Tips for Planning Around Kitchen Utilities During a Remodel

Planning a kitchen remodeling project? Determining the layout of your utilities is the only place to start, since this will dictate where you need to place the major features of your kitchen, including sinks, dishwashers, ranges and ovens. While it’s best to keep your kitchen’s overall layout basically the same during a renovation, in most cases there will be at least partial rerouting of utilities required. Here’s how to think like a plumber and electrician when determining utility placement during your kitchen remodel.

Natural gas or propane utilities

If you’re purchasing gas appliances like an oven or range, you’ll need to make sure existing gas pipes are in correct locations. If you’re buying a new stove and you already have gas, the lines may need some adjusting or rerouting. In some cases, if you’ve been cooking off an electric stove and want to install a gas stove to enhance your options for cooking, gas lines will need to be installed entirely from scratch. In either case, a plumber will need to handle these tasks during a kitchen renovation.

It’s important to get gas lines in place before any structural work is done, and especially before any installation of important features. Get a professional opinion of where the gas line should go and have a good idea of what stove you’ll purchase so you can make sure it will fit in your new kitchen.

Plumbing

Kitchen sinks and dishwashers need to be connected to hot and cold water supplies as well as to a waste pipe. It generally makes the most sense to keep sinks and dishwashers as close together as possible, since a dishwasher’s supply and waste pipes are usually extended from the sink plumbing. Waste pipes are especially difficult to extend since they need to run at a gradient. Always seek out the expertise of a seasoned plumber, especially if you’re making changes to your kitchen’s layout that require adjustments to waste pipes. A professional plumber will make sure everything’s up to code in your new kitchen.

Electrical

There are many appliances in a kitchen that rely on electricity, not to mention the lights. You’ll need plenty of standard outlets above countertops to supply power to peripheral yet important appliances like coffeemakers, toasters and blenders. Large appliances, including electric stoves and microwaves, need a dedicated 220V power line, since they’re heavy duty and require enough power to run. A skilled electrician can reroute electrical wiring according to your layout and specifications. In addition to rerouting for appliances, an electrician can reroute for lighting. In some cases, you can do rewiring yourself, but usually this is the type of job best left to a professional.

Kitchen remodeling projects can be challenging no matter the size and scope. Utility rerouting during a kitchen renovation absolutely needs to be done by an experienced plumber. Contact the team at Affordable Rooter today to learn more about how to plan your new kitchen around important utilities to achieve the best results from your remodeling project.