Rerouting home plumbing is an essential task often needed during renovations, repairs, or upgrades to improve efficiency and accommodate new layouts. This step-by-step guide will walk through assessing your current plumbing system, planning the new layout, selecting materials, executing the reroute, and testing for leaks and proper function. Proper planning and careful execution ensure a safe, effective plumbing system that meets building codes and lasts for years. This guide is designed to help both DIY enthusiasts and those hiring professionals navigate the process smoothly
Understanding Home Plumbing Systems
The Building Blocks of Your Plumbing
Your home’s plumbing system is more complex than it seems. Behind those walls lies an intricate network of pipes, valves, and connections that work together seamlessly. Let’s break down the three main components of your plumbing system.
First, you have supply lines—the pipes that bring fresh, clean water into your home from the main water line. They’re usually under pressure, which is why water shoots out when you turn on a faucet. These pipes branch off to feed every fixture in your home, from your kitchen sink to your upstairs shower.
Next come the drain and waste pipes. These larger pipes carry used water and waste away from your fixtures to either your septic system or the municipal sewer line. They rely solely on gravity, which is why a proper slope is crucial when installing them. Without the right angle, you’ll face slow drains and potential backups.
Finally, there are vent pipes—the unsung heroes of your plumbing system. These pipes extend through your roof and allow air into the drainage system, preventing vacuum locks and ensuring smooth water flow. Without proper venting, your drains would gurgle, and water would drain slowly, no matter how clear your pipes are.
Types of Plumbing Systems Affected by Rerouting
When you’re planning to reroute plumbing, you’ll typically work with two central systems. The water supply system operates under pressure and requires careful attention to prevent leaks. Any mistake here can lead to significant water damage, so precision is key.
The drainage system relies on gravity and proper venting. When rerouting drain pipes, maintaining the correct slope – typically 1/4 inch per foot – ensures waste flows properly without creating blockages. This system is more forgiving with pressure but requires careful planning to maintain proper flow.
Essential Tools and Materials
Before diving into any plumbing project, gathering the right tools makes all the difference. You’ll need pipe cutters for clean, precise cuts that ensure proper connections. A good set of adjustable wrenches helps you work with a range of fitting sizes without damaging the fixtures.
Don’t forget about measuring tools like a tape measure and a level. Accurate measurements prevent costly mistakes and ensure your new plumbing route functions properly. A pipe deburring tool removes rough edges after cutting, preventing leaks and ensuring smooth water flow.
Local Codes and Permits Matter
Here’s something many DIY enthusiasts overlook: plumbing codes exist for good reasons. They ensure your plumbing is safe, efficient, and won’t cause problems down the road. Most municipalities require permits for significant plumbing changes, including rerouting projects.
These codes specify everything from pipe sizes to venting requirements. Ignoring them might save time initially, but it can lead to failed inspections, fines, or even dangerous situations. Plus, unpermitted work can complicate home sales or insurance claims later.
Reasons to Reroute Home Plumbing
Common Scenarios Calling for a Plumbing Reroute
Home remodeling tops the list of reasons people reroute plumbing. Maybe you’re knocking down walls to create an open-concept kitchen, or perhaps you’re converting that unused attic into a main suite. These changes often require moving pipes to accommodate new layouts.
Adding new fixtures or rooms is another common trigger. Installing a kitchen island with a sink, adding a bathroom in the basement, or creating a wet bar in your entertainment room – all these improvements require water supply and drainage connections that might not be readily available.
Sometimes, you’re dealing with persistent leaks or blockages that simple repairs can’t fix. Old galvanized pipes might be corroding from the inside out, or tree roots might have invaded your sewer line. In these cases, rerouting provides a fresh start with modern materials.
Improving water pressure and flow motivates many homeowners to reroute plumbing. Older homes often have undersized pipes or inefficient layouts that restrict water flow. By rerouting with appropriately sized pipes and eliminating unnecessary bends, you can dramatically improve your water pressure.
Signs That Indicate Rerouting May Be Necessary
Watch for recurring problems in the same area. If you’re constantly dealing with leaks, slow drains, or low water pressure despite repeated repairs, the underlying pipe configuration might be the culprit.
Visible pipe damage — such as corrosion, mineral buildup, or physical deterioration — signals it’s time for change. When pipes show their age on the outside, the inside is usually worse. Rerouting with modern materials prevents future headaches.
Notice any water stains on walls or ceilings? These often indicate hidden leaks that simple patches won’t permanently fix. Rerouting allows you to move pipes away from vulnerable areas and use more durable materials.
Planning Your Plumbing Reroute Project
Assessing Your Current Layout
Start by mapping your existing plumbing. Turn on the faucets one by one and listen for where the water flows through the walls. Look for access panels, exposed pipes in basements or crawl spaces, and shutoff valves. This detective work helps you understand what you’re working with.
Take detailed photographs of your current setup before making any changes. These photos become invaluable references when you’re knee-deep in the project and can’t remember how things connected initially.
Sketching Your Plumbing System
Creating a simple diagram doesn’t require artistic skills. Use graph paper to draw a basic floor plan, then mark where pipes currently run. Include measurements between fixtures and note pipe sizes. This visual reference becomes your roadmap for planning changes.
Color-coding your sketch helps distinguish between hot water lines (typically red), cold water lines (blue), and drain pipes (black or green). This simple system prevents confusion when you’re planning new routes.
Designing the New Route
Think about the most efficient path for your new plumbing. Shorter runs mean less material cost and better water pressure. However, you’ll need to balance efficiency with practicality – sometimes a longer route that avoids obstacles is better than a shorter one requiring extensive demolition.
Consider future accessibility when planning routes. Running pipes through areas you can access later makes maintenance and repairs much easier. Avoid routing through spaces that will be permanently sealed or difficult to reach.
Measuring and Avoiding Obstacles
Accurate measurements prevent costly mistakes. Measure twice, cut once isn’t just a saying – it’s a plumbing commandment. Account for fitting dimensions, not just pipe lengths, since these connections affect your overall measurements.
Identify potential obstacles like electrical wiring, HVAC ducts, and structural supports. Never compromise your home’s structural integrity for plumbing convenience. If a beam is in the way, route around it rather than through it.
When Professional Input Makes Sense
Complex reroutes involving main stack relocation or significant drainage changes often require professional expertise. Plumbers understand code requirements, have specialized tools, and can spot potential problems you might miss.
Consider getting a professional consultation even if you plan to DIY. Many plumbers offer planning services, during which they’ll review your design and suggest improvements. This small investment can prevent major headaches later.
Tools and Materials You Will Need
Essential Plumbing Tools
Your toolkit should include several must-have items for successful plumbing rerouting:
Tool Purpose: Why It’s Essential
Pipe Cutters Clean, straight cuts ensure leak-free connections
Adjustable Wrenches , Tightening fittings, Works with various sizes
Pipe Deburring Tool Smoothing cut edges Prevents leaks and blockages
Torch (for copper) Soldering connections Creates permanent seals
PEX Crimping Tool Securing PEX fittings Required for PEX installations
Level Checking pipe slope ensures proper drainage
Tape Measure Accurate measurements Prevents material waste
Don’t skimp on quality tools. Cheap pipe cutters create ragged cuts that leak, and poor-quality wrenches strip fitting edges. Good tools last for decades and make the job significantly easier.
Types of Pipes for Rerouting
PVC pipes work excellently for drain lines. They’re affordable, easy to work with, and resist corrosion. The smooth interior surface promotes good flow, and the lightweight material makes installation manageable for DIYers.
PEX tubing has revolutionized supply line installation. It’s flexible enough to snake through walls with minimal cuts, resistant to freezing, and connections don’t require soldering. The color-coding (red for hot, blue for cold) prevents mix-ups during installation.
Copper pipes remain the gold standard for durability and reliability. While more expensive and requiring soldering skills, copper lasts decades and has natural antimicrobial properties. It’s ideal for exposed plumbing where appearance matters.
Safety Gear and Precautions
Safety glasses aren’t optional – they’re essential. Flying debris from cutting pipes or drilling can cause serious eye injuries. Choose wraparound styles that protect from all angles.
Work gloves protect your hands from sharp edges, hot pipes, and caustic materials. Leather gloves work well for general plumbing, while rubber gloves are better when working with drain cleaners or sealants.
Keep a first-aid kit nearby and know where your main water shutoff is. Accidents happen, and being prepared minimizes their impact.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Reroute Home Plumbing
Shut Off the Main Water Supply and Drain Pipes
Locate your main shutoff valve – it’s usually near where the water line enters your modern home. Turn it clockwise until it stops. This prevents flooding if you accidentally cut into a pressurized line.
After shutting off the water, open all faucets at the highest and lowest points in your home. This drains remaining water from the pipes and relieves pressure. Don’t forget to flush toilets to empty their tanks and bowls.
Place buckets and towels strategically around your work area. Even drained pipes contain residual water that will spill when you open them. Being prepared prevents water damage to floors and belongings.
Remove or Disconnect Existing Pipes Carefully
Start by photographing connections before taking anything apart. These visual references prove invaluable when installing new pipes or temporarily reconnecting old ones.
Use appropriate tools for your pipe material. Cut copper pipes with a tubing cutter for clean edges. For PVC, a hacksaw works, but a ratcheting PVC cutter makes cleaner cuts. PEX requires special cutting tools to avoid crushing the tubing.
Label pipes as you remove them, especially if you’re working in stages. Use masking tape and a marker to note where each pipe came from and where it was going. This organization prevents confusion during reinstallation.
Cut and Prepare New Pipes to Fit the Planned Route
Measure carefully from the center of one fitting to the center of the next. Remember that fittings add length, so account for their dimensions in your calculations. It’s better to cut pipes slightly long and trim as needed than to cut too short.
After cutting, properly prepare the pipe ends. Deburr all cuts to remove sharp edges and rough spots. For PVC, use primer and cement according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Copper must be cleaned with an emery cloth before soldering.
Dry-fit everything before making permanent connections. Assemble your entire new route without glue or solder to ensure everything aligns properly. This test run reveals any measurement errors or alignment issues.
Connect New Pipes Using Appropriate Fittings
For PVC connections, apply primer to both the pipe and fitting surfaces, then quickly apply cement and join the pieces with a quarter-turn. Hold for 30 seconds to prevent separation as the cement sets.
Soldering copper requires heating the fitting, not the pipe. Apply heat evenly, then touch the solder to the joint. When the fitting is hot enough, solder will flow into the joint by capillary action. A properly soldered joint shows a thin line of solder around the entire connection.
PEX connections vary by system type. Crimp systems require positioning the ring, inserting the fitting, and using the crimping tool. Push-fit connections require pushing the pipe fully into the fitting until it clicks.
Secure Pipes to Walls or Joists
Install pipe hangers every 4-6 feet for horizontal runs and every 8-10 feet for vertical runs. Proper support prevents sagging, reduces joint stress, and minimizes pipe movement that can cause leaks.
Use appropriate fasteners for your mounting surface. Plastic straps work well for PVC and PEX, while copper requires copper or plastic-coated hangers to prevent galvanic corrosion. Never use steel hangers with copper pipes.
Allow for thermal expansion, especially in hot-water lines. Pipes expand when heated and contract when cooled. Rigid mounting can stress joints and cause leaks. Leave a slight slack in hangers to accommodate this movement.
