Some people are happy with exposed pipework when they are renovating their bathroom and giving it a period look; indeed, this can fit with an antiquated scheme. Many of us, however, want a sleek, streamlined look in which pipes are not visible and the shower pump is hidden.
Unfortunately, concrete floors mean that pipework is often exposed after a renovation. Many modern bathroom fittings hide their pipework; however, it is not always possible to buy items that feature hidden utilities and replacing an entire bathroom with newer pieces is expensive.
Boxing clever with your shower pump
The classic solution is to box the pipes in; however, if you choose this option, be aware that a loosely-fitted box that is not properly sealed can enable damp to get in, which in turn can encourage the growth of mould. This is particularly true for fittings such as the bathroom shower pump. If you are using MDF for the boxing, make sure that you buy humidity-resistant MDF. Even if you do, it may be a wise precaution to paint the boxing with anti-mould paint.
As with all concealed pipework, the box will need to be accessible in the event that a plumber needs to fix a leak or find a valve; therefore, use screws that can easily be unscrewed if necessary. Any boxing that is near the floor can act as a low shelf and an effective treatment is to tile the box so that it looks like a bathroom shelf for storing items such as toilet rolls and magazines.
Wall them up
A far more finished – but also more expensive – option is to hide pipes in the walls. If you are going to do this, make sure the pipes are firmly secured inside the closure, as you don’t want them to move and start banging when they are under pressure.
Chasing pipes into walls can cost a lot of money in labour, however, and some people look at this and decide that a cheaper option would be to build a false wall to hide the plumbing, including items such as the shower pump. This is fine if your bathroom is big enough, as it reduces the size of the room – although not by a huge margin. Give the false wall a finish that blends with the rest of the bathroom, such as matching or toning tiles.
Another way to hide pipes is to replace items such as a hanging sink with a sink sitting on a pedestal. In this way the pipes are hidden inside the pedestal, giving a more professional look.
Shelving
The replacement of an item such as an old shower pump with a more effective modern version sometimes necessitates new pipes in the bathroom. If you really don’t want to spend much but are reasonably handy, shelving is a good way to hide pipes that run along the wall. Once the shelves are up, you can use them to stack towels that have enough bulk to conceal the pipes behind them. If any of the pipes are carrying hot water, the towels will be nicely warm when you come to use them.
Ready-made pipe trunking and retro options
A number of DIY stores sell ready-made pipe trunking in various finishes; however, if you look at all the hidden pipework options and don’t feel that any of them are for you, there is always the option of turning the pipes into a thing of beauty by fitting antique brass pipe covers and keeping them shining with a weekly polish.
Shop Pump Sales Direct for all your requirements.
