Repairs & Maintenance   -   Environmental Issues

      Healthy Bathroom Renovations

Home renovations are becoming a national pastime in Canada. According to the latest statistics, about 65% of the nation's 7.5 million homeowner households reported doing repairs and renovations. The average expenditure in 1999 was $1,810 per household*. The most popular rooms to tackle are the bathroom and the kitchen.

Many homeowners chose to do these renovations themselves making it even more important for consumers to know the health consequences of certain building practices. Research conducted by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has shown that approximately 36% of households in Canada have a resident with breathing problems or allergies. There is a direct link between health and poor indoor air quality. If you plan to renovate your bathroom, there are products and options available to keep your air quality healthy and everyone breathing comfortably.

If you have surface mold, peeling paint, or spots on the bathroom walls or ceilings, it's a perfect time to fix these problems. Sand down the existing paint. Be sure to wear a mask and provide proper ventilation to the room while doing this. Repaint with low volatile organic compound (VOC) paint made for bathrooms. Labels will generally include this information or they may be labelled as "environmental". Read the label for details.

If you have old wallpaper on the walls you would be wise to remove it. Wallpaper provides a textured surface giving mold and bacteria a place to grow. Some types of glue used to adhere wallpaper can emit toxic fumes over many months.

Ceramic floor tile in bathrooms is a better choice than vinyl (VCT) flooring on plywood underlay. The plywood itself contains binders, which release toxins including formaldehyde. Certain glues used to adhere the vinyl to the underlay can also emit fumes. If you prefer vinyl, some home repair stores now carry water-based adhesives for vinyl flooring.

Moisture problems are common in bathrooms leading to condensation and eventually the appearance of mold. In many cases, a direct-vented exhaust fan can solve these problems. To reduce noise levels, ask about a low-noise fan when buying a new one.

Particleboard, sometimes used for bathroom cabinets and counter tops, gives off noxious emissions. Seal all surfaces to reduce off gassing or use solid wood products if possible.

Caulking is necessary in the bathroom to seal bathtubs and sinks. Today it is possible to find low-odour caulking. Read the label carefully as some caulking is meant to be used outdoors only. All types of caulking must be allowed to dry and cure completely with proper ventilation. If moisture is managed carefully, caulking without fungicide can be used. Replace as necessary.

Fibre-reinforced plastics, used to form tubs, sinks and bath enclosures, can cause problems for sensitive people. Some react to this material on contact, others react to the emissions the material gives off when exposed to hot water. Try to test your reactions to these materials before installing them.

When renovating the bathroom, consider water-saving toilets and showerheads. By reducing water consumption you can decrease your utility bills and the burden on the local environment.

Carpet can trap mold, bacteria and dust mites. In fact, dust mites thrive in moist conditions. Instead of carpet, solid flooring can be a healthier choice. If you wish to have bath mats, look for woven hemp mats or those labelled mold-resistant.

Cleaners can add benzene and other chemicals to the air. Natural cleaning products are not as detrimental to air quality and can be easier on septic tanks. Most grocery stores now stock a limited range of natural products. Other low-emission options include baking soda to scrub surfaces and vinegar and water to clean mirrors.

To help homeowners assess the health of their home and make practical renovations, CMHC has prepared a Healthy Housing Renovations Planner. The Planner is a practical and interactive 300-page guide to planning a renovation - whether you are hiring a contractor or doing the work yourself. It the results of 16 years of housing research and expertise complied from 130 studies. CMHC's Healthy Housing Renovations Planner costs $34.95 and can be ordered online.

In 1997, CMHC published Building Materials for the Environmentally Hypersensitive, a practical sourcebook detailing common building materials and the health issues associated with them. This comprehensive guide helps persons with asthma, allergies and other environmental sensitivities choose healthy building materials for their homes. The cost is $29.95 can be ordered online.

Summary: tips for healthy renovations of bathrooms

• Consider installing a direct-vented exhaust fan or an exhaust, which is part of a balanced ventilation system for the whole house.
• Non-porous flooring is preferable to carpet
• Seal all surfaces of cabinets made of pressed woods, or use solid wood cabinets.
• Use low odour caulking.
• Select tubs and sinks for low off-gassing.
• Avoid using wallpaper in bathrooms.
• Water saving toilets and showers reduce water consumption
• Avoid bathroom deodorizers and scented personal products.

The 1999 Homeowner Repair and Renovation Survey, conducted by Statistics Canada, collected information in March 2000 from a sample of more than 20,000 homeowners about expenditures made in 1999 on repairs and renovations to their homes. The survey found that in total, homeowners spent $13.6 billion on repairs and renovations in 1999.

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