5 Plumbing Mistakes to Avoid When Remodeling Your Kitchen

The kitchen is often known as the “heart of the home.” When it comes time to renovate this all-important room, it’s a good idea to think about plumbing. Although it’s not the most exciting part of the kitchen, plumbing is essential. Here are five costly plumbing mistakes you can avoid, simply by planning ahead.

1. Not Choosing Your Sink First

Sinks aren’t as sexy as cabinets and countertops, but they should be among the first items you choose when doing a kitchen remodel. Too often homeowners install their new cabinets first. Then when it’s time to install the sink, either the sink is the wrong size or doesn’t fit the location of the pipes. A new hole must be cut, or even the new cabinets must be cut in order to make the sink fit. The only other option is to choose a new sink, which may not be what you had in mind. Choose your sink first, so the cabinet contractor can leave the proper amount of space and ensure the pipe connections are in the right place. Doing so will save you time, money and aggravation.

2. Mismatched Pipes

If your pipes don’t match, it could cost you. Mismatched pipes can leak or corrode, eventually causing damage to your nicely remodeled kitchen. Luckily, different pipes can be connected, but you need to know their composition and obtain the right fittings. It’s also important to make sure your pipes are compatible with the fixtures to avoid low water pressure. Finally, don’t connect too many fixtures to one set of pipes. The increased demand from multiple fixtures can overwhelm your system and also lead to low water pressure.

3. Your Sink Isn’t Vented

When putting in a new sink or certain appliances, make sure to install a plumbing vent as well. What’s a plumbing vent? It is a special pipe that allows air and sewer gases to escape from the home. Plumbing vents also allow for oxygen to enter pipes to break down waste and maintain drainage pressure. Without plumbing vents, you could be exposed to harmful fumes and gases, as well as slow drains. You’ll often see these vents as pipes sticking out from the roof of a home. Practically all building codes require vents. Forget to install one, and it could be costly in many ways.

4. Forgetting about Flooring

Everyone loves a nice new tile or wood floor in the kitchen. What most people forget is to install it before the cabinets. Unless you’re putting in floating hardwood floors, it’s generally better to install flooring first. Too often people put in tile or wood floors after cabinets and stationary appliances like dishwashers. In order to cut corners, some just put flooring around these fixtures instead of underneath them. Plumbers often find when it comes time to install or repair a dish washer; they have trouble getting it out because of flooring issues. It’s one thing if you’re dealing with existing fixtures, but if you’re doing a complete remodel, consider your flooring first.

5. Not Hiring a Professional

There’s no denying that a kitchen remodel can be expensive, and saving money wherever you can is smart. Although you might be handy, it’s never a good idea to take shortcuts on plumbing. Finding out you bought the wrong fixtures or tools can have you making additional and even unnecessary purchases. In the end, you end up spending more time and money than you anticipated. Worse yet, minor plumbing mistakes up front could come back to haunt you down the road, when you find your kitchen flooded, and your new floors and cabinets ruined. Don’t skimp when it comes to hiring a professional. Spending the money upfront for an expert will save you in the long run.

If you need help with your kitchen remodel, whether it’s installing sinks appliances, countertops or any other fixtures, contact Scott English Plumbing. We would be happy to assist you with any of your plumbing or related kitchen remodeling needs.