Chapter 31 Further Reading: Bathrooms

Ventilation

1. Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) Bathroom Ventilation Guidelines — hvi.org The HVI publishes detailed sizing guidelines for bathroom exhaust fans, including their BATH CALC tool for sizing based on fixture counts. They also maintain a certified products directory that lists independently verified CFM ratings — critical because manufacturer-claimed ratings can be optimistic. Free online resource.

2. ASHRAE Standard 62.2 — "Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Residential Buildings" The professional standard for residential ventilation design. Covers bathroom exhaust requirements in the context of whole-house ventilation. The full standard requires purchase, but summaries are available through building science organizations. Relevant if you're planning a tightly constructed new bathroom or renovation in a well-sealed home.

Waterproofing and Tile

3. Schluter Systems Technical Documentation — schluter.com Schluter publishes excellent, detailed installation guides for their KERDI waterproofing system, KERDI-DRAIN, and associated products. Their installation videos on YouTube are among the best tile waterproofing instructional content available. Free. Even if you don't use Schluter products, the documentation explains the principles that apply to all waterproofing systems.

4. Tile Council of North America (TCNA) Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation The definitive industry reference for tile installation, published annually. Covers installation methods, substrate requirements, wet area design, setting material selection, and grout selection in exhaustive detail. About $75; worth purchasing if you're doing a tile renovation. Available at tile supply retailers.

5. Custom Building Products (CBP) / Laticrete Technical Resources Both of these major tile-setting materials manufacturers publish free technical guides, webinars, and product-selection tools. Laticrete's website in particular has excellent technical resources on waterproofing system selection and installation technique. Free online.

6. John Bridge Tile Forum (johnbridge.com) A long-established online community of professional tile setters and serious DIYers. The forum archives contain answers to virtually every tile installation question imaginable. Quality of information is generally high. Free. Excellent resource for problem-specific research before starting a tile project.

Mold and Moisture

7. EPA Guide — "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home" Free PDF available at epa.gov. Covers mold identification, health effects, and remediation guidelines including the 10 square foot threshold for homeowner-appropriate remediation. Clear, practical language written for non-specialists.

8. Building Science Corporation — buildingscience.com Research-grade but accessible articles on bathroom moisture dynamics, vapor drive, ventilation, and condensation. Particularly relevant: their research documents on bathroom ventilation strategies in different climate zones. Free online.

Plumbing

9. International Residential Code (IRC) — Chapter 27 (Plumbing Fixtures) The IRC plumbing chapter covers rough-in dimensions, clearance requirements, vent requirements, and fixture specifications. Most local jurisdictions adopt the IRC or a version of it. Accessible through local building departments or online. Understanding the applicable code version is important when planning any plumbing renovation.

10. "Plumbing 1-2-3" — The Home Depot / Meredith A comprehensive DIY plumbing guide with clear photographs covering all standard bathroom plumbing tasks: toilet replacement, faucet installation, supply line replacement, trap installation, and more. Available at The Home Depot stores and online.

Renovation Planning

11. National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) — Kitchen and Bath Planning Guidelines The NKBA publishes design guidelines for bathroom layouts including recommended clearances, fixture placement, and accessibility considerations. These guidelines go beyond minimum code requirements to represent best-practice design. The full document requires NKBA membership or purchase, but many guidelines are summarized on their public website.

12. "Renovating Old Houses" — George Nash (Taunton Press) A comprehensive guide to renovation in older homes, with excellent sections on bathroom waterproofing, substrate selection, and addressing the legacy conditions that are common in pre-1980 bathrooms. Particularly valuable for homeowners with 1960s–1980s bathrooms who need to understand what they're dealing with before starting work.