Bathroom FAQs

Ross’s Home Discount Centre offers a range of high-quality bathroom cabinets, appliances and accessories. If you have a specific question that is not answered below, please get in contact.

Do I have to tile under the vanity?

While it is not mandatory to tile under a vanity, doing so does provide additional protection to the waterproofing membrane applied to the bathroom floor, which can be detrimental if compromised.

How can I waterproof my bathroom?

Waterproofing a bathroom is easy to do using a waterproof membrane such as one from our Tile Adhesives & Grout range.

Cover the entire floor, up the walls about one foot, and the entire shower area (walls to ceiling) and floor with the membrane, ensure every inch is covered well. Apply a second coat as per the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure a water-tight seal.

Learn more in our article, ‘How to install bathroom tiles’, where you’ll find a section on making a bathroom water-tight.

It’s important to note that you will need a compliance certificate for your waterproofing if you are putting your bathroom renovation through the council. In such a case, water waterproofing must comply with Australian Standard AS 3740. Thus, you will need to hire a qualified waterproofer who has completed a Certificate III in waterproofing to waterproof your bathroom.

How hard is it to install a heated bath towel rack?

Not very! A heated towel rack can generally be installed in under a few hours and without the need for a carpenter. Of course, a power outlet is required to deliver electricity to the towel rack, so if you don’t already have a power outlet installed, you will need to call an electrician.

Providing you have a power outlet installed and are ready to, you will need just a few tools;

  • Spirit level
  • Stud finger
  • Tape measure
  • Electric drill and drill bits (sizes specified by the towel rack manufacture)
  • Screwdriver
  • Pencil

Use a stud finder to find the studs and mark where you want the rack to sit on the wall. Use the tape measure to get the position of the fixings correct and the spirit level to ensure everything is square.

Predrill the fixing screws. If you find one side doesn’t have studs, use wallmate anchors to provide additional support. Screw-in the mushroom screws provided and place your towel rack onto the mushroom screws. All you have to do now is plug it into the power outlet and enjoy your warm towels.

What is a wet room?

A wet room is just like a bathroom; the only difference is that wet rooms have a waterproof membrane applied to all walls and the entire floor surface, allowing the whole room to get wet.

Standard bathrooms generally only waterproof the walls in the shower and the entire bathroom floor.

What do I need to consider when looking at installing shower screens?

The most important consideration when looking to install a shower screen is that the shower is completely waterproof. If the bathroom is old and you have cracked tiles, the waterproof membrane could be compromised.

If your shower area is water-tight, then the next consideration will be which shower screen best suits the bathroom and which tools are needed to install it.

You may read the FAQ Above, ‘What are the different types of shower screens and their benefits?’ to help choose the best shower screen for your space.

The process of installing a shower screen should be reasonably straightforward, proving you have the correct tools. Typical tools include:

  • Spirit level to ensure the glass panels are perfectly square
  • Tape measure
  • Electric drill and drill bits (sizes specified by the shower manufacture)
  • Screwdriver
  • Pencil
  • Silicone Sealant & applicator

Read our article ‘How to Install A Shower Screen’ for further information regarding shower screen installations.

What are the different types of shower screens and their benefits?

Shower screens come in a vast range of types and configurations to suit all bathrooms sizes and layouts. While a standard shower screen features two glass panels and is designed for corner installations, this isn’t always practical.

Common shower screen types include traditional shower screens, bi-fold shower screens, sliding door shower screens, pivot door shower screens, corner entry shower screens and quadrant shower screens. You then also have stand-alone shower doors and shower panels.

  • Traditional shower screens: cost-effective and easy to install
  • Bi-fold shower screens: doors fold in, ideal for small bathrooms that don’t have space for an opening door
  • Sliding door shower screens: suitable for small bathrooms that don’t have space for an opening door
  • Pivot door shower screens: door opens in either direction, ideal for small bathrooms that don’t have room for an outward opening door
  • Corner entry shower screens: great space saves, doors slide open from the centre, ideal for small bathrooms
  • Quadrant shower screens: great space savers, curved doors slide open from the centre, ideal for small bathrooms
  • Shower doors: ideal for tiled (3-wall) shower enclosures where a full screen isn’t necessary
  • Shower panels: contemporary, minimal in design, affordable, easy to install

What size do shower screens come in?

Shower screens come in a myriad of sizes to fit all size bathrooms, from small to expansive. They also come in various configurations to further aid non-typical installations. For instance, along with a traditional shower screen featuring two glass panels for corner installations, you can opt for a single shower door for shower enclosures with three tiled walls. Alternatively, you can opt for a single glass panel for a contemporary shower solution.

At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we have a shower screen size and configuration to meet all requirements. Our sizes (door size of shower screen) include:

  • 80 cm
  • 90 cm
  • 100 cm
  • 110 cm
  • 120 cm
  • 140 cm
  • 150 cm
  • 160 cm
  • 170 cm
  • 180 cm
  • 200 cm

Shop for shower screens with Ross’s Discount Home Centre to find your perfect size today.

What do you put on a bathroom wall?

Bathroom walls can serve for both style and function. In terms of style, they can be covered with tiles, such as white wall tiles, mosaics, or feature tiles to achieve the desired design style. Walls outside the shower can also be left bare, only painted.

To make a bathroom wall functional, you can install a mirror above the vanity and include bathroom accessories such as a toilet paper holder by the toilet and a towel rail in arms reach from the shower. Other practical accessories to put on a bathroom wall include toilet brush holders, towel accessories, hand towel holders, round towel rings, towel shelves and rails, toothbrush holders, robe hooks, and bathroom shelves.

The bathroom accessories sold at Ross’s Discount Home Centre are designed for easy installation on tiled or plasterboard walls.

Learn more about tiles and bathroom accessories in our ‘Beginner’s Guide to Choosing Wall Tiles’ and ‘Ultimate Bathroom Accessory Buying Guide’ articles.

What should every bathroom have?

In terms of fixtures, a bathroom should have at the very least a shower screen with shower tapware and a hand basin with basin tapware. These are often accompanied by a mirror, vanity – to mount the basin and basin mixer. A popup waste and floor waste are also required.

Depending on the size of the bathroom, a bath may be optimal along with a toilet. Smaller bathrooms can opt for a combined bath/shower configuration that requires a popup waste and a diverter mixer and bath spout to divert the water from the shower to the bath. Bath/shower combinations also fair well with the inclusion of a bath screen to contain the water.

In addition to the mentioned fixtures, a bathroom should have bathroom accessories. While not all are “necessity items”, accessories such as a toilet paper holder and towel rail add essential practicality and functionality. Other common bathroom accessories include toilet brush holders, towel accessories, hand towel holders, round towel rings, towel shelves and rails, toothbrush holders, robe hooks, and bathroom shelves.

Do all bathroom accessories need to be drilled in the walls?

Not all bathroom accessories need to be drilled into walls. However, those in the Ross’s Discount Home Centre Bathroom Accessories range do. The alternative, being suction capped accessories, are not suitable for all wall surfaces; they only suction to tiles, not plasterboard, and eventually, they will fail and fall to the floor.

Ross’s Discount Home Centre is all about quality manufacturing, which is why our range is designed to be installed (drilled) into either tiles or plasterboard – to provide long-lasting use.

What bathroom accessories do I need?

While not all bathroom accessories are needed, others offer the convenience and functionality that every bathroom needs.

Essential bathroom accessories include a toilet paper holder (if your toilet is within your bathroom), bathroom mirror, storage cabinet, toothbrush holder, and towel rails.

Learn more by reading 5 Bathroom Accessories Every Bathroom Should Have. If you’re trying to decide whether you need bathroom accessories? Read 4 Reasons to Include Bathroom Accessories in Your Bathroom Renovation

What is the easiest way to clean bathroom tiles?

There are many effective ways to clean bathroom tiles; however, the best method depends on tile type.

Most bathrooms use porcelain or ceramic tiles, which are easily cleaned with a white vinegar and water solution with a 50:50 ratio. Simply spray it on and buff it dry. A surfer cleaner and steam mop work just as effectively.

Bleach and highly alkaline cleaners offer every easier cleaning; however, they can be damaging to grout and should therefore be avoided. A water-based solution is the safest option.

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