A lot of the people who call us about Randallstown bathroom remodeling have been in their homes for 20, 30, even 40 years. They raised their kids there. They know every neighbor on the cul-de-sac. They have no plans to leave, and they want a bathroom that works for the next 20 years the way the house has worked for the last 30.
That’s a good plan, and the plumbing is where it succeeds or fails.
What we do on a remodel: Bruce Solomon Plumbing, Heating & Air handles the plumbing side of bathroom remodels in Randallstown, MD 21133: rough-in, relocating fixtures, tub-to-shower conversions, new supply and drain lines, and final fixture installation. Owner Bruce Solomon (Maryland Master Plumber, License #6867) has run this family company since 1984. We coordinate directly with your general contractor, designer or tile installer so the plumbing is ready when they are.
The Randallstown Hall Bath, Then and Now
If your house went up during the 60s, 70s or early 80s, you can probably picture the original hall bath before you even walk in: a five-foot tub with a shower head, a single vanity, a toilet tucked beside it and not much room to turn around. In Doewood and Foxridge, the split and bi-level floor plans often stack a small full bath on the upper level and a half bath on the lower level, with plumbing that was designed around those exact spots.
Those bathrooms were built well for their time. After decades of daily use, though, the pipes behind the tile have done a lot of work, and the layout doesn’t always fit the way you live now.
Planning the Plumbing Before the Demo
A remodel goes smoothly when the plumbing decisions are made early. Before any walls come down, we like to sit down with you (and your contractor or designer, if you have one) and answer a few questions:
- Which fixtures are staying in place, and which are moving?
- Is the tub becoming a shower, or is a shower getting bigger?
- Will anyone in the home need a curbless entry, a seat or grab bars, now or later?
- What condition are the existing supply and drain lines in?
- Can the current water heater keep up with a larger shower or a soaking tub?
The answers shape the rough-in plan. Moving a toilet even a foot, for example, means relocating the drain and vent, and in a split-level that may mean working from the ceiling of the room below.
Moving Fixtures and Rough-In
Rough-in is the plumbing that goes into the walls and floor before anything is finished: drains, vents, supply lines and valves. We lay it out to match your final design, set shower valves at the right height, and make sure drains have the right slope. When the tile setter and the vanity installer come in, everything is exactly where the plans say it should be.
Permits and Inspections
Plumbing work on a remodel typically requires a permit from Baltimore County. As a licensed Master Plumber’s company, we handle the plumbing permit and the inspection, so that part of the project is on the books and done properly.
Tub-to-Shower Conversion in Randallstown
The most requested change we see is turning that original tub into a walk-in shower. It’s a great way to make a small bathroom feel bigger and safer to use.
A shower conversion usually involves:
- Removing the tub and inspecting the drain and floor framing underneath
- Moving or resizing the drain for a shower pan or a tiled floor
- Installing a new pressure-balancing or thermostatic shower valve
- Adding a handheld shower, body sprays or a second head if you’d like them
- Setting up the plumbing for a bench or a niche, if the design includes one
We’ll also check your water heater’s capacity. A larger shower with multiple heads uses more hot water, and some families upgrade to a bigger tank or tankless unit at the same time. Our team can help with water heater replacement in Randallstown as part of the same project.
Aging-in-Place Bathroom Updates
For long-time Randallstown homeowners, planning ahead is the whole point. The best time to make a bathroom easier to use for the long haul is while the walls are already open.
Curbless Showers
A curbless or zero-threshold shower lets you walk (or roll) straight in without stepping over a ledge. It takes careful planning of the floor, the drain and the waterproofing, and the plumbing has to be set lower to match. We work closely with the contractor on this one.
Grab-Bar Blocking
Even if you don’t want grab bars today, adding solid wood blocking in the walls during a remodel means bars can be mounted securely later without tearing out tile.
Comfort-Height Toilets and Accessible Fixtures
A comfort-height toilet is one of the simplest changes with the biggest daily payoff. You can read more about options on our toilet replacement page. Lever-handle faucets are easier on hands than knobs, and a hand shower on a slide bar helps anyone who needs to sit while bathing. For help choosing sink and shower fixtures, see our faucet installation service.
Updating Old Pipes While the Walls Are Open
This is the part homeowners often don’t think about until we point it out. With the tile and drywall stripped away, the old pipes are right there. Replacing them now is far easier than coming back later.
In Randallstown houses from the postwar decades on up to the 80s, we commonly find:
- Galvanized steel supply lines that have narrowed inside with rust and scale
- Original copper with pinhole corrosion near fittings
- Cast iron drain pipe with rust or cracks
- Old shutoff valves that won’t close all the way
We’ll show you what we find and give you an honest recommendation. If something is in good shape, we’ll say so. If a drain line below the bathroom is slow or partially blocked, we can have our Randallstown drain cleaning technicians clear it and run a camera before the new floor goes down.
Working With Your Contractor or Designer
Many of our remodel jobs come through contractors and designers who need a plumber they can count on to show up on schedule. We’re used to working as one part of a larger team. That means showing up when rough-in is scheduled, staying on the job until our phase is done, and coming back for the finish work when the tile is set. Once we start your bathroom, it stays on our schedule until our part is done.
Every plumber we send to a remodel has more than ten years behind them, and they sweep up their work area before the other trades arrive the next morning. Curious how a Reisterstown plumbing shop became a family institution? Read our story.
A bathroom project is also a good time to look at the rest of the house. Our plumbing services in Randallstown cover everything from sewer lines to sump pumps.
Start Planning Your Bathroom With Us
When you’re ready to talk through a layout, a shower conversion or an aging-in-place upgrade, start planning your bathroom with us by calling (410) 833-2188. You can also send us your remodel details online and we’ll set up a time to talk. For bigger projects, ask about spreading payments out with approved credit.
Bathroom Remodel FAQs
Do I need a plumber for a bathroom remodel in Randallstown?
Yes, if the remodel involves moving fixtures, converting a tub or replacing pipes, you’ll need a licensed plumber. In Baltimore County, that plumbing work typically requires a permit and inspection. A general contractor will usually bring in a plumber for this part of the job.
Can you move a toilet or shower to a different spot?
Yes, toilets and showers can usually be moved, but it means relocating the drain, vent and supply lines. How easy it is depends on the floor framing and what’s below the bathroom. We’ll look at your layout and tell you what’s practical before demolition starts.
How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take?
The plumbing portion of a tub-to-shower conversion usually takes one to two days. The total project takes longer because of tile, waterproofing and glass work done by other trades. We coordinate our schedule with your contractor to keep things moving.
Should I replace old pipes during a bathroom remodel?
In most older homes, replacing old pipes while the walls are open is a smart move. Galvanized supply lines and aging cast iron drains are much easier and less disruptive to replace during a remodel than later. We’ll inspect what’s there and tell you honestly whether it needs to go.
Caring Technicians
Our technicians know how to treat your home with respect. We come prepared with booties and drop cloths to protect your home.
Always On Time
Your time is very important to us. We strive to show up at your home when we say we will fully equipped for the job.
We Focus On You
You're our first priority! We will not leave you to service a new or bigger job. We focus on outstanding customer service!
Locally Owned
We don't just work here, we live here, too! We know all of the homes in the areas we serve and are familiar with your home's model.