Plumbing is one of the essential parts of any bathroom renovation. However, plumbing can also be a source of stress and frustration if not handled correctly. To prevent plumbing mistakes during your next bathroom renovation, read on for our top five tips to preventing the costly mistakes.
We’ve all heard the saying “Measure twice, cut once” when it comes to carpentry or woodworking projects. But how often do you hear that advice when dealing with plumbing? Probably not often enough! That’s why we’re sharing these pro tips to prevent those common mistakes so you can avoid them during your next bathroom renovation.
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Measure twice, cut once
The first step to avoiding plumbing mistakes is to take accurate measurements and notes. Whether you’re dealing with copper piping or PEX tubing, the size and length of your pipes will be crucial to the success of your renovation. Whether you’re working with copper or PEX, you’ll need to take accurate measurements of the space where you’ll be installing your plumbing.
Take those measurements multiple times to be sure you have a good set of numbers you can rely on when it comes time to purchase your parts. If you’re working with copper, it’s also important to account for any extra length you’ll need to bend the pipe. If you’re working with PEX, it’s also important to account for how much space is required between the PEX tubing and any nearby walls or cabinets. PEX tubing is best installed when there’s a minimum of 3/4” between the tubing and any nearby structures.
Don’t go cheap on the materials
If you’re worried about the cost of your plumbing renovation, you may be tempted to save money on the materials. However, while you don’t want to skimp on quality, you also don’t want to go too cheap on the materials. There are several important parts of your plumbing system that you don’t want to go cheap on. One important place to spend money is with your water supply. It’s essential to have a high-quality water supply that can deliver safe water to your home.
You don’t want to skimp on your water supply and must replace it in a couple of years. This is an area where it’s important to spend money for quality. Another important place to spend money is on the connectors between your fixtures and your pipes. These connectors are often the source of leakage and other issues. Avoid clogs, leaks and other issues by spending a little extra on connectors and adapters.
Have a licensed professional with renovation experiencedo the installation
Hiring a plumbing contractor to handle the plumbing installation is essential during your next bathroom renovation. But it’s just as important to find a plumber with experience in bathroom renovations. Bathroom renovations differ from other types of renovations in many ways. Your plumbing system will have its own unique layout, and your fixtures and accessories will have their own specifications for installation. Make sure your plumber has experience installing fixtures and fittings in bathrooms, and that they’re familiar with the codes and regulations that apply to bathrooms. For the residents of Ontario, finding a plumber in Toronto is very competitive in terms of experience and cost. New Canadian Drain & Plumbing is a high rated plumbing contractor, serving Toronto and the GTA for residential and commercial services.
If your plumber doesn’t have specific experience in bathroom renovations, you may have to spend more time and money on re-dos. And you might even have to replace some fixtures if they were installed improperly. That could end up costing you more money in the long run.
Plan ahead for plumbing repairs
It can be easy to forget about the hidden parts of your plumbing system when you’re busy planning the visible renovations. But it’s important to remember that your fixtures, valves and plumbing pipes all need maintenance and repairs over time. During a major renovation like a bathroom renovation, it’s a good idea to schedule maintenance or repairs to your plumbing system as you go.
That way, you can ensure that any problems are found and dealt with quickly before they become a major headache. If you’re dealing with an older home that has galvanized or copper plumbing, you may want to consider scheduling periodic plumbing servicing and maintenance. If you’ve never had your plumbing inspected, you may be surprised to learn that many older plumbing systems may have unforeseen issues.
Wrap up
Mistakes happen. But when it comes to plumbing, you can avoid many mistakes by following a few simple tips. When planning your plumbing renovation, make sure to account for the length of your pipes. Use a plumber with renovation experience and have them plan ahead for plumbing repairs. Also, don’t skimp on the materials.
