Trusted Bathroom Plumbing in Evanston, IL
Plumbing behind the walls makes or breaks your bathroom’s long-term performance. A botched rough-in can cause slow drains, hidden leaks behind tile, or inconsistent water temperatures that show up months down the line. That’s why getting the plumbing nailed before drywall goes up is key to a bathroom you can count on for decades. If your remodel opens existing walls and you spot any signs of water damage, give us a call right away — we specialize in leak detection and can identify hidden issues before they cause bigger trouble.
When you reach out at 224-408-5078 about your bathroom update, here’s what you can expect: if you’re swapping out fixtures in the same spots—a new faucet, toilet, or showerhead—we usually finish the work in a single day. But if you’re changing the layout, like moving the toilet, swapping a tub for a walk-in shower, or adding a second sink, that involves plumbing rough-in with drain, supply, and vent line changes, which require permits and inspections. We handle both simple and complex jobs.
One piece of advice I always share—lock in your fixture choices before rough-in plumbing begins. Toilets, shower valves, and tub spouts all have different rough-in specs. If you set rough-in dimensions without your fixtures picked out, you could face delays and costly adjustments later because the pipes don’t line up with your new products.
Our Bathroom Plumbing Services
Shower & Tub Plumbing
Installing shower valves is critical—placing the valve at the correct height and depth affects both function and comfort. We use pressure-balance valves (required by Illinois code in showers and tub combinations to avoid scalding), thermostatic valves for stable water temp, and multi-outlet setups for rain heads, body sprays, and hand showers.
Converting a tub into a shower means core-drilling for a new drain, repositioning or installing a shower pan drain with proper slope, building up the shower base for waterproofing, and rerouting water supply lines from the old tub filler to the new valve. These changes are detailed and require careful planning—we’ll review the full scope and timeline before beginning. We also install freestanding tubs, routing water for floor or wall-mounted fillers.
Toilet Installation & Relocation
Replacing a toilet in the same spot is straightforward—see our fixture installation page for details. Moving a toilet, though, involves rerouting drain lines—sometimes cutting into concrete or subfloor—installing a new flange at the right height, adjusting the soil stack vent, and ensuring proper venting complies with code. This work requires permits and inspections.
We handle all toilet types—standard, comfort height, wall-mounted, and dual-flush. If you’re adding a new bath or upgrading, it’s a good time to check if your water heater can handle the extra hot water demand. Planning accessibility upgrades like grab bar blocking or curbless showers? We collaborate with your GC early so these details are built into framing before drywall.
Vanity & Sink Plumbing
Whether you’re switching from single to double sinks, moving from pedestal to vanity, or relocating the vanity entirely, we adjust the hot and cold supply lines and drains accordingly. Adding a second sink means splitting the drain to work with either one shared P-trap or separate traps, depending on your setup.
We install faucets, drains, supply lines, and P-traps as part of vanity plumbing. While the cabinet is open, we recommend upgrading old gate valves to modern quarter-turn ball valves to prevent future leaks—old shutoffs cause a lot of water damage under sinks. If your project changes drain locations, we also manage all drain and P-trap connections properly.
Full Rough-In for New Bathrooms & Additions
Adding a new bathroom anywhere in your Evanston home—whether a basement bath, powder room, or master en-suite—requires comprehensive rough-in work. That includes running supply lines from the closest main, tying in drains to the existing stack or main building drain, installing vent pipes through the roof or connecting to existing vents, and setting floor flanges at finished floor height. These elements require permits and inspections before wall closure. We work closely with your GC and schedule all inspections as part of our standard process.
Bathroom Plumbing Checklist
- Shower valve, trim, and showerhead setup
- Tub drain, overflow, and filler connections
- Toilet removal and installation, including wax ring and supply
- Vanity faucet, drain, and water line hookups
- Shutoff valve upgrades (replacing old gate valves with ball valves)
- Drain line rerouting for layout changes
- Vent pipe installations or modifications
- Bidet seat or stand-alone bidet hookups
- Permit acquisition and inspection coordination
Tips for a Successful Bathroom Remodel
- Choose fixtures first: Rough-in dimensions depend on your specific tubs, toilets, and valves—select before plumbing starts
- Stay with existing layouts when possible: Moving plumbing adds significant labor costs
- Replace old valves while walls are open: Saves money and prevents future leaks
- Check your water heater's ability: Large tubs or extra showers may need a bigger water heater
- Get permits early: Plumbing inspections affect your builder’s schedule—include your plumber in planning
Bathroom Remodeling Frequently Asked Questions
For simple fixture swaps in the same spot, permits usually aren’t necessary. But when you move or add drain or supply lines, or modify vents, a permit is required in the Evanston area. We manage permits and inspections so everything’s done by code. Skipping permits can cause insurance problems or hinder future home sales.
Yes, but it means rerouting drain pipes (which sometimes requires cutting into the subfloor or concrete), moving vent connections, and extending supply lines. This adds to the price compared to replacing fixtures where they are, but it lets you redesign your space exactly how you want. We’ll prepare a detailed estimate to help you decide.
The earlier, the better—ideally before demolition starts. Bringing us in early helps us advise on rough-in details, what’s possible with your existing vent and drain setup, and how permits will affect your timeline. Calling at the last minute after demo can cause scheduling headaches and rushed plumbing decisions.
Yes, we coordinate with GCs, designers, and homeowners directly. We manage the plumbing scope and schedule rough-in inspections to fit your project calendar. Reach out at 224-408-5078 to discuss timing and details for your remodel.