Summer can be a challenging time for bathrooms due to increased humidity, more frequent showers, and potential for outdoor dirt being tracked inside.
Having a clean bathroom is not only important for aesthetic reasons but also for health and safety. By keeping the bathroom clean, homeowners can ensure a healthy living environment for every one using this most popular space in the home.
Here, The Bathroom Showroom looks at ways those in the trade can help customers keep their bathrooms in good order throughout the summer months.
1. Address Humidity & Mould Prevention
Along with the heat of summer comes increased showering. Yet, this can lead to higher humidity, creating a prime breeding ground for mould and mildew.
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Extractor Fan Servicing/Installation:
Checks and Repairs: Encourage customers to get their bathroom extractor fans checked to ensure they're working efficiently. This includes cleaning vents, checking wiring, and replacing worn-out motors.
Upgrades: Suggest and install more powerful or intelligent extractor fans (e.g. humidity-sensing models) for bathrooms with persistent dampness.
New Installations: For bathrooms without adequate ventilation, installing a new extractor fan is crucial.
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Mould Treatment & Prevention Advice:
Professional Cleaning: Recommend the best professional mould removal services for existing patches, helping customers ensure it's treated effectively and doesn't return quickly.
Sealant and Grout Checks: Inspect and re-seal around baths, showers, and basins. Old or cracked sealant/grout allows moisture to penetrate, leading to mould and water damage behind tiles. This is a common summer issue.
Mould-Resistant Products: Advise on or use mould-resistant grout and paint when performing any refurbishment or repair work.
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Dehumidifier Recommendations:
Reputable tradespeople can advise on the benefits of using a portable dehumidifier in particularly humid bathrooms and especially in unventilated spaces to bring high levels of humidity down.
2. Leak Detection & Water Efficiency
Increased water usage in summer can often put a strain on plumbing.
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Leak Inspections:
Proactive Checks: Offer summer check-ups to identify subtle leaks around toilets, sinks, showers, and pipes, which can become more problematic with higher usage. Look for damp patches, water stains, or a sudden increase in water bills.
Outdoor Tap Checks: Inspect outdoor taps and hose connections, as these see increased use in summer and can develop leaks due to winter damage or wear.
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Water-Saving Fixture Installation:
Low-Flow Shower Heads: Recommend and install water-efficient shower heads that reduce water consumption without compromising pressure.
Aerators for Taps: Fit aerators to sink taps to reduce water flow while maintaining effective pressure, leading to water and energy savings.
Dual-Flush Toilets: Recommend or install dual-flush toilets that use less water per flush.
Address Dripping Taps: Even a small drip can waste significant water. Tradespeople can quickly fix or re-washer dripping taps.
3. Drain Maintenance & Blockage Prevention
More frequent showers and potentially more hair/debris being washed down can lead to clogged drains.
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Drain Cleaning/Unblocking:
Chemical-Free Solutions: Advise on or use safe, non-corrosive methods for clearing minor blockages.
Professional Unblocking: Offer services for stubborn clogs in sinks, showers, and toilets caused by hair, soap scum, or other debris.
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Drain Strainer Installation: Suggest and install hair traps or drain strainers in showers and sinks to prevent blockages before they start.
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Education on "What Not to Flush": Briefly remind customers about items that should never be flushed down toilets (wipes, cotton buds, sanitary products) to prevent blockages.
4. General Bathroom Refresh & Minor Repairs
Summer can be a good time for small updates and repairs when the house might be more open for ventilation.
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Grout Rejuvenation: Offer re-grouting services for discoloured or cracked grout, significantly improving the bathroom's appearance and preventing water ingress.
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Shower Screen/Curtain Maintenance:
Limescale Removal: Advise on or perform deep cleaning of shower screens to remove limescale buildup.
Shower Curtain Replacement: Suggest replacing old, mouldy shower curtains with new ones. Better still, highlight the many benefits of swapping a shower curtain with a bath screen.
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Fixture Repairs/Replacements: Address wobbly toilets, loose taps, or slow-filling cisterns.
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Bathroom Accessory Fitting: Offer to install new towel rails, toilet roll holders, or shelving, as these small changes can improve usability and tidiness.
5. Pre-Holiday Checks
For customers going on holiday, tradespeople can offer a valuable pre-departure plumbing check.
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Water Shut-Off Advice: Remind customers how to turn off their main stopcock if they're leaving for an extended period, to prevent major leaks while they're away.
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Quick Visual Inspections: A quick check of vulnerable points for potential issues before the house is empty.
Work With The Bathroom Showroom To Create Dream Bathrooms
The Bathroom Showroom offers a range of services and benefits specifically designed to help those working in the trade create better customer bathrooms.
With an extensive product range, design planning and support, efficiency and convenience, trade-specific benefits and services, and tons of inspiration we can act as a valuable partner for trade professionals.
Providing the resources, products, and support needed to design, procure, and ultimately install high-quality, aesthetically pleasing, and functional bathrooms, we will ensure you meet and exceed customer expectations.
For further advice and guidance on working with customers to install their dream bathrooms, speak to us at the bathroom showroom. With over 290 showrooms and a renowned history of working with the trade, we're the experts in all things bathrooms.
