Telltale signs: bathroom renovation plumbing
Moving a toilet, swapping a tub for a walk-in shower, adding a second sink or simply replacing tired fixtures all involve plumbing work. Some jobs only need finish connections, while others require new drain lines, venting and supply runs. We work with homeowners and their contractors, fitting our part into the larger schedule.
If the new bathroom is going into a basement, see basement bathroom rough-in, which deals with slab work and drain depth.
What we bring
- ABS, copper and PEX fittings
- Pipe cutters, torch and press tools
- Drop sheets and a wet vacuum
Tested before we leave
- Every new joint checked under pressure
- Drains run at full flow
- Work area cleaned before we leave
On the job: what we open, clear and test
- Planning: we review the layout, fixture choices and drain locations before demolition.
- Rough-in: drains, vents, supply lines and the shower valve are set while walls are open.
- Inspection: where a permit applies, the rough plumbing is inspected before closing up.
- Finish: toilet, vanity, faucets and trim are installed after tile and paint.
Each stage is tested for leaks before the next trade moves in.
What can change the job
Moving fixtures is what adds work. Shifting a toilet a short distance may be easy on a wood floor and difficult over concrete or a beam. Old cast iron stacks may need a section replaced to connect new plastic drains cleanly. Pressure-balanced or thermostatic shower valves are worth including; they prevent sudden temperature swings. Hard water is another consideration, and some households add a water softener to protect new fixtures.
Etobicoke homes and this job
New Toronto, Mimico and Long Branch have many compact postwar homes with a single bathroom upstairs, and renovating that room usually means working around the original stack and narrow joist spaces. Bungalows further north, in Eringate or Richview, tend to have more room under the floor, which can make fixture moves simpler. Older homes may reveal galvanized supply pipe once walls are opened, and replacing it while the room is bare is far easier than later.
Before you call
A rough sketch of the existing and proposed layout, with fixture choices if made, helps us give useful advice. Plumbing permits are often required when drains are added or moved; the City of Toronto's building department can confirm what applies.
Working in an occupied home
Most of our renovation work happens while families are still living in the house. We arrange water shut-offs ahead of time, cap supply lines securely at the end of each day, and keep a toilet in service wherever the layout allows. Dust sheets go down along the route to the bathroom, and offcuts and packaging are removed rather than left in a corner of the garage. If the house has only one bathroom, we plan the sequence carefully so the time without a working toilet is as short as possible.