DIY Academy category

Bathroom DIY guides.

Bathroom maintenance, silicone, grout, leaks, ventilation, waterproofing basics and renovation planning for UK homes.

Beginner · 10 min read How to clean bathroom mould properly and stop it coming back

Clean the surface mould, dry the room properly, improve ventilation and replace failed silicone where mould has gone behind the sealant. Cost: £8-£35 for cleaner, gloves and cloths; pro: Deep bathroom cleaning commonly starts from £95 depending on condition and property size. Timeline: 45 minutes to 3 hours for surface cleaning depending on severity. Recurring mould, failed ventilation, leaks or mould behind silicone can require further maintenance work over several days.

Best for: Understanding the job, cost and risk before booking work. Call a professional if: Call a professional if water may be behind tiles, silicone has failed repeatedly, ventilation is poor or the bathroom is the only one in the home. Read guide Intermediate · 12 min read How to replace bathroom silicone without making a mess

Remove all old silicone, clean and dry the joint fully, apply sanitary silicone in one controlled bead and tool it before it skins over. Cost: £15-£45 for silicone and tools; pro: Small silicone replacement jobs often start from £75-£180 depending on access and scope. Timeline: 2-4 hours including removal, cleaning, drying and application. Allow the silicone to cure before heavy water exposure according to the product instructions.

Best for: Understanding the job, cost and risk before booking work. Call a professional if: Call a professional if water may be behind tiles, silicone has failed repeatedly, ventilation is poor or the bathroom is the only one in the home. Read guide Advanced · 14 min read Bathroom renovation guide for UK homeowners

A bathroom renovation is a sequence of waterproofing, plumbing, electrics, ventilation, tiling, fixtures and finishing Cost: planning only; pro: £4,000-£12,000+ typical project. Timeline: Realistic total timeline: 4-12+ weeks from survey to completion. A straightforward bathroom refit is commonly 2-4 weeks on site; design, ordering, waterproofing, drying, snagging and specialist trades add time.

Best for: Understanding the job, cost and risk before booking work. Call a professional if: Call a professional if water may be behind tiles, silicone has failed repeatedly, ventilation is poor or the bathroom is the only one in the home. Read guide Beginner · 10 min read Shower panels vs tiles: what should you choose?

Shower panels are faster and have fewer grout lines, while tiles offer more design flexibility and repair options Cost: £250-£1,200+ materials; pro: from £220/day plus materials. Timeline: Realistic total timeline: 4-12+ weeks from survey to completion. A straightforward bathroom refit is commonly 2-4 weeks on site; design, ordering, waterproofing, drying, snagging and specialist trades add time.

Best for: Understanding the job, cost and risk before booking work. Call a professional if: Call a professional if water may be behind tiles, silicone has failed repeatedly, ventilation is poor or the bathroom is the only one in the home. Read guide Professional only · 12 min read Bathroom waterproofing explained

Bathroom waterproofing is the hidden system that stops water reaching walls, floors and neighbours below Cost: planning only; pro: survey-led waterproofing quote. Timeline: Realistic total timeline: 4-12+ weeks from survey to completion. A straightforward bathroom refit is commonly 2-4 weeks on site; design, ordering, waterproofing, drying, snagging and specialist trades add time.

Best for: Understanding the job, cost and risk before booking work. Call a professional if: Call a professional if water may be behind tiles, silicone has failed repeatedly, ventilation is poor or the bathroom is the only one in the home. Read guide Beginner · 9 min read Bathroom paint guide: what to use and why

Bathroom paint needs moisture resistance, good preparation and ventilation Cost: £25-£90; pro: from £220/day. Timeline: 1-3 days for one normal room including preparation, filling, sanding, drying time and two coats. Whole-property decorating is usually several days to several weeks.

Best for: Understanding the job, cost and risk before booking work. Call a professional if: Call a professional if water may be behind tiles, silicone has failed repeatedly, ventilation is poor or the bathroom is the only one in the home. Read guide Beginner · 10 min read How to prevent bathroom mould

Bathroom mould prevention is about moisture control: ventilation, heat, cleaning, airflow and fixing leaks Cost: £5-£80; pro: from £95. Timeline: 30 minutes to 3 hours for a controlled DIY attempt, depending on age, material, dwell time and drying. Heavy staining, mould causes or large areas can take several visits or professional treatment.

Best for: Understanding the job, cost and risk before booking work. Call a professional if: Call a professional if water may be behind tiles, silicone has failed repeatedly, ventilation is poor or the bathroom is the only one in the home. Read guide Beginner · 11 min read How to clean grout lines properly

Clean grout by removing soap residue, applying a grout-safe cleaner, brushing gently and rinsing Cost: £5-£30; pro: bathroom deep cleaning from £95. Timeline: 30 minutes to 3 hours for a controlled DIY attempt, depending on age, material, dwell time and drying. Heavy staining, mould causes or large areas can take several visits or professional treatment.

Best for: Understanding the job, cost and risk before booking work. Call a professional if: Call a professional if water may be behind tiles, silicone has failed repeatedly, ventilation is poor or the bathroom is the only one in the home. Read guide Advanced · 15 min read How to plan a small bathroom renovation

Small bathroom renovation planning starts with layout constraints: soil pipe, waste falls, ventilation, waterproofing, door swing, storage, lighting and access Cost: planning only; pro: small bathrooms often £4,000-£8,000+; higher specification rooms £8,000-£12,000+ after survey. Timeline: Realistic total timeline: 4-12+ weeks from survey to completion. A straightforward bathroom refit is commonly 2-4 weeks on site; design, ordering, waterproofing, drying, snagging and specialist trades add time.

Best for: Understanding the job, cost and risk before booking work. Call a professional if: Call a professional if water may be behind tiles, silicone has failed repeatedly, ventilation is poor or the bathroom is the only one in the home. Read guide Beginner · 10 min read Shower leaking through ceiling: what to do

Stop using the shower immediately, isolate water if needed, protect the ceiling below and document the leak Cost: £0-£20 damage control; pro: emergency plumber from £120 call-out. Timeline: 30 minutes to 3 hours for diagnosis or a simple repair where parts and access are straightforward. Hidden leaks, seized fittings, waste issues or replacement parts can turn it into a longer visit.

Best for: Understanding the job, cost and risk before booking work. Call a professional if: Call a professional if water may be behind tiles, silicone has failed repeatedly, ventilation is poor or the bathroom is the only one in the home. Read guide Beginner · 11 min read Bathroom smells bad: causes and fixes

Bathroom smells can come from dry traps, blocked waste, poor ventilation, leaks, mould, toilet seal issues or drain problems Cost: £0-£30; pro: plumber from £85 call-out. Timeline: 30 minutes to 3 hours for a simple controlled DIY task, with extra time for preparation, drying, product dwell time, access problems or professional attendance.

Best for: Understanding the job, cost and risk before booking work. Call a professional if: Call a professional if water may be behind tiles, silicone has failed repeatedly, ventilation is poor or the bathroom is the only one in the home. Read guide Beginner · 9 min read How to clean limescale from a shower head

Remove shower head scale by soaking the head or nozzles in a suitable descaler, brushing gently and flushing before use Cost: £3-£15; pro: bathroom deep cleaning from £95. Timeline: 30 minutes to 3 hours for a controlled DIY attempt, depending on age, material, dwell time and drying. Heavy staining, mould causes or large areas can take several visits or professional treatment.