Tips And TricksUpdated June 15, 2026
Kitchens in Highland Park homes often balance style with function, but outdated layouts can hinder your cooking and cleanup routines. Many houses in this area were built long before island sinks, prep stations, or pot fillers became popular. If you're considering a kitchen remodel, adding a pot filler above your stove or a second sink can make daily tasks easier, especially for families who cook often or entertain guests. These upgrades do call for careful planning, solid plumbing work, and an understanding of your home's existing water lines, especially in older houses with aging pipes.
Why Pot Fillers and Second Sinks Appeal to Local Homeowners
Modern kitchens benefit from fixtures designed for efficiency. A pot filler above the range eliminates hauling heavy pots from the sink to the stove. An extra sink, whether on the main counter or an island, creates a true prep zone and helps when multiple people share the kitchen. In Highland Park's older homes, many built 50, 70, or even 100 years ago, you're likely working with original plumbing or later add-ons. Our team runs into galvanized supply lines, old brass shut-offs, and tight spaces behind walls that make any upgrade more challenging than it looks on TV.
Planning Around Existing Plumbing
Before installing a new fixture, we always map the supply lines. Pot fillers require a cold water line running inside the wall behind the stove. Older homes sometimes have supply pipes near the base of the wall, so we often need to add new copper or PEX lines and proper shut-off valves. With a second sink, it's not just the fresh water to consider. Drains and vents must meet code, and routing a new drain line often means opening up floors or cabinets. In clay-rich soil like we have in Highland Park, homes can shift over time, which sometimes leads to sloped or misaligned old waste pipes. We check for these issues before beginning any remodel plan.
Hidden Challenges in Highland Park Kitchens
A few recurring problems stand out in local projects. Galvanized supply lines are common in older homes, and these corrode from the inside, restricting flow or flaking rust into new fixtures. Cast iron drains can also slow down, especially if the line sags or tree roots have found their way in. When adding a new sink, we often inspect the existing waste line for leaks, corrosion, or improper venting. Moderately hard water from Lake Michigan can leave mineral buildup in pipes and fixtures, so we recommend choosing fixtures that are easy to clean and resistant to scaling.
- Check for shut-off valves nearby, install new ones if necessary for safety during maintenance
- Confirm the stove wall has room for a pot filler box and backing for secure mounting
- Map out drain line routing for a second sink, avoid sharp horizontal turns that clog
- Test water pressure at proposed fixture locations; older lines sometimes restrict flow
- If opening walls, assess the condition of existing pipes for possible replacement
Key Steps for a Trouble-Free Install
Before drilling or cutting, we always shut off water at the main and use drop cloths to limit dust. When adding a pot filler, we cut the drywall behind the stove, run a dedicated cold water line, and pressure-test before patching up. For an island or prep sink, we often install an air admittance valve (AAV) if connecting to the main vent stack would require excessive demolition. We check slope on all drain lines to prevent standing water, which is especially important in homes with flat floors typical in local construction. Once rough-in plumbing is inspected, we move on to fixture installation and leak testing. If needed, our pipe repair and repiping service can address any aging lines uncovered during the remodel.
Code Requirements and Safety Considerations
Highland Park follows Illinois plumbing code. Pot fillers must have an accessible shutoff and be installed at a proper height above the cooktop. Sinks need traps and, where possible, proper venting to keep sewer gas from backing up. Installing new water lines near the stove means using materials rated for heat exposure. For homes with older supply or waste pipes, we review all connections for corrosion or leaks, using our leak detection and repair methods if there's any doubt. Kitchen remodels also offer a good time to update other fixtures, and many homeowners combine this work with a faucet and fixture installation or a garbage disposal upgrade.
Keep Drains Flowing and Water Lines Clean
Adding a second sink puts more demand on drain lines. We've seen plenty of slow drains in Highland Park thanks to old cast iron and occasional root intrusion. After installing new fixtures, it's smart to run plenty of water and check for slow drainage or gurgling sounds. If you notice persistent clogs or backups, our drain cleaning crew can clear out debris and help prevent future issues. Staying on top of minor problems during a remodel avoids much bigger headaches later.
Upgrading your kitchen with a pot filler or second sink can make cooking and cleaning easier, but only if the plumbing is sound. Our team in Highland Park has handled these challenges in houses both old and new. Call us at 224-524-1178 for honest answers about your kitchen plans and practical, local plumbing help.