A Simple Bathroom Renovation That Looks Complicated but Is Actually Very Simple.

Posted on January 30, 2025 by resourcefulman

Home improvement projects large and small can make us happier , our homes more comfortable and livable , and our property more valuable . But there’s a reason why many people are hesitant to take on some of these projects: they seem really complicated, difficult, and even dangerous. If you’ve never tackled a DIY home improvement project, it’s easy to imagine that you’ll quickly overdo it and make things worse.

All this is compounded in the bathroom, which is vital to our daily health and hygiene. Many bathroom renovations are best left to the professionals, but even if you’re completely inexperienced and don’t know the difference between a Phillips screwdriver and a flathead screwdriver , there are some basic bathroom renovations that seem a lot more difficult than they actually are. . With a few basic tools and a few YouTube videos, you can tackle everything on this list.

Change tap

If you just want to replace the faucet and there are no leaks or other problems that require repair, you can likely complete the task with just one adjustable wrench. ( A sink wrench designed specifically for these tight spaces makes the job even easier, but isn’t absolutely necessary.) You can see what happens in this video —just follow the instructions that came with your new faucet and you’ll be good to go. Not every faucet will be this simple, but the vast majority of simple kitchen and bath faucets will be just as simple. The hardest part is squeezing into the tight space under the sink to get the job done.

Number of tools required: 1 (adjustable wrench)

Grout

If your shower grout can’t be easily cleaned—it’s covered in mold and other stains that won’t come off, crack, or fall out—you can assume you’ll need to find an expert to replace it. But it is an easy, albeit labor-intensive job that anyone can do. All you need is a grout saw (you can also buy a multi-tool saw blade if you have one – just make sure you buy the right size), a grout float , a sponge and a bucket (and, of course, of course, grout ). The process, as shown here , is quite simple, especially if you use a pre-mixed solution. Just be sure to follow the instructions for wiping off excess grout before it turns into a glaze that will make your tiles look dull.

Required number of tools: 2 (grout saw, grater)

Refilling

Just like with grout, replacing the caulk in your bathroom or kitchen may seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually very easy. Basically there are two steps which you can see in this video :

Remove the existing nasty, rough caulk that needs to be removed. Use a utility knife to scrape it out of the corners. You can use a caulk remover to soften it, which may make removal cleaner and easier, but it’s not necessary.
Caulk. Clean and load the caulk gun with suitable bathroom caulk and apply a layer of caulk to the gaps. Smooth it out with your finger and let it set – it’s done! For best results, cover the joints with masking tape to get nice, clean lines.

Number of tools required: 2 (stationery knife, caulking gun).

Change shower head

If your shower head is leaking or corroding, you don’t need a plumber. Replacing it will require two tools and about five minutes . Simply remove the existing shower head using an adjustable wrench (this may require a little lube, and a lubricant like WD-40 will help loosen the rusted nut), clean the threads on the end of the pipe to get rid of the old Teflon tape. , apply new Teflon tape to the threads and attach the new shower head. That’s it! Tighten it, test the water to make sure it’s not leaking, and enjoy your shiny new shower head (but keep it clean from now on).

Number of tools required: 2 (adjustable wrench, Teflon tape)

Replace laminate flooring

If you have laminate flooring in your bathroom and one of the boards gets water damaged or has another problem, replacing it won’t be difficult if you have a spare piece of laminate flooring. If you don’t, you can try to match it, but keep in mind that different lots of flooring can sometimes have slight differences in color and finish that aren’t subtle in the store, but show up quite clearly when the boards are side by side. -side under the same lighting.

If you have a spare board or two, you can pry up the damaged board fairly easily (you can make this easier by cutting down the middle of the board with a circular saw – just be sure to set the depth of the blade correctly so you don’t cut into the underlayment or subfloor). Cut the new board to size, then use a utility knife to cut off the “tongue” portion of the board (see here ). This will allow you to simply slide the replacement strip into place, but since you’ve removed the tab, you’ll need to use a little glue to stick the strip in place once it’s in place. Weigh her throughout the day and you’ll be fine. .

Number of tools needed: 5 (utility knife, rubber hammer, pry bar, circular or table saw, laminate glue)

Fix the toilet

Finally a toilet. People’s concerns about toilet work are understandable, but it’s actually a very simple thing. If your toilet leaks from the bottom, constantly runs, or has a loose handle, you can deal with all of this with a minimum of tools and experience:

Leaking: If you have a leaking toilet downstairs, you need to fix it immediately or you risk water damage and mold. The culprit is likely an old wax ring, but removing the toilet and replacing the wax ring is easy:

Turn off the water supply and flush the toilet. Drain the remaining water (a siphon or pump may come in handy, but an old-fashioned cup and a few towels will do the job, but be prepared for it to get a little wet).
Remove the plastic bolt guards and remove the bolts using an adjustable wrench.
Lift the toilet off the floor and place it on its side.
Remove the remaining old wax ring from the bottom of the toilet and the flange in the floor using a putty knife. Place the new wax ring on the bottom of the toilet, place it on the floor and sit on it to press the wax ring into place. Then secure it, reinstall the guards, and turn on the water.
Number of tools required: 3 (adjustable wrench, spatula, wax ring)

Running: If your toilet constantly runs, it may be the cistern flapper. It’s so simple that you don’t even need tools:

Turn off the water and flush the toilet.
Remove the tank cap.
Disconnect the chain from the damper and remove the damper.
Insert a new flapper (you can buy universal ones if you’re not sure what type of toilet you need), reconnect the circuit, replace the tank cap, and turn on the water.
Number of tools needed: 0

Loose handle: If the flush handle on your toilet is so loose that flushing the toilet is difficult, you may not need a new one. Simply remove the tank cap and check to see if the plastic nut connecting it to the flapper is loose. You can usually tighten it by hand in about ten seconds. If you think a little more power is needed, you can use an adjustable wrench, but this is probably overkill.

Number of Tools Required: 0-1 (adjustable wrench may be required)

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