How to tastefully cover pipes and water meters in the bathroom

A modern bathroom is practical and aesthetically pleasing. However, the selection of beautiful tiles, sanitary ware, and other fittings can be spoiled by neglecting a small detail like inspection doors. They may be too conspicuous and out of sync with the other furnishings. Covering risers and water meters can quickly end fantasies of a perfect minimalist bathroom. Or can it? When you know what to watch out for and know tricks for hiding inspection doors, they may not need to be visible at all. Take a look at ways to effectively deal with concealing water meters, risers, or other service areas.

The basis is a good choice of inspection doors

Proper attention should be paid to the selection of inspection doors to ensure both elegance and maximum functionality. In the case of a good choice, it should not be immediately apparent where the doors are located.
When deciding on the most suitable variant, consider whether the doors will be installed in masonry or drywall. Don't forget about choosing the direction in which the doors will open. The inspection doors should offer easy and safe handling and, most importantly, perfect integration with the bathroom. Their placement is not something we have much influence over, as it depends on the location of the shaft, inspection, or installation space. However, we can influence their appearance and inconspicuousness in the bathroom.

Invisible inspection doors under the tiles

If you plan to cover the inspection area with tiles, you can effectively hide the doors underneath. Using invisible inspection doors under the tiles will result in a stylish bathroom without distracting elements. The advantage of invisible inspection doors is the option of installation in both classic masonry and drywall. The gap created during the door installation can easily be covered with a plastic strip in a similar color.
Opening can be so-called click-open, which uses a special double hinge. The doors first "click out" and then can be easily opened, all done with one hand. The second option is suction cup opening, which is particularly suitable for doors of atypical dimensions.

Waterproof doors for use not only in the shower

It happens that inspection doors are needed in places where water will be dripping. Typically, this concerns water meters or risers located in the shower stall or behind the bathtub. In such cases, it is necessary to choose a waterproof solution. Waterproof inspection doors are made from a board that has zero water absorption, and the gap for opening is additionally sealed with silicone, which is cut with a scalpel after it hardens. Visually, this type is the same as invisible inspection doors covered with tiles.

Inspection doors for plaster

The third variant is inspection doors placed where tiling is not planned. They can be mounted in drywall as well as classic masonry. They will blend in with the surroundings thanks to covering with stucco and plaster. The opening options are similar to those of invisible doors under tiles.

Another option is inspection doors with fire resistance, which are particularly useful in apartment buildings or properties subject to special regulations and requirements for fire compartment separation.

Guide on how to install inspection doors