What Should You Know About Expanding Your Plumbing Into An Addition?
Adding onto your house means bringing utilities into the new addition. If your home expansion includes a bathroom or kitchen, then you'll need to bring plumbing into your new space. Routing plumbing into a house addition is not necessarily a difficult task, but some considerations are essential to keep in mind.
If you're planning to consult with a plumber, these three tips will help you to prepare for your meeting and understand the potential challenges you may face.
1. Know Your Requirements
Your plumbing needs will vary based on the rooms and features that you are adding. If you're adding an in-law apartment with a full kitchen and bath, for example, then your plumbing requirements will be different than a new bedroom with a single bathroom. You will generally need to connect your existing drain stack and supply lines, but the complexity of your expansion's plumbing can vary considerably.
2. Know Your Existing Plumbing
How new is your home? Are your existing supply lines copper pipe or PEX? Many plumbers now prefer to use PEX for its flexibility and ease of installation, and you can connect this new style of pipe to older copper plumbing. The condition of your existing lines will affect the ease of install, however. If your copper pipes are beginning to degrade, then you may need to consider an upgrade.
You may face similar issues when dealing with your drain pipes or soil stack. In most cases, you'll need a new branch drain for the addition that will connect back to your main soil stack or drain line. Older drain pipes are likely to be cast iron, and connecting new plumbing to a rusting or deteriorating line can lead to future problems.
3. Know Your Budget
Finally, it's essential to understand your budget limitations. Altering plans mid-construction because of a budget shortfall can be frustrating and disappointing, but it's sometimes a necessity. If deficiencies exist in your current plumbing, then it may be necessary to use more of your budget to upgrade old pipes. While this isn't an exciting option, it ensures that adding new fixtures to your home doesn't result in a disaster later on.
Likewise, the cost of new plumbing can sometimes be prohibitive if your addition's layout does not mesh well with your home's existing plan. Connecting to a distant drain stack or inconveniently located supply lines can push your costs much higher. Being aware of these costs and your budget can help you to make changes to your expansion plans as needed.
For more information about expanding your home's plumbing for a new addition, talk to a plumbing company in your area.