Your bathroom is one of the most used rooms in your home and it can impact your life and comfort if there’s something wrong. It’s a place you really want to keep in good condition. 

Like anything, issues will arise. If you find that your bathroom is wearing down, the tiles have cracks, a leak has appeared, you may need to get some bathroom repairs done. 

Common problems that require bathroom repair specialists

A common bathroom has many crucial parts that you want to ensure are working properly. From the toilet and shower to the tiling and waterproof sealing, a problem with one part can quickly degrade or damage other areas. 

Some common problems people find in their bathrooms include:

Toilet

Toilet problems can be uncomfortable and gross. While other areas of your bathroom can be manageable if they break or are worn down, your toilet is something you want to get fixed as soon as possible. 

Some common problems people find with their toilets include:

• Clogged toilet
• Constantly running 
• Leaks
• Won’t flush 
• Refills slowly 
• Cracked seat, tank or cistern 
• Overflowing bowl

If you’re experiencing any of these problems, it’s likely time to get either a toilet repair specialist or a bathroom repair expert. 

Vanity

Your vanity is a combination of storage, taps and mirrors. Over time these can degrade and may need repairs. Vanity repairs usually deal with either the water systems or the construction of the unity. 

While problems with either of these areas should not be overlooked, leaking or broken water systems can quickly spread damage to other areas of your bathroom. Sometimes even causing issues in the seal of your room that could need retiling and resealing. 

Tiling

Your tiling will generally need to be regrouted regularly. It’s recommended to get your bathroom tiles regrouted every six months to avoid any long-term damage to your tiles or the seal underneath. 

Other issues with your tiling come generally when a tile cracks. Like damaged or worn grout, a cracked tile can let moisture and water through and damage the rest of the tiling or the seal. Cracks are also a great place for mould to grow which can become a health risk. 

 

Shower and bath

Your shower and bath, whether combined or separate, usually develop issues with either their water systems or the surfaces. Like your vanity, if the water systems are damaged or worn, they can quickly spread to the other areas of your bathroom. 

The surfaces will generally either be tiling for showers or enamel for baths. If these are cracked or damaged, they need to be repaired to stop the seal of your bathroom being degraded. 

Showers also commonly need repairs on the curtain, railing or glass. Any of these can become risks if they are left in a state of disrepair and could result in preventable injuries. 

Drainage 

Proper drainage for a bathroom is crucial. This includes your toilet, shower, vanity or floor drainage. Any clogs, pooling or breaks in the pipes can leave serious damage in your bathroom that may require a full retiling and resealing. 

Who do you need for your bathroom repairs?

Who you need to repair your bathroom will depend on what the problem is. You may need either a plumber, a tiler, a waterproofer or a bathroom installer and renovator. 

In general, you’ll need:

• Plumbers for anything that relates to the water and drainage systems
• Tilers for regrouting and tile repair or replacement 
• Waterproofers for the sealing of your bathroom (some tilers can do this but always check what services they offer)
• Bathroom installers or renovators for installation of baths, toilets, vanities and other parts of your bathroom

Some bathroom repair companies will have staff trained in each of these but it’s not a guarantee. If in doubt it’s always good to check what they can do to make sure that you can get all your repairs done. 

How much do bathroom repairs cost?

The price of bathroom repairs will depend on what needs to be repaired and if there is any extra damage. In general, expect to pay in the region of:

Waterproofing may either need to be done on specific areas, commonly the shower recess, or you may need the entire bathroom waterproofed. Expect to pay $500 - $750 to waterproof your bathroom

Drainage issues can range from: 

• $80 - $120 to unblock a drain
• $1000 to $3000 to replace a portion of your drainage piping
• $5,000 to $20,000 to replace your entire drainage system, depending on the scale of the job.

Toilets can cost roughly:

• $100 - $250 to repair a leaky toilet
• $35 - $100 for fittings like fill valves, shut-off valves, flush valves and flappers
• $50 -$400 for part replacements including tank, cistern, seats and bowls
• $100 - $500 to replace your toilet

Tiling can cost:

• $25 - $40 per square metre for regrouting your tiles
• $45 - $150 per square metre for tiling 
• Additional $150 - $600 for tile replacement

Resurfacing and installation of replacements can cost:

• $400 - $700 to resurface a bathtub
• $500 - $1,500 to install a new vanity
• $60 - $140 for a leaking shower or bathtub
• $80 - $250 to replace your showerhead

Hiring bathroom repair professionals

Whether you are hiring an individual tradesman or a bathroom repair company, the things that you need to consider are the same. You need to make sure that they are qualified and licensed and that they have insurance. They should be prepared to give you a free quote that covers all of the repairs that they will be doing. 

Ask to see examples of their previous work or to see references if they are available. It’s also a good idea to ask if they are going to provide a guarantee on the work that they carry out.