Help me transform old bathroom

[skuml]

Refurbishing bathroom (photo1) ! But haven't chosen basin, toilet, shower head, bath etc

Its a rental flat but I still want to do it in a way that it lasts 10-20+years!

Look wise, I know what I want to achieve - attaching a photo!

DIY Mirror I am planning to cut to size mirror and add strip light above mirror.Also want to install demister pad behind mirror- wondering how long will these will last? should I skip these?

TOILET : Not going for wall hung toilet - as very expensive and not sure how easy is it to replace one if needed in future. Normal toilet but which one would you suggest?

BASIN : Not going for basin with vanity cabinet. But not sure which basin should I buy?
Flat rectangular ones look great but not sure how practical they are. Will prefer to go for deep basin with chrome waste trap.

Towel rail : Might go for dual fuel towel rail. or should I just do electric. Bathroom doesnt has window that's why was thinking.

Tiles: same Tiles everywhere 60x60 cm. or should I leave one wall without tiles as in photo below?

Please share you best tips for redoing bathroom ! Any brands that you would recommend? Any hacks to save ££?

@PigletJohn Read somewhere that softener can have adverse affect on old copper pipes? Is it true? Its 1990's purpose built apartment block. All the floors are concrete and pipes underneath! Worried that over the year, softener will cause any issue!!

Similarly - I have installed unvented cylinder ! At the moment everything is pressure tested and works fine! But after reading about water softener - worried whether high pressure system is ok for old copper pipes. Pressure is almost 2 bar at the moment.

Thanks in advance!

I haven't heard that story about water softeners and copper pipes. Where did you hear it?

From what OP has said, I think she is the landlord.

recently I came across few articles in USA regarding it ..
Similar to this

I have been researching as I want to install in both my home and rental flat. but both are purpose build apartments - concrete floors !

It mentions lead pipes. Hard water is better as it lines the inside of the pipe with scale, which reduces dissolved leaf. But much better is replacing them with a modern plastic pipe of larger bore. A lot of lead pipes (and steel ones) have been replaced as they often leak after 50 to 100 years, and are often too narrow to fulfil modern demands.

I have never seen copper pipes damaged by softened water.

Metal pipes laid, unprotected, in concrete can corrode on the outside. This is something to do with the chemicals in the damp concrete.

many thanks for clarifying that !! Really appreciate!
How about high pressure ( unvented) system? does it affect copper pipes?joints?

hmmm regarding metal pipe unprotected - my bathroom fitter did change piping for towel rail. Not sure he has protected the copper pipe in right way underneath the new cement it has put! He just used a woolen type of sleeves!!

what is used to protect copper pipe underneath the cement? It will help me with next project! Cant fix the current two bathrooms - its been done & tiled over!

Thanks again!

Few more questions regarding bathroom @PigletJohn , @TizerorFizz @-

• Bathroom fitter hasnt applied silicon between tiles and shower tray before installing shower door!

While trying to take out the door, we noticed that he has applied CT1 - as door just doesnt move! It is Merlyn 8 series Frameless hinged bifold door. My question is - We are seriously try to take out the whole shower door frame ourselves and apply silicon between the tiles and shower tray? Do you think its worth remove the shower door?

If yes, then how can I remove CT1 ? the frame is glued to tiles with that!!
I came across multisolve - will it be able to loose the CT1 behind the frame?

• TIler has messed up the silicon in new bathrooms. It is too thin in places. in vertical corners it was coming off by hand! (We have removed just that section and applied silicon for now!). We are planning to remove all the silicon around bathtub except behind the bath mixer ( it is too hard to remove and replace, we have done that already once !) Is Ok do just remove one section of silicon horizontal around bathtub and join it with older silicon ( applied 2 weeks ago)?

• Vertical joint (top to bottom around bathtub) has grout and he applied silicon on top of it! Is it OK to leave grout in vertical corners and apply silicon? We will try to remove the silicon and grout on monday. Best way to remove silicon and grout?

Many thanks!!

Denso. tape is often used to protect metal pipes.

Buried pipes are usually plastic these days. Armaflex insulation is used below ground, I don't know if it also protects against corrosion. Pipe corrosion is common in damp conditions where bare metal is in contact with concrete. Common when you take up a kitchen floor. In dry conditions, stiff plastic foam insulation prevents contact with other materials. Dry copper pipe in clean air just tarnishes. Green corrosion is seen round leaks such as bad joints (but also when soldering flux was not cleaned off). If you see it, polish it off with a green pan scourer, if it comes back there is an active leak.

Any feedback on this @PigletJohn

We will try to do it ourselves tomorrow!

Many thanks !!

I'm not much good at siliconing. You can get little non-stick plastic applicators to make a neat bead.

there are sealant removal fluids, but I find on silicone they soften the top layer, which you scrape off then apply some more. they work better on decorators caulk and acrylic sealant.

Many thanks!! Yes, we have perfected the way to apply silicon! Fugi/crammer tools are really good for novice like us :)!

Regarding removing Ct1 - have you ever tried it? We have to do it tomorrow!
All the remover chemical are so harsh/hazardous - My eye is still stinging with silicon remover i used other day!