Things to ask your plumber before a big home renovation

Things to ask your plumber before a big home renovation

You don't have to be an expert constructor to plan your home renovation. However, you should have basic knowledge and familiarity with systems and installations in your house. The plumbing system in your home is something you need to take with more seriousness. Unless you are a plumber yourself, chances are you are going to need professional advice. And, the only way to properly prepare is to know what things to ask your plumber before a big home renovation. Many questions would require expert answers, from how to move your appliances to estimated costs.

Big home renovation - what to ask your plumber

You are probably already aware that renovation is a challenging project. That's why you need to take time to gather enough helpful information. It's not like building your home from the start, where you have the freedom to do whatever you want. Renovations bring a lot of complexity because you make adjustments to an already established place. A lot of things can go off the plans, and unforeseen situations may occur. The key to success here is to find a professional plumber to answer all your questions and help you prepare.

For nonprofessionals, the home water system might look confusing.

Here you will find a list of questions you should ask your plumber before a big home renovation and a few situations you can face. Whether you are planning to renovate your current home or purchase a new one and make some adjustments, these are some of the essentials you must consider.

• The planning phase.

• Ask your plumber about permits.

• Question about replacing pipes.

• Ask about appliances.

• Check the required water pressure with your plumber.

• Ask what else you should fix.

The planning phase

Whatever you do, it's always better to include a plumber in your planning phase. That way, you will spare yourself from the trouble of having to react on the go.

• A professional plumber will be able to point out potential issues that may occur during the renovation.

• They will tell you what materials to get and what fixtures you need to resolve.

• And this will enable you to calculate your renovation costs more precisely.

And, if there is something that requires a plumber's attention or advice right away, you already have the right man for the job. For example, if you plan to renovate a part of your home to move your old parents in, you will need to check about the adjustments for elderly people. There might be some additional features you will have to plan to install to prevent accidents.

Ask your plumber about permits.

Not everywhere, and not for every renovation, but for some changes, you might need permits. Depending on the range of tasks you are planning to do, a significant modification to your home plumbing will require you to get permits, especially if your water system is connected to the city water supply. And the best person to help you with this is your plumber.

Question about replacing pipes

Not only can a plumber help you inspect your existing pipes, but he can also tell you if you will have to replace them. From experience, they know exactly what is required and what to expect in the future. If there are any repairs or updates that you need to complete before renovation starts, now would be the right time to discuss them. In general, this is a fundamental question to answer for older homes. There are many situations where people don't even realize how old their house or apartment is. More importantly, how old the plumbing systems in their residence are.

Ask about appliances

There are two situations where the advice from your plumber can be quite useful.

Firstly, if you are moving to a new place and want to bring your appliances with you because leaving your brand new expensive dishwasher in an old apartment is out of the question. But, what if it can't fit into a new place. The plumber will help you with this and show what adjustments to make to fit everything in. 

Secondly, if you are planning a renovation of your kitchen, for example. This task often includes inspection and remodeling or replacing everything inside your kitchen, including appliances. Especially if you plan to change their position, it's always good to ask your plumber for an opinion. Due to the position of pipes inside walls or the materials you plan to install, expert opinion can save you from unnecessary costs.

During these significant renovation, it’s advisable to keep your belongings safe in a storage unit, away from all the debri and other damage hazards. Once you find the storage provider you like, make sure you implement additional safety measures so you can be sure your appliances and other items are safe and protected until the renovation is complete.

Avoid renovation of your kitchen without a plumber because you can easily make a miscalculation with concealed pipes inside your walls.

Check the required water pressure with your plumber.

Let's say you are planning an expansion of your bathroom. A large bathtub is always a good addition and convenient to have. But, before you start the renovation and installation of such large water consumers, you will have to inspect your water heater and regular water supply.

Everything that requires water depends mostly on your plumbing system's water pressure. This is something plumbers are quite familiar with. So, they can point you in the right direction about what necessary steps you have to take. In some cases, you might need to upgrade your entire system so that everything functions properly. And that can be a considerable investment risk to take without a professional by your side.

You will need a proper solution for the distribution of hot water in your home.

Ask what else you should fix.

A preliminary inspection prior to your upcoming renovation is the right moment to deal with all the repairs. In this situation, your plumber can help you find out if any other issues require your attention. You should check potential leaking problems, old and worn out pipes, water insulation, flood prevention, swimming pool leaks, and other similar things on time. If you don't do it before the renovation is complete, you will end up paying subsequent costs. To avoid this, you want to be sure everything is taken care of before the entire renovation process is complete.

Knowing the things to ask your plumber before a big home renovation is a key to successful completion. Not only will you reduce the potential costs, but it will give you peace of mind, too. With an expert by your side, you will ensure that everything goes smoothly and without stress. Once everything is over, you will have a home ready to last and function for a long time.

Guest Contributor: Sophia Perry