With the kids back in school and months before the holidays, now is the time to invest in that half bath you’ve been dreaming of! Our Arroyo Grande local plumbers are ready to turn your Pinterest bathroom inspiration board into a luxurious reality. From installing new energy-efficient fixtures to helping you maximize space, our Griffin pros will be there every step of the way. But before we dive in, here are four things to consider when crafting the half bath of your dreams.
Plumbing
Our Arroyo Grande Plumbing experts have a pro tip for you: install your new half bath as close to existing water and sewer connections as you can, ideally where it can share a wall with an existing bathroom. For homes built over basements, new plumbing lines can be installed easily underneath. Understanding your home’s plumbing system, lines, and sewage is a critical first step before picking a space for your new half bath.
Functionality
Adding a half bath meets the plumbing demands of your home by giving you more bathroom space per person. Will this half bath serve as a space for guests? Or will it be the dressing room for one of your kiddos in the morning? These are the types of questions that will help you decide where to add this new feature and inform your storage decisions. Half baths are tight spaces, usually a minimum of 3 to 4 feet wide and 6 to 8 feet long and contain, at a minimum, a toilet, a sink, and a mirror. Having an under-sink cabinet or storage unit for extra tissue paper and toiletries is a must if this bathroom is going to be used regularly by a family member, but these amenities can be stored elsewhere if the space will only be for guests.
Electricity and Ventilation
Navigating the electrical requirements in a half bath addition can be tricky. Whether you choose a single fixture or vanity with lights, know that code requires a GFCI outlet within 36 inches of the sink. Ventilation is also a big deal in your new half bath. Even if you don’t have a tub or shower in the space, humidity can build up from the sink and toilet and lead to…you guessed it, mold. A moldy situation is no way to welcome guests into your home, so if your half bath will not have a window, be sure to incorporate proper ventilation.
Privacy
A less demanding but equally important need for your half bath: privacy. If it’s possible, position your new addition in a zone that is not directly in sight of living or kitchen spaces so your guests can be discreet. If you are unable to position the half bath out of sight, simply moving around furniture and investing in sound insulation is a good plan b. You can do this by simply wrapping water pipes, vents, drains with sound-absorbent materials before closing up walls during the building process.
Griffin’s Arroyo Grande plumbers encourage you to go for that bathroom remodel. If you can’t seem to find the best layout or have trouble figuring out your home’s plumbing – our friendly experts would be happy to give you a hand. Simply give us a ring at 805-934-1949.
