Remodeling the bathroom can easily become a very expensive project, and that is why many homeowners try to make bathroom updates and renovations on their own. When you perform your own labor over hiring a professional, however, there always runs the risk of causing unanticipated damage to your home—and this is especially true in the bathroom. In case you are planning on renovating a bathroom in your home in the near future, here is what you need to know about keeping your home’s plumbing system intact in the process.
Don’t move your plumbing.
If you want to stick to your budget—and avoid hours of mess and headache—plan on keeping all of your plumbing where it is. This means not moving the bathtub to a new location, or trying to switch your sink and toilet around. Moving plumbing around is typically too difficult for a homeowner to tackle on their own, and it’s an expensive job for any plumbing professional.
New hardware goes a long way.
You’d be surprised at the difference that new hardware can make in a bathroom. So before tossing out that bathtub or sink, consider installing new hardware instead (and refinishing your shower, tub, sink, or tile if you still need to). New faucets, faucet handles, and showerheads can make a major impact, are affordable, and easy to install.
Adding tile floor will mean adjusting your toilet.
If you plan on replacing vinyl bathroom flooring with tile, the extra height of the tile will probably raise your toilet enough for it to no longer fit snugly on the flange for the waste line. This will call for some minor adjustments on your toilet. To fix this problem, you need simply raise the flange by getting an affordable a wax ring extender kit from your local hardware store. If you need even more height, you may also need a flange spacer that attaches to the flange with screws—another extremely affordable fix.
Don’t start until you have all supplies on hand.
Maybe you’re replacing your tub, toilet, and sink vanity, maybe you’re completely changing out your flooring, or maybe just about everything is getting a makeover. Whatever the job, it’s important to ensure that you have all the necessary tools and materials on hand before starting the job. Parts and materials, after all, can take weeks to ship, and keeping a bathroom out of commission is never convenient for anyone. Keeping all the necessary tools and materials handy is a practice we exercise at every plumbing job we perform, and it’s a practice we recommend you exercise as well.
When in doubt, call a professional.
Finally, it’s important to remember that there is a time and a place for outsourcing—especially when you are working with plumbing, the “guts” of your home. DIY mistakes can be catastrophic and expensive, so when in doubt of your own abilities, be sure to call a plumber.
