Plumbing for remodels, additions and ADUs
New plumbing starts on paper. Before a wall is framed, the supply lines, drains and vents have to be planned so they fit the structure and meet code. Planning ahead avoids cutting new framing later and keeps inspections on schedule.
Saratoga homeowners call us for kitchen and bath remodels, laundry rooms added on a second floor, accessory dwelling units behind the main house and outdoor kitchens. Each brings different questions about supply size, drain slope and where the new line connects to the old one.
| Project | Key plumbing work | Planning points |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom remodel | Move or replace fixtures, shower valve and drain, new supply lines | Drain slope, vent location, floor access. |
| Kitchen remodel | Relocate sink, dishwasher and disposal, add pot filler or gas range line | Gas capacity, venting and drain routing. |
| Laundry addition | Supply and drain boxes, washer pan and standpipe | Floor drain or pan, vent route. |
| Accessory dwelling unit | Water service, sewer connection, water heater, fixtures | Capacity of existing lateral, permits, utility connection. |
| Outdoor kitchen or hose bibs | Supply, gas and drain lines to exterior | Frost protection, backflow prevention. |
| New water heater or softener | Supply, drain, gas, venting, electrical | See water heater installation and water softener and filtration. |
From rough-in to final
Review plans
We read drawings, check fixture counts and confirm the supply and drain sizes. If the plans do not exist yet, we sketch the plumbing scope with you.
Rough-in
Supply, drain and vent lines are installed before walls close, then pressure tested and inspected.
Set fixtures
After tile, cabinets and walls are finished, we set toilets, sinks, faucets and shower trim.
Final inspection
We coordinate the final inspection with the City of Saratoga building division and correct any items noted.
ADUs and capacity
Accessory dwelling units are increasingly common across the Santa Clara Valley. An ADU adds bathrooms, a kitchen and often a water heater, and all of that connects to a water service and a sewer lateral that were sized for the main house. We check the line sizes and condition and tell you if the lateral can handle the added flow.
A camera inspection of the existing lateral before an ADU is built is a good investment. It shows whether the pipe is sound enough to carry another dwelling, or whether replacement should happen while the yard is already torn up. See our sewer camera inspection page for how that works.
Permits and inspections come first
New plumbing and most major changes require a permit from the City of Saratoga building division. Rough-in inspection happens before walls close, and a final inspection follows. We coordinate both. Ask the city what applies to your address, since requirements depend on the scope.
Local conditions that shape installation
Hillside lots complicate drain routes. A bathroom added at the lower end of a sloped house may sit below the sewer connection and need a pump, while an upper-floor addition needs to vent properly. We look at the lay of the lot before we recommend a routing.
San Jose Water Company supplies most Saratoga homes, and its groundwater runs roughly three times harder than Valley Water imported supply. For a new build or a major remodel, that is a reason to consider a softener or filtration setup while the walls are open.
The code behind the inspection
The California Plumbing Code (UPC-based) sets pipe sizes, venting distances, drain slope and testing for new work. Inspectors check the rough-in against it before the walls close. We design to the code from the start, so the inspection confirms the work instead of finding problems in it.
Installation of new plumbing is usually not covered by insurance. It is part of your remodel budget. Ask your general contractor how plumbing is billed when you are working with one.
Planning new plumbing?
Call with the project type and address. We will tell you what to prepare before a walkthrough.
Where we install
We install plumbing across Saratoga 95070 and nearby Los Gatos (95030, 95032), Monte Sereno and Campbell. For fixture replacement, see toilet repair and faucet repair. Our Los Gatos page has details for the neighboring area.
Common Questions
Usually yes when plumbing is moved or added. Ask the City of Saratoga building division about your address. We coordinate permits and inspections on jobs we perform.
Yes. We check the water service and sewer lateral and plan the new fixtures, water heater and connections.
It is a good idea. A camera shows if the lateral can carry the added load or should be replaced during construction.
Yes. We coordinate with general contractors and sequence rough-in and fixture setting around their schedule.
Often, though drain slope and vent location limit where. We check the floor framing and the drain route first.
Yes. We size the line to the appliance and test it. If you smell gas at any time, leave and call 911 and PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.
Planned installations are scheduled in the day. If a fixture has failed and is leaking, call the 24/7 line for repair first.
Many take one to three days depending on the scope and access, followed by an inspection before walls close.