Your bathroom stops being that outdated space you avoid showing guests. The shower pressure is consistent, the fixtures work like they should, and you’re not wondering when something’s going to leak through the ceiling.
When you open up walls for a remodel, that’s your window to replace aging pipes before they fail. Homes built before 1980 in Brevard County often have cast iron that’s corroding from the inside out. Fixing it during your bathroom fixture installation costs a fraction of what you’d pay to tear into finished walls later.
You also get a bathroom designed for how you actually live. Whether that’s aging-in-place features like walk-in showers and grab bars, or spa-inspired upgrades with freestanding tubs and frameless glass. The difference is working with someone who understands both the plumbing systems and Florida building codes.
Drain Wizard is a family-owned plumbing contractor based in Cocoa, serving West Eau Gallie and throughout Brevard County. Carl, the owner, started plumbing at 16 and earned his state license after years of working on everything from gas piping to complete bathroom remodels.
We’re not a national chain sending whoever’s available. You’re working with a licensed contractor who knows what Brevard County inspectors look for, how Florida’s humidity affects bathroom plumbing, and why shortcuts during shower and tub replacement lead to expensive problems down the road.
Our background includes over 20 years of military service, which shapes how we approach every job. Show up on time, do what we said we’d do, and make sure it’s done right before we leave.
We start with a walkthrough of your current bathroom. You tell us what’s not working, what you want different, and we look at the plumbing behind the walls. If your house was built decades ago, we’re checking for cast iron that needs replacing or outdated venting that won’t pass inspection.
Next comes the permit process. Most bathroom remodels in Brevard County require permits if you’re doing anything beyond cosmetic changes. We handle the paperwork, submit to the county, and schedule inspections so you’re not dealing with that headache.
During the remodel, we’re rerouting pipes as needed for your new layout. Moving a vanity or relocating a shower means running new supply lines and drain pipes. We’re also updating fixtures, installing your tub or shower base, connecting toilets and sinks, and making sure everything is waterproofed correctly for Florida’s climate.
Final step is inspection and testing. The county inspector verifies everything meets code, we test for leaks, check water pressure, and walk you through how everything works. You’re not left guessing if something was done right.
Ready to get started?
You’re getting all the pipe rerouting services needed for your new layout. That includes running new supply lines for relocated fixtures, installing drain pipes that are properly sized and vented, and replacing any corroded cast iron or galvanized steel while walls are open.
Vanity plumbing covers your sink installation, faucet connections, and drain assembly. We’re also handling shut-off valves so you can turn off water to individual fixtures without killing supply to your whole house. For shower and tub replacement, we’re setting the base or tub, connecting drain assemblies, installing mixing valves, and roughing in any body sprays or handheld shower heads you’re adding.
Toilet installation includes the flange, wax ring, supply line, and making sure it’s level and sealed. If you’re adding features like a bidet or upgrading to a comfort-height toilet, we’re handling those connections too. In West Eau Gallie’s coastal environment, we’re also focused on proper waterproofing behind tile and around fixtures. Small leaks in Florida’s humidity turn into mold problems fast, so we’re using the right membranes and techniques the first time.
Yes, if you’re doing anything beyond painting or swapping a faucet. Moving fixtures, changing plumbing lines, or altering the bathroom layout requires permits in Brevard County.
Permits aren’t just bureaucratic red tape. They ensure your work meets Florida building codes, which exist because of our climate, hurricane risks, and specific plumbing challenges. An inspector verifies things like proper venting, correct pipe sizing, and waterproofing details that prevent long-term damage.
Unpermitted work also causes problems when you sell. Home inspectors find it, buyers get nervous, and you’re either redoing the work or negotiating a lower sale price. We handle the entire permit process so you don’t have to worry about it.
If your house was built before 1980 and you’re opening walls anyway, yes. That’s your cost-effective window to replace aging pipes before they fail.
Many homes in West Eau Gallie have original cast iron drain lines that corrode from the inside. You won’t see the problem until it leaks or backs up. Galvanized steel supply lines also corrode, reducing water pressure and contaminating your water with rust and sediment.
Replacing these pipes during a remodel costs way less than tearing into finished walls later for an emergency repair. You’re already paying for demolition and wall repair as part of the remodel, so the incremental cost to repipe is minimal compared to doing it separately.
The plumbing portion typically takes 3-5 days for a standard bathroom, depending on how much pipe rerouting you need and whether we’re replacing old cast iron or galvanized lines.
Day one is usually demolition and rough-in work—removing old fixtures, opening walls, and running new supply and drain lines. Days two and three cover installing the shower base or tub, setting toilet flanges, and roughing in vanity plumbing. We then schedule the county inspection before closing walls.
Final connections happen after tile and finishing work. We install your fixtures, connect everything, test for leaks, and verify water pressure. If you’re doing a complete bathroom renovation with significant layout changes or whole-house repiping, add a few more days.
Focus on fixtures that improve daily function and add aging-in-place features. Walk-in showers with low or no threshold, handheld shower heads, grab bars installed into blocking, and comfort-height toilets make the biggest difference.
For vanity plumbing, consider a floating vanity for easier cleaning and wheelchair access if needed. Lever-style faucet handles are easier to operate than knobs, especially with wet or soapy hands. If you’re keeping a tub, freestanding models are popular but require specific drain placement and sometimes floor reinforcement.
In Florida’s climate, also think about ventilation. A quality exhaust fan vented outside prevents moisture buildup that leads to mold. We can wire it to a timer or humidity sensor so it runs automatically after showers.
Plumbing typically represents 15-20% of your total bathroom remodel budget. For a standard bathroom remodel costing $15,000-$25,000, expect $2,500-$5,000 for plumbing work including fixture installation and basic pipe rerouting.
That price increases if you’re moving fixtures to new locations, replacing cast iron drain lines, or adding features like body sprays and steam showers. Luxury remodels with high-end fixtures, multiple shower heads, and extensive repiping can run $8,000-$15,000 just for plumbing.
The investment pays off. Homeowners recover approximately 50% of bathroom remodel costs when selling, according to the National Association of Realtors. More importantly, you’re avoiding future emergency repairs by updating old plumbing now while walls are already open.
Humidity and salt air accelerate corrosion and create moisture problems if waterproofing isn’t done correctly. In Brevard County’s coastal environment, small leaks behind tile or around fixtures turn into mold and rot much faster than in dry climates.
We use waterproof membranes on walls and floors before tile installation, not just in the shower but around the entire bathroom. Proper ventilation is critical—exhaust fans must vent outside, not into the attic where moisture condenses. We also pay close attention to drain sizing and venting because Florida’s flat terrain makes proper drainage slope more challenging.
Material choices matter too. PVC drain lines hold up better than cast iron in humid environments. Brass and stainless fixtures resist corrosion better than cheaper alternatives. These details cost slightly more upfront but prevent expensive callbacks and water damage down the road.
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