Updating your bathroom can add value to your home and enhance your living experience.

The diverse age and construction of London properties place an added difficulty on bathroom renovations. If you are a do-it-yourselfer considering making changes to your bathroom, don’t begin until you read up on the seven plumbing mishaps that can turn your project into a costly disaster.

Here are the seven plumbing pitfalls to avoid:

1. The wrong colouring. Avoid cold-coloured tiles like gleaming white or aqua marine. Instead opt for light, earthy colours like terracotta and beige.

2. Don’t skimp on quality tiles. Always choose tiles that are waterproof. Don’t be dazzled by a highly polished floor; floor tiles which have been filled and polished may look good new, but in a year or two the filler will likely wear and leave holes. Pay attention to the materials that comprise the tile; porcelain Seattle Plumber is 99.5% waterproof, and marble less so.

3. Don’t overlook quality labor. If you’re laying tiles yourself, make sure you know how to lay them properly; always lay them perfectly flat to prevent cracking and leaks. The surface for tiling must be sturdy and clean; never tile over wallpaper or flaking paint. Get the proper tools such as grout and silicone sealing.

4. Don’t overcrowd. Plumbing in London is often affected by crowded residential properties – which can result in low water-mains pressure. Be vigilant of how many fixtures you are installing.

5. Don’t join mismatched pipes. Always use pipes with matching diameters and follow all regulations for your zoning. Don’t attach copper pipe to galvanized pipe; the copper pipe will quickly corrode and cause a leak. An old plumber’s trick is to plumber’s tape (aka Teflon tape) on threads to prevent the pipes from starting to slowly leak over time.

6. Function over form. Avoid wooden cabinetry, no matter how good it looks on display. Wood cabinets or vanity units soak up water in the air and swell, leading to distortion and collapse.

7. Don’t ignore the layout. Pre-plan the set up of your bathroom for usability. Never cram the toilet next to the shower or a door opening adjacent to fixtures.

Plumbing and renovation are a huge task and investment. Not every task is cut out for do-it-yourselfers. If you are having doubts at any stage of your project, call a professional plumber to make sure you aren’t headed towards a messy and costly disaster.

Once your project is finished, remember routine and proper maintenance can save you from a costly and time consuming drainage emergency. Don’t risk property damage and colossal repair bills, have your pipes checked as soon as possible; protect your home and investment.