If you are considering selling your house, you probably already have an elaborate to-do list. You want to improve the curb appeal, paint the exterior and the main door, or improve the entrance. Indeed, undertaking these projects is worth your time as they are found to enhance a house’s resale value. At the same time, they are also great upgrades, even if you’re not planning to sell but just want to improve your home for your own sake.
However, amidst these projects, upgrading your shower is one project you should not overlook when putting your home on sale or making it more functional. It is especially essential when your shower shows signs of wear and tear.
Below, we review some common signs that indicate that your bathroom shower has aged and needs an upgrade.
Leaking fixtures
A shower with leaking fixtures is not only frustrating but is also a matter of concern. Leaking fixtures in the shower waste a significant amount of water, increasing your water bills.
Usually, it is easier to fix leaky fixtures because the problem is often a worn-out cartridge or band in the showerhead.
You can easily spot leaks by finding water dripping along the shower handle and back wall onto the floor, even after wiping it.
A leaking shower is not something you should ignore. Call a plumber to quickly repair your shower to avoid paying unnecessary water bills and further damage to your bathroom. A top replacement shower company in your area, with its experienced staff, can easily remove fixtures and tiles and start working on fixing any leaks before replacing the old materials with new ones. The sooner you contact a professional bathroom remodeler, the quicker you can contain the problem.
Mold attack
Mold in the shower clearly indicates the need for a replacement. Mold appears in the form of green patches and a musty smell in the shower, affecting its feel and ambiance.
Cleaning the mold on your own when it is still in its initial stages is possible with the help of a few supplies found in the house (water, detergent, and a scrubber).
However, if mold has proliferated, covering the walls, fixtures, grout, and other places in the shower, it is better to contact a bathroom remodeler dealing with shower replacement.
Malfunctioning or cracked shower door
The purpose of the shower door is to enhance its aesthetic appeal and keep the water confined within the shower enclosure.
When shower doors leak or don’t close properly, they can compromise the safety, privacy, and overall bathroom experience. The water can enter other bathroom parts, becoming annoying, causing slips, and making a perfect case for a shower upgrade. Upgrading the shower door not only addresses the concerns but also refreshes the entire space.
Outdate shower color
Is your shower still all white? Well, if it is, it’s time to bring a change. White is no longer as trendy as it used to be. Now, the focus is more on other colors, such as pistachio, taupe, powder blue, and beige, which give your shower a vibrant and modern look.
It’s easy to paint your shower in a different color in just a couple of days, most probably over the weekend, and breathe new life into it. However, if your schedule does not allow DIYing, hiring a professional at an economical fee is also viable.
Dull and drab appearance
The reasons to upgrade the shower do not always have to be practical—a desire to make a change can also encourage a change. This means you can upgrade your shower even when it works perfectly but looks drab and outdated. New, modern, shiny fixtures and décor can rejuvenate your shower and promote a better showering experience even without costing much.
Cracked shower tiles
Cracked tiles not only make your shower aesthetically less appealing, but they can also pose a safety hazard. You never know when a chipped tile will cut your exposed toe or foot or a loose tile will fall and hurt you.
Broken tiles can also expose your shower to structural problems by allowing the water to seep through the cracks into the ground underneath. Besides hurting the structural integrity, water sneaking like this can exacerbate existing mold problems.
If there are just a few broken and cracked tiles in the shower, caulk them. But if they are beyond repair, install new ones to prevent any health or structural emergency.
Tint in the water color
Water from the showerhead should be crystal clear without any foul odor. A tint in the color of the water indicates a problem with your shower, requiring an upgrade. The water can appear brown, orange, or yellow; all these colors are problematic, signifying that the shower water is unfit. Shower water can appear tinted often due to a small amount of rust breaking off and spoiling the water.
In most cases, it is harmless and goes unnoticed. However, the problem arises when the water is highly pigmented, indicative of an extremely corroded pipe. The easiest way to get rid of rusty water is by leaving the tap open for a few minutes, clearing out the excess buildup and rust in the pipes until clean water comes out.
However, if the problem persists, call a plumber to address the issue, for instance, by replacing the pipe linked to your shower.
Low water pressure
A drop in the water pressure of your shower can be extremely annoying. Sometimes, it happens just because of a physical blockage in the showerhead. Nonetheless, it can also indicate a major problem, such as a pipe leak.
To ensure low water pressure is not due to a physical obstruction or mineral buildup in the nozzle, simply inspect the showerhead.
If there are no signs of mineral deposits in the shower nozzle, a pipe leak might be wreaking havoc in the walls of your house. A leak in the wall is often accompanied by a trickling sound when the shower is operating. If the water pressure in your shower is low without any obvious reason, call a plumber for a thorough inspection.
Blockage in the drains
Water pooling on the floor while taking a bath indicates a clogged drain. Soap scum, hair, and debris are the most likely contributors to clogging your shower drains.
Usually, you can easily clear a clogged drain at home with a simple remedy. Take bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) and vinegar in equal quantities and pour the mixture into the drain. Leave it there to bubble up for a few minutes, then pour hot water over it. Another way is to use a drain snake to dislodge and pull out any stuck-on debris. However, if these solutions don’t work, call your plumber to inspect the drainage of your shower area.
Conclusion
There can be many reasons motivating you to upgrade your shower, such as broken and leaking pipes, chipping tiles, and faulty fixtures. However, all upgrades don’t necessarily have to be practical. A trendy update can transform your shower’s ambiance, character, and look, making it worth taking a relaxing and rejuvenating shower at the end of the day.
Tags: shower designs
