Owning a home means that you’ll need to take proper care of it. There’s no landlord for you to call when a pipe breaks or your toilet backs up. But on the plus side, you have all of the control over what your house looks like!
Home maintenance is an important part of ensuring that your house lasts as long as possible, providing you with a safe, clean place to live for as long as you want to call that place home. Part of a good maintenance routine means recognizing when it is time to replace your shower or bathtub. The bathroom is, after all, one of the most used rooms in your home! There are several signs that can clue you in to the fact that you need to do a little shower maintenance right away, but how do you know what necessitates an entirely new shower and what just needs a little scrubbing power? Here are a few signs that it’s time to upgrade that shower or bathtub.
Broken Tiles
Broken tiles in your shower are not only displeasing to the eye, but they can also be dangerous—particularly if you have small children. Broken tiles can be sharp and may lead to cuts or torn towels. They can also be a sign that there is more damage to your shower than meets the eye. If you notice a significant amount of broken or chipped tiles in your shower, then it’s probably time to upgrade.
Mold or Rust
Mold and rust can quickly degrade a shower and create dangerous conditions. Mold will likely appear as little black dots or in green or black patches around certain areas of your shower. This is not only unattractive to look at, but certain kinds of mold can affect your health. And while your typical shower cleaner and some scrubbing should get rid of that unsightly growth, microscope spores and the right conditions may just mean that the fungus grows right back.
Rust will likely appear on glass shower framing and faucets. While rust doesn’t pose quite as much of a health hazard as toxic mold’, it is a sign that the metal parts of your shower are slowly corroding. If not properly taken care of, the corrosion of your glass door’s framing could cause it to weaken and eventually break. If you notice rust, look into removing those rust-damaged components and upgrading your bathroom with new fixtures.
Leaks
Leaks aren’t limited to the faucet or showerhead. They can also happen underneath your shower in the plumbing. If you notice that your floors are becoming discolored or that there’s water pooling in areas where it shouldn’t, you probably have a leak. Not only is this bad for your shower and bathroom, but leaky showers can pose problems for the floor beneath it, possibly causing widespread damage to your home. It’s critical to identify the source of the leak and get it taken care of as soon as possible to minimize water damage.
Movement
If your shower pan has any sort of movement, it’s time for a replacement. While concrete pans are built in a way that should provide no movement, plastic pans are an entirely different story. Plastic pans are lighter and easily movable. If not properly installed in the first place, they can result in broken seals or cracks around the plumbing, ultimately leading to leaks and water damage. If you have a plastic pan in your shower—whether it’s showing movement or not—you should consider proactively updating your shower to a more durable one before any sort of damage occurs.
Outdated Look
Even if you have a properly functioning shower, sometimes you just want a more modern look. This is your home, and it should reflect your vision! If your shower no longer matches your personal style, or you’re looking to move and want to increase the resale value of your home, updating your shower is a good idea. Old-fashioned tiles, tarnished fixtures, and dull colors are all signs that your shower is past due for a makeover.
Your Minneapolis Bathroom Remodeling Contractor
When it’s time for a new shower, you’re going to need a trusted contractor to get the job done. With over 20 years of experience helping Minneapolis families with all of their shower renovation needs, Honey-Doers will provide you with a superior level of attentiveness, integrity, and courtesy. Through our exceptional service and quality craftsmanship, we continue to build upon our reputation and growing number of satisfied customers. Contact us today for a free estimate, and let us create your dream bathroom!