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How to makeover ensuite on a budget?

Hi
im trying to get my town house use ready to lease so i can go and live somewhere with a backyard and i do not want to spend any time money or effort on this horrible ensuite ! It’s all functional but looks gross . I would love to retile and replace everything but I just can’t at the moment . So yesterday I started digging around and the mirror over the vanity came loose. it looks like a very dodgy job . I was going to just replace accessories towel rack etc and give everything a super sonic clean. Now I’m thinking I should at least replace the vanity. If I do that what do I do about the mirror - the wall is very thin and I’m worried if I pull the wood lengths off I may pull a hole in the wall . Any advice welcome !

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RosemaryK

EricL

Hello @RosemaryK

Thank you for sharing your question about your ensuite. Your vanity appears to be in good condition and just needs a thorough cleaning.

In regards to the mirror, it was just attached with adhesive which is not a great long-term anchor. I propose looking carefully at the mirrors framing and see if you can drill though the edge without hitting the mirror itself. The proposed plan is to re-attach the mirror using screws along with adhesives for long term mounting without spending a great deal on it.

If there is space on the frame, I suggest using Everhang 10kg Picture Hanging Keyhole Plate - 8 Pack or something similar. The most versatile set you can get is the Carinya 20 x 200 x 2mm Galvanised Flat Plate Make-A-Bracket which you can bend into a "U" channel to hold the mirror at the top and bottom. Keep in mind that this bracket strip can be cut down so that you can make several brackets out of one strip.

Once the mirror is back in place you can then proceed with your cleaning plans and not have to worry about anything else. My best advice is to double check the mounting points of your bathroom accessories to make sure that the new set you are buying will fit exactly back into the same spot. This will save you from having to drill new mounting points and filling in old holes.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @Remarka6le for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Nailbag

Hi @RosemaryK

If you give the back wall a good clean to remove the old glue and double sided tape. Then fixing a new with the correct type of double-sided tape will work fine. You will need to support the weight of the mirror with something sitting on the vanity for 24hrs.

The vanity can easily be replaced very cost effectively. You just need to measure the width which looks around 900mm and then see what Bunnings and bathroom shops have available. But Steer clear of plumbing supplies as they will be very expensive. You will also need a new mixer tap. A plumber will be required to remove the old and install the new.

Nailbag

Dave-1

Good Evening @RosemaryK

Mmmmmm hard call on a zero dollar fix up :) I do think the easiest thing to do will be to reattache the mirror and a good clean over, At most a new coat of paint. Your bathroom looks nicer than mine :) So I would give it a clean and save your money for somewhere with a backyard :)

@EricL's suggestion on how to refix the mirrow would be a good way to go.

Dave

RosemaryK

Thank you both - Ive found a vanity from Bunnings https://www.bunnings.com.au/cibo-750mm-white-tonic-full-height-bathroom-vanity_p0138265 and got a mixer tap. Ill need to get someone to install - Hipages or something I suppose. The mirror is quite heave . It was actually resting on the vanity as well. There is a hardplastic frame around the mirror. I dont think Ill be able to get screws into it. Its not tape on the wall - its slats of wood stuck to the wall- maybe so the mirror went over the lip of the vanity. Ive seen a bunnings video using silicon and tape to stick up a mirror. What is the "right "kind of double sided tape? Thank you for the advice - I'm still a bit unsure on the norror- its 114 cm tall and 76cm wide.

Rosemary

EricL

Hello @RosemaryK

I propose looking at the Scotch™ 2.54 x 152.4cm Clear Mount Double-Sided Mounting Tape - 2.54cm x 1.52m. My best advice is to make sure that the surface is clean and free of dust and debris. However, I still recommend using a picture hook to hold the mirror in place in combination with the tape.

I propose using a drill with a drill bit to make pilot holes into the side of the frame. Just make sure that you don't hit the edge of the mirror when drilling the holes.

Eric

RosemaryK

Well I got the vanity installed. Unfortunately I didn't notice the drawers were on a different side so the plumber had to change the pipes over and what was a $400 installation became a $700 installation which was more than the price of the vanity. Just wondering why he put silicon in the hole under the tap? He also said to use silicon for the mirror.

EricL

Hello @RosemaryK

The vanity looks good, however, that was an unforeseen event with the plumbing. I can't honestly understand why the plumber blocked off the overflow hole in the sink. If you can manage to remove the silicone, I recommend taking it out so that the overflow is not blocked off.

You've seen the suggestions made by our member's, using silicone is definitely an alternative, but I would still suggest using a hook or fixing of some sort to support the weight of the mirror.

Eric

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