom, so don’t cut corners! Of all the rooms in a house, they’re probably the easiest to design while holding a considerable amount value in terms of functionality. When budgeting for repairs or finding a contractor – especially for a fix-and-flip, always keep this aspect of the property in mind. Be sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter for more advice and tips on investing in real estate!
– Get It Right Solutions