Pros and Cons of Remodeling Your Plumbing

If your bathroom has become outdated or the plumbing no longer functions the same, you might consider a bathroom remodel. These projects typically start with aesthetic factors like a new vanity and flooring but might also include plumbing performance, efficiency and longevity.

Issues that are not identified early on can complicate this project, especially as most of your home’s plumbing is hidden behind walls and in crawlspaces. As such, think about the pros and cons before undertaking this project.

Pros of a Plumbing Remodel

Depending on location and when your property was built, the plumbing might be decades old and could be deteriorating, rotting or have ineffective features. Common aspects that are addressed during a bathroom remodeling project include:

• Removing older cast iron pipes, which rot or deteriorate from the inside out. Corrosion can affect water quality and create unexplained blockages.
• Removing other dated piping materials that may be deteriorating. This can include galvanized pipes, known to corrode; copper, which can develop pinhole leaks from mineral deposits; Orangeburg pipes, which are not waterproof and attract roots; and older polybutylene plastic pipes that have since been banned due to flooding risks but still remain in some homes.
• Replacing part or all of your plumbing with polyethylene (PEX) pipes.

Aside from these key points, remodeling your plumbing can:

• Increase your home’s value through efficiency, updated materials and removing old features
• Lessen risks of clogs, burst pipes and subsequent water damage
• Improve efficiency by using less water and helping the environment
• Lower your utility bills through updated design, improved circulation and decreased water use

Cons of a Plumbing Remodel

Despite these advantages, plumbing system remodeling can have a few hurdles you need to factor in:

• An Incomplete Estimate: Especially if you’re doing a full bathroom remodel, the initial estimate often focuses on the aesthetic and big-picture aspects like new tiling or replacing the bathtub. Unfortunately once the project gets started, the contractor finds issues with the plumbing that cannot be ignored, which increases the cost and delays completion time. As such, make sure to budget for aspects that cannot be seen on the surface.
• Significant Overhauls: You might think you’re simply replacing pipes but, along with older materials, your plumber may point out other features that need to entirely be reworked. Or what was assumed to be a partial plumbing upgrade becomes more expansive due to pipe corrosion preventing secure, reliable connections.
• Access to Plumbing: In general, it’s easier for plumbing to be added in new construction than it is to retrofit an existing structure, especially in an older home. A plumber doing this job may have to work in a restricted, cramped area and this might slow down the project or require demolition.
• Design Limitations: When thinking about new appliances and fixtures, you might assume you can hook them up to your existing pipes. However, especially if your plumbing needs to be updated in accordance with building codes, placement of these fixtures can be limited.

If you’re considering remodeling your bathroom plumbing, get started with the help of MJ Fahy & Sons. To learn more about our services, contact us today.