Who Do You Need to Hire for Your Bathroom Remodeling

Q: I just moved into an older house, and the master bedroom needs the most work. The house was built in 1987 and there might be mould behind the wallpaper. I would like a standing shower to replace the drop-in tub. The floors are fine though. Who do I need to hire for my bathroom remodel?

Remodeling a master bathroom is an exciting project to embark on, and an opportunity to implement some stylish master bathroom ideas. Additionally, updating a bathroom can increase the value of your home. Given the possibility of mould in your bathroom, there’s a high chance there is a leak or other plumbing issue at the root of the problem.

Many homes in Ottawa built up to the 1980s have outdated plumbing systems that consist of copper pipes. Pipes made of copper are more likely to freeze and burst in frigid temperatures. This is one of the reasons homes in Ottawa are prone to flooding and may have other plumbing issues. Hiring a professional and licensed plumber is the best way to safeguard your bathroom and home from damage.The plumbing expert in Ottawa to call is Summit Drain. Our vast experience in new plumbing rough-in means that you can count on our team for proper plumbing installation and a variety of waterproofing techniques to keep your bathroom protected against moisture.

Hire a Plumbing Company Specializing in Plumbing Rough-ins

Many homeowners in Ottawa experience damage to their homes due to old and compromised plumbing systems that were built with lead or copper. Another cause of expensive plumbing problems is subpar work done by inexperienced and unlicensed plumbers. If you experience low water pressure, hiring a plumbing company to fix this issue is also key in the contractors you hire for your bathroom renovation. 

New plumbing rough-in provides a solid framework for your plumbing system and creates an efficient water distribution to and from your home. This involves installing water lines, drain lines, vents, and other components. Summit Drain offers comprehensive services for rough-in plumbing and finished plumbing you can rely on.

Hire a Professional Bathroom Renovation Company

Having great ideas for your new bathroom project is a good place to start, but hiring the right team to bring your vision to life skillfully and masterfully is critical.

It’s important to hire a bathroom renovator like iBathrooms with a track record of success. You need a renovation company you can trust to conduct business in a professional manner. The final outcome of your project will depend heavily on the expertise and professionalism of your bathroom contractor.

Do I Need to Hire an Architect?

Wondering who to hire for a bathroom remodel is something that many homeowners wonder about. Whether you need an architect will depend on your plans for the project. If you are planning to make surface changes that do not impact the structure of your bathroom, you won’t need to hire an architect.

However, if your plans involve a remodel that is extensive in scope where you are altering the layout of the room or removing walls, you will need to hire an architect or structural engineer. Such professionals will provide insight into how the structural changes you are making will impact the overall integrity of your home. They will also ensure that the proposed work is in accordance with building regulations.

Do You Need Permits For A Bathroom Renovation In Ottawa?

Whether you need a permit for your bathroom renovation all boils down to the kind of work you are having done.

If you’re going to demolish and reconstruct part of your bathroom, a permit will be needed. You’ll also need to acquire permits for other changes like updates to load bearing walls.

Before You Start Your Project, Create Design Plans, And A Timeline

One of the key steps to bathroom renovation is planning it well. Before you hire a contractor, spend plenty of time exploring design ideas. Ask yourself what you want your new bathroom to look like? What features do you want incorporated into the design?

Find some images that inspire you and communicate your ideas to your contractor. Having a clear picture of what you would like achieved will help establish expectations, timeline, and make sure everyone is on the same page. Keep in mind that not everything has to be set in stone. There will be room for some adjustments once you engage a bathroom contractor.

Make a Wish list

One of the top bathroom remodel tips is to create a wish list. This will help you distinguish your needs from your wants so you and your contractor know what is important to you.

When compiling your wish list, think about why you are doing the renovation in the first place. Do you have an outdated bathroom with poly-b plumbing? Does your bathroom need to accommodate a growing family or lifestyle change? Do you live in a multi-generational home with older family members who may have mobility challenges?

Questions like these should be your starting point and will serve as a guide in determining what changes need to be done vs those that are lower in priority.

The Importance of Hiring Professional Contractors

Hiring the right team for your renovation project cannot be understated. You may have the best design ideas, but if they are poorly executed and subpar installation is done, it won’t matter that you had great ideas.

Word of mouth is an excellent way to learn about reputable contractors. Interview multiple potential contractors to find the one that best suits your project and budget. Take your time in assessing each potential contractor and ask questions about their services. Ask to see examples of their work, and if possible, visit the site of an ongoing project they’re working on.

What Happens If You Need A Bigger Demolition Than You Asked For?

Sometimes, during the demolition process, you may find that more demolition work is needed. This may happen if there is a discovery of asbestos, lead or copper pipes, mould or poly-b plumbing.

We encourage homeowners to set aside 20% of their budget for unexpected surprises. Because materials like asbestos, lead and mould are detrimental to your health, it is prudent that we take action when this is discovered. If you discover mould is growing behind your bathroom walls, we recommend to waterproof your home with interior and exterior waterproofing, window well installation, and other preventative measures to determine the source of the mould.

What Happens if You Need a Lead Pipe Replacement?

Replacing lead pipes is something Health Canada has been urging Ottawa homeowners to update old plumbing systems made of lead. The City of Ottawa has created a rebate under the Lead Pipe Replacement Program to help homeowners recover some of the plumbing rough-in costs for a full or partial lead pipe replacement.

The $1,000 rebate goes towards replacing the pipes that transport water from the main water supply to your home. For more information, visit the City of Ottawa’s website.

Final Thoughts

Planning a bathroom renovation? You want the outcome of your bathroom to be worth the investment of your time and money. You also want it to be a true reflection of your vision for your new bathroom. Hiring contractors Summit Drain who understand the importance of a sound plumbing system and robust waterproofing can make all the difference. We know how to build a bathroom from the inside out.

The first step to your new bathroom remodel is giving us a call!

FAQ

A main sewer line blockage can cause water to backup in random places. For instance, you run your washing machine and notice your sink overflowing – this can be a clear sign that you have a clogged drain line.

If you have ruled out a potential sewer drain clog, you can rinse your sewer drain by flushing it with water. When you flush your lines, try adding a bit of drain cleaner to the water. A great place to flush your sewer line is the toilet – a larger amount of water and drain cleaner can enter your system quickly and easily. Unfortunately, if you do this when you have a clog, it can cause backup and potential flooding – if this is the case, clear the clog first.

You should generally know if your sewer line is blocked with slow drainage. The purpose of the sewer line is to take all the water drainage away from your house via sinks, bathtubs or toilets – if you find that there is slower drainage in one drain then you can essentially clear that yourself using a drain snake or a plunger.

There is confusion regarding when you are responsible for sewer line repair. While some may believe that the homeowner is only responsible for repairing the part of the line that’s on their property, this is not the case. Sewer lines consist of multiple sections, the upper lateral, lower lateral and the main line. The city is only responsible for repairing the main sewer line.

If issues with the main sewer line cause damage to your lower lateral, which is most likely where the damage would generally first start – the city would repair this damage when they work on the main sewer line. Unfortunately, if there is backup and flooding on your property from the main sewer line, then the city would not be responsible. It is best to follow up with the city to see if they will repair any damage in these cases.

Unpleasant smells coming from your drains is indicative of sewer line issues and damage. You should always take these types of smells seriously as it could be toxic fumes slowly releasing from the sewer below into your home.

There are a number of ways to clear a slow drain using products found around the home:

Bent Wire – If you do not have a drain snake, you can try using a stiff wire – like one from a clothes hanger, leaving the hook to enter pipes and pull out any clogs. Try to make sure you don’t push debris further into the pipe.

Homemade Flush – Mixing baking soda and vinegar can dissolve any materials that are potentially clogging your drain pipes. This is a good and much safer alternative to store-bought chemical cleaners.

Toilet Plunger – Like plunging a toilet, you can try using this on your drains. Using a plunger on your drains can help get things moving by using suction. This should be enough to fix any mild blockages.

Aged drain pipes are at risk for corrosion which can lead to breaks. Summit Drain has both the technology and expertise to fix this if necessary.

Yes. Drain pipes are durable, but not meant to last forever. If you live in an older home in Ottawa, most likely the pipes are made from copper and can collapse in this day and age.

When it comes to a collapsed drain, call Summit Drain. We use trenchless technology to replace sewer pipes made from original materials without ruining your property.

Rock salt
Rock salt helps by removing moisture from the roots, which in turn kills them. Two lbs should do the trick, pour 1 down the toilet. Flush until gone. And repeat with the next. Then leave for 12 hours and don’t run any water.


Foaming root killers
Another effective way to treat roots in pipes is with foaming root killers. Pour powder into toilet and flush. It will foam upon contact with water. Not only does it help dissolve current roots, but also helps to protect against future ones.


Copper sulfate
Copper sulfate is another good option. Available at most hardware stores, pour roughly half a cup into toilet and flush until gone. Leave the home and take all pets and family members along. This is a toxic substance and banned in some places.


Should I replace old pipes?
There does come a time where it makes sense to replace your pipes. Over time they crack and corrode. It is recommended to begin routine inspections once your home reaches 50 years in age. For plumbing Services in and around the Ottawa area, nobody does it like Summit Drain.

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