ASK THE DESIGNER: Is it possible to move my sink, tub, or toilet when my foundation is a concrete slab?
QUESTION:
A client asked me a great question, "Will that be a problem if we move the kitchen sink and dishwasher? I believe the plumbing is under the slab."
ANSWER:
Generally, you can move plumbing on a slab foundation at a reasonable cost as part of your kitchen or bath remodel.
The exception is when your home sits on a pre-tensioned slab foundation. Simply put, that's when pre-tensioned cables are embedded in a concrete slab to strengthen and stabilize it. With a pre-tensioned slab foundation, a specialist comes to the jobsite and sonars the slab to locate the cables. Then, your builder cuts and builds around them. It's an expensive undertaking.
If you have a concrete slab foundation, you might be wondering, "How do I tell if it's pre-tensioned?" The easiest way to tell is to look for a stamp in the concrete in the garage. It's often near the garage door.
Whether or not you find a stamp, let your contractor guide you on whether or not it's safe to cut or drill your concrete slab foundation.
