The Tasmanian climate necessitates a particular design approach when it comes to internal wet spaces. In a suburban coastal area like Round Hill, the combination of fairly constant humidity and cooler general temperatures will put extra strain on standard bathroom re-configuration if the climate is not the driving consideration. While most homeowners are focused on visual aspects of home improvement, in the north of Tasmania, the practicalities of construction often determine whether the re-configuration will increase the value of the property or its future problems.
If your current goal is the renewal of tired en-suites or a full family bathroom makeover, some fundamental design flaws that may arise cause serious structural problems or an inadequate level of comfort in the future. Overcoming these “roadblocks” guarantees the strength and longevity of the room.
Overlooking thermal performance and surface temperature
The standard ceramic tiled floor without a heating strategy is cold to walk into in an environment where the outside air is usually fairly cold. It is easy to make the mistake of just installing a simple heating unit overhead; these devices tend to heat the air rather than the surrounding surfaces making the floor and walls cold to touch.
A more effective approach involves thinking from the ground up. Under floor heating used to be a luxury and is now considered an integral part of any modern Tasmanian home. As well as the physical comfort this provides it has a role in drawing out moisture in the floorboards which greatly minimises the risk of mildew appearing on any grout lines. Combining this with adequate insulation and double glazed windows and you have a home that will radiate heat into your living space rather than losing it to the sea air.
The risk of inadequate air exchange
Tasmania faces unique challenges with household dampness, largely due to poorly ventilated bathrooms. Another prevalent error in renovations is fitting an undersized exhaust fan, or in the worst case, vents it into ceiling cavity. Trapped steam will condensate to timber rafters and may eventually cause timber rot.
A high-powered ventilation system ducted externally is essential to avoid damage within your home. The design now commonly includes a humidity sensor which continues running the extractor fan until the level of humidity within the room falls to an acceptable level. Even after a long shower, it is not only actively drying your bathroom, it is drawing out the steam that would warp cabinets and ruin paintwork.
Compromised waterproofing standards
Buildings at Round Hill, particularly those located on or prone to slopes or reactive soil conditions will experience natural movement of the structure. It is highly risky to use an inflexible, or low-grade membrane for waterproofing, as a small amount of movement of a settling house is enough to permit water entry between the membranes. After water enters behind the membrane, any problem created is hidden until it is of structural magnitude.
The most reliable strategy is to exceed minimum Australian Standards. Utilising a Class III high-extension liquid membrane provides the necessary flexibility to move with the building. When this is combined with a correctly graded screed ensuring water flows directly to the waste drain rather than pooling in corners, the result is a build that remains watertight and secure.
Plumbing constraints and regulatory compliance
It is often tempting to completely rearrange a bathroom layout to maximise a floor plan, but moving the primary plumbing stacks in an established home can cause budgets to increase rapidly. Furthermore, the Tasmanian Building Act 2016 is very specific regarding what constitutes “Low Risk” versus “Notifiable” work.
The idea of not moving fixtures too far from where they were is an easy way to save money and have a great finish at the end. Make sure the whole job is done by a qualified tradesman that can give a Certificate of Compliance. This documentation is not just a formality; it is vital for insurance purposes and is a key requirement should you ever decide to sell your property.
Building a durable result
A properly carried-out renovation represents a long-term investment both for you and your home value, in that by giving emphasis to room stability and room insulation, you are also prevented from experiencing problems that occur when prioritising the “look over feel” argument. In suburbs like Hillcrest, bathroom has to be tough and elegant.
What is the primary goal for your upcoming project? Are you looking to improve the energy efficiency of your home, or is your focus on creating a more accessible layout for the future?
Ensure your renovation is built to last
It is challenging to navigate building codes and technical details. If you’re ready to have your bathroom designed to withstand Tasmanian weather without a hitch, call our Tasmania Classic Renovations team now. We can help you bridge the gap between high-end design and local structural requirements.
