When planning a kitchen or bathroom remodel, most homeowners focus on layouts, finishes, and color schemes. While those choices shape the look of your space, the plumbing behind the walls is just as important—if not more so—for long-term comfort, efficiency, and reliability. This is the perfect time to address upgrades like piping and repiping or installing modern water heaters to ensure your remodel is built on a solid foundation.
Overlooking plumbing during a remodel can mean missed opportunities to address old, inefficient systems or to add new features that improve your home’s daily functionality. A remodel is the perfect time to integrate upgrades that are otherwise difficult or disruptive to install later.
In this guide, we’ll cover the must-have plumbing upgrades for your kitchen and bathroom remodels, why they matter, and how the right planning can save you time, money, and headaches in the future.
Why Plumbing Upgrades Should Be a Remodel Priority
When you remodel, you’re already opening up walls, floors, and ceilings. This makes it easier—and more cost-effective—to replace old pipes, relocate fixtures, and add modern features. Waiting until after the remodel can mean tearing out your new finishes, doubling your labor costs, and disrupting your daily life again.
Upgrading your plumbing during a remodel can:
- Prevent leaks and water damage from aging pipes.
- Improve water pressure and flow.
- Increase energy efficiency.
- Prepare your home for modern appliances and fixtures.
- Boost resale value with updated systems.
If your home is more than 20 years old, there’s a good chance your plumbing could benefit from updates while the space is already under construction.
Kitchen Plumbing Upgrades to Consider
Relocating or Adding Plumbing Lines
A kitchen remodel often changes how you use the space. If you want a sink in your kitchen island, a second prep sink, or better dishwasher placement, new plumbing lines are necessary. Properly placed fixtures improve workflow, make cooking more enjoyable, and can even add a wow factor to your design.
Installing a Pot Filler
For frequent cooks, a pot filler above the stove is more than a luxury—it’s a back-saving, time-saving upgrade. It allows you to fill large pots directly at the stove without carrying heavy, water-filled cookware from the sink.
Upgrading Kitchen Faucets
Modern faucets offer pull-down or pull-out sprayers, single-hand operation, and even touchless technology. These upgrades enhance convenience while also helping conserve water. Many homeowners find that once they experience a touchless faucet, they can’t imagine going back.
Adding a Water Filtration System
A remodel is the perfect opportunity to integrate an under-sink or whole-home water filtration system. You’ll enjoy better-tasting water, reduce contaminants, and eliminate the need for bottled water. If you’ve noticed issues like chlorine taste, sediment buildup, or hard water spots, it may be time to look closer at what’s really in your tap. Before finalizing your remodel, it’s worth considering if your plumbing could be affecting your water quality.
Garbage Disposal Upgrades
If your current disposal is loud, underpowered, or prone to jams, replacing it with a quiet, high-capacity model is worth it. Modern disposals handle food waste more efficiently, reduce odors, and are better equipped for busy kitchens.
Bathroom Plumbing Upgrades to Consider
Walk-In Shower Conversion
Converting a bathtub to a walk-in shower can modernize your bathroom, make it more accessible, and increase its resale appeal. Adding multiple showerheads, body sprays, or a rainfall fixture elevates the experience.
Upgrading to Dual Sinks
If two people share a bathroom, dual sinks can cut morning congestion in half. This upgrade requires additional plumbing but greatly improves daily convenience.
Installing a Tankless Water Heater
A bathroom remodel is an ideal time to switch to a tankless water heater. These systems provide endless hot water on demand, save energy, and free up space compared to bulky tank models. t’s also worth understanding the common hot water tank issues in the Wasatch Front before deciding whether to go tankless or stick with a traditional model.
Luxury Fixture Upgrades
High-end features like freestanding tubs, heated bidet toilets, and steam showers can transform a bathroom into a spa-like retreat. Installing them during a remodel ensures proper integration with your plumbing system.
Improving Water Pressure
Poor water pressure can make even the most beautiful bathroom feel disappointing. Replacing old or corroded pipes during the remodel can restore strong, steady water flow.
Whole-Home Plumbing Improvements During Remodels
Repiping with PEX
Many older homes still have galvanized steel or aging copper pipes that can corrode, leak, and restrict water flow. These materials can also pose hidden health risks of outdated pipes that most homeowners don’t realize until damage or contamination occurs. Replacing them with PEX piping offers long-term durability, resistance to freezing, and easier installation.
Main Water Line Replacement
If your home’s main water line is undersized or deteriorating, a remodel is an opportunity to replace it without extra disruption later. This upgrade improves overall water pressure and flow throughout the home.
Drain Line Upgrades
Outdated drain lines can clog frequently and struggle to keep up with modern usage. Replacing them during a remodel reduces the risk of future blockages and improves drainage performance. This is also the ideal time to address slow drains, whether you plan to tackle them yourself or choose professional drain cleaning.
Adding Shut-Off Valves
Installing dedicated shut-off valves for each fixture allows for quick isolation during repairs, minimizing disruption and potential water damage.
Energy Efficiency and Long-Term Savings
Plumbing upgrades during a remodel can significantly reduce your home’s water and energy consumption. Options include:
- Low-flow faucets and showerheads that conserve water without sacrificing performance.
- Pipe insulation to keep hot water warmer for longer.
- Tankless water heaters that eliminate the need to maintain a large volume of hot water.
- High-efficiency dishwashers and washing machines.
These upgrades save money month after month while benefiting the environment.
Planning Your Plumbing Upgrades
Successful plumbing upgrades start with a plan. Here’s how to get it right:
- Work with your plumber early in the design phase.
- Identify current problems like low water pressure, leaks, or poor layout.
- Determine which features are must-haves versus nice-to-haves.
- Factor in future needs, like aging-in-place or a growing family.
- Coordinate installation timelines with your contractor to avoid delays.
Why Hire a Professional Plumber for Remodels
Remodel plumbing isn’t just about connecting pipes—it’s about ensuring safety, code compliance, and long-term reliability. A licensed plumber understands how to integrate new systems with existing ones, spot potential problems before they become costly, and deliver work that passes inspection the first time.
How Prime Flow Plumbing Can Help
At Prime Flow Plumbing, we specialize in plumbing for kitchen and bathroom remodels across the Wasatch Front. Our expertise includes water heater installation, full-home repiping, and custom renovation plumbing. We work closely with homeowners and contractors to ensure every detail is handled with precision. Whether you’re adding a luxury shower, relocating kitchen fixtures, or replacing outdated pipes, we make sure the plumbing side of your remodel is as seamless as the finished design.
Making the Most of Your Remodel
A remodel is your chance to bring your home’s plumbing up to modern standards while adding features that improve your daily life. From relocating fixtures for better functionality to integrating energy-efficient systems, the right plumbing upgrades pay off for years to come.If you’re ready to plan your remodel plumbing, schedule a consultation with our Wasatch Front plumbing experts. We’ll help you choose the upgrades that best fit your goals and ensure they’re installed with quality and care.
