Kitchen Renovations: What You Need to Know About Plumbing and Fixtures

Table of Contents

1. Layout Considerations for Kitchen Renovations
2. Types of Plumbing Fixtures
3. Working with a Professional Plumber[+]
   1. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Planning a Kitchen Renovation

Renovating your kitchen is a great way to update your home’s look and increase its value. But before you start picking out tile, countertops, and appliances, it’s important to understand the plumbing considerations that come along with a kitchen renovation. Plumbing is a critical part of any kitchen renovation, and if it’s not done correctly, it can cause major problems down the line.

Before you get started, you should consider a few things, including the layout of your kitchen, the types of plumbing fixtures you plan to use, and the materials you’ll need for installation. With a little bit of planning and research, you can ensure your kitchen renovation goes smoothly and that your plumbing is up to code. Read on to learn more about what you need to know before tackling a kitchen renovation project.

Layout Considerations for Kitchen Renovations

Before you start planning your plumbing layout, it’s important to know the layout of your kitchen. If you’re renovating an old kitchen or adding on to an existing one, you should have a general idea of the space. If you’re remodeling a kitchen in a pre-existing space, you should have accurate measurements of the room and its features.

When planning your plumbing layout, you should consider the following features:

Where the water shutoff valves are located – This is a critical consideration, as it will impact your entire plumbing layout. The best thing to do is call your local utility company to locate the shutoff valves in your area.

The location of your water supply lines – You’ll need to know where your water supply lines come into the house so you can divert them and make room for your new kitchen fixtures.

The location of your water meter and main water line – Again, you’ll need to divert these away from the new kitchen to avoid clogs and plumbing issues later.

The location of your main drain line – you’ll need to divert this away from the new kitchen to avoid drain clogs, drain cleaning and plumbing issues later.

Types of Plumbing Fixtures

There are three major types of plumbing fixtures you should be familiar with when planning a kitchen renovation: supply lines, drains, and water supply lines. These will vary based on your home’s layout and the type of fixtures you plan to use. Supply lines are the lines that run from your water meter, through the house, and to all the fixtures in the house, including your kitchen. Supply lines include water supply lines and drain pipes. Water supply lines are the lines that carry water from your water meter to your fixtures. Drain pipes are the lines that carry waste and wastewater from fixtures to the main drain line. There are three types of drain pipes:

Waste lines – These are the pipes that carry wastewater from your kitchen to your main drain line, and they’re also called “trap lines” or “sewer lines.” They are typically made of PVC, ABS, or cast iron.

Vent lines – These are the pipes that carry air out of your waste lines. They are typically made of PVC, ABS, or cast iron.

Drainage lines – These are the pipes that carry storm or surface water away from your house and are typically made of PVC, ABS, or cast iron.

Working with a Professional Plumber

When renovating your kitchen, it’s best to work with a professional plumber. If you plan to do the work yourself, you can still hire a plumber to help with critical tasks, like installing the water meter or main drain line. Working with a plumber can help you avoid costly mistakes and make sure your plumbing is properly installed. It can also save you time, as plumbing renovations can be challenging and time-consuming projects. Before hiring a plumber, make sure they are licensed and insured. Also, check their reviews and make sure they have experience with the type of project you’re working on. When hiring a plumber, make sure to discuss your budget and timeline for the project. You may also want to consider hiring a plumbing contractor as opposed to a plumber. These contractors are very similar to plumbers, but they may be able to offer more comprehensive services at a lower cost.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Planning a Kitchen Renovation

One common mistake homeowners make is installing the water meter in a place where it will be difficult to access in the future, like against a wall. This can create problems if you ever need to replace your water meter or repair a leak. A better place to put your water meter is near the street but above ground. Another common mistake homeowners make installing the main drain line too close to the water meter. Ideally, you should install your main drain line at least 10 feet away from your water meter. If you don’t, water flows towards the water meter and may cause flooding in your house. You also run the risk of clogging your water meter due to back pressure.

A third mistake homeowners make is not taking the time to plan their plumbing layout. You should spend time researching the best placement for your water meter, main drain line, and water supply lines to ensure no problems arise in the future.

Thank you for reading!