Avoid These Bathroom Plumbing Mistakes

Remodeling a bathroom can be pricey; so many homeowners decide to DIY the project in order to save a bit of money. There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as you do it right. However, not every homeowner knows his way around bathroom plumbing. There are some common bathroom plumbing mistakes that many homeowners make. Use this guide to help you avoid them.

    1. 1. Don’t forget to measure the toilet rough-in. Toilets come in different sizes. On average, most US homes have 12 inch toilets. If you have an older home, though, it could be anywhere from 10 to 14 inches. Don’t just go to the store, buy a toilet that looks nice, and hope that it fits. It is essential to measure the toilet rough-in. If you get the wrong size, it will cost you both time and money. There are few things that are more frustrating when you are doing a remodeling project than finding out that items don’t fit; then you have to return them, order a new one, and wait for it to come in. Get a tape measure, and measure from the wall behind the toilet up to the bolt caps on the toilet. This distance is known as the toilet rough-in.
    1. 2. Vent the bathroom sink drain properly. The bathroom sink drain needs to be vented properly. If not, the trap will run dry, and the sewer system won’t be able to function as it should. This can allow methane gas to enter the home through the drains. It really is best to leave the job of running new sink drain lines to a professional plumber. Making a mistake on this job can ruin your entire plumbing system, which will end up costing you a lot more than it would cost to hire a plumber in the first place.
  1. 3. Slope the floor of the shower properly. When you are installing a new shower, you need to remove all of the old shower pieces, all the way down to the masonry. The masonry provides the base that the shower rests upon. Before you actually install the shower, though, you need to make sure that the base is sloped properly. The slope should be ¼ inch per foot. The purpose of the slope is so that the water will drain from the shower efficiently. Without the correct slope, the water will sit in the floor of the shower and can create mold.

These are three of the most common mistakes that homeowners make when renovating a bathroom. If you take on a bathroom renovation project, be sure to measure the rough-in for the toilet. Slope the shower floor so that the shower drains properly.

When it comes to installing new bathroom sink drains, skip the DIY and call in a professional plumber for help. Following these guidelines will help your project to run smoothly and be completed properly.

If you are planning a bathroom renovation, call the professional plumbers at Scott English Plumbing. We have been taking care of homeowners in Orange County for over 15 years. We make it our priority to provide homeowners with high-quality plumbing service at a price that is affordable. We provide a wide range of services, from slab leak repair to hydro-jetting to water heater installation. Whatever you need, let Scott English Plumbing take care of it. We are available 24/7, so call us for service any time.