Your bathroom should be a calming, welcoming place. You want to be comfortable while you’re there. If you’re not comfortable in your bathroom, then it’s time for a change. Remodeling a bathroom is one of the most common home improvement projects people take on every year.

Sometimes, it’s easy to tell if your bathroom is overdue for an update. Other times, things are considerably less clear. In the latter cases, it helps to check for these four telltale signs. If you notice any of these problems in your bathroom, then it’s probably time to make a change.

Your bathroom is wasting water

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average family wastes up to 180 gallons of water per week. Most of this waste comes from hidden leaks and similar problems. All that wasted water adds up to 9,400 gallons of water per year. Not only is that problem for the environment, it’s also just expensive! Plumbing leaks are (obviously) a particularly common occurrence in bathrooms. If you notice little leaks in your pipes or faucets, then you should do something about them ASAP.

As if wasting water wasn’t enough to motivate you to update your bathroom, there’s more, too. New bathroom fixtures can include the EPA’s WaterSense label. When a fixture is WaterSense approved, it means it uses water as effectively as possible. Updating your toilet to one with a WaterSense label can save you hundreds of dollars on water every year. If you’re already considering a remodel, it’s the perfect time to update fixtures to be more water-friendly.

There are visible signs of mold and mildew

Mold or mildew in a bathroom are usually signs of bigger problems. The bathroom could be poorly ventilation, or the fan system may be improperly sized. Cracked plumbing, leaking pipes, and other plumbing issues all help facilitate the development of mildew and mold, as well.

Not only are mildew and mold ugly, they can also be hazardous to your health. Specially, mold spores and mildew are dangerous for individuals with pre-existing respiratory problems like asthma or allergies. A big mold problem is an equally big sign that it’s time to give your bathroom a little TLC.

Your bathroom is aesthetically outdated

Cotton candy pink bathtubs and vinyl laminate flooring aren’t for everyone. We watch HGTV, too–we know the drill. Sometimes, you may want to update your bathroom just to make it look better. That’s motivation enough! Bathrooms are our sanctuaries, after all. There’s no harm in wanting yours to look and feel better.

There are cracked tiles or damaged flooring

Cracked or broken tiles can be especially problematic in a bathroom. Over time, humidity and water can pool up or gather inside them. All that water can seep in the structure of your home, inflicting all kinds of damage.

Bathroom damage also helps mold and mildew grow–often where you can’t see it. In any case, cracked tiles and damage bathroom floors are bad news. Don’t wait to have them repaired, whether or not you’re working on a bigger remodeling project.

If you’ve noticed any of these signs, or you just have questions about a bathroom remodel, get in touch. The team at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® of Dallas is always happy to help you build a better bathroom.