Nothing refreshes a home quite like remodeling the most personal room in the house, and that is the bathroom. A well-designed bathroom offers a relaxing retreat where you can unwind, recharge, and start every morning on the right foot.
When it comes to bathroom remodeling, it is easy to focus only on what looks good on the outside. But what hides behind your drywall matters just as much. Your pipes, drains, and water lines bear the daily operational load.
As HGTV’s Drew Scott emphasizes in a feature on Drew and Jonathan’s renovation insights, “You don’t have to just put something in that looks pretty—in fact, you shouldn’t. Because if it doesn’t function for how your family needs, or what you need within your house, then it’s useless.”
Remodeling your bathroom gives you a rare opportunity to fix old plumbing issues. Skipping these updates can lead to poor water pressure, noisy pipes, or hidden leaks.
In this article, we will walk you through key plumbing upgrades you should make during a bathroom remodel.
Upgrade Aging Supply Lines with Flexible PEX Tubing
If your home was built before the 2000s, you likely have copper pipes or old galvanized steel lines. Galvanized pipes are notorious for rusting from the inside out. Copper pipes can develop tiny pinhole leaks due to acidic water or bad solder joints.
Take advantage of your bathroom renovation to replace aging pipes with modern, flexible cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) tubing.
PEX is a flexible plastic tubing that bends smoothly around wall studs and corners. Plumbers do not need to cut and solder dozens of tiny elbow fittings. Fewer connection joints mean fewer spots where leaks can form.
It is made of tough polyethylene, so it never rusts, pits, or builds up scale from hard minerals. PEX also handles winter freezes much better than rigid copper. It expands slightly under pressure instead of bursting.
It’s not surprising then that the global PEX tubing market is booming. It was worth $2.20 billion in 2025 and is set to reach $2.35 billion in 2026. Growing at 6.8% each year, it’s projected to hit $4.54 billion by 2036.
Improve Water Flow with Booster Pumps
Starting your day with poor shower pressure is an easy way to ruin your morning. You turn on the faucet, and the water just sort of falls out. If you are planning to install a rainfall showerhead, body jets, or a handheld sprayer, standard water pressure might leave you disappointed.
Modern showerheads feel best when your home delivers between 45 and 60 pounds per square inch (PSI) of water pressure. Many municipal water lines or private well systems struggle to maintain that level on upper floors.
Exploring water pressure booster pumps for your home is a good idea. A powerful one guarantees substantial water volume across every single fixture.
A water pressure booster pump connects directly to the incoming water supply line. It uses an electric motor and impeller to increase the water pressure before pushing it through your home pipes.
Modern booster systems come with smart variable-speed drives. These smart pumps sense when you turn on a faucet. The pump speeds up automatically to keep the water pressure constant.
24hr.supply further adds that these water booster pumps are made from rust-resistant materials, so they are durable and long-lasting.
Install Linear Drains for Seamless Walk-In Shower Designs
Curbless walk-in showers are one of the most coveted bathroom trends in America today, and for good reason. They look clean, make small bathrooms feel huge, and eliminate tripping hazards.
If you want a modern walk-in shower, you need to replace the traditional center round drain and upgrade to a linear drain. It is a long, slim channel installed along one wall or right at the shower entrance.
Unlike traditional drains that require sloping the floor from four directions, a linear drain needs only a single, flat slope. This lets you install large-format floor tiles seamlessly from the main bathroom right into the shower stall. You get fewer grout lines to scrub and a much cleaner look.
Eliminating the standard entry curb also drastically improves safety. A 2024 ResearchGate study on fall-free bathroom design emphasizes that curbless access significantly reduces trip risks, helping support safe daily mobility.
Furthermore, Zion Market Research reveals that 304-grade and 316-grade stainless steel linear drains provide 20 to 50 years of corrosion resistance.
FAQs
Does Moving Plumbing Fixtures Increase Remodel Costs?
Moving fixtures adds significant labor and material expenses to your project. Sinks are the easiest and least costly to relocate. Toilets and shower drains require the most work because plumbers must cut into the subfloor and reroute large waste pipes and vent lines.
Do I Need a Building Permit for Bathroom Plumbing Changes?
Yes, most municipalities require permits for altering drain, waste, or supply pipe layouts. Simple fixture swaps do not need permits. But relocating lines, adding pumps, or replacing subfloor drains requires licensed plumbing inspections.
What Is the Best Way to Prevent Sewer Gas Smells After a Remodel?
Ensure every fixture has a properly sized P-trap and an unobstructed roof vent pipe. Installing modern auto-vent air admittance valves (AAVs) prevents dry traps and keeps sewer odors from entering your living space.
Key Statistics
| Category / Upgrade | Metric / Statistic | Context & Source |
|---|---|---|
| Global PEX Tubing Market | $2.20 Billion (2025)$2.35 Billion (2026) | Market value baseline and near-term projection |
| PEX Market Growth Rate | 6.8% CAGR | Projected annual growth through 2036 (hitting $4.54 Billion) |
| Curbless Shower Safety | Trip Risk Reduction | Confirmed by a 2024 ResearchGate study on fall-free bathroom design |
| Linear Drain Lifespan | 20 – 50 Years | Corrosion resistance duration for 304 and 316-grade stainless steel (Zion Market Research) |
A successful bathroom remodel balances gorgeous surface finishes with durable plumbing underneath. Beautiful tiles and designer faucets only bring joy if the water works perfectly behind them.
Talk to a plumber about these three upgrades while your bathroom is stripped down to the studs. You will end up with a gorgeous space that functions flawlessly for decades.
