How to Move Bathroom Plumbing Fixtures

No matter the reason you’ve got in mind, renovating the bathroom can breathe plenty of fresh life into the room. How exactly you plan to execute the remodelling, however, can have a big impact on the total cost and expected amount of work to be carried out.

Cupboards and vanity cabinets can be removed and replaced with little effort; a little handyman know-how and a trusty screwdriver will help you out plenty. But moving around bathroom plumbing fixtures is a whole other kettle of fish.

Moving a toilet, for example, isn’t just a matter of removing and relocating the toilet elsewhere in the room. Where are the plumbing fixtures located and will it even be possible to simply ‘move’ a toilet a few metres in either direction?

What may seem like a simple enough task can quickly become a nightmare. So how does one proceed? Consider the following tips:

Things to Consider When Moving Bathroom Plumbing Fixtures

“Measure twice, cut once” as the saying goes, so always be sure that you’ve planned well in advance for any remodelling work that requires shutting off water supply valves or disconnecting bathroom fixtures. In particular:

• Moving a sink is perhaps the least expensive option, especially if the sink is being moved along the same wall. If you’re moving the sink to another wall, the plumbing work required to connect the fixture can quickly become expensive.
• Moving a shower can be very expensive, since the drain itself, the wall fixture for the showerhead, and the piping under the tiles will all need to be moved as well. If at all possible, consider leaving the shower where it is.
• Moving a bathtub requires moving hot and cold water fixtures, as well as drainage. The tub itself shouldn’t be too much of a hassle to move, but not that you should probably re-tile the surrounding walls and/or floor underneath.
• Moving a toilet is quite expensive, to the surprise and dismay of many homeowners. Even keeping it in the same spot and using a new toilet requires reattaching the drainage and water supply, as well as tilework.

Alternatives to Moving Bathroom Plumbing Fixtures

If moving fixtures isn’t absolutely necessary, you can still achieve a drastically different look in the bathroom with a few simple touches. Paint or new vanities can liven up smaller spaces, as can replacing shower doors with glass doors (this also gives the impression of greater space). Consider that the alternatives may be far less costly than moving the fixtures around.

Lastly, replacing certain fixtures such as sinks and bathtubs with freestanding bath tubs, for instance, can be usually done without too much work involved. Ask a plumber for assistance with these types of fixtures.

Ask a Professional or DIY?

If you’re set on moving bathroom plumbing fixtures from one place to another, the best advice is to consult a professional plumber eastern suburbs and get some advice. They can give you a generally good ballpark estimate of the expected costs, schedule the work involved, and perform the job safely and without delay.

DIY your bathroom remodelling project all you want, but leave the plumbing work for licensed plumbers.

Murphy’s Plumbing

The crew at Murphys Plumbing are fully capable of tackling all sorts of bathroom remodelling projects, so give us a ring if you need a hand moving bathroom plumbing fixtures.