Archive for the ‘Plumbing’ Category

Your Choices When Plumbing a Laundry Room

Monday, May 12th, 2008

Whether you have made the decision to remodel or add a laundry room to your home, there is no doubt you have many decisions to make.  It’s no longer convenient or fashionable to just throw a washing machine and clothes dryer in the basement and call the job complete.  Not only do you have to pick a location for your laundry room, you also have to consider the process of plumbing a laundry room correctly.  Of course, once you have the basics, you have the option of adding more conveniences to the room.  Here is a look at some of the choices the pros are going to give you.

Plumbing a Laundry Room

Naturally, your more than competent general contractor is going to be able to advise you on the specifics of the plumbing in a laundry room, but it helps to have some idea of what is going on.  One of the things that are simply not negotiable is the presence of some kind of drain in the center of the room. Let’s face it; washing machine hoses rupture and water can end up everywhere.  With a central drainage system in place, you can be confident the water won’t damage your sub floor or anything else since it has a place to go.

Most of the plumbing connections used for washing machines and stationary tubs are pretty straightforward and your contractor won’t have any trouble either fitting your appliances’ plumbing or adding the correct new fixtures and pipes.  Your biggest concerns are going to be what if any, kind of plumbing additions you might like.  For example, many people take advantage of a laundry room remodel to install a shower.  It can come in handy for mudroom purposes or to allow clothing like sweaters a place to dry since they can’t be hung up.  A retractable clothes line or rails are ideal for this purpose when the shower isn’t being used to clean up the family dog or sports equipment.

There are tons of options to think about when plumbing a laundry room.  You can have as many add ons as you like or keep things nice and simple. 

For more information on plumbing a laundry room

Finishing the Basement: Bar Sink Plumbing Installation

Monday, April 14th, 2008

A finished basement should not only be a fun place for your children to play, but also a fun place for adults to enjoy.  Think about all of the possibilities a finished basement can offer: a place for a pool table or a dart board; a place for a home theatre; or, even more popular and perhaps even more fun, a place for a wet bar.  The possibilities for basement bars are endless, but the first part of this project will be bar sink plumbing installation.  After all, you can’t have a wet bar if it isn’t wet!

Bar Sink Plumbing Installation

So how does the average home remodeler go about bar sink plumbing installation?  Well, the most obvious course of action is simply to hire a contractor.  This is a very good idea for many home owners, especially those who do not have a lot of experience with plumbing.  Bar sink plumbing installation can be done by an amateur plumber if there is an existing plumbing fixture.  If you are simply adding a sink or changing out a sink, you should be able to do the work yourself.  But if you need to create a new plumbing attachment and hook up for your bar sink, plumbing installation should be done by a professional.

Once the plumbing has been installed, you may be able to complete the bar sink plumbing installation by yourself.  You will need a lot of tools, and you will need to have already made the actual bar and counter top.  Some of the tools needed will be a drill with a paddle bit, a sink, plumber’s putty, a drain flange, rubber and paper gaskets, channel lock pliers, a faucet, washers, nuts, and caulk.  The steps of bar sink plumbing installation will include cutting a hole in the countertop that is slightly smaller than the sink itself, using plumber’s putty on the drain flange and on the faucet, and then setting these fixture parts into the sink.  You will need to place the gaskets on the sink drain stem, and will need to tighten the drain stem locking ring.  Use the caulk to create a seal around the lip of the sink, and then set the sink into the hole in the countertop.  Be sure that your plumbing attachments are correct, you will end up with a lot of water leaking into your wet bar!

For more information on bar sink plumbing installation