Primary Suite Additions and High-Flow Bathroom Plumbing in Fairlawn

The Hidden Math Behind a Spa Shower

A single shower head uses a modest flow of water. A rain head, a handheld and a bank of body sprays running together can use several times as much. If the supply lines feeding the bathroom are the same size as the ones that served the old tub, the result is weak spray and sudden temperature swings whenever someone else uses water.

We look at the size of the water service, the branch lines that would feed the new suite and the household's other demands. On larger projects, it is common to run a dedicated, larger trunk line to the suite or to feed it from a manifold so the shower is not competing with the kitchen.

Making Sure Hot Water Keeps Up

A big soaking tub or a multi-outlet shower can drain a standard tank before anyone is finished. Options include:

• A larger or higher-recovery tank water heater
• A dedicated water heater for the primary suite, located closer to the bathroom
• A tankless unit sized for the shower's combined flow
• A recirculation loop so hot water reaches a distant bathroom faster

Planning the heater alongside the plumbing

The right choice depends on space, gas availability and venting. We size it as part of the same plan, and our gas water heater service can install the new unit.

Drains for Today's Bathroom Layouts

High-end fixtures are often the least forgiving when it comes to drain placement.

Freestanding tubs

A freestanding tub drains straight down through the floor, so the drain has to be placed precisely under the tub's outlet, which varies by model. We need the exact tub specifications before rough-in. Floor-mounted tub fillers also need supply lines brought up through the floor at the right spot.

Curbless and linear-drain showers

Zero-threshold showers need the floor recessed or sloped toward a linear drain, which affects framing and the drain's height. Planning this with your builder during design avoids raising the bathroom floor or creating a ramp at the doorway.

Double vanities and extra fixtures

Each sink needs its own trap, and the pair must be properly vented. A separate water closet room, a bidet or a beverage sink adds fixtures that all have to fit the drain and vent design.

Choosing Materials for a Long-Term Bathroom

For supply lines, PEX and copper both work well. Copper is often preferred near water heaters and for exposed runs, and some owners simply want it throughout. Learn more on our copper piping page. For drains near bedrooms, cast iron or insulated PVC can reduce the sound of running water, which is worth considering when the primary suite shares walls with sleeping areas.

From Design to Final Connection

We begin with a free estimate and work from your plans and fixture selections. After you approve the specifications, the rough-in goes in, including shower valves and body spray bodies set at the right heights. Everything is pressure tested and inspected before tile and drywall. Trim and fixtures are installed at the end, followed by a final inspection and our own quality check. Read the new plumbing installation overview for more on how projects run.