bathroom remodel

Jul 16 2021

Prepping Bathroom Tile for Renovation

When you think of a remodeled bathroom, you probably think about a jacuzzi tub, an elegant vanity, and a nice stand-up shower. And while all of these things are an essential part of a successful bathroom remodel, the most vital part is the floor. Before you can start your bathroom tile replacement, you first have to demo the existing flooring and prep the floor for the new bathroom tiles.

GranitePro is home to experts in bathroom remodeling. We understand what it takes to bring your remodeling project to fruition. Find out how our expert installers can help you take your bathroom renovation to the next level by calling 410.875.7579.

Replacing Bathroom Tiles

Remodeling your home’s bathrooms has one of the highest return on investment percentages of any remodeling project and is a great choice if you are looking to improve the value of your home. Due to the amount of moisture that a bathroom is routinely exposed to, it is smart to go with waterproof flooring for a low-maintenance option.

Tile is the most commonly preferred type of flooring for bathrooms because it offers a beautiful and durable finish. The first step in replacing bathroom tile is getting rid of the old tile. Despite its durability under regular conditions, tile is generally pretty easy to demolish and remove.

Removing Bathroom Tile

Like any other demolition project removing tile can be a pretty messy job. This is best prepared for by wearing a filtered mask and eyewear to protect against shrapnel. If you are trying to prevent dust from getting all over the rest of the house, you can hang plastic barriers up in the doorways.

Thankfully this project takes a minimal amount of tools, as is so often the case when dealing with deconstruction rather than construction. A hammer, chisel, and pry bar will more than suffice for the removal of tile.

Don’t start smashing all the tile with your hammer; although this might feel great, it’s not very efficient and will leave you with an unnecessary mess. The strategic way to remove tile is by first removing the threshold at the doorway. Once this is removed and you have access to the edge of the tile, you can start by hammering your chisel under the first tile until it breaks free.

After this first tile is dealt with using the flat end of the pry bar; similarly, this is the quickest and easiest way to dispatch the rest of the tiles. After you have pried all of the existing tile free from the floor, it’s time to start prepping.

Prepping Floor for Tile

After removing the old tile, you will be left with dried mortar on the bathroom’s subfloor, and there are two ways to remove it. The easiest and most ideal method is using a hammer drill with a chisel mortising bit. If you don’t have a hammer drill, bust out the hammer, and preferably a masonry chisel, but a stiff blade scraper will suffice.

Whether you take the automatic hammer drill route or the manual route, the general practice is the exact same – hold the chisel at the ground at a 45-degree angle to ensure the optimal balance of downward and forward force and start chiseling away. It helps to vacuum your mess as you make it, so having an extra set of hands to clean as you chisel is a good idea.

After this, you are going to want to repair any damaged portions of the subfloor. If the floor is still in good shape, then there’s no need to replace it. I recommend installing a tile membrane for the best job possible, but some people choose to bypass this step. Once the membrane is installed, you are ready to start tiling. Consider a Maryland home improvement company for the following bathroom services:

Tiling
Countertops
Plumbing

Learn More About Granite Pro’s Bathroom Tile Services

If you’re all worn out after getting rid of your old tile, and you don’t have the energy to install the new stuff, you can count on us! Contact GranitePro at 410.875.7579, or contact us online to schedule your free consultation and installation.

Jun 18 2021

Easiest Bathroom Sinks to Maintain

Bathrooms are one of the most used rooms in any home, and like any other high-traffic area, you want to make sure you fill it with durable and easy-to-maintain products. Luckily the days of sacrificing looks for a stronger bathroom sink are long gone – today, you can have a long-lasting, easy-to-maintain sink made from some of the most beautiful natural stone.

Here at GranitePro, we offer the easiest bathroom sinks to maintain through the installation of granite, marble, quartz, and soapstone countertops and sinks. Contact us today at 410.875.7579 for your free consultation and quote.

Easy to Maintain Bathroom Sinks

Granite

Granite is a beautiful and durable natural stone that looks good in any style of bathroom. It is one of the easiest natural stone options to maintain. When it comes to maintaining granite, simple regular cleanings are the best way to ensure the beautiful and luxurious finish that granite is known for.

The most important thing to avoid using when cleaning your countertops is any harsh chemical cleaners or abrasive materials. This will more than likely lead to scratching and pitting on the surface, which deteriorates the finish and makes the surface harder to clean in the future. A soft microfiber cloth is what we recommend you use when wiping down your granite.

A dry cloth is great for dusting and simple cleaning. For deeper cleans, we recommend using a specialized natural stone cleaner that is chemically formulated not to alter the finish of your bathroom sink.

Quartz

While quartz is commonly believed to be a natural stone, it is actually a mineral. To make quartz bathroom sinks, the mineral is first ground up. It is then mixed with an epoxy resin material to bind the quartz together for a smooth and non-porous finish. As a result, quartz bathroom sinks are very easy to clean and extremely versatile in their design, thanks to the manufacturing process.

Quartz is a really durable material, and while it is highly resistant to scratching and chipping, it is not invincible. For this reason, you must resist using any abrasive cloths or sponges for cleaning your bathroom sink. If there is some hard-to-remove material on your quartz sink or countertop, then you should use a plastic putty knife or straight-edged object to scrape it off.

Once you have removed any buildup through scraping, you can use a mild soap or glass cleaner with a soft cloth or sponge to do a final thorough cleaning. Dawn dish soap and Windex make a great cleaner that can safely be used on quartz sinks and countertops.

When something is spilled on quartz, you must clean it up as quickly as possible. If you fail to do so, depending on what was spilled, it could stain your sink or countertop. If this happens, we recommend you use a professional quartz cleaning product or adhesive remover like Goo-Gone.

Soapstone

Soapstone, if you haven’t already guessed by the name, is a natural stone that not only looks great in a bathroom but it is super easy to clean and maintain as well. Soapstone is harvested in the same way other natural stones are, but it retains one distinctive advantage over other stones—it is non-porous. This smooth surface makes soapstone a great choice for an easy-to-maintain bathroom sink.

When soapstone is first installed, it requires routine oiling with mineral oil, but the more it gets used, the less you have to oil it. Far less sensitive than other stones, you don’t have to be near as cautious about what type of cleaners you use. Soap and water are a great choice, but soapstone can withstand more harsh cleaners as well, such as those containing bleach.

Bathroom Sink Installation from GranitePor

When it comes to installing a new bathroom sink, it pays to consider the maintenance and cleaning requirements of the material you choose. We here at Granite Pro hope this helps you understand what the easiest bathroom sinks to maintain are, and if you have any other questions, feel free to contact us at 410.875.7579, or contact us online for your free consultation and quote.

Oct 05 2020

Choosing the Right Bathroom Sink Styles

Bathrooms rank up at the top next to kitchens when it comes to the most important rooms in a home. More and more Maryland homeowners are turning to designer sinks–also known as lavatories or lavs.

Choosing the right bathroom sink depends on your style, needs, and budget. There are four main types of bathroom lavatories: vitreous china, porcelain/enamel over cast iron or steel, and marbleized bowls or counter units, and Corian.

Contact the experts at GranitePro by calling 410.875.7579 if you have questions about having a bathroom sink installed in your home.

Vitreous China Sinks

These sinks are acid-resistant and durable. Although china sinks can be stained by rust, copper corrosion, and other substances, vitreous china is considered excellent material with good resistance to chipping.

Vitreous china can also be formed into luxurious bowls and even into original works of sink art. These are substantially more expensive than most other bathroom skins.

Porcelain or Enamel Over Cast Iron or Steel Bathroom Sinks

These are practically the least expensive sinks available. They are often less durable and more susceptible to chipping than other sinks. Choosing a good sink during a bathroom remodel can save you time and money down the road.

Marbleized Bowl and Counter Units

There are two kinds of marble-style bowl and counter units: acrylic plastic and cast methacrylate. Both of these can contain veining that simulates, in a highly polished surface, that of marble. These lavatories are often referred to as synthetic marble. They come in various colors and finishes, including high gloss models.

These sinks are often integrated into a vanity countertop with one-piece construction. They have an on-trend appearance, are easy to clean, and can be molded into beautifully patterned bowls. The main drawback of marbleized surfaces is that the finished layers are often very thin. A deep scratch can penetrate the coating and expose the white material underneath, which is very difficult to cover up or repair.

Corian Bathroom Sinks

Sinks and counters made of Corian are made with the color, often a bright white, mixed all the way through the materials. If scratched there’s no color change, and the mark can easily be removed with a brillo pad or fine sandpaper.

Corian can also be sawn, drilled, and filed with standard carpentry tools for custom applications. It’s one of the better materials for bathroom counters and sinks, but it’s also one of the most expensive.

What Are Some Styles of Bathroom Sinks?

Round, oval, and sculptured sinks can be purchased in a wide range of materials for a wide range of prices. The following are a few popular styles of bathroom sinks:

Wall-hung lavatories with no floor support or pedestal
Sinks supported by cabinets or pedestals
Sinks supported by metal legs
Sinks built into ceramic-tile surfaced counters
Glass sinks
Sinks recessed into countertops of plastic laminate
Single-piece sink and counter units, either modeled or sculptured

How to Choose a Bathroom Sink

A bathroom sink needs to be large enough for comfortable daily use. Most people choose sinks that are at least 20×24 inches. In a master bedroom, double-bowled sinks are a necessity for many couples. Every sink should have a backsplash along the back of the wall it’s mounted against. This will protect the wall from splashing water. A drip edge should also be included at the front and side ends of the countertop or around the tops of the basin lavatories to prevent water from spilling over onto the floor. Sinks need to have an overflow prevention catch hole that drains water after it reaches a certain level in the bowl.

If you are considering a new sink installation or replacement, contact GranitePro for the best rates, services, and professionalism by calling 410.875.7579.