There’s a certain amount of pleasure that comes from knowing you improved your home through your own hard work and perseverance. However, there are some aspects of your home remodel that should be left to licensed specialists. If your goal is to improve the flow of your bathroom, replace older fixtures, or simply update the décor, you will have a higher return on investment if you leave the remodel to the experts. Tackling a DIY bathroom remodel can be tempting. The opportunity to save money and increase the value of your home simultaneously can be tempting. Going into a remodel with the goal of cutting corners is a bad way to begin, and your project could very possibly result in mistakes and lower ROI than you’d expect. Plus, many homeowners are surprised by how time-consuming and challenging a bathroom remodel can be if you don’t have any plumbing experience. Don’t head into your remodel unaware of the challenges.
3 Obstacles to a Successful DIY Bathroom Remodel
You can’t start a bathroom remodel with the intention of completing a project to cross from your weekend to-do list. Unless you’re a licensed and skilled plumber, you will likely encounter obstacles and missteps that push you off your timeline. We’ve compiled a list of the top three obstacles to an easy and successful first DIY bathroom remodel.
Did You Know Toilets Have Sizes? Who knew that toilets have a measurement, and all toilets are not the same size? The toilet measurement is called a rough-in. It is the distance from the toilet’s floor bolts to the finished wall. The US standard toilet has a rough-in of 12 inches, so most toilets are sold to fit this model. However, if you have an older home, the rough-in may not be standard. It could be smaller or larger than the US standard, depending on the age of your home. Don’t assume your new toilet will fit. Always measure and confirm.
Did You Know Drains Have Vents? Drains must be vented to protect the trap in your drain, which serves as a barrier between your bathroom drain and the sewer system. Each drain in your home needs air to move its contents through your plumbing. The ventilation system in your plumbing is called a plumbing air vent or a vent stack. It controls the airflow in your pipes to ensure waste flows out of your house. When there isn’t ventilation, a vacuum is created that slows down your system’s drainage ability. Many plumbers have to come in after the fact to repair drains that aren’t vented.
Did You Know the Shower Floor Must be Sloped? When installing a new shower, it’s important to ensure that the masonry base of your shower is properly sloped. The slope in your shower helps to direct the water towards the drain. Without this assistance from gravity and physics, you’d be standing in a pool of water during every shower. When a shower isn’t sloped correctly, it can lead to mold and mildew growth from the increased moisture from the slow draining.
Fast and Affordable Bathroom Remodels by Licensed Professionals
At Wallner Plumbing Heating & Air, we have over 50 years of experience providing high-quality plumbing customers can rely on to work when they need it. You don’t have to worry about toilet sizes, shower slopes, or any of the countless other issues that could go wrong on a first-time DIY job. Our team of licensed and trained professionals can remodel your bathroom without breaking your budget. We’re a family-owned and operated business, so we know our way around a budget!There’s no reason for you to take on this project alone. Call us today at (530) 223-5622 to schedule a consultation for a professional bathroom plumbing remodel appointment.
