TroubleshootingUpdated June 27, 2026
Kitchens in Lake In The Hills are getting upgrades as homeowners look for more convenience and functionality. Pot fillers and secondary prep sinks are two popular additions, but these upgrades come with specific plumbing challenges, especially in houses built from the 1980s through the early 2000s. Knowing what problems tend to come up can save a lot of headaches and expense down the line.
Why Pot Fillers and Second Sinks Create Plumbing Hurdles
Adding a pot filler above your stove or a second sink in your island changes more than the look of your kitchen. Both require new supply lines and often mean tapping into existing plumbing, which may not always be easily accessible or up to current code. In Lake In The Hills, most homes use municipal water sourced from Lake Michigan, which is moderately hard. That means more mineral buildup, something you want to factor in if you're running new or long water lines.
Common Issues in Local Homes
Many area homes have PEX or copper piping, but older properties might still have sections of galvanized pipe. Galvanized can corrode or restrict flow, making it a bad candidate for feeding a fixture like a pot filler. Long pipe runs to a new prep sink can also expose supply lines to cooler parts of the house, which matters here due to our cold, snowy winters. If lines aren't insulated or routed correctly, you could end up with frozen pipes, especially near exterior walls or in unfinished basement ceilings.
- Insufficient water pressure for a pot filler because of undersized or partially-blocked pipes
- Hidden leaks forming at new junctions or under cabinets
- Incorrect venting leading to slow-draining prep sinks
- Sediment buildup from hard water affecting valves, especially in rarely-used fixtures
- Condensation or freezing in long supply runs if not properly insulated
What to Check Before You Start
Before making any cuts or buying fixtures, have your current plumbing inspected. If you have original supply lines from the 80s or 90s, it's worth evaluating their condition first. Old shutoff valves can seize up, and connections might not match up with new fixture requirements. We often find that rerouting or extending supply lines means working around joists, electrical, and existing cabinetry. Make sure your plans comply with current Illinois plumbing code, especially for backflow prevention and placement of shutoffs.
Installation Steps We Take
- Assess the main water pressure and check for any restrictions in existing lines
- Isolate the planned fixture location and plan the route for new supply lines, keeping runs short and away from exterior walls when possible
- Install proper shutoffs (quarter-turn ball valves are the norm today) and insulate lines where freeze risk is present
- Test all connections for leaks before closing walls or setting cabinets in place
- Clean aerators and flush the line after installation, especially on pot fillers, to remove debris and reduce early sediment problems
For a second sink, venting and drainage are also critical. An island sink, for example, may require a loop vent or air admittance valve to meet code if you can't run a traditional vent to the main stack. If you're unsure about your home's drain layout, our team can help with drain cleaning and troubleshooting so you can avoid slow drains in your new kitchen.
How Hard Water and Local Conditions Matter
Lake Michigan water's moderate hardness will slowly build up in lines and valves. Any time you add a fixture that may not get daily use, like a pot filler, it's smart to cycle the valve regularly and clean the aerator now and then. We recommend showing homeowners how to do this during fixture installation. If you ever notice the flow dropping off, it could be a simple matter of cleaning out sediment or dealing with a faulty supply valve.
Because homes here use slab or finished basements, running new drains can sometimes be difficult, especially if your remodel places a prep sink far from the original kitchen stack. In some projects, a short pump-assisted drain is needed, or the layout adjusted to tie into an existing kitchen drain branch.
Warning Signs of Trouble After Installation
- Pot filler valve drips or leaks when turned on or off
- Water hammer or odd noises when operating new fixtures (may mean loose piping or missing arrestors)
- Prep sink drains slowly or backs up, especially after heavy use
- Water under the cabinet or behind the stove, signaling a loose connection
- Discolored water from new supply lines, usually a sign of debris or residual flux, which should clear after regular use
If you notice these issues, call for help before it leads to bigger problems. Our crew also handles pipe repair and repiping for homes with aging supplies, and we can walk you through safe, code-approved ways to upgrade your kitchen plumbing.
Take the Next Step in Upgrading Your Kitchen
If your project involves adding a pot filler, a prep sink, or any significant plumbing change in Lake In The Hills, reach out to our experienced team. We handle full kitchen remodeling jobs or single fixture upgrades. Call us at 224-524-1522 to get honest advice and solid workmanship for your home.