The 5 Biggest mistakes to avoid during a Washroom Refurbishment (and 5 others to be aware of)
A Commercial Washroom Refurbishment is a complex project involving Design, Hardware, Plumbing, Electrics, Flooring and Regulations making it prone to errors that can cause long-term problems.
Commercial Washrooms Ltd provide a full turn-key solution and our Design Team have years of experience designing efficient, comfortable and cost-effective solutions.
Here are the 5 biggest mistakes in a bathroom refurbishment, followed by 5 others to be aware of.
1. Initial Cost Savings cost more over time
It’s human nature to try and shave a few pounds off Design Costs but these cost savings have a habit of coming back to haunt you.
Skipping Solid Grade Laminate (SGL) for High Pressue Laminate (HPL) or traditional Melamine Faced Chipboard (MFC) are an obvious cost saving but cubicles and Wash Trough Frames in wet or damp environments causes wood fibres in MFC and HPL deteriorate. For more information, read our Articel Differences between SGL, HPL and MFC.
The cost of SGL may initially be a bit higher but if you want your Washroom to survive years of use then the initial cost is worth it in the long run.
Cheaper toilet seat are another area that seems like a good idea but quality Toilet Seats will last a lot longer.
2. Overengineering
At the other end of the scale is the temptation to overengineer a Washroom – does your Washroom really need a top end Dyson Airblade Hand Dryer? Maybe, but only if the rest of the fittings are of equal specification.
Commercial Washrooms Ltd can help match functionality with style.
3. Thermostatic Mixing Valves (TMV)
Do not be tempted to skip installing Thermostatic Mixing Valves in your Washroom. A Thermostatic Mixing Valve (TMV) is a critical safety and comfort device that blends hot and cold water to a safe, consistent temperature right before it reaches the faucet or showerhead.
A TMV is essential for Scald prevention and improved Legionella Control.
4. Antisocial Behaviour
If you are planning on refurbishing a School Washroom you should consider using modern washroom design concepts to mitigate Antisocial Behaviour.
For more information read our excellent article: Using Washroom Design to Tackle Antisocial behaviour in school toilets.
5. Partial Refurbishments
We are often asked to retain the original walls, floor or ceiling when designing a Washroom.
Not only can this approach ruin the look of the new Washroom but it usually results in the flaws of the original surfaces being highlighted and replaced soon after.
Old style Ceiling tiles are perfect places to store contraband in Schools!
6. Placing Hand dryers over Radiators.
Hand Dryers create water splashes and installing them over a Radiator will cause the radiators to rust over time. During the design stage, we would make sure that we use our considerable experience to make sure that common problems are not created.
7. Cubicles too narrow
We design our Cubicles to be at least900mm wide and even larger in a Doc-M Washroom – giving enough space for manoeuvring.
8. Regulations
Do you need to provide access for Disabled Users?
- Are you aware of the Doc M regulations regarding Accessible Washrooms?
- What about Document T Regulations?
- What is LRV?
Are you aware of what extractor fans you are required to fit, or how many toilets you are required to install based on the amount of people in the building?
No? You need to talk to a Washroom Design Expert before you begin.
You may need to consult with a design team that is fully aware of these regulations before going ahead with the refurbishment as it will cost more to rectify these mistakes than to design them into the Washroom.
9. Other considerations
Little things like having the Toilet Roll Holder on the same side as the door hinges to help access to narrower Cubicles.
This simple design feature improves a Washroom without being obvious.
10. Lighting
Good lighting completes a good Washroom and a great Washroom is spoilt by bad lighting. Good lighting has lots of benefits from a usability angle – some children even avoiding using uninviting toilet facilities altogether so it is important to make them as welcoming as possible.
