Plumbing for Your Bathroom Remodel in Kenilworth, IL
The hidden plumbing behind a bathroom remodel is what truly makes your new space functional for years to come. If the piping isn’t done right, slow drains, leaks behind walls, or inconsistent shower temperatures can sneak in months after your project finishes. Proper plumbing rough-in before drywall closes up the walls is where the foundation for a trouble-free bathroom gets laid. And if you notice damp spots or suspect leaks while tearing into your walls, give us a call—catching leaks early during remodeling saves headaches down the line.
When you reach out to us at 224-537-0229 for your bathroom update, here’s how we approach it: simple swaps of faucets, toilets, or showerheads in the same spots typically wrap up in a day. Changing the layout—like moving the toilet, switching a tub to a walk-in shower, or adding a second vanity sink—means we handle the rough-in plumbing involving supply lines, drains, and vents, with permits and inspections as required. We manage every step.
One tip I always share is to pick your fixtures before we set any rough-in dimensions. Toilets, shower valves, and tub fillers each have unique rough-in needs. Getting your choices locked in early keeps the piping layout on track and prevents costly rework if dimensions don’t line up.
Our Bathroom Plumbing Services
Shower & Tub Plumbing
Installing shower valves correctly is a key part of any bathroom remodel. The valve must be mounted at the right height and depth behind the finished wall, and connected to supply lines sized to maintain strong water flow. We install pressure-balance valves as required by Illinois code to protect against scalding, thermostatic valves for steady temperatures, and multi-port valve setups for rain showers, body jets, and handhelds.
Converting a tub to a shower involves drilling a new drain hole, ensuring proper slope for drainage, waterproofing the floor, and moving supply lines from the tub filler to the shower valve. This takes careful planning—we’ll explain every step and timeline before starting. We also set up freestanding tubs, running supply lines for floor- or wall-mounted tub fillers.
Toilet Installation & Relocation
Replacing a toilet in the existing spot is straightforward and covered under our fixture installation service. Moving a toilet requires cutting concrete or subfloor to relocate the drain flange, adjusting soil stacks and vents, and ensuring everything fits the finished floor height. This work must pass permit inspections before walls close.
We install all types of toilets including standard, comfort height, wall-mounted, and dual-flush models. If you’re adding a bathroom or upgrading, it’s smart to review your water heater capacity for increased demand. Planning accessibility features like grab bar blocking or curbless showers? We’ll coordinate with your GC to prep walls before drywall.
Vanity & Sink Plumbing
From adding a second sink to relocating a vanity or switching from a pedestal sink, we handle all necessary supply and drain work. This includes running extra lines and configuring drain traps appropriately. Adjusting the vanity size may mean moving stub-outs to fit the new cabinet.
We install faucets, drain assemblies, supply lines, and P-traps as part of our vanity service. We also replace old gate valve shutoffs with modern quarter-turn ball valves while cabinets are accessible—this simple upgrade prevents many common leaks under sinks. If the new layout changes drain locations, our team reworks drain and P-trap connections as part of the rough-in.
Full Rough-In for New Bathrooms & Additions
Building a new bathroom in your Kenilworth home—whether finishing the basement, adding a half bath, or creating an en-suite—requires a full plumbing rough-in. We run supply lines from the closest main shutoff, connect drains to existing stacks or the building drain, add vent pipes through the roof or into existing vent systems, and set floor flanges flush with the finished floor. These steps all require permits and inspections before drywall goes up. We’ll coordinate everything with your GC and schedule inspections so there are no surprises.
Bathroom Plumbing Project Checklist
- Installing or replacing shower valves, trim, and showerheads
- Connecting tub drains, overflow assemblies, and filler lines
- Removing and installing toilets with wax rings and supply hookups
- Hooking up vanity faucets, drains, and supply lines
- Upgrading shutoff valves from old gate to quarter-turn ball valves
- Rerouting drain pipes to support new bathroom layouts
- Adding or modifying vent pipes to maintain proper air flow
- Hooking up bidet seats or standalone bidet units
- Handling permits and scheduling inspections
Helpful Tips for Your Bathroom Remodel
- Pick your fixtures early: Rough-in pipe locations depend on specific fixtures, so finalize selections before plumbing begins.
- Stay close to original layouts: Moving plumbing lines can add significant labor costs compared to replacing fixtures in place.
- Replace shutoff valves now: Swap old gate valves for modern ball valves while walls and cabinets are open to avoid leaks later.
- Evaluate water heater size: Adding soaking tubs or dual showers may require an upgrade to your water heater capacity.
- Plan for permits early: Plumbing rough-in inspections can affect your project timeline—get your plumber involved ahead of time.
Bathroom Remodeling FAQs
If you’re only swapping out fixtures in the same spot, usually no permit is needed. But any work that moves drains, supply lines, or vents requires a permit in Kenilworth. We handle securing permits and scheduling inspections so your remodel meets all local codes. Skipping permits can cause trouble down the road with insurance or resale.
Yes, moving toilets or showers means rerouting drain pipes—sometimes cutting into concrete or subfloor—and adjusting vent lines and water supply. This increases labor compared to same-location replacements but lets you customize your bathroom layout. We’ll provide a detailed cost and timeline estimate for your specific plan.
It’s best to get us involved right at the start, preferably before demolition. We can advise on fixture rough-ins, what’s possible with your existing plumbing stacks, and how permits fit into your timeline. Waiting until after demolition can create scheduling headaches and rushed decisions about piping layouts.
Absolutely. We collaborate with general contractors, designers, and homeowners to make sure the plumbing is done right and inspections happen on schedule. If you’re working with a GC, we’ll coordinate our work to fit smoothly into your overall project. Call 224-537-0229 to discuss your timeline.