ando1048576
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- Jun 4, 2007
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I've got a 2nd floor bathroom that I'm currently remodeling and am wondering if I should rip out the existing plumbing and redo it with Pex while I've got things opened up. I've already ripped out the galvanized drain lines to put PVC back.
Attached are some images from the joists below. The main thing I wanted to show was the size of the current flexible copper tubing used to get water from the basement to the attic, and the tight quarters. In one picture you'll see 3 pipes - that's where I have to run water to. For some reason when they remodeled some time in the past they put the supply lines in the floor rather than in the wall. And took out the vent line for the bathroom. :/
Another thing to consider is that they cut out 1 layer of sub-floor to give themselves another inch for the copper lines around the toilet - leaving me with only 1" of flooring around that toilet (which is a little rotten due to a bad wax seal). No wonder that sucker rocked. :/
I plan on utilizing the existing tub because it's a decent cast tub, but am thinking about pulling the top layer of flooring in the whole bathroom to lay 1/2" exterior-grade plywood for laying tile. I'm not sure what's under the pink tile yet - I may get that pulled this weekend.
What do people think? Redo it all while I've got things torn open? It would definitely be easier to cope with the tight quarters when re-running water lines. I don't like adding ~ $100 to the cost of the project (and I have to find someone in the area with a Pex tool), but don't want to half-*** something only to have it come back and bite me.
I also have a thread on the John Bridge Ceramic Tile forums if you want more background: http://johnbridge.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=50361
If you need more pictures please just ask - finally got my digital camera back so can take as many pics as needed.
Edit: Another thing with the existing plumbing is some pretty severe water hammer - you'd hear it any time the sink or tub was turned on. I think I can eliminate most of the water hammer by installing an arrester or 2 (hope that's what they're called) to help with that and add some more support to the plumbing, but I'm not sure.
Attached are some images from the joists below. The main thing I wanted to show was the size of the current flexible copper tubing used to get water from the basement to the attic, and the tight quarters. In one picture you'll see 3 pipes - that's where I have to run water to. For some reason when they remodeled some time in the past they put the supply lines in the floor rather than in the wall. And took out the vent line for the bathroom. :/
Another thing to consider is that they cut out 1 layer of sub-floor to give themselves another inch for the copper lines around the toilet - leaving me with only 1" of flooring around that toilet (which is a little rotten due to a bad wax seal). No wonder that sucker rocked. :/
I plan on utilizing the existing tub because it's a decent cast tub, but am thinking about pulling the top layer of flooring in the whole bathroom to lay 1/2" exterior-grade plywood for laying tile. I'm not sure what's under the pink tile yet - I may get that pulled this weekend.
What do people think? Redo it all while I've got things torn open? It would definitely be easier to cope with the tight quarters when re-running water lines. I don't like adding ~ $100 to the cost of the project (and I have to find someone in the area with a Pex tool), but don't want to half-*** something only to have it come back and bite me.
I also have a thread on the John Bridge Ceramic Tile forums if you want more background: http://johnbridge.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=50361
If you need more pictures please just ask - finally got my digital camera back so can take as many pics as needed.
Edit: Another thing with the existing plumbing is some pretty severe water hammer - you'd hear it any time the sink or tub was turned on. I think I can eliminate most of the water hammer by installing an arrester or 2 (hope that's what they're called) to help with that and add some more support to the plumbing, but I'm not sure.