Postimees · Home & Construction (Kodu ja Ehitus) · 2025
The key to a long-lasting bathroom: create a durable and stylish oasis
English translation of the original Estonian article. Original headline: Kauakestva vannitoa võti: loo vastupidav ja stiilne oaas
See the original design in the magazineThe bathroom is the centre of cleanliness and wellbeing in a home, where we can start the day with fresh energy and end it calmly, washing away our hurry. Nobody wants this room to become a battlefield that constantly needs attention to fight damp, mould and wear. How do you create a bathroom that is not only beautiful but also durable? There are many aspects to keep an eye on when creating a long-lasting bathroom.
Mould – the silent enemy
One of the biggest threats in a bathroom is mould. This inconspicuous enemy can creep into every corner, spread quickly, offend the eye and also pose a risk to health. Effective ventilation helps prevent mould.
"It's essential to ensure good ventilation in the room, as well as sufficient heating. If possible, avoid cold wall and floor surfaces in the wettest zone. Low temperature and inadequate air exchange give mould the best opportunity to develop," explains Andre Kula, an experienced construction manager at Plaadimehed OÜ.
- Ventilation: invest in a powerful ventilation system and use it constantly. Constant air movement is needed to remove moisture and keep mould away.
- Moisture-resistant materials: be sure to choose materials made specifically for bathrooms.
Andre Kula emphasises the importance of a carefully installed and correctly chosen moisture barrier and waterproofing under the finishing layers. Experienced craftsmen know how to install all of this correctly.
The right grout is the foundation of a durable finish
The choice of bathroom tiles may be a matter of taste, but bear in mind that using smaller tiles creates more joints. Keeping them clean may be too much for many, as it requires constant care. You also need to find a professional tiler.
"Here you could consider epoxy grout, which, in addition to greater water resistance, also makes it easier to keep the joints clean and to clean them," suggests Kula, construction manager at Plaadimehed OÜ, offering a different solution. He continues: "The common claim that epoxy grout doesn't get dirty is unfortunately not true. But it can be scrubbed more boldly, and there's no risk of dirt or mould gradually soaking deep into the joint."
"When installing epoxy grout, however, you have to reckon with considerably higher costs, and during installation care must be taken that surfaces are cleaned completely with the right techniques," Kula stresses the importance of a professional contractor.
At the same time, there's no need to be afraid of so-called ordinary grout. It is usually entirely sufficient to last for decades, as long as air exchange, temperature and cleanliness are ensured.
Invest in quality when choosing materials
The choice of bathroom materials is decisive for durability. No less important are the right tiles, meeting both design preferences and practical requirements. Before buying tiles, it is worth thinking about where the taps, sockets and floor drains will be on the walls.
"The main criterion for choosing floor tiles is the need to build floor slopes. If only a one-directional slope is wanted, needed only around the shower, tile size doesn't matter. But if water has to be directed from the corners of the room towards the centre of the bathroom, smaller tiles should be chosen," advises Andre Kula, construction manager at Plaadimehed OÜ. "This is often not considered during design. So the installer is given the task of bending large tiles into a slope, so to speak. In that case, cutting the tiles diagonally can help, but the client may not like that in turn."
So, taking the location of the drains into account, it is worth carefully considering which floor tiles are the optimal choice in terms of both the result (correct slopes and a pleasing appearance) and installation. It would be wise to talk everything through with the contractor before construction and buying materials begin.
Poor water can prove fatal
The mineral content of the water has to be taken into account. A water sample shows how much and in what way tap water can damage taps, tiles and grout.
Water hardness is a significant problem in Estonia. High water hardness means an enemy called limescale. Water containing a lot of minerals causes limescale to build up on taps, showers, ceramic tiles and joints. This makes surfaces dull and requires more cleaning. Hard water also damages the internal parts of taps, reducing their efficiency, causing leaks and noticeably shortening their lifespan.
At the same time, iron-rich water, common in many parts of Estonia, often causes corrosion, damaging tiles, joints, taps and pipework alike. It not only ruins a beautiful appearance and turns everything brown, but can also lead to leaking pipes.
Perhaps the best investment for a long-lasting bathroom is a proper water filter? In that case, of course, everything starts with taking a water sample.
A pre-filter is no less important. "Having bought a proper water filter for your house, it makes sense to ensure it has the longest possible life and efficiency. Untreated water always contains some solid particles. This applies both to water from your own borehole and to mains water. These solid particles, or sediments, that cause clogging include all kinds of dirt, soil particles, sand, clay, rust and so on. That's why we always recommend installing a pre-filter before any water filter, which catches the larger sediments in raw water and thus protects and extends the life of the main filter," advises Kati Raudsepp, board member of Ecoclean OÜ, which sells water treatment equipment, in her blog pohjavesi.ee.
Tips and advice for keeping the bathroom clean
- Keep the bathroom clean and as dry as possible. After every use, try drying at least some of the larger ceramic or glass surfaces to get rid of excess moisture.
- To remove excess moisture from the room, you can use an electric towel rail, a wall-mounted drying rail or a dehumidifier.
- Clean the joints regularly to prevent mould.
- Install a shower curtain or screen to stop water splashing all over the room.
- Create enough storage space in the bathroom to avoid things lying around that soak up moisture.
- If the bathroom has a window, air the room with the window open (even for a few minutes) while the fan is running. This creates a circulation of fresh air and makes it harder for mould to develop.
A well-kept bathroom – quality time for yourself
With a long-lasting bathroom, what matters is not only materials and ventilation, but also dedicated care. By keeping your bathroom clean and maintaining it regularly, you can enjoy its beauty and trouble-free functioning for longer. A bathroom is like a small spa oasis in the middle of the home – a place where you can cleanse, refresh and relax.