Bathroom & Kitchen Remodeling

Frequently Asked Questions: Bathroom & Kitchen Remodel Plumbing – Dennis from Veteran Plumbing Services – Keeping Your Reno from Becoming a Wreno!

Bathroom & Kitchen Remodeling Plumbing

Q1: Remodeling bathroom, moving toilet location – major plumbing job? Toilet tango time?

A: “Toilet tango? Moving toilets ain’t a two-step. Moving toilet location = major plumbing. Rerouting drain lines, water supply lines, floor flange relocation. Definitely plumber territory. Layout changes = plumbing changes, big time.”

Q2: Moving shower or tub location – same deal, big plumbing changes? Shower shuffle stress?

A: “Shower shuffle stress, yep, same plumbing song and dance. Moving shower/tub = major plumbing rerouting. Drain lines, water supply lines, valve relocation. Again, plumber territory. Water flow is serious business, layout changes mess with it.”

Q3: Adding a new bathroom – basement bath, ensuite addition – plumbing complexity level? New bath build bother?

A: “New bath build bother? More than just a bother, plumbing puzzle. Adding new bathroom = significant plumbing. Running new water lines, drain lines, vent lines, connecting to main plumbing system. Permits likely needed. Plumber mandatory for new bathroom additions.”

Q4: Kitchen remodel, moving sink to island – island sink install intricacies? Sink shift saga?

A: “Sink shift saga, island plumbing edition. Moving kitchen sink to island = island plumbing run. Running water lines and drain lines under floor to island, venting issues for island sinks, electrical for disposal/dishwasher. Planning and plumber needed for island sink success.”

Q5: Dishwasher relocation in kitchen remodel – dishwasher dance moves?

A: “Dishwasher drift dilemmas, appliance placement plumbing problems. Relocating dishwasher = plumbing and electrical. Extending drain line to sink drain or disposal, water supply line to hot water, electrical outlet nearby. Think about appliance placement and plumbing together in kitchen layout.”

Q6: Ice maker water line to fridge – fridge water feature fuss?

A: “Fridge line finesse, ice and water on demand, plumbing required. Ice maker water line to fridge = tap into cold water line. Running small water line from nearby cold water pipe to fridge location. DIY-able with saddle valve or tee fitting and PEX tubing for simple runs. Plumber for complex runs or if unsure.”

Q7: Gas line for new gas range or cooktop – gas line game plan? Gas range revamp reality?

A: “Gas range revamp reality, fuel for gourmet cooking, gas line pro zone. Gas line for gas range/cooktop = licensed gas plumber ONLY. Extending gas line safely, properly sized pipe, leak testing. Gas lines are NOT DIY. Safety hazard if messed up. Licensed pro, period.”

Q8: Double vanity in bathroom remodel – two sinks, double plumbing? Double sink drama?

A: “Double sink drama, twice the fixtures, double the plumbing planning. Double vanity plumbing. Two sinks, two faucets = double drain lines, double water supply lines. Sink spacing and drain line connections need planning. Plumber for efficient double vanity plumbing.”

Q9: Freestanding tub – plumbing different than built-in tubs?

A: “Freestanding tub fuss, stylish soaking, different plumbing hookups. Freestanding tub plumbing. Faucets separate from tub, often floor-mounted or wall-mounted. Water supply lines run up from floor or through wall to faucet, then to tub. Drain line also freestanding, often visible. Different plumbing style than built-in tubs, plan accordingly with plumber.”

Q10: Wall-mounted faucets in bathroom – trendy faucet trickery?

A: “Wall faucet wonderment, modern bath style, in-wall plumbing required. Wall-mounted faucets plumbing. Faucet rough-in valve and water lines inside wall. Needs planning before drywall goes up. Specific faucet rough-in valve needed. Plumber for in-wall faucet expertise.”

Q11: Hidden shower valve – shower valve incognito install? Hidden valve hassle?

A: “Hidden valve hassle, minimalist shower look, in-wall plumbing again. Hidden shower valve (diverter, volume control) plumbing. Valve rough-in inside wall, only trim kit visible. Needs planning before tiling. Plumber for in-wall valve know-how and leak-proof install.”

Q12: Rain shower head – luxurious rain shower plumbing needs? Rain shower requirements?

A: “Rain shower requirements, spa shower at home, consider water pressure. Rain shower head plumbing. Often needs larger diameter shower arm and maybe larger supply lines for good pressure. Check water pressure before committing to massive rain shower head, might need booster pump if pressure weak.”

Q13: Body sprays in shower – shower jet symphony, plumbing demands?

A: “Body spray bother, shower jet luxury, plumbing complexity cranked up. Body spray plumbing. Multiple body sprays = multiple valve outlets, more plumbing lines in wall. Good water pressure essential for body sprays to work well. Plumber expertise crucial for body spray plumbing symphony.”

Q14: Linear shower drain – long drain channel style, drain placement details? Linear drain lowdown?

A: “Linear drain lowdown, modern shower style, floor slope finesse. Linear shower drain install. Shower floor sloped in one direction to linear drain channel. Drain placement and floor slope crucial for proper drainage, no puddling. Tiling skill and plumber drain expertise needed.”

Q15: Floating vanity – wall-hung vanity plumbing prep? Floating vanity finesse?

A: “Floating vanity finesse, modern bathroom look, plumbing in the wall again! Floating vanity plumbing. Drain and water lines come out of wall, not floor. Plumbing rough-in location needs to be precise for vanity mounting and drain/supply line access. Plan vanity and plumbing together.”

Q16: Under-cabinet plumbing – maximizing cabinet space around pipes? Under-sink space strategy?

A: “Under-sink space strategy, cabinet Tetris with pipes! Under-cabinet plumbing layout. Plan plumbing lines (drain, supply, disposal etc.) to maximize usable cabinet space. Compact P-traps, minimizing pipe runs, careful valve placement. Plumber can advise on space-saving plumbing strategies.”

Q17: Permits for bathroom/kitchen remodel plumbing – permit paperwork puzzle? Reno permit reality in Northern Virginia?

A: “Reno permit reality, paperwork puzzle, but gotta do it. Plumbing permits for remodels. Yes, often needed for significant plumbing changes – moving fixtures, adding bathrooms, new water/drain lines. Check local building codes and permit requirements before starting work. Permits protect you and ensure code compliance, avoid future headaches and fines.”

Q18: Rough-in plumbing inspection – plumbing inspection pre-drywall? Rough-in review requirement?

A: “Rough-in review requirement, plumbing inspection checkpoint. Rough-in plumbing inspection. Building inspector checks plumbing before walls are closed up. Required inspection after plumbing rough-in, before drywall. Ensures plumbing is installed to code before it’s hidden. Don’t skip this inspection!”

Q19: Fixture selection – picking faucets, sinks, toilets BEFORE plumbing rough-in? Fixture first, plumbing follows?

A: “Fixture first, plumbing follows, smart planning for smooth install. Fixture selection before rough-in plumbing. Yes, absolutely. Plumber needs specifications for fixtures (faucet reach, sink size, toilet drain location, etc.) to rough-in plumbing in the right location. Pick fixtures first, then plumber can rough-in accordingly.”

Q20: Universal design plumbing – accessible bathroom/kitchen plumbing features? Accessible plumbing aspirations?

A: “Accessible plumbing aspirations, plumbing for everyone, future-proof your home. Universal design plumbing. Comfort height toilets, lever handles, grab bar blocking, wheelchair accessible sink/shower layouts, touchless faucets. Consider accessibility features for aging in place or for all family members. Plan ahead for universal design plumbing.”

Q21: Water shut-off valves – adding shut-offs during remodel? Individual fixture valve value?

A: “Individual valve value, shut-off superpowers for each fixture. Individual fixture shut-off valves. YES, install shut-off valves for every fixture (sink, toilet, shower, tub) during remodel. Makes future repairs way easier, can shut off water to one fixture without shutting off whole house. Plumbing convenience and emergency preparedness.”

Q22: Garbage disposal plumbing in remodel – new disposal install timing? Disposal decision details?

A: “Disposal decision details, grinder install timing in kitchen reno. Garbage disposal install during remodel. Install disposal after sink and countertop are installed, during “fixture finish” phase. Rough-in plumbing for disposal electrical and drain during rough-in plumbing phase.”

Q23: Water filtration system install during remodel – whole-house filter or just kitchen sink filter? Filtration feature focus?

A: “Filtration feature focus, clean water dreams, remodel plumbing upgrade. Water filtration system install during remodel. Whole-house filter: installed on main water line, filters all water in house. Point-of-use filter (kitchen sink): filters just drinking water at kitchen sink. Decide what you want to filter, then plumber can plumb it in during remodel.”

Q24: Tankless water heater during remodel – good time to upgrade to tankless? Tankless temptation time?

A: “Tankless temptation time, on-demand hot water upgrade during reno. Tankless water heater upgrade during remodel. Good time to consider tankless, if budget allows. Needs gas line upgrade (for gas tankless) or electrical upgrade (for electric tankless). Plan tankless upgrade into remodel plumbing budget and timeline.”

Q25: Okay Dennis, bottom line – remodel plumbing panic… DIY dream or call Veteran Plumbing to make reno reality? Reno plumbing reckoning!

A: “Reno plumbing reckoning, DIY delusion or pro plumber power? Bathroom/Kitchen remodel plumbing – most is PRO PLUMBER territory. Moving fixtures, adding fixtures, running new lines, permits, inspections, gas lines, in-wall plumbing – leave to licensed plumbers. Simple fixture swaps, maybe if you’re very handy and just swapping like-for-like – maybe DIY-able, but proceed with caution. Don’t let your dream remodel turn into a plumbing nightmare trying to DIY everything. We’re remodel plumbing wranglers, we make reno reality, give us a shout and avoid the wreno-vation woes!”