Hi Mairead,

You didn't say why your fitter has recommended cladding. For waterproofing? Damp problem? Insulation? To hide plumbing?

Sorry thanks for replying. we’ve had lots of peeling from lack of ventilation. Our house was new build, we’ve been in it around 17, fan broke & we just used to leave window open but it didn’t help. He thought it might solve the issue but I just don’t like the look of it.

I think you need to get the fan back operating. if you are adding a shower more reason to have a fan. the house as a new build will have been highly insulated and the fan is a must to control moisture humidity from the bathroom. if you dont like the noise there are fan models that have a silent operation or if it is an inline fan vented through the roof space you can have it located away to reduce noise. it should be one with humidity sensor to ensure it operates after you switch the light off to ensure proper clearance of moisture.

you shouldn't mask the problem with a cladding as this will cause more problems best resolve the problem.

there are heat recovery systems that may help if you have other problems I your house. if you check out Nuaire or Airflow products to see which type suits. other cheap products are available, but they arent all the same!!

best

Rowland

Many thanks Rowland for your great advice, I have asked for a fan to be inserted in the ceiling over the shower, he said that we can incorporate the light & fan in one? I can also discuss your suggestion. The original fan was situated on the wall which is too far away from shower. Thanks again 🙏

you are welcomed!

I personally would get a better fan than the ones with a light incorporated.

it is better just outside the splash zone as it will have to be a low voltage one to be electrically compliant within the enclosure area and you will be limited on options.

I think a tranquil room is what most people desire, so make sure whatever you go with has a low db noise level and if the fan motor is over-engineered it generally runs quieter and lasts longer, so pick carefully or be faced with changing it regularly as it becomes unbearably noisy!!

best

Rowland

Thanks so much for your advice I will have a look at those, glad I asked for advice now!

One other thought, I wonder if the paint used previously was not a bathroom one? My old emulsion ceiling was a bit flaky but when we redecorated we rubbed it down then painted it in Dulux Bathroom paint. Never had a problem since and I don’t have a fan. The little window is always open though. The paint has a slight sheen but it’s really easy to clean.

Thanks Sonia, you’re right about the paint. As it’s a new build I can’t see the decorators using specific bathroom paint. The fitter said he will definitely use a bathroom paint which is good. Thanks for replying 🙏x

We have bog standard paint on our shower room ceiling (en-suite) and have never had a problem with it. Surely by cladding over a ceiling with a problem you will just be covering up the problem and it will still be there which may cause even more problems in time to come. I think you need to get to the bottom of the problem first.

Thanks Daisy, I had that thought as well. Glad you’ve not experienced any problems. He has boarded the ceiling & will put a bathroom paint on 🤞🏻I have taken Rowlands advice & going for a better fan & position it where broken extractor is. Thanks everyone really appreciate your time in replying 🙌🏻

Bathroom now complete & we love it however we probably should have thought about the amount of water that splashes out. We have a large shower head fitted in ceiling & probably should have gone for larger tray. Any suggestions please? Was thinking of moveable side shower screens but not sure if that will spoil the look. Any help greatly appreciated thank you!

Mairead, following your thread
.have small bathroom 3m x 2m and fan being fitted tomorrow. not sure where in bathroom to place it. any recommendations?

Hi Jennifer I try & get it as near to you shower as possible. Mine is to the right of the toilet as it’s on an outside wall & it clears the steam really quickly. I was going to get a light fan fitted directly under shower but fitter said not powerful enough. Best of luck hope it goes well

so yours is near your window? my pic is from doorway with shower on the right

That will look lovely once it’s done, would be nice to see a pic of the finished look. Yes my fan is near the window, that was where the old fan was so we just thought it sense to put it there.

it will look great because anything will be an improvement on this 😆....see image! it's been stressful because when we ripped everything out there was a little more work than expected but we are getting there.

before...

Gosh it looks so much bigger with everything taken out, much brighter

almost there with it Mairead! thought you might like to see the after pic.

Wow what a transformation Jennifer, it looks so big & bright from knocking that wall down as you walked in on the right. Love your choice of tiles & furniture 👏🏻 you must be over the moon with it. Where the you choose the fan to go?

thank you! cannot wait to fully finish it. we put it in the middle of the room. the electrician advised it to go there. I was fed up of all the choices 🙈🙈 so so many things I didn't think about despite spending ages planning this

So my question about free standing tubs against walls is how on earth do you clean behind them?

Is it worth the extra hassle to have it free standing?

😆 what a random question Arc! what's the hassle? if I can't get in behind it, then I just won't clean behind it and we won't see it. ignorance is bliss right 😆

🤣 loving the cleaning question Arc! Just when you thought you had covered everything Jennifer 🤣 definitely ignorance is bliss. Sounds like the fan in the middle was a great choice. I know exactly how you feel, so many things to consider but it will all be worth it. Looking forward to finished look

Ah, the "ignorance is bliss" argument!

Unfortunately my ocds would get the better of me and I'd probably end up getting stuck behind the tub. A fire crew would have to cut me out ruining my new tub!

Free standing tub against the wall looks great but just wouldn't work for me!