Are you ready to ditch your old bathroom for a fresh, modern one? Bathroom remodels are exciting – brand new toilet, brand new tub/shower that nobody has ever used, fresh floors, cabinets, and sinks. But the plumbing is the real bones of a bathroom remodel. Without solid, long-lasting plumbing, your pretty, new floor or shower may have to get demolished to replace bad pipes. Before the bathroom beautification, make the pipes your priority.
A successful bathroom remodel should center around the pipes as much as the tile, cabinets, and countertop. In order to streamline your bathroom remodel project, Sun Plumbing would like to share some bathroom remodel advice, so your bank account and your pipes don’t burst!
Start With the Plumbing Layout
The first step in your bathroom remodel should be a call to Sun Plumbing for an inspection. If you can keep your existing plumbing in place, it will save you the cost and complexity of moving pipes. If your pipes need replacing, that is not as complex a project as moving them. Our trained plumbing experts will be able to tell you if your plumbing layout will work for your remodel and if your plumbing has a lot of life left in it.
Common upgrades to your bathroom during a remodel may include switching out a tub for a walk-in shower, particularly if you are getting older. Stepping over a tub can be difficult for a lot of people as they age or if they have physical limitations. Conversely, if you only have a shower and have little kids, you might want to convert a walk-in shower into a tub/shower combo. The life stage you are in will impact your remodeling choices. Another common decision is to add plumbing to turn a single-sink vanity into a double-sink vanity if space allows. This does not require much additional pipe and can be a desirable feature while you live in the home and if you sell it someday.
Upgrading Fixtures and Pipes
If your pipes are made of outdated materials like galvanized steel or polybutylene, the plumber may recommend replacing them with copper or PEX. You may think there is no need to replace pipes that aren’t leaking. While galvanized steel pipes were used in the 1960s to replace dangerous lead pipes, we now know that they eventually corrode and rust inside which is harmful to your home’s water supply and even your health. Polybutylene pipes were used in homes from the mid-1970s until the mid-1990s. These pipes are known to break, leak, and be unreliable, to the point that a class action suit was filed and won by the plaintiffs. A bathroom remodel is the perfect time to replace problem-causing pipes.
When remodeling, we suggest choosing water-efficient fixtures that align with your family’s plumbing needs. Water-efficient toilets and showerheads can save you money while conserving thousands of gallons of water per year! With water as a finite resource, you are doing your part for the world’s water supply and your budget! Aside from your toilet and showerhead, updating your faucets will help make your bathroom look like new. If you choose to keep your current cabinets, a fresh coat of paint and modern handles can make a big difference for a small price.
Hidden Issues That May Surface
When your remodel begins, be prepared for hidden issues that may surface. It is not uncommon to find unknown water damage, mold, or corroded pipes behind old walls. This is one reason that hiring one of Sun Plumbing’s professional plumbers is valuable. They can quickly spot problems that you, as a homeowner, may not notice. While it may be unnerving to find extra work that needs attention, it is much better to find those issues before they become major problems. The sooner they are fixed, the less damage they can do. And water can do a lot of damage! Again, get that pre-remodel inspection done!
Plumbing Features to Consider Adding
There are some cool plumbing features available now that you should consider during your remodel. If you do a complete remodel, including flooring, you may want in-floor heating. This is more common in colder areas, but people in Florida get cold feet too! There are smart plumbing features available, like touchless faucets. You may also consider a tankless water heater or an on-demand water heater, like the Essency EXR. The Essency EXR provides 80-gallon FHR in a 55-gallon footprint. FHR is First Hour Rating, meaning how much hot water the water heater can provide in the first hour.
Sun Plumbing for Your Bathroom Repiping
Remodeling a bathroom is the perfect time to upgrade your plumbing, particularly if you have problem pipes like galvanized steel or polybutylene. Call us for an inspection prior to any beautification of your bathroom to ensure your pipes are long-lasting and safe. We can also detect any hidden issues, like water damage, mold, or corrosion. If you need repiping, repairs, or choose upgrades like a new water heater, Sun Plumbing is here for all of it! Additionally, if you are unsure who to use for the rest of the remodel, we can recommend Brevard County contractors that we have worked with and respect.
Sun Plumbing is currently offering $200 off the Essency EXR water heater through the end of August. We are also offering $500 off a whole-home fresh water re-pipe if you mention the special and book by August 31. So, what are you waiting for? Your beautiful new bathroom is just around the corner!
