A neglected or underutilized basement can benefit from plumbing. Unlocking the potential of your basement can be done by incorporating plumbing for a kitchen, bathroom, or other space in your basement. Here is our guide and tips on plumbing a basement and some tips on how to make the process smoother. 

Hiring a professional to help work on the plumbing in your basement will also save you some time. Professionals know challenges that can arise and can handle them quickly. S&B Plumbing can help improve your basement with quality plumbing. Even if you decide to do your plumbing on your own, our experts can help provide you with information on how to keep your home safe. 

1- Create A Layout Plan

Before you dive in, you should sit down and make a plan for how the plumbing layout will look and where you want certain fixtures to line up in your basement. This will help keep you on track during the process and limit the amount of mistakes you can make. A bathroom, laundry room, or kitchenette all have specific plumbing requirements and fixtures you need to account for. 

During the planning phase, you will also want to set a budget. This can save you money and frustration as you are plumbing a basement. Make a list of your needs and wants, what different materials may cost, and factor in any accidents that could occur. 

2- Obtain Proper Permits

Checking your state regulations and building codes will help you avoid problems down the road. Before you complete any remodeling on your home, you should check what building permits are required. Adding additional plumbing may require you to get approval from a contractor or city planner. 

3- Assess Existing Plumbing

Before you install more plumbing in your home, you should assess your current plumbing system. Determine the location of main water lines, waste pipes, and other layout considerations you may have to make. Ensure your plans align with the existing system or you may find yourself with an expensive project. 

4- Choosing Proper Materials

Similar to other areas in your home, choosing materials can make or break your project. PVC pipes and PEX pipes work best for water lines. Copper pipes are also another durable option that will resist corrosion. Ensure that your piping material also meets any environmental requirements of your city or state. 

5- Digging For Pipes

Since this new plumbing will be in the basement, you will have to dig underground to lay pipes and supply lines. Carefully plan the trench layout and take into account the slope needed for drainage. A trenching shovel is an essential tool you will need when plumbing a basement. Deep trenches will accommodate pipes comfortably. 

6- Installing Drainage Systems

Proper drainage is important to help keep your home from flooding. Planning out a drainage system and proper slopping before you begin plumbing a basement is crucial. If you are worried about flooding or your basement has flooded before, install a sump pump as part of your new plumbing. Connect floor drains to the main sewer line and make sure that traps can prevent sewer gases or waste from getting into your basement. 

7- Include Proper Ventilation

Just like drainage, ventilation is important to help you avoid damage to your home and keep it safe. Ventilation will help air flow freely through your pipes to help prevent the build-up of sewer gases and help the drainage system function properly. Ventilation also helps regulate air pressure. This will prevent backups into the shower when you flush the toilet for example. 

8- Connect To Main Sewer Line

This step is the most crucial when plumbing a basement if you want your plumbing system to last. This task is best handled by a plumbing professional because cutting and resealing are often involved. Hiring S&B Plumbing to handle your main sewer lines will give you peace of mind about the safety of your basement. 

9- Install Water Supply Lines

Running water supply lines from the main water source will help your basement have continual access to clean water. PEX tubing is a good option to use because it is flexible and resistant to freezing. This is especially important when plumbing a basement in colder climates.

All water supply pipes should be insulated to prevent heat loss during the winter. This will help you keep the correct water pressure and prevent burst pipes that cause damage to a home. 

10- Fixture Installation

Now that the underlying plumbing is all set in place, installing faucets, showers, and toilets is your next step. Installing fixtures is the way you get to see all your hard work come to fruition. Follow all manufacturer’s instructions to ensure the best results for your bathroom or kitchen. You should test all fixtures for leaks and proper water pressure before moving on to inspections. 

11- Final Checks For Plumbing A Basement

Before you can use your basement plumbing, you need to have an inspector ensure that all of it is safe. Inspectors will check that all pipes, trenches, and tubing are sealed properly while also making sure your home meets local building codes and quality standards. Final checks will help you avoid leaks and unnecessary repairs.

A bathroom depends heavily on working plumbing in order to help you function daily. Remodeling your bathroom can get complicated and expensive if you are not careful. Working with the plumbing in a bathroom remodel is better than working against it. Here are some tips on how to work around plumbing, including new features, and improve the flow of the room without breaking the bank. 

S&B Plumbing offers services to help you improve your plumbing in a bathroom remodel. We can help recommend how to move plumbing features or if your bathroom needs new pipes. Our experts are here to offer advice for homeowners and projects of all sizes. 

1- Retain The Current Plumbing Layout

Keeping to a budget in any remodel is a tough job, but one of the easiest ways to save money is to keep the plumbing in its original location. Plumbing in a bathroom remodel is essential, but moving it around can get costly as it calls for extensive demolition and all new pipes. 

If you keep the shower, tub, and sink where there is already existing plumbing, you will save a large chunk of money to put toward other elements. 

2- Do Some Of The Demo Yourself

Doing some of the demolition yourself will save you from hiring a team to remove elements for you. Taking a hammer to your old cupboards or ripping up your floor can be therapeutic while also making the job much cheaper. Doing demolition yourself may take a little bit longer, but you will be grateful for the extra funds to make the bathroom more relaxing. 

3- Mid Range Will Do The Same Job As Top Of The Line

Looking at features for your bathroom can be exciting and when you complete a remodel you may want to choose all new fixtures at the top price. But there are many elements like flooring, shower heads, lighting, and storage options that mid-range products will work as well, if not better than top-of-the-line products. 

4- Choose Quality And Durable Plumbing Fixtures

The amount of plumbing fixtures that are available on the market is overwhelming. There are a variety of finishes, colors, styles, and prices. You want to choose fixtures that will last through all different phases of life when working on the plumbing in a bathroom remodel. If you sacrifice quality for looks, you may find yourself redoing the bathroom all over again. 

If you see plumbing problems, make sure to fix them and not just cover them up. S&B Plumbing can help you install new piping, refix faucets or install new fixtures properly. Installing a heavy tub or sink can be grueling, let the team at S&B help with all the plumbing in a bathroom remodel. 

5- Don’t Drop All Your Money On The Sink

A good sink will help your bathroom feel put together, but they also take a lot of money. Spending the majority of your budget on a fancy sink will limit how much you can put into the rest of the bathroom. Plumbing in a bathroom remodel is important, but only focusing on the sink, or the shower, for example, will put you beyond your budget and make the whole project a sore spot. 

Work With S&B Plumbing

Modern plumbing is a luxury in a home and makes daily tasks much more enjoyable. We want homeowners along the Wasatch Front to have the highest quality plumbing possible and avoid water or sewer damage in their homes. Working with our team will give you high-quality plumbing with great customer service. Plumbers with S&B know how to fix even the most stubborn of problems and help make your bathroom remodel smooth sailing. 

Water heater repair, sewer lines, clogged sinks, or faucet repair can all be performed by our team. Our technicians are ready to serve you 24 hours a day with any plumbing emergency you may experience. If you are thinking about a bathroom remodel, don’t go at it alone and work with professional plumbers.