Remodeling your house is a rewarding and exciting project. Most homeowners tend to focus on the visible and tangible parts of their home, like the kitchen, bathroom, living room, and exterior walls, in order to improve curb appeal. Plumbing is one of the most overlooked yet crucial components in a home renovation.
Planning can prevent major plumbing issues during a remodeling project. It is wise to hire water experts before starting any renovations. They can perform a thorough evaluation and, if needed, dewater or pump. You should be prepared for and ready to fix these unexpected problems.
Unexpected plumbing problems when preparing for remodeling
Plumbing problems can be a surprise to homeowners, ruining the experience and their budget. They also cause delays. Here are some problems to watch out for.
- Poor Plumbing – You can usually find incorrect plumbing installation. You may hear a tapping sound when you turn on the shower. It could be that the pipes leading to the shower are not securely fastened. Repairs may be required for some faucets or spouts that have irregular pressure. Also, you may find rusty pipes or joints that are faulty, as well as old copper pipes.
- Cheap parts – Previous homeowners may not have used genuine parts. Genuine parts are more durable, but it is wise to pay for them. For example, cheap sealants result in poor seals.
- Mold thrives in humid and wet environments. Mold growth may have been influenced by leaking pipes or other damp areas in and around your plumbing system. Look for black spots on your plumbing system.
- Galvanized pipes. You should also check your drain lines to see if they are galvanized. After the dangers associated with lead pipes became known, galvanized pipes replaced them. Galvanized pipes, however, were not better, as they corroded on the inside and contaminated drinking water with zinc and copper.
- Problems with sump pumps are very common during renovation. Many homeowners begin their remodeling only to discover that their sump pumps are not efficient. Test your sump before you start the remodel.
- Before remodeling, you should check for ventilation problems. You can fix ventilation problems by replacing the damaged fan, or it could be more complicated to install a new vent.
Essential Plumbing Work During Home Remodel
Before you embark on a remodeling project, it is important to consider the following:
Repair Leaks Before Starting
Before you begin your renovation project, fix leaks first. Remodeling contractors can overlook small leaks when they focus on other factors. A small leak could lead to major problems in the future. Experts can spot leaks easily, especially in areas that are frequently used, like the bathroom and kitchen lines. Even if you are not an expert in water leaks, you can easily identify signs such as wet carpets or mold growth.
Replace Broken Fixtures
Before remodeling, you should also replace any broken fixtures. Replace worn-out or damaged plumbing fixtures such as bidets and bathtubs. Failing faucets, corroded fixtures, or leaky pipes can result in expensive repairs if ignored.
Check Valves and Water Lines
You should check the integrity of your water lines and valves after you have repaired any leaks or broken pipes. Included in this are the water spigots, the valves on your water heater, and the water meter. Make sure that the valves are working properly and that all water lines have been fixed correctly. Replace damaged or stuck valves in bathrooms, especially in those that are damaged.
Clear Blockages
This is a good time to clean out all of your plumbing, from the toilets and sinks up to the sprinkler systems. Blocked drains often cause water backups and water damage. The situation is made worse if it’s a sewage line that is blocked.
Check water filters
Plumbing systems are not complete without water filters. Most homeowners overlook this component. Clean the refrigerator filter first. Verify that all water filters are in working order, even if they were recently replaced. The water filters are essential to ensure that cold water runs smoothly.
Adjust water pressure
The majority of homeowners do not check the water pressure. This can cause serious problems, especially when remodeling. Adjust your water pressure and avoid costly future repairs. Adjust your water pressure when the water is cold. This will protect the plumbing.
Fix the Drain Line
Before you do major renovations in the kitchen and bathroom, fix the drain lines. You can forget about drain lines, just like you would leak, once you have focused on the major remodeling projects. Drain lines are important, as they direct water away from the bathtub, sink, shower, and toilet. It can be difficult to check the drain lines, particularly because many sewer lines are built under concrete slabs. Consider hiring a professional if this is the case.
Replace the Sink and Faucet
Many homeowners choose to skip the replacement of their sinks and taps in order to reduce costs. If you ignore your sink or faucet, it will cost more to replace all the piping later. Replace your old sink and faucet with newer, better-quality options if they are older. Replace the drain pipes that connect to your sink with high-quality ones.
Check the Functionality of the Sump Pump
Sump pumps can be life-saving, especially in times of flooding and imminent water damage. They can be frustrating. The majority of homeowners only realize how important sump pumps are in keeping their basements dry when they fail during heavy rain or flooding. Sump pumps can have problems, even though they are usually long-lasting. Maintaining your sump pumps and testing their functionality is the best way to make sure that your basement and garage floor are not flooded during your remodeling project.
Endnote
Remodeling is a great way to test the functionality of many components. Most homeowners don’t think much about their plumbing system, even though it is crucial for a comfortable lifestyle. Plumbing maintenance includes upgrades such as new fixtures to complement your decor and reduce water consumption, custom sinks, and energy-efficient appliances.
