5 Signs Your Myrtle Beach Bathroom Needs a Remodel

You probably spend more time in your bathroom than you realize. Showering, getting ready, spending some “quiet time” after a long day all happen in the bathroom. So when that room stops working for you, you feel it in every aspect of your day. The good news is that not every problem means your bathroom needs a remodel. Sometimes it’s a smaller fix like adding an extra shelf in your closet or upgrading your countertops.

However, a bathroom remodel is never out of the question, especially when the issues you’re having interfere with your lifestyle or the physical ability to use your bathroom. Here’s how to tell which one you’re dealing with, plus a few things worth knowing before you call a contractor.

1. Your Bathroom Layout No Longer Works

If you’ve ever hit your head on a vanity or struggled to find the right place to put your toilet paper holder, you’re not overreacting. Many Myrtle Beach homes still have bathrooms laid out around plumbing decisions made decades ago, back when storage wasn’t as prominent of a problem as it is now.

A remodel gives you a chance to start over. If you feel that moving a vanity to the other wall would suit you better: let’s do it! Need to extend your linen closet for more storage? Sure thing. The only issue you may come across is the ability to move a tub or shower. It depends on your home’s plumbing, electrical, and structural setup, plus local permitting, but a good contractor can usually find a smarter arrangement than the one you’re stuck with now.

It’s always worth it to ask these questions when you do meet with a contractor!

2. You Never Use the Tub (or You Really Wish You Had One)

Bathtubs went through a pretty long “hate” period a few years ago. Because of that, a lot of people tried to modernize their homes with walk-in showers, which slowly killed off built-in bathtubs. However, if you’re one of those people that enjoy a nightly bath, or maybe have younger children who require a bathtub, it may be time for a bathroom renovation

On the other hand, if your tub is just collecting dust, a tub-to-shower conversion frees up real square footage for a bigger, more comfortable walk-in shower with a bench, niche, or rain head. This is really a “what does your household actually do” question more than a design trend to follow.

3. Moisture and Water Damage is a Common Problem

Notice peeling paint awkward bubbles that weren’t there a few days ago, or soft spots in the drywall? Or, you may also notice an odd musky smell throughout your bathroom. These are common warning signs of water damage within your walls. None of these signs should be ignored. And here on the coast, humidity makes bathrooms work overtime. The EPA recommends drying out any wet or water-damaged area within 24 to 48 hours to keep mold from taking hold.

A remodel is the ideal time to check what’s happening behind the tile or walls, since leaks and ventilation gaps are far easier (and cheaper) to fix while the walls are already open. Plus, any large amounts of internal water damage will have to be dealt with anyway, so you might as well get your dream bathroom out of the renovation!

4. You Don’t Have Enough Storage

If you suddenly have half of your towels in your hallway closet rather than your bathroom, you might have an issue with storage. Most older bathrooms weren’t built with enough storage for how much stuff a household actually accumulates in modern times. Not a long time ago, a simple linen closet and medicine cabinet use to be more than enough. Now, some people have additional rooms or add extra cabinetry to accommodate their excess makeup, hygiene products, towels, hair care, and more.

A remodel can build storage right into the bones of the room. Some of the easiest ways include:

• A double vanity for two people sharing one small counter. A longer counter means more room for drawers and cabinets underneath.
• A recessed shower niche built right into your new shower rather than a wobbly Walmart shelf caddy
• A linen cabinet inside your bathroom for towels that currently live in the hallway
• Deep vanity drawers sized around what you actually own, like those three curling irons.

Even a small bathroom gets a lot more livable once storage stops being an afterthought. A contractor can easily work with you to find what storage solutions work best for your situation.

5. Your Life Has Changed, But Your Bathroom Hasn’t

Bathrooms should grow with you. Kids move out, or move in. Collections grow. There are plenty of reasons why your bathroom may need an upgrade.

Planning to stay in your home long-term and looking for aging-in-place accommodations? Thinking about getting the clawfoot tub of your dreams? Want to extend that storage closet? Maybe you’re just looking for some better lighting. All good reasons to remodel, and all things worth planning for now rather than retrofitting later.

Thinking About a Bathroom Remodel in Myrtle Beach?

If your bathroom feels dated, or like it’s actively working against you, fall is a great time to start planning! Re-Builders works with Myrtle Beach homeowners on everything from layout changes and tub-to-shower conversions to full custom bathroom renovations.

Contact Re-Builders to learn more about our home renovation options and how we can help you with new and unique bonus room concepts for your Myrtle Beach home. Please give us a call at 843-448-0041 or request a quote here!