A smoother remodel starts behind the walls
Remodeling a bathroom or kitchen in Boise is exciting—until the plumbing surprises show up: a drain that can’t be moved where you want it, a water line that’s undersized, or a vent that’s missing entirely. The best way to protect your timeline (and your budget) is to plan the plumbing early—before tile, cabinets, and countertops go in. Cloverdale Plumbing helps Treasure Valley homeowners map out remodel plumbing so the finished space looks great and performs reliably for years.
What counts as a “plumbing remodel” (and why planning matters)
A plumbing remodel usually means changing one or more of these items:
• Relocating fixtures (toilet, shower, tub, sink, laundry, dishwasher)
• Upgrading pipe materials or resizing lines for better flow
• Reworking drains, vents, and cleanouts to meet the new layout
• Adding features (pot filler, second shower head, soaking tub, utility sink)
The “hidden” systems—drain slope, venting, shutoff placement, and access—determine whether your remodel feels high-end or becomes a constant source of clogs, slow drains, sewer odors, or weak water pressure. That’s why plumbing layout is best handled during design, not after demo.
If you’re specifically planning a kitchen or bathroom update, visit our remodel service page here: Remodel plumbing services.
The 5 plumbing decisions that shape your remodel’s performance
1) Can the drain move where you want it?
Toilets, tubs, and showers often can’t move “just anywhere” without opening floors, reframing, or rerouting a main line. Drain slope and pipe sizing matter, and older homes may have layouts that limit options. A pre-planning walk-through can confirm what’s realistic before you order fixtures.
2) Is your venting correct for the new layout?
Venting protects traps (the water seal that blocks sewer gas) and helps drains move waste quickly. When a sink or shower shifts even a few feet, venting may need to be updated—especially if you’re combining fixtures or converting a tub to a shower.
3) Do you have shutoffs where you’ll need them?
Remodels are a great time to add accessible shutoff valves at sinks, toilets, laundry, and anywhere a leak could cause fast damage. Convenient shutoffs reduce panic during an emergency and make future maintenance easier.
4) Will your water heater keep up with the upgrade?
A larger shower, dual shower heads, a soaking tub, or a new laundry setup can increase hot-water demand. If the remodel changes how your household uses hot water, it’s smart to evaluate your water heater capacity (and efficiency) at the same time. Learn more here: Water heater installation & service.
5) Are you upgrading fixtures for comfort and water savings?
Better fixtures can improve everyday comfort—quieter fills, stronger shower performance, cleaner aesthetics—while also reducing leaks and maintenance. If you want help selecting and installing fixtures that fit your space and plumbing, see: Plumbing fixture installation.
Quick comparison: cosmetic update vs. plumbing-forward remodel
Remodel Type
What changes
Plumbing impact
Common risk if planning is late
Cosmetic refresh
Paint, hardware, vanity, faucet swap
Low (often same rough-in)
Small leaks or poor fit due to mismatched connections
Layout change
Move sink, toilet, shower, add dishwasher/laundry
High (drain/vent/water lines)
Rework after tile/cabinets, slow drains, sewer odor from vent issues
Performance upgrade
Bigger shower system, soaking tub, improved pressure, repipe
High (sizing + capacity)
Weak flow, temperature swings, hot water shortages
If your remodel includes pipe updates, leak repair, or replacing older lines while walls are open, start here: Pipe replacements & repairs.
Did you know? Fast facts homeowners often miss
• Drain snaking often opens a path through a clog, but hot-water jetting can scour pipe walls and remove buildup more completely—especially helpful for recurring backups. (mitchellplumbing.com)
• Boise water is commonly reported around ~108 mg/L (about 6 grains per gallon), which is considered “hard” and can contribute to scale on fixtures and in water heaters. (aquatell.com)
• In Idaho, plumbing work frequently involves permits and inspections through the state’s Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). (dopl.idaho.gov)
Step-by-step: A practical plumbing checklist for your Boise remodel
Step 1: Decide what “must move” vs. “nice to move”
Moving a toilet or a tub usually drives the most cost because it may involve floor work and main line adjustments. If the current location works, you can often spend the budget on better fixtures, lighting, or storage without giving up function.
Step 2: Confirm drain, vent, and water line routes before ordering finishes
This is the moment to confirm: where the trap will sit, where the vent ties in, where shutoffs will be accessible, and whether pipe sizing supports your new fixture set. A little time here prevents expensive rework after cabinetry and tile are installed.
Step 3: Plan for access panels and cleanouts (future-you will be grateful)
Remodels can hide important access points. In the right location, an access panel looks clean but can save hours if a valve, tub drain, or shower mixing cartridge ever needs service.
Step 4: Consider proactive drain cleaning while walls are open
If you’re remodeling a kitchen or bathroom that’s had slow drains or recurring clogs, it’s smart to address the drain line while the job is underway. For stubborn buildup, hot water jetting can be a strong option when the pipe condition supports it. Learn more: Hot water jetting & drain cleaning.
Step 5: Protect new finishes with a leak-prevention mindset
New flooring and cabinetry raise the stakes. Ask about upgraded supply lines, reliable shutoffs, and best-practice installation details that reduce risk (especially for toilets, dishwashers, and laundry connections).
If you need general service planning across multiple areas of the home, our full service overview is here: Plumbing services in Boise.
Boise/Treasure Valley local angle: older homes, hard water, and winter reality
Older neighborhoods often mean older plumbing layouts.
If your home is mid-century or older, you may run into legacy pipe materials, tight chases, or previous remodel work that wasn’t designed for today’s fixture expectations. A remodel is the right time to evaluate pipe condition and update what’s accessible.
Hard water can quietly reduce performance.
Mineral scale can show up as reduced shower performance, spotty fixtures, or faster wear on water-heating equipment. If you’re upgrading fixtures, it may also be worth discussing filtration or softening options: Water softening & treatment systems.
Remodel timelines often collide with winter plumbing risks.
Boise winters can be hard on plumbing—especially if pipes are exposed during construction. If a line fails after hours, having a local team that answers directly can make a big difference: 24/7 emergency plumbing in Boise.
Ready to plan your plumbing remodel with a Boise team that’s been doing this for decades?
If you’re moving fixtures, upgrading a bathroom, remodeling a kitchen, or building an addition, a quick planning conversation can prevent the most common remodel surprises—slow drains, poor venting, weak pressure, and hard-to-service valves.
FAQ: Plumbing remodels in Boise
Do I need a permit to move plumbing during a remodel in Idaho?
Many plumbing projects require permits and inspections. The requirements can depend on scope and jurisdiction, but Idaho’s DOPL provides plumbing permit and inspection information and scheduling. (dopl.idaho.gov)
Can I relocate a toilet anywhere in the bathroom?
Often, relocation is possible—but the true limitation is the drain path, slope, venting, and what’s under the floor. A planning visit can confirm what’s feasible before you finalize the layout.
Is hydro jetting better than snaking for remodel prep?
For a single, simple clog near a fixture, snaking can be the right first step. For recurring backups or heavy buildup, controlled jetting can clean pipe walls more thoroughly and help reduce near-term repeat clogs. (mitchellplumbing.com)
Should I replace old pipes while walls are open?
If pipes show corrosion, repeated leaks, or past patchwork repairs, a remodel is often the most cost-effective time to update accessible lines—before new finishes make access harder and more expensive.
Will my current water heater handle a new shower system or soaking tub?
Maybe—but it depends on tank size, recovery rate, and the new demand. If your remodel increases hot-water usage, ask for a quick capacity check so you don’t finish the remodel and then discover you’re running out of hot water.
What’s the best way to prevent sewer odors after a remodel?
Sewer odor issues are often tied to venting and traps. Ensuring each fixture has a properly protected trap and the venting is correct for the updated layout is the best prevention strategy.
Glossary (helpful remodel plumbing terms)
Rough-in
The behind-the-wall/under-floor plumbing stage where drains, vents, and supply lines are set before fixtures and finishes are installed.
Vent (plumbing venting)
Piping that balances air pressure in the drain system so fixtures drain properly and sewer gases don’t enter the home.
Trap (P-trap)
The curved section of drain pipe that holds water to block sewer gas from coming back up through a sink, tub, or shower drain.
Cleanout
An access point that allows drain lines to be serviced (snaked or jetted) without removing fixtures or opening walls.
Hydro jetting (hot water jetting)
A professional drain-cleaning method that uses high-pressure water (sometimes heated) to scour buildup from pipe walls. (mitchellplumbing.com)
Hard water
Water containing higher levels of dissolved minerals (commonly calcium and magnesium) that can contribute to scale buildup over time. (aquatell.com)