Remodeling your kitchen or bathroom is an excellent way to make your home feel more welcoming and inviting, and to increase its value, too. However, both of these rooms will require you to do some plumbing. That can be tricky if you're not used to doing this kind of work. To avoid problems caused by inexperience, make sure you know what you're doing. Here are nine solutions that could help you with your bathroom and kitchen remodeling projects.
1. Know what you're capable of. Just because you know how to change out an O ring to fix a leaky sink doesn't mean you're ready to install a new toilet. Be willing to let projects that are too big for you go, and stick to the ones you know you can do. This will make a big difference in the success of your remodel.
2. Don't go for the cheapest replacement parts and fixtures you can find. There's usually a difference between cheap and midgrade products, and you'll see that difference in longevity. While those inexpensive fixtures might be shiny, they'll probably last for a shorter period of time. If you don't want to have to repair or replace them in the future, choose quality over price.
3. Don't replace what you don't have to. A new sink or toilet is going to be pretty expensive, but unless you don't like the look of the old one or the porcelain itself is cracked, you probably don't need to buy one. Look at the parts that might have failed and replace them instead. It'll cost you less in the long run.
4. Always shut the water off at the source if you're going to be working with the plumbing. For most modern fixtures, this means simply turning the knob that's attached to the sink or toilet to keep a flood from occurring. However, if you're working in an older house, you might need to shut the water off at the source. If this is the case, think about installing shut off valves as part of your remodel to make future jobs easier.
5. Organize everything. Know where all your tools and instructions are before you start work, so you won't have to run back and forth to find things and make the job take longer.
6. Do remodeling jobs a little at a time. Instead of tearing the whole kitchen or bathroom apart at once, do one part at a time to keep you and your family a lot happier.
7. Think about drainage. Your home has a system for draining and venting, and if you're installing a new fixture, doing it wrong could upset the balance. Be very careful when you set up drains to make sure they work correctly.
8. Install only water resistant materials. We've all seen it - a bathroom where the owner has unwittingly installed carpet, only to have it ruined. Even if things seem fine, remember that kitchens and bathrooms are moist places. Choose vinyl, ceramic tile and metal over wood and fibrous materials. You'll thank yourself later.
9. Use the right tools and components! This might seem like a no-brainer, but many home plumbers take shortcuts that end up being a real problem later. Don't let this happen to you - use the right thing to begin with.
