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With all the water fixtures in a bathroom it’s no wonder that water damage can be a big problem. In fact, it can get so out of hand that the only solution is to rip out nearly everything and replace it—a good excuse for a bathroom remodel. Your inspection of the existing bathroom continues by checking the condition of walls, floor, and ceiling for water damage. The most obvious places to look are around the base of the toilet, around the front edge and drain of the shower, and around the perimeter of the tub where it meets the wall or floor. You’re looking for soft spots. Press on a portion of the wall or floor that is away from these areas so you can determine what they should feel like. Then check these common problem areas by pressing on the surfaces. If there is much of a difference there probably is some damage to underlying materials. Indicate the locations on your bathroom sketch so you can identify them later for repair. What you’re doing right now is determining if your remodel will include any repairs. Is your bathroom getting enough water? If not, there may be additional repairs to a water system that is clogged or leaking and may need repair. How can you tell? Residences with public water typically have a meter so the water company knows how much to charge you. Most of these meters also have a pressure gauge. Though pressure delivered to the house can be as high as 100 pounds per square inch (p.s.i), they typically run from 20 to 60 p.s.i. That’s more than enough to simultaneously run a few faucets in the home and get a strong flow at each. If not, there may be a leak or obstruction. That means more repair before you can add or upgrade a water-guzzling bathroom. Call a plumber to help you trace down and repair problem pipes. They can be damaged by age, heavy equipment, tree roots, or poor workmanship. In any case they will cost money to repair, something to add to your remodeling budget.
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