Rough-Ins Add Functionality from Bathroom Plumbing to Lighting

For most remodels, changes like moving sink locations or even adding all-new rooms mean that new lighting, plumbing, and mechanical/HVAC changes are needed. Right after framing, we adjust and add new internal systems to a home that change or enhance the functionality of the space during the rough-in process.  For this dormer addition to be useful, we would need to rough-in new lighting as well as add all new plumbing and heating/cooling solutions for the upper level. While plumbing lines, new cans, and HVAC get roughed-in, the actual fixtures are installed much later.

Here’s a Breakdown of the Rough-Ins Needed:

Plumbing – 2 days :

• We opened up the main plumbing stack on the main level to extend a pipe for the upper bath.
• Our crew roughed-in the toilet and sink drain, requiring us to open & patch the floor.
• Plumbing lines are extended to the shower area with a premade shower pan.

Lighting – 2/3 days:

• Our team wired the entire upper level for all new switches, outlets, recessed cans, & decorative fixtures.

HVAC – 1 day now, 2 days later:

• Our techs installed an exhaust fan in the new shared bath, an important element in mitigating stale air and odors.
• One supply in the middle of the living room floor was moved to the secondary bedroom, so that it wouldn’t get covered by a rug.
• 3 mini splits are installed for additional temperature control. Mini splits are not connected to any central cooling/heating unit and are instead equipped with their own fan and evaporator unit.
• We moved an awkwardly placed vent in the living room that was near the new skylights.
• We also prepped for new electric baseboard heaters in each bedroom.
• The bathroom floor will eventually get new in floor heat, which we’ll talk through during tile install.

Temperature Control in an Attic Calls for Serious Insulation

Any new exterior walls are always insulated with spray foam because of the material’s ability to seep into crevices and block heat loss and gain. Insulation on a second floor is exceptionally important, and since we’re using the “hot roof” technique in this home, we spray-foamed the roof deck and ceiling to completely envelope the upper level. The batt insulation we tucked into interior walls, especially within the bathroom, as it helps with sound dampening from room to room. Our crew completed all the insulation needs within 4 days.

Up Next…Look inside as drywall and priming start to transform this Cape Cod dormer addition in St. Paul.