A bathroom renovation lives or dies on the plumbing under the tiles. Get the pipework, falls and waterproofing right and the bathroom lasts 25 years. Get it wrong and you're chiselling tiles off in 18 months. Here's what we tell every Sandton homeowner before they sign with a builder.
Replace the pipework while the walls are open
If your home was built before 2000, the original galvanised or older copper pipe behind the tiles is probably nearing end of life. Replacing it during the renovation costs a fraction of doing it later through finished tiles. Modern PEX or quality copper, properly clipped, will outlast the new bathroom by decades.
Move the toilet only if you must
Moving a toilet means cutting the slab and re-routing the soil pipe — expensive and slab-permitting. Wherever possible, keep the toilet on its existing waste and rearrange the basin and shower around it.
Mixer quality matters more than brand
Cheap diverter mixers fail within 3–5 years and the cartridges aren't always replaceable. Invest in Cobra, Hansgrohe, Grohe or Franke — we can replace cartridges 10 years later instead of cutting tiles.
Waterproofing is non-negotiable
Every shower needs a proper liquid membrane (Dr Fixit, Sika, ABE Super Laycryl) taken up the wall 1.8m and across the floor with corner reinforcement, then a 24-hour flood test before tiling. Skipping this is the #1 cause of damp on the wall behind a shower.
Plan for the geyser
Long pipe runs from a distant geyser mean cold water wasted at the start of every shower. Consider a smaller secondary geyser closer to the bathroom, or a recirculation pump on the existing system.
Budget guide for Sandton in 2026
- First-fix plumbing (new pipework, drains, valves): R18,000–R32,000
- Second-fix (mixers, toilet, basin, install): R8,500–R18,000 + fittings
- Waterproofing membrane to shower area: R3,500–R6,500
- Plumbing COC issued on completion: R1,200–R1,800
Planning a bathroom renovation in Sandton, Bryanston or Midrand? Phone 082 886 9119 for a site visit and detailed plumbing quote — we work with your builder or run the whole project.