Anyone wanting to renovate their bathroom should go ahead and take all the advice given here into account as they plan their project so they maximize the value that it will add to the home. There are a few different things you need to be sure of when you go to renovate the bathroom and minimize the amount of possible future water damage.
Water is both the friend and enemy of your bathroom, since water can cause a considerable amount of damage if the area is not prepared to deal with it properly. If you are remodeling a bathroom, make sure that there is an exhaust fan in the ceiling to vent steam out of the room during showers and baths.
Humidity buildup in a tight space made of porous materials like drywall is a bad idea, since these will become discolored and molded fairly quickly if it is not kept in check. Mold loves to live in the wettest areas of your home, so it is in your best interests to make sure that the bathroom stays as dry as possible.
You also need to be sure that everything in the bathroom gets sealed properly by the contractor that you hire to do it. If you remodel it yourself, you should do your research and make sure that you know what you are doing. Tile that is not sealed correctly will allow water underneath it and this will cause damage to the floors over time.
Depending on the age of the house and the condition of the plumbing behind the walls, you may want to replace the plumbing with newer material. Check it for possible leaks and do not hesitate to replace the plumbing if you are having doubts.
Try to make sure that your toilet does not overflow very often. Even though the tile underneath it should be sealed completely to keep water from getting to the floor underneath, you should not take chances. If you choose to have carpet in the bathroom instead (bad idea), you will need to be even more careful.
The plumbing underneath the sink also needs to be checked out. Depending on the condition of the vanity and what it is made of, you may want to replace it to add some more value to the room.
