Bathroom remodel plumbing is one of the most typical home remodeling projects that people take on. A frequent mistake that many homeowners make is not contacting or consulting with a plumber before starting a remodel on their own. Don’t make this mistake and learn about bathroom remodel plumbing and how everyone can benefit from bathroom plumbing assistance.
What Exactly Counts as a Bathroom Remodel Plumbing Project?
Bathroom remodeling and renovation are usually used interchangeably, but they are very different projects. Renovation usually includes upgrading or making over existing bathroom fixtures, whereas bathroom remodel plumbing is a complete revamp of the entire bathroom.
Usually, bathroom remodeling includes a complete reimagining of the bathroom and even potentially adding different features or expanding the room size.
Many homeowners have been considering doing bathroom remodel plumbing to ensure their bathroom stays as up-to-date as possible when it comes to using eco-friendly fixtures, water heaters, and other appliances.
This often includes the installation of low-flow toilets, eco-friendly showerheads, and water-efficient faucets. There are many benefits to this type of bathroom remodel plumbing, including savings on the water bill and helping with water conservation to keep the planet healthy.
What Is Involved In Bathroom Remodel Plumbing?
Placement of Your Toilet Tank
This must be one of your initial considerations – especially if you’re moving the placement of your toilet or opting for a mounted tank this time around. Mounted tanks require hidden and/or recessed drain systems, which need to be planned out well in advance of where you place your other furnishings.
Choosing Your Drain Size
The standard drain size is 1.5 inches. Unless you specify otherwise, that is what you will likely have installed. That will only narrow over time as hair and other debris inevitably collect on the sides. However, if you upgrade to a 2-inch drain, the cost upfront is not that much more, and it may save money later down the road in maintenance calls.
Installing a Shower Floor Drain
Tiled shower units with floor drains are increasingly popular. It’s important to remember that if you want to install a shower floor drain, the base of the shower will need the right angle for adequate drainage.
Extra Plumbing Requirements
If you choose to install a bidet, you should know that some bidet bowls are completely separate while others have additional water lines that drain through the toilet. Either way, it will require additional plumbing.
Pipe Placement
Sometimes plumbing pipes are placed along an exterior wall due to space or special configurations. If you must have pipes running along an exterior wall, make sure the walls are well-insulated, and your pipes are heavily wrapped, especially if you live in colder climates.
Basement or Slab
If your house has a basement or crawl space, you probably won’t have any special issues with bathroom remodel plumbing. However, if your house sits on a slab, changing the plumbing system that runs through it can be very expensive; it will require jackhammering through concrete, re-doing the system, and re-pouring the concrete. Either way, it’s best to budget accordingly.
Placement of Cabinetry
Your vanity style and placement are greatly affected by the drainage pipe assembly. If you want recessed cabinets, make sure your vanity pipes don’t need to be installed where you want to put the recessed cabinet.
With any of these issues or any plumbing-related remodeling projects for your home, it’s best to consult with a professional plumber in your area. Investing in professional plumbing installation can save you from future headaches and unnecessary expenses.
How Can Plumbers Help During a Bathroom Remodeling?
Plumbers are essential to safely, quickly, and correctly performing any bathroom remodel plumbing project. While it may seem easy to replace all of the bathroom fixtures, there are many subtleties that can lead to problems if not done right. No one wants to deal with a broken pipe and a flooded house when it can all easily be avoided with one simple phone call ahead of time.
Plumbers are trained and knowledgeable when it comes to recommending the right eco-friendly fixtures, as well. Often, homeowners may not know all of the available products on the market or may be drawn in by-products that have good marketing but don’t live up to the hype. Contacting a reliable plumber prior to starting bathroom remodeling can help guarantee the right fixtures for the home are installed.
Why Do Homeowners Choose To Remodel Their Bathroom?
Here are five reasons many homeowners go for a bathroom remodel plumbing:
1. Increased Energy-efficiency
From better lighting to water-saving toilets and faucets, there are several ways to make the bathroom more efficient in terms of energy. Not only is that great for our environment, but the reduced utility costs will be good for your wallet, too, and add up to significant savings throughout. You could also pick materials that are eco-friendlier and more sustainable as well.
2. Improved Safety
Old bathrooms are full of possible safety hazards like chipped or cracked tiles, lead paint, uneven floors, mildew and mold, and more. Remodeling a bathroom is the best opportunity to deal with all these safety risks and add extra safety features — like grab bars, anti-slip flooring, and handheld showerheads — at the same time!
This can help make the bathroom safer for the long term and might even let you stay in your house longer or save you cash on medical bills from probable injuries. Regardless of where you’re at in life, make sure to talk with a bathroom remodeling team about accessibility and safety solutions.
3. More Functionality
Maybe your house and bathroom were not designed with the greatest layout in the first place, or your lifestyle and necessities have changed through time. If that seems familiar, a bathroom might be just the ticket to making your bathroom and house more functional for you and your loved ones. Adding storage solutions, maximizing space, or putting square footage is just the beginning!
4. Improved Design & Aesthetics
Whether you’re aware of it or not, you spend a long time in the bathroom. It should undoubtedly be a room you love! If the bathroom is old, outdated, or does not match your style and tastes, then consider a bathroom remodeling. You would be pleasantly shocked by the impact that is walking into an area you love could have on your mood, anxiety, and productivity levels.
5. Add Value
Last but not least, a bathroom redesign is an excellent method to increase the value of your property. The average investment return for a mid-range bathroom makeover, according to Zillow, is about 70%.
In general, a bathroom makeover may enhance your total home value and make your property more appealing to prospective buyers, which may result in a higher asking price and a faster sale. Even if you are not currently seeking to sell, there is nothing wrong with increasing the value of your property in preparation.
Plumbing Considerations When Renovating Your Bathroom
A significant remodel of your bathroom might be an excellent opportunity to repair its plumbing. Plumbing alterations for a bathroom makeover should be carefully planned so that they complement the design. You should also get advice from a qualified plumber, like us at Shelton Plumbing, to determine what is best. Here are factors to keep in mind when it comes to a bathroom remodel plumbing.
1. Determine If You Need to Relocate the Toilet or Other Plumbing Items
Moving plumbing fixtures will extend the renovation’s completion time. Not to mention the fees and inconvenience it adds to your everyday routine. For example, relocating a toilet necessitates pipe replacement. The plumber must also guarantee that the reinstalled pipes do not interfere with the floor’s foundation. Aside from the pipes, the vents must also be relocated or replaced. The bathroom walls may need to be removed in order for the vent to be properly positioned.
Moving plumbing fixtures, as you have read, takes a significant amount of effort, time, and money. You must determine if it is required to relocate the plumbing appliances. It never hurts to get expert advice from an experienced plumber like us at Shelton Plumbing.
2. Enlarge the Drain Size If It’s Necessary
Clogged drains are sometimes caused by having a small drainage size. Scum, hair, and other wastes can easily obstruct a tiny drain opening. Increasing the drain size will certainly help in lowering the chances of clogs. However, that doesn’t mean you can just neglect its maintenance.
3. Decide If You Want to Hide Plumbing Lines or Not
This is more of a design than a functional aspect of your bathroom. It’s up to your preference on which bathroom remodel plumbing layout you want. Leaving plumbing lines (ex., pipes behind the sink and fixtures) exposed will give your bathroom space and an industrial theme. Concealing the pipes will make the bathroom look cleaner and more modern. Hiding pipes isn’t a difficult job for a well-established plumber. But do keep in mind that once the job is done, it will be difficult and costly to change it.
4. Consider Upgrading Your Plumbing Fixtures
For those of you who have dated faucets, showerheads, and toilets, you might want to consider getting updated fixtures. You can find a number of plumbing appliances that have water usage. Eco-friendly fixtures can help cut down your water utility expenses in the long run. For example, dual-flush toilets promote efficient water usage. It has two flushing options: the weaker flush is intended for draining liquid wastes, while the stronger flush variant is for solid wastes.
How Plumbers Work on Bathroom Remodeling
When it comes to bathroom remodel plumbing, the most important service provider is the local plumber. Plumbers have an important role in the remodeling of bathrooms because they’re the people who are trained and proficient at bathroom remodel plumbing. For the sink, toilet, and shower, plumbing connections are needed, and that is where a plumber comes in. An experienced plumber will make the necessary plumbing connections and install the pipes and other features in the best way possible. Trusting an experienced local plumber like us at Shelton Plumbing is the best way to ensure quality in any bathroom remodel plumbing project because they will use the proper safety equipment.