Renovation in the bathroom is complicated by the presence of a large number of plumbing communications. In order for the room to acquire a finished and neat look, it is recommended to hide the pipes for hot and cold water. A pipe box made of plasterboard or plastic can be used for this purpose. The box will prevent dust and dirt from accumulating on the pipes and neatly closes them.
Choosing a pipe box in the bathroom
Before starting the installation of the box, it is necessary to think over the device of the box, taking into account the fact that access to the pipes may be required.
In the event of a breakdown, leakage and the need to replace pipes, the box should not interfere, and at the same time, access to the pipes did not require a complete dismantling of the structure.
If the installation of the box is carried out independently, then it is necessary to remember about the main stages of work, which will significantly increase the quality of the product and allow the structure to be durable. A strong material is chosen as the basis of the frame, as a rule, it is a rail or a profile made of aluminum. Before making a frame, measurements of communications are carried out, which must be hidden and calculations.
After the calculations, you can proceed directly to the assembly of the frame.
The slats are fastened to the wall with self-tapping screws; you can pre-fix wooden beams at the junction with the wall.
After the frame is assembled and installed, you can proceed to the cladding. There are several cladding options. It is advisable to finish finishing from the same material as the walls in the bathroom, however, there may be other options at the discretion of the owner.
Drywall is the most popular for cladding, as this material lends itself to work even for beginners. Its surface is ready for decorative finishing with any material.
Procedure:
- Before the material is cut out, measurements and calculations are carried out.
- After that, installation to the frame is carried out with self-tapping screws.
- After fixing, all seams are rubbed with a special putty.
- Next, a finishing decorative finish is carried out.
It is necessary to consider what materials are used, and whether additional coating is required for drywall. The joint with the wall is closed with a decorative skirting board.
The cladding with polystyrene panels does not require a frame. These panels have special legs that can be adjusted to the required dimensions. And the panels are connected with glue.
Ceramic tiles are popular due to their strength and moisture resistance, while cleaning such tiles is very easy. The facing of the box is carried out on a pre-installed drywall box.
We mount the box in the bathroom
The choice of material for the box is not critical.
You can make a box in the bathroom with your own hands, and even a beginner can do such work. It is important to make calculations in advance and prepare the necessary material. The main condition that should be met when working independently is that the lined box should not touch the pipes.
There are several options for the design of the box:
- Plastic... Plastic panels are gaining popularity due to their low price, but for work it is worth purchasing additional wooden blocks, self-tapping screws, profiles, skirting boards. Bars are attached to the wall according to the pre-prepared markings with self-tapping screws. It is important to anchor the bars in the center of the structure. The profile and skirting boards are attached with a special construction stapler, and at the end they are inserted one by one into the grooves in the panels. No decorative trim needed.
- Plasterboard... Plasterboard boards are installed on a metal frame with self-tapping screws. Further, decorative finishing is carried out.
- Cupboard... The box will hide the pipes, but it will take up some useful space and, in order not to lose it, you can build a structure in the form of a cabinet.
As a material for the cabinet, you can use drywall. The required number of shelves is installed inside. Cabinet doors can be ordered separately, they can be made of a mirror.
Before laying new pipes, it must be remembered that all leaks or malfunctions occur at the joints, so the pipes are laid as straight as possible, with a minimum of joints.
If the pipes are not replaced, it is worth diagnosing for problem areas.
Metal threaded joints and welded joints can be closed without fear, leaks of such joints are extremely rare. If the connection is threaded in the duct structure, it is recommended to provide access to this place. It is also worth making free access to the meter and ventilation holes.
Before starting work:
- It is necessary to carry out all the necessary measurements and markup.
- Think over how access to certain areas will be carried out.
- It is recommended to draw a drawing so that you can clearly see the entire future structure, because this way you can work out all the nuances before starting work.
- According to the calculations, the material is being prepared in the required amount.
The gap between the pipes and the box must be at least 3 cm.
With the help of the building level, the marking of the box is made on the floor, and then transferred to the ceiling, and only then is it marked on the walls.
It is recommended to use a metal profile to install the frame, because due to the constant humidity in the bathroom, wooden blocks are quickly deformed. When creating a frame, the profile is mounted with screws first to the wall, then to the generatrix of the front edge on the ceiling and on the floor.
A very long frame structure will require a jumper, it is recommended to use them at a distance of no more than 1 m from each other.
During the sheathing process, the material must be cut as little as possible so that there are a minimum number of seams. The cladding is started from the sides, the sheets of material should in no case step over the profile. For access to communications, holes with doors are left inside. Next, finishing is carried out.
What is good about a plastic pipe box
Plastic or drywall boxes perform the same function and have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Distinctive features of the plastic box:
- Unlike drywall boxes, plastic boxes can be disassembled without fear of damaging the material. In the event of a leak, such a property will be very useful, because after fixing the problem, the box can simply be assembled back.
- Plastic panels themselves are a decorative element, so there is no need to invest additional costs for finishing in the repair estimate, unlike drywall.
- Plastic panels are easy to replace one another, while being resistant to deformation, flexible and non-fragile, like drywall, especially if covered with ceramic tiles.
- Easy to install by yourself, the installation process is quick and does not require specific tools. And practically no construction waste is formed during operation.
- Low overall cost of the box as a result, as well as of each panel in particular.