When you think of plumbers, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? I am guessing most of us think about the professionals who come out to unclog our drains or fix leaky pipes. A few of us might think about the plumbers who install pipes and fixtures in new construction. But the chances are pretty high that very few of us think about what the industry refers to as ‘remodeling plumbing’.
Out in Utah, Beehive Plumbing is a contractor that services towns throughout Salt Lake, Utah, and Davis Counties. It just so happens that remodeling plumbing is one of their specialties. They even list it on their website as a separate service. I’ve looked around, and it seems like Beehive is rare in this respect. Perhaps other plumbers do remodel jobs, but very few talk about it as a specialty.
What Is Remodeling Plumbing?
Remodeling plumbing is just as its name implies. It is a selection of plumbing services a property owner would need to complete a remodeling project. So let’s say you are gutting your kitchen and starting over with a clean slate. You’re moving the sink and installing an island with a built-in dishwasher.
Your current plumbing will not accommodate either. So now you need to reroute both water and drain lines to accommodate the new design. That work is essentially remodeling plumbing. It is common in kitchens, baths, and even utility rooms.
The thing about remodeling plumbing is that it’s not considered minor under state and local plumbing codes. Whenever you’re talking about rerouting existing plumbing or installing something completely new, cities and counties consider it a major project.
How Do Local Codes Apply?
Remodeling plumbing is such a big deal because all new work has to be up to code. If your remodeling project involved keeping the same sink but only changing the fixtures, there would be no code issues to worry about. But because remodeling plumbing involves installing new lines or rerouting existing lines, all the plumbing codes come into play.
The codes are probably not a big deal for a house that is 20 years old or newer. But if you’re looking at a house that’s 30, 40, or even 50 years old, it probably has some pretty old plumbing that’s not up to code. Bringing the necessary parts of it into compliance, in order to complete the remodeling project, could require a significant investment of time and labor.
Is It a Job Best Left to a Professional?
Unless state and local plumbing codes explicitly prohibit homeowners from handling their own remodeling plumbing, the work is something a skilled DIY homeowner could do. But how many of us have the knowledge and skills to do the work correctly? I’m guessing very few of us.
Just for the sake of ensuring quality and safety, it’s probably a better idea to let the professionals handle the work. Calling in a company like Beehive Plumbing allows a homeowner to focus his attention elsewhere but still have peace of mind that the plumbing will be done correctly and up to code.
The other thing is that remodeling plumbing is likely to require a local building permit. And with that permit comes a legal requirement to have the plumbing inspected once the work is complete. So we’re back to the point of letting professionals do the work.
Although remodeling plumbing is a legit part of the plumbing industry, not a lot of plumbers talk about it. I wonder why. I think if I were a plumber, I would want to specialize in.