Bathroom Remodel Facts To Consider - Blue Ribbon Plumbing

Congratulations on your bathroom remodel. Your bathroom is the perfect design and you can’t wait for your free-standing tub to arrive. It makes sense to do it right the first and only time since we spend so much time in bathrooms.

Before you decide on tiles, countertops, or a rain showerhead, it is important to plan the plumbing. A professional plumber should be involved if your bathroom design involves the installation of new drains or moving pipes. Here’s why.

Water Flow vs. Water Pressure

New water conservation laws restrict water consumption from shower heads and faucets to just one and one-half to two and one-half gallons per minute. This means it will take a while for the showerhead to clean you up.

The water pipes carry this water typically starting at one inch and taper to one-half inches at the faucet or shower. Older homes may have a taper of three-quarter inches at their faucet or shower. You will use less water with one than with the other. The half-inch pipe will result in a noticeable drop in water pressure.

Insulated Pipes

Insulation against freezing and cold weather is required for the new design that requires pipes to be moved against an exterior wall. This will stop pipes from bursting.

Drain Size

It is obvious that size matters. Plumbers in Myrtle Beach must adhere to a one-inch drain standard. If your bathroom renovation requires a freestanding tub, ensure that the plumbing is compatible with its size.

Showers should also be considered. The slope should not be too low that it overwhelms the drain. Standing water will be your only option. This usually means mold and mildew. You should use a drain that is two inches in diameter to avoid any problems.

Recessed Medicine Cabinets and Under-Cabinet Plumbing

A smooth wall is better than a wall that has things sticking out. Most people dream of having a bathroom with built-ins for towels, bath supplies, and recessed medicine cabinets. Many homeowners prefer floating sinks with shelves underneath to ordinary bathroom vanity.

This is where the problem lies: the plumbing. The plumbing could be clogged by recessed medicine cabinets and the plumbing below the sink. Either the piping needs to be moved or the vanity and medicine cabinet design need to be rearranged. You will need to pay more for the pipes to move your vanity and medicine cabinet.

Support

Some shower configurations, such as free-standing tubs, require additional support. The materials used for the shower design (e.g., natural stone) will determine how heavy they are. Freestanding tubs can be made from natural stone, cast iron, or wood.

To support the weight of the tub or shower, the floor joists may need to be strengthened. This could cause problems for the plumber when he is trying to connect the pipes. To move existing pipes or hook them up to the shower/tub, he won’t have the ability to cut into the joists. These items might require to accommodate adjustments.

Water Heaters

Your usual water heater will heat water regardless of whether you use it. This can lead to higher power bills. However, tankless water heaters can be placed exactly where you need them. They provide hot water only when you require it. They are smaller than a suitcase and more affordable than a water heater. Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC will install them and hook them up quickly.