When it comes to the plumbing world, “remodeling” is certainly a common word, especially in the residential side of things. Whether that be in regards to the kitchen or bathroom, embarking on a remodel or renovation can certainly be a worthwhile home improvement project. And as you can probably guess, bathroom or kitchen remodeling typically involves some sort of plumbing work. To take it one step further, it is also worth noting that there are plenty of possibilities when remodeling nowadays. You can opt to change the space entirely with new flooring, paint, fixtures, etc or you can choose to make small improvements here and there.
Is this your first time visiting our plumbing blog? If so, welcome to Stine-Nichols Plumbing. We are a plumbing business located in North Kansas City, MO that offers residential, commercial and new construction services. Here on our plumbing blog, we enjoy providing homeowners and facility managers with advice to help them better understand their plumbing system. As briefly alluded to in the opening paragraph, this week’s blog post is going to revolve around the idea of remodeling, and ultimately discuss how plumbing and remodeling are connected in more ways than one!
Do you live in or near the Kansas City area and need a go-to plumber for all of your plumbing needs? Whether that be installing a new water heater, repairing a sewer line or anything else, we have you covered. To request a free estimate, feel free to click the link HERE.
Plumbing and Remodeling: Bathroom Renovation
To begin this week’s blog post, we’ll start off with the bathroom remodeling side, which is definitely quite popular in today’s world. After all, it’s the perfect example of a home improvement project that you’ll be able to enjoy, as well as improve the value of your home at the same time. Where is plumbing involved with a bathroom remodeling project?
Plumbing Fixtures – With the large majority of bathroom remodels (outside of simply replacing a few accessories or re-painting the room), you’ll notice that plumbing fixtures are involved in plenty of different ways. The nice part about this is the fact that new fixtures can improve the efficiency of your plumbing system and modernize the space instantaneously. On the topic of efficiency, plumbing fixture brands are always looking for ways to improve the way their products operate and in many cases, this presents the possibility of fixtures that use less water. After all, did you know toilets used over 4 gallons of water per flush back in the day and now the standard is 1.6 GPF with plenty of options even more efficient than that? Not that your existing toilets would’ve necessarily been installed when they used that much water per flush, but it just goes to show you the advancements that’ve been made.
The second part of this equation (and likely the one that’s more relevant for those working on a bathroom remodel) is the realization that new plumbing fixtures will almost always improve the aesthetic appearance of the space. Even something as simple as a new vanity with a new faucet can drastically change the look of the bathroom. Not to mention, if you opted to upgrade to a freestanding tub, this stunning fixture will instantly become a statement piece. Regardless, new plumbing fixtures are often involved with a bathroom remodel simply because you want a breath of fresh air and new fixtures are perfect for that (especially if you’re changing the overall theme for the space, such as going for a modern look). All in all, if you’re looking to remodel your bathroom, odds are at least one existing fixture will be changed out!
Piping – In order for plumbing fixtures to function correctly, they’ll need to have water and drain lines connected to them, right? So, unsurprisingly, a bathroom remodeling project may require you to relocate existing lines or even run new ones as well. This is particularly true if you’re planning on doing an in-depth renovation where the overall layout changes. In the end, whenever you’re having to run new plumbing lines or reroute existing pipes, it’s always a good idea to have an experienced plumbing professional complete the work!
Plumbing and Remodeling: Kitchen Renovation
The second type of remodeling project that we’ll discuss today is a kitchen renovation. Similar to what we just discussed with bathroom remodels, there are more than a few reasons as to why homeowners choose to invest in a kitchen remodel. It’s something that you’ll be able to enjoy while living in that house AND will also improve the value of your home. After all, if you think back to when you were going through the home buying process, would you agree that the kitchen was something you focused on with each house you toured? It is called the “Heart of the Home” for a reason! And as you can probably imagine based on this blog post, plumbing will be involved.
Plumbing Fixtures – In regards to the kitchen setting, there are both plumbing fixtures and appliances that play a major role. In terms of plumbing fixtures, the obvious ones are the sink and faucet. When selecting these as part of a remodel, you’ll want to make sure they match with the countertops, backsplash and even surrounding elements. Fortunately, with the growth in the faucet world, you’ll have plenty of options to pick from, including those with voice-activated features (definitely a useful tool in the kitchen). Another item (although it’s likely considered more of an appliance) that plumbers install and repair is garbage disposals. With a new garbage disposal, you’ll want to buy one made by a reputable brand and with enough horsepower.
Piping – Along with the plumbing fixtures in your kitchen, there is also piping included too. Water and drain lines are obviously needed for the sink/faucet. However, that’s not everything for the topic of piping in the kitchen. What else might you consider? An ice maker line for the refrigerator is important! Gas line work may be required if you have a gas-powered stove/oven. How about if you’re planning on turning this into a more in-depth renovation, like we discussed towards the end of the bathroom remodeling part above? Well, in the case where the overall layout is being altered, then you may even find the project requires new plumbing lines to be installed.
To sum it all up, it’s not hard to see how it can be helpful to have an experienced plumbing professional tackle all of the plumbing-related items. After all, every remodel is different and some can be more complex than others!
Call the Plumbing Pros at Stine-Nichols!
Are you thinking about tackling a bathroom and/or kitchen remodeling project? If that’s the case, we hope you learned a thing or two about the remodeling process with this week’s blog post. When completed correctly, these types of projects can not only be fun to see them modernize your home, but also even improve the home’s value too. Over the years, our team has been tasked with taking care of the plumbing portion on many remodels and it’s always neat to see the transformation that takes place.
If you’re planning a remodel near the Kansas City area, we would be happy to help out with the plumbing portion and also refer other reliable contractors that can knock out the other parts of the remodel, like electrical items. To learn more and speak with a member of our team, you’re welcome to give us a call at (816) 348-3481 or fill out the form HERE.