Remodeling? Don’t Forget Your Pipes.

While Hurricane Irma didn’t cause nearly the destruction that Harvey and Maria did, there were still many South Florida homes that sustained enough damage to warrant repairs. Now that the threat of another hurricane is over, many families are beginning their renovation process.

Renovations involve many different steps and stages. Often, projects require taking a room “down to the studs.” If the room in question is a bathroom, a kitchen, or a laundry room, it’s a good idea to have a plumber come to your home to inspect the plumbing. Before the new walls go up and most of the plumbing is still exposed, have an expert inspect everything.

If hurricane damage wasn’t the reason for the remodel, think about what was. Is it because you have an older home with an original bathroom? Consider this: unless you know otherwise, your pipes are as old as your bathroom, which means the material of those pipes is likely aged and in need of replacement. And if your home was built before 1970, your pipes are likely galvanized steel. And while galvanized steel is durable, those that are more than 40 years old are almost certainly corroded and in need of replacement.

While you may not have budgeted for an entire plumbing overhaul, there are benefits to it. Replacing existing plumbing creates greater options for the design process. Contractors who are not inhibited by existing pipes can rearrange the room to your liking, reconfiguring the room, and placing fixtures in new locations.

Remodeling a room in your home can be a lot of fun. But if that room is dependent on plumbing, it’s important to pay special attention to it. Does this sound like an excessive precaution in an already large-scale job? Perhaps. But ignoring the plumbing on your first go-round could leave you breaking through the walls or the floor of your newly renovated room.

When you need your plumbing inspected, repaired, or replaced, call us at 866.6RAIDER.  We can answer any questions you might have, or schedule an appointment to allow the skilled professionals at Raider Rooter to make an inspection.