What we install
Installation covers any plumbing that is new rather than repaired. It can be a single shower valve or a full bathroom added over a slab. The table shows the common jobs and what to decide before they start.
| Project | What the work includes | Settle this first |
|---|---|---|
| Shower or tub | Valve, drain, trim and vent check | Valve type, and whether the wall is open |
| Bathroom or kitchen fixtures | Sinks, faucets, stop valves and supply lines | Fixture size and rough-in dimensions |
| Basement bathroom | Drain, vent and supply, sometimes a pump for waste | Whether the drain sits above or below the sewer line |
| Kitchen remodel | Sink, disposal and dishwasher connections | Final cabinet and appliance layout |
| New water or drain lines | Supply runs, drain branches and cleanouts | Pipe material and how the route will be opened |
PEX, copper and what goes in the wall
Most new supply lines in homes are PEX, a flexible plastic pipe that bends around corners and needs fewer fittings than rigid pipe. It tolerates a freeze better than copper because it can expand, though the fittings can still split. PEX must stay out of direct sunlight, which breaks it down.
Copper lasts a long time and suits exposed runs, but it costs more in materials and labor, and joints are soldered. For drains we use PVC or ABS in the walls and cast iron only when matching an existing stack. Replacing an entire house of supply lines is a separate job covered under repiping.
| Feature | PEX | Copper |
|---|---|---|
| Fittings | Fewer, crimped or expanded | Many, soldered |
| Freeze tolerance | Better, but fittings can split | Poor, can burst |
| Sunlight | Must be covered | Unaffected |
| Best use | Concealed runs and long routes | Exposed runs and visible stubs |
Planning a remodel or a new line? Call now and a licensed plumber will walk you through the options.
Call (855) 575-2890Permits and who can pull them
The City of Hazelwood contracts with St. Louis County for plumbing permits and inspections. Plumbing work requires a county plumbing license, so ask any plumber to show theirs. The city's Inspections and Permits office at 314-513-5034 can tell you what your project needs.
Can an owner do the work? The neighboring city of Florissant offers a useful example. Its code lets owners of detached single-family homes pull a homeowner permit for their own work, but it excludes gas lines and any underground or slab-enclosed piping. That is Florissant's rule, not Hazelwood's, so confirm the rules for your own address before planning to do any of it yourself.
How an install job runs
- Walk the job. We look at the walls, the floor and the existing lines, and agree the fixture list.
- Price and permit. You get a clear price before work starts, and the permit goes through St. Louis County when the job needs one.
- Rough-in. Supply and drain lines are run and tested before any wall or floor is closed.
- Inspection and finish. After the rough-in passes, we set fixtures and trim, then test every connection.
Rough-in testing happens while walls are open. Finding a leak then costs a few minutes, not a drywall repair.
What drives installation prices
We do not list dollar figures for installation, because a swapped shower valve and a new basement bathroom are not comparable. The factors below set the price, and you get a clear price before work starts.
A planned install can usually be scheduled for a daytime visit. After-hours work is mainly for repairs.
Frost depth, winter lows and calling 811
The City of Hazelwood publishes a frost depth of 30 inches and a winter design temperature of 2 degrees F. For new work that means exterior water lines belong below 30 inches, and pipes in exterior walls, garages and crawlspaces need insulation and a plan for freezing weather. A frost-free hose bib is the usual choice for outdoor taps.
Hazelwood lists Missouri American Water for water, MSD for sewer, Spire for gas and Ameren for electric. Any new line in the yard starts with a call to 811 before digging, and we do not start trenching until marks are in. For failed buried lines see water line repair and replacement.
The City of Hazelwood's published list of adopted codes does not include a plumbing code, because plumbing permits and inspections are handled through St. Louis County. Before a new line or fixture goes in, ask the county whether the IPC or UPC edition applies to your address.
What we do not do
We do not do electrical work such as a new outlet or circuit for a water heater or disposal, and we do not do tile, drywall, cabinets or countertops. Plan on separate trades for those.
For fixtures, see toilet installation and garbage disposal installation. A new tank or tankless unit is covered under water heater installation. We serve Hazelwood and nearby towns such as Florissant.
Frequently asked questions
Usually yes for new lines or relocated fixtures. Hazelwood contracts with St. Louis County for plumbing permits and inspections, and the city's Inspections and Permits office at 314-513-5034 can confirm what your project requires.
We cannot say. Neighboring Florissant allows homeowner permits for detached single-family homes, excluding gas lines and underground or slab-enclosed piping, but that is Florissant's code. Check with the city before starting.
PEX suits concealed runs and long routes, and it tolerates freezing better. Copper suits exposed runs and spots where sunlight reaches the pipe.
Yes. We ask to see the fixture and its rough-in sheet before we price the job, since missing parts delay it.
By scope, wall access, materials and permits. We give you a clear price before work starts, after we have seen the space.
Yes. The key question is whether the drain sits above or below the sewer line, since a lower drain may need a pump to move waste.
Questions about your situation? A licensed plumber is on the line any hour.
Call (855) 575-2890