6 Top Plumbing Features to Add During a Bathroom Remodel

1. Larger Drain Pipes

Most homes use one of three bathroom drain pipe sizes: 1.25”, 1.5”, and 2”. If your home is equipped with one of the smaller models, upgrading to a 2” pipe and corresponding fixtures during a bathroom plumbing remodel can improve drainage speed. A complete drain pipe upgrade should let more water flow through the P-trap and into the sewage system. The benefits include:

• More drainage efficiency. Because the larger drain pipes can handle and process more water at once, they are more efficient than smaller equivalents. Water drains more quickly, reducing the risk of water backing up.
• Reduced risk of clogging. Larger drain piping means more space for water and debris, reducing the risk of clogging. While maintenance is still necessary to prevent clogs, a wider pipe diameter means a small clog is less likely to block water.
• Better for multiple fixtures. A larger drain pipe can be an essential investment if you have a large family or if your bathroom fixtures experience frequent simultaneous usage. A higher drain pipe diameter can handle water from different fixtures more comfortably, preventing the risk of slow drainage or water backup.

2. Hidden Tank Toilets & Low-Flow Toilets

Installing a low-flow toilet with hidden tanks is a stylish and efficient alternative to traditional solutions. If your bathroom is compatible with this plumbing upgrade, it offers the following benefits:

• Space-saving design. The hidden tank design installs the toilet’s water tank inside the bathroom’s wall. This means the toilet occupies less space than a traditional system, making it ideal for minimalistic designs or smaller bathrooms.
• Easier to clean. Hidden tank toilets aren’t just sleeker and more modern-looking; they leave fewer surfaces to clean and maintain.
• Helps save water. Toilets with a low-flow system are much more water-efficient than traditional units. Each flush uses 1.28 gallons of water compared to 1.6 for a standard toilet. This can lead to major water bill savings, especially in California, where the average monthly cost is about $77.

3. Anti-Scald Devices

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends a maximum hot water temperature of 120°F in homes to limit the risk of scalding. However, a Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health survey found that more than 41% of homes surveyed produce hot water at higher temperatures. 27% of them exceed 130°F, a temperature at which just 30 seconds of exposure is enough to cause burns.

Anti-scald devices prevent hot water from reaching dangerous temperatures before reaching the user. Here’s why they are beneficial:

• Work automatically. Once installed, they operate automatically, ensuring safe and consistent water temperatures.
• Safety for all ages. An anti-scald device can be one of the best bathroom upgrades for households with young children or elderly residents, as they are more vulnerable to burns.
• Reduced piping wear and tear. Although anti-scald devices are primarily designed as safety systems, they also help protect your home’s piping and fixtures. By regulating water temperature, they minimize thermal stress caused by excessive heat, reducing wear and tear over time.

4. Motion-Sensor Faucets

A motion-sensor faucet detects movement near the spout using an infrared or ultrasound sensor. When it detects movement, this stylish, water-efficient fixture automatically turns the valve, turning the water on. Some models let water through at a fixed rate, while others have adjustable flow controls.

Upgrading your bathroom’s faucets with these motion-sensing models offers many benefits:

• Convenience. Motion-sensor faucets eliminate the need to turn knobs or levers. This makes them an excellent choice for young children, the elderly, or individuals with motor skill challenges.
• Hygiene benefits. Motion-sensor faucets eliminate the need to touch handles, helping reduce the spread of germs and pathogens and promoting better hygiene. They are an ideal option for homes with frequent guests or elderly residents.
• Water conservation. Motion-sensor systems only distribute water when needed and fully close when not in use, reducing the risk of water dripping and helping reduce waste.

5. Low-Flow Showerheads

Low-flow showerheads are another upgrade to consider when improving the plumbing for a bathroom. Like low-flow toilets, their primary purpose is to control the amount of water used to reduce utility bills and make more efficient use of water flow. Low-flow showerheads use flow restriction systems and mix air with water to create steady, efficient streams. They offer many benefits:

• More water-efficient. Standard showerheads can run through 2.5 gallons per minute (2.5 GPM), meaning a typical 8-minute shower can consume 20 gallons. Low-flow systems can earn the EPA WaterSense label when they produce less than 2.0 GPM. Modern units typically offer 1.6 GPM, saving over 7 gallons of water per shower.
• Easy to install. Unlike many other upgrades to plumbing, replacing the showerheads with low-flow units is easy and can be done with basic tools.
• Comfortable and healthy. Most low-flow showerheads feature multiple flow modes, promoting more comfortable showers. Some may even include built-in filters, improving the water quality and promoting healthier skin and hair.

6. Updated Piping Materials

When plumbing a new bathroom or renovating an existing one, take the time to assess the current plumbing materials. Many older homes are still equipped with obsolete copper or galvanized steel pipes, which are prone to corrosion, pinhole leaks, and damage from seasonal temperature changes.

Installing new bathroom plumbing with pipes made of modern plastics like PEX or CPVC offers the following advantages:

• Longer pipe lifespan. In addition to replacing older pipes at the end of their useful lives with newer ones, modern materials can have longer lifespans. While the best copper pipes can last up to 70 years, the exact longevity depends on the local water quality. In contrast, CPVC can reliably last for at least 50 years and is unaffected by hard or acidic water. Some of the oldest CPVC piping today is over 65 years old and still functioning.
• Reduced risk of leaks. Modern piping materials cannot rust or corrode, are more resistant to cracks, and are less likely to develop leaks, especially compared to old, aging pipes.
• Improved water quality. Materials such as PEX and CPVC are plastic, so they won’t impart a metallic taste to the water. They are also rust-proof and resistant to scaling, helping to minimize sediment, copper ions, and other particles that can compromise water quality.

Upgrade Your Bathroom With Smart Plumbing Choices

Updating the plumbing during a bathroom remodel offers more than just aesthetic improvements. It improves comfort, increases water efficiency to save on utility costs, and adds value to your property.

Select bathroom upgrades that cater to your family’s needs and trust local professional plumbers for installation and maintenance. With their expertise and resources, they can ensure your plumbing system is installed, replaced, and maintained to function seamlessly for many years.