Problems that arise during a bathroom or kitchen remodel could be one of few things.
Remodeling is a very exciting undertaking for homeowners. You have likely been saving for years and putting together some ideas, researching finishes, fixtures, materials, appliances, and designs as you educated yourself about the different options. You have done your research, gotten bids, and picked a design-built company to help with the work. However, there will always be some issues you will encounter while remodeling. Problems that arise during a bathroom or kitchen remodel could be one of few things. In this blog, we will go over a few of the most common remodeling issues we have encountered on our projects. Read on to learn more!
Remodeling Homes with Asbestos
If we are working on a home built before the 1970s, we can usually uncover asbestos. Before the 70s, asbestos was one of the most popular building materials in houses in many applications. Most items were manufactured using this amazing natural material, from popcorn ceilings to the floor tiles, ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, or wall insulation. It was fireproof, and at the time had an excellent R-factor when it was used as insulation. Asbestos can be found in many places, like insulation, drywall, old cement siding, shingles, pipe insulation, and acoustic ceiling tiles. A few forms of asbestos are more dangerous than others. For example, vermiculite is loose insulation that could aerosolize and become airborne, which exposes your family to serious health risks. If your house was built before 1980 and hasn’t had serious renovations, it is safe to assume that it might have at least a bit of asbestos. Your design-build professional knows this and will take this into account when determining the overall scope of work.
Electrical and Plumbing Problems
When we work on kitchen or bathroom remodeling projects, we encounter many unexpected remodeling issues with a home’s plumbing or electrical systems. The scope of the issue is, again, typically related to the age of the house.
Common Plumbing Issues
Plumbing is another area where you might encounter unexpected remodeling issues. If you live in an older house, you might find that you’ve got galvanized pipes. These are steel pipes that might have been dipped in protective zinc coating to prevent corrosion or rust. Galvanized pipes were standard in homes back in the 1960s and were originally installed as an alternative to lead pipes for water lines.
Electrical Problems
It is common to find electrical problems when you start opening walls during a remodeling project. Building codes change, as do the needs. New appliances could require additional power, and in many older homes, the gauge of the wire used isn’t sufficient. For example, you can’t replace a two-wire receptacle with a three-wire one. If you do, you run the risk of overheating your unit.
Call Kenwood Kitchens if you need help with a kitchen or bathroom remodel!
KITCHEN AND BATH REMODELING FROM KENWOOD KITCHENS
Ready to get started on your next kitchen, bathroom, or closet project? Kenwood Kitchens can help. Since opening its doors in 1974, Kenwood Kitchens has made a name for itself throughout Maryland as a complete kitchen and bathroom remodeling firm. We want our clients to get what they deserve: a quality installation with quality products at a fair price. Contact our expert planners today for a free consultation about your dream project.