Personal safety should be your highest priority and many DIY tradesmen are not aware of the serious injuries and property damage risks. Inadvertently mixing pipes can cause water contamination which can affect the drinking water supply and cause your family to fall ill. Physical injury from falling off ladders is well-documented. Working with pipes near electrical wires is a serious business and inexperience can put you and your family at risk of electrocution.

While there’s no question that shower plumbing repairs and re-fits are jobs for the experts, there are still some things that homeowners can tackle in a bid to save cash:

The dismantling of your old bathroom fixtures is within the reach of experienced DIYers, and once all the basics are in place, removing old fixtures and tiles is a great way to save some money.

Once you’ve rolled up your sleeves, you’ll need to isolate the water supply remove the old fixtures and existing tiles, then the old or pre-existing shower stall.

• Firstly, take down the shower screen/doors.
• Then remove the taps and fittings remove the basin and toilet
• Remember to tape up the drains as you go
• Detach the shower head pipe by turning in a anti-clockwise direction

(if you have a moulded shower base)

• Remove the plug hole by inserting pliers and turning in a anti-clockwise direction
• Cover the threaded connector from your drainpipe to prevent rubble blockages
• Carefully chip any tiles off one by one, using a small crow bar
• Lastly, remove the shower base to expose wall studs and waterproofing membranes

At this point the give Wilkinson Plumbing a call to repair any water damage that has occurred over the years. We will replace any breaching pieces as required for traditional wall taps. Once you tell us the sort of shower you would like installed we can get to work. We will work with you in detail to get an understanding about where you need the showerhead and taps to be positioned. We can relocate the positions of the taps and drains if needed.

While dismantling a shower might save you a few dollars, in the long run hiring us to help you design and renovate will ensure that the job is done correctly the first time.

In keeping with the trend toward wall-hung or streamlined bathroom fittings, concealed cistern toilets have become an increasingly popular choice. Using the wall or ceiling cavity to hide the cistern, only the bowl of the toilet and buttons is visible, creating a modern, streamlined look. They use much less space, which is ideal for smaller bathrooms or spaces that may be awkward. And easy cleaning for the future.

Unsure? Call Wilkinson Plumbing & Gas for a free estimate or quotation – 0404 085 923