Bathroom Plumbing Problems You May Run Into During a Home Renovation

Are you in the middle of a home renovation and looking towards getting started on bathroom plumbing? Bathrooms can be the cause of many problems when renovating if done incorrectly.

Let’s take a look at the most common problems you may face when renovating a bathroom. This way, you can prepare with your budget and know if the bathroom renovation is being completed the right way.

Pipes

How old are your pipes? The age of your bathroom plumbing significantly affects the cost of renovation. If your home has older pipes, you may need to replace some of them if they’re in poor condition.

Showers

Do you have a stall shower in your current bathroom? One of the biggest and most unforeseen problems is damage under the structure. If there were any leaks, water damage could occur and won’t be realized until the stall is removed.

If you’re rebuilding the shower, having the material picked out will help a contractor make a decision of how much needs to be redone.

Fixtures

If you’re looking to replace a tub or any other fixture, such as a sink, gaining access to the bathroom plumbing may prove to be difficult.

The bathroom plumbing may need to be broken up or taken out depending on how big the upgraded fixture is that you’ve chosen. The cost for the replacement goes up because not only are you replacing the fixture, you’re also having to replace the plumbing.

Upper Floors

Another thing to look at when you’re doing a bathroom renovation is the ceiling and the upper floors. If your bathroom is on the upper level of your home, you won’t need to worry about this.

However, if it’s on the first floors, making sure your floor joists on the ceiling are large enough to cover pipes is important. If your building is older, there might not be enough room to hide the pipes.

If you’re going with an industrial look, this won’t be a negative aspect, but if you’re hoping to conceal your piping, this will put a damper on things. It’ll also be more expensive to hide the plumbing if you have to build onto the ceiling.

Vent Sizing

Lastly, another thing to consider when renovating your bathroom is the vent sizes. Again, if your home is older, the standard vent sizing has most likely changed.

There are now code restrictions against the vent sizes and how you can cut the bottom and top plates. The cost will add on if you need to redo the vents and make the holes bigger.

Plan Ahead for Your Bathroom Plumbing

Now that you’re aware of all of the hidden issues that may arise when you’re renovating your bathroom, does your budget comply? You may need to revisit the amount you set aside and consider adding a little more for a buffer so the job gets done right the first time.

If you’re interested in learning more about proper bathroom plumbing, contact us for more details and a free estimate.

Proactive Plumbing has provided dependable plumbing services, installations and repair for more than 15 years. We service Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido and other areas of San Diego County.