Tools for Bathroom Renovation

For Bathroom Renovation, you'll need quite a variety of tools.( Wall and floor tiling will be covered in other sections.) We'll start with Demolition tools and dedicate this page to them. You can click through to Tiling Tools at any time. The links to them are at the bottom of the page.

PLEASE READ THE DEMOLITION PAGE FOR SAFETY INFO.

hammer If your removing old tiles, Fibre Cement, Plaster, or doing the odd DIY renovating, a Hammer is the first tool you'll reach for.
With Hammers there are a few TIPS you need to know.

Make sure your new hammer won't slip off the what it strikes. Most new tools will have a coating to protect them. The coating will make them slippery. Rub the striking face with sandpaper or on concrete to give it a scratched finish. You'll find that you won't bend nails as much, or slip off and damage the surface your securing. Hammers also come in a variety of weights. Get one that you feel is comfortable. They range from 16oz to 24oz. in 2oz increments.

A good screwdriver will help to remove doors, vanities, mirrors, towel rails and shower screens. Remember to use one that fits snugly into the screw head. This is especially true for flat screwdrivers. Inappropriate use will damage the screws, or worse, damage the surface of your new fitting. Make sure you have at least one fully insulated screwdriver for any electrical hazards. 240 volts can kill.

These are the basic tools you'll need to start your DIY Renovation.

needlenose pliers A Decent pair of pliers will serve you well. No tool kit is complete without the trusty pliers and a length of wire. Pliers will help get fittings apart, hold things in place, pick up hot or dirty objects, retrieve parts or other tools dropped in drains and even help to loosen taps or drain covers.
To test your pliers, close them and then hold them up to a light source and look through the middle to see if there are any gaps in the teeth or cutting edges.

scraper 6 Paint Scrapers are great for removing tiles, double sided tape, stuck on fittings, excess glue off walls, architrave's and moldings.
They can also be sharpened with a good bench grinder and used for an addition range of situations. Some even have the metal blade continue through the handle to allow for striking with a hammer.

A Bolster is used the same as a paint scraper but with the added advantage of weight and durability. Hitting a bolster with a hammer can get you through some tough surfaces and materials.
Bolsters can also be used to remove wall and floor tiles.
They can be used to split bricks, punch holes in walls and concrete floors.

bucket The simplest tool you can have is a handy sized bucket or two. Carrying out rubbish through doorways is a chore with a wheel barrow. But buckets can make the job a lot easier.
You can also use the buckets to collect water from dripping taps and cut pipes so the floor doesn't get messy and slippery.

Safety Gear

Safety Glasses.
Make sure they are designed to the Australian Standards

Ear Muffs.
There are different types and different prices. Try them on before you buy.

Heavy Duty Gloves.
Get a pair that are coated in rubber. Better yet buy 'brickies gloves'-cheap.

Work boots.
You don't need steel cap boots or heavy duty anti corrosive, just sensible footwear that is comfortable and covers your entire foot.

Additional Safety Gear

A Multimeter or voltage sensing device is worth it's weight in gold.
Use them to make sure that the power is off and it's safe to work in the area.
Some devices come with an audible warning when power is present or they might have a light to warn if the power comes on. You could also plug in a night light to the power point and have a visual warning if the power comes on.