5 Common Plumbing Mistakes We See During Kitchen Renovations

Kitchen renovations are exciting — until something goes wrong behind the scenes. At EPM, we’re often called in part-way through kitchen refits across Exeter, Dawlish, and the South Hams to fix plumbing that’s been done in a rush or overlooked entirely.

Here are five of the most common mistakes we see — and how to avoid them on your next project.

1. Poorly Planned Pipe Runs

We’ve seen waste pipes squeezed behind drawers, hot and cold feeds crisscrossing at odd angles, and even pipework that runs uphill into appliances.

When the plumbing layout isn’t planned early — or is left to the last minute — it often means:

• Longer pipe runs than necessary

• Tricky future maintenance

• Leaks or blockages hidden behind units

Tip: Always plan plumbing at the same time as your cabinet layout.

2. No Isolation Valves

You’d be amazed how many kitchens we visit where taps, dishwashers and washing machines have no local isolation valves.

That means turning off the whole house water supply just to swap out a dishwasher. Not ideal.

We always recommend:
Inline isolation valves on all appliances and new tap feeds.

3. DIY Waste Connections That Don’t Last

We've seen it all — from poorly glued joints, to mismatched pipe sizes held together with tape.

Most kitchen waste pipe issues start with:

• Incorrect fall

• Loose compression fittings

• Push-fit joins installed in inaccessible voids

If you’re fitting a new sink or moving a dishwasher, don’t cut corners on waste. A slow leak inside a cabinet or plinth can go unnoticed for weeks — until it causes damage.

4. Hidden Leaks Under Floors

If the new kitchen layout covers the pipework with new flooring or fixed plinths, you might not notice a slow leak for months.

That’s why we always test every joint before the floor goes down — and make sure key fittings are accessible after install.

5. Using the Wrong Trades at the Wrong Time

We’ve arrived to finish plumbing where:

• Cabinets were installed without checking space for pipes

• Electricians ran cables through pipes’ planned routes

• Floors were laid before the waste layout was confirmed

The result? Expensive delays, rework, and customer frustration.

Bring in your plumber early — even if it’s just for a rough first fix layout. It’ll save time and money later.

Final Word from EPM

We’ve worked on kitchen installs from central Exeter to Kingsbridge — and every job runs smoother when the plumbing is planned early and done properly.

Whether you’re fitting a simple replacement or a full layout change, give us a ring before the floor’s down and the plaster’s dry.

It’ll be one less thing to stress about — and we’ll get it sorted, fast.