Top 2 Worst Bathroom Remodel Materials That Exist are carpet and marble. Here are the reasons to avoid both of these materials when remodeling a bathroom:
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1. Carpet
To facilitate mold growth put carpet down on your bathroom floor the next time you remodel. It is the perfect place for mold and mildew, too. Showering and bathing if done frequently enough will provide ample moist hot places for mold to grow. the carpet is the best place for mold and mildew to grow unnoticed for years. massive colonies of mold coalesce under the carpet on the padding underneath.
You can vacuum, sweep, shampoo, and otherwise attempt to clean your bathroom carpet to no avail. The musty dank stench will always creep back in, but don't let it bother you. that is how you know your mold and mildew are thriving. it is their way of saying hello from their home under the carpet of your newly remodeled bathroom.
Carpet is truly one of the worst bathroom remodel materials of them all. There is no way to avoid getting the carpet pad wet if you use the bathroom for its intended purposes.
According to an article entitled Carpeted Bathrooms by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard on the InterNACHI, the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, Inc.,website:, “some of the common ways that carpets may come into contact with moisture in bathrooms include:
Steam from the shower will condense on the carpet.
- Water splashes from the tub or shower.
- Water sheds from shower/tub occupants as they step onto the carpet.
- Water splashes out of the sink.
- Water drips from the vanity.
- Water leaks from the toilet.
The presence of moisture in the pad will lead to the growth of decay fungi on the wood or oriented strand board (OSB) sub-floor. The sub-floor will be decayed and weakened by mold. Mold also releases spores that can cause respiratory ailments, especially for those with certain health problems. Inspectors can use moisture meters to determine if there is excess moisture beneath a carpet.
In addition to potential mold growth beneath the carpet, bacteria can accumulate in carpeting that surrounds the toilet. Bacteria are contained in urine, which can be accidentally deflected onto the carpet.”
The bottom line is carpet has no place in any bathroom remodel. Carpet in the bathroom will get wet with water and urine and will trap moisture leading to mold and mildew. In summary, bathroom remodels that include carpet are higfhly likely to have that structural damage and cause health problems in the future.
2. Marble
Marble is loved by some and hated by others. If you hate marble you probably have a vanity countertop and sink made of the stuff that is etched to heck and back.
Clearly, there are many disadvantages to using marble. Marble is another one of the worst bathroom remodel materials you can use. First of all, any hope you have of going green you can forget.
Marble is the epitome of unstainable resourcing. There is a limited amount of marble in the world. Marble is a natural stone that must be harvested from deep underground. The result is marble quarries that are not exactly environmentally friendly. It is also heavy, so the transportation of marble has a huge carbon footprint.
Marble is a soft stone that is easily stained and absorbs like a sponge. Dark hair dye on marble will leave stains long after the dye-job grows out. A glass of red wine enjoyed while in the bath is not recommended for those with marble installed in the bathroom.
Acidic materials etch marble.This is a very common issue as I mentioned. Etching results when acidic solutions contact marble literally and permanently eat away the surface layer. The result is a dull spot where the shiny surface used to be.
The acidic materials like bleach, vinegar, ammonia, and lemon juice are found in many bathroom cleaning products will easily etch marble.
If you have your heart set on marble or any other stone material that contains calcium carbonate. (It's the calcium carbonate that reacts with acids causing etching.) Be sure you like the look of dull patchy light colored spots wherever marble is installed.
There is another reason not to use marble in your bathroom remodel. Marble is a natural stone and can be full of assorted minerals. These minerals can cause problems. Iron is especially problematic as iron can rust in the moist humid environment of a bathroom.
Rust can rear its ugly head long after your bathroom remodel is complete, installed, and done. The marble installation can be ruined by iron buried so deep inside the marble that you had no idea it was in there.
In summary, carpet and marble are obviously 2 of the worst bathroom remodel materials in existance.
Finnteriors can help you remodel your bathroom. 30 years ago Kevin Finn founded Finnteriors Construction Services. The company has grown and is still proudly locally owned and operated by Kevin Finn, Finnteriors President. Consistent top-quality design, build, and service has made Finnteriors the most referred remodeling company around St. Louis. Contact Finnteriors to talk about your bathroom remodeling ideas today.