When you’re remodeling your kitchen, the last thing you really want to think about is the technicalities of your plumbing. The fun part of a remodel usually revolves around the design, but the core components of your kitchen (your sink, appliances, and functionality) all incorporate your plumbing. Take a break from looking at cabinets and think about your plumbing fixtures: are you happy with the placement of, say, your sink? Do you maybe want to have a dishwasher under the island, instead of next to the fridge? Plumbing is integrated into your kitchen, and here’s what you need to know while planning a kitchen remodel.
If you want to keep the layout of your kitchen, you’re in for an easier remodel. Changing the layout can cause a lot of unforeseen difficulties while keeping it the same means plugging in A where B used to be. This doesn’t mean that you’re trapped with the same layout forever – it just means that you need to plan ahead a bit before starting your remodel construction. If you’re interested in moving things around, think through the locations. Plumbing typically needs to be close to each other, so drainage and hot/cold water should be kept as close as possible. If you’re really sold on the idea of a farmhouse sink right in your kitchen island, consider putting the dishwasher in the island as well so that you only have to reroute or extend the pipes once.
To make things easier during your kitchen remodel, install your new plumbing fixtures before the others. This includes cabinets, countertops, and appliances such as a stove or a refrigerator. Plumbing is some of the most complicated setups in your kitchen, and often other pieces need to work around it. It can be extraordinarily frustrating as a homeowner to install gorgeous new lacquered cabinets to discover that your pipes can’t fit under their bases. If this happens, you have to cut into your beautiful cabinets, which costs extra money and is rarely aesthetically pleasing. If you install your sink and dishwasher first, you automatically know that their placement is set and you will be able to work around them.
One of the biggest mistakes we see during kitchen remodels is ‘cutting costs’ by putting new flooring around appliances and cabinets. New floors can really revamp a space, but it’s a necessity to make sure they’re installed uniformly. When you install new flooring over old flooring, you create a lip or warp that doesn’t allow for appliances or plumbing fixtures to be moved. When you go to replace your dishwasher, you’ll find that you can’t pull it out because of the new flooring – and now you need to either remove your countertops or floor to get it out. To avoid this, install all new flooring throughout when doing your remodel. It might seem like a bigger pain up front, but you will be grateful for it in the future.
Kitchen remodels don’t need to be stressful. Renovating areas of your home can breathe new life into old spaces, and having a top of the line kitchen is one of the most desired aspects of homeownership. When doing a kitchen remodel, don’t be afraid to ask for an expert’s help. When you call in your trusted plumber before starting construction, you can save yourself both time and money.
