A kitchen or bathroom remodeling project can not only freshen up the areas, but also add value to your home. However, plumbing mistakes made during the renovation can take away from its value. To help ensure you get the most value from your kitchen or bathroom renovation, here are some plumbing mistakes to avoid.
Failing to Budget for the Unexpected Problems
Since plumbing lines are hidden within walls and beneath flooring, you cannot reasonably know what to expect until you cut through those areas and look. For some homeowners, there is water damage, mold, rusted pipes, and other catastrophes waiting.
To avoid having to cut some aspect of your renovation project later, be sure to factor in potential plumbing problems when creating your budget. If there are no plumbing problems lurking for you on the other side of the wall, you can take the excess funds and splurge on something else.
Forgetting to Protect Fixtures
Some homeowners unintentionally damage plumbing fixtures, such as the bathtub and sink, while working on their kitchen or bathroom. It is not uncommon for other items, such as nails and tools, to be stored or tossed into the fixtures. Not only is there a risk of significant structural damage to the fixtures, but you could also damage the cosmetic finish of the fixtures.
Before starting your project, ensure that fixtures that are not yet installed are kept in a separate room. After the installation, take the appropriate measures to protect the items. For instance, a heavy tarp can help protect a sink's finish.
Skipping Necessary Upgrades
If you are looking to save money on your renovation, it is possible to refurnish or repurpose some of the items in your bathroom or kitchen and use them again. However, some items must be upgraded to avoid future problems.
For instance, since plumbing is involved in your remodeling project, now is the time to update your shut-off valves. In the past, valves had a rubber washer inside that was necessary to stop the flow of water when the valve was engaged. Unfortunately, over time, the rubber would disintegrate and leave the homeowner without a way to completely stop the flow of water at the valve. Today's valves do not have the same rubber washer, which means no disintegration that would leave the water on.
There are other mistakes that can be made during a renovation that could prove costly to you. Work with an experienced plumber like those found at A Absolute Plumbing & Heating to identify those potential mistakes and take action to avoid them.
