Cost GuideUpdated June 20, 2026
For Sycamore homeowners planning a kitchen remodel, adding features like a pot filler above the stove or a second sink in the island often sounds simple at first. In reality, integrating new fixtures like these into an existing kitchen requires careful planning, especially in older homes with mixed plumbing materials and layouts. The right plumbing upgrades can improve both convenience and efficiency, but the installation process comes with costs and considerations unique to northern Illinois homes.
Why Pot Fillers and Secondary Sinks Are Popular Upgrades
Pot fillers are wall-mounted faucets installed above the stove, letting you fill large pots without hauling heavy containers across the kitchen. Second sinks, often placed in kitchen islands or prep stations, give you additional space for rinsing produce, hand-washing, or prepping meals while the main sink stays busy. Both upgrades can make a busy kitchen flow more smoothly. In historic or mid-century homes found throughout Sycamore, these additions also modernize the space without major layout changes.
Plumbing Challenges in Sycamore's Housing Stock
Sycamore's kitchens are a mix of layouts and ages, some with lead lines or galvanized supply pipes from earlier decades, some with newer PEX or copper. Many older homes were never set up for the water supply lines needed for a pot filler behind the stove or a second sink in an island. The clay-rich soil and freeze-thaw cycles in our area can also shift foundations, sometimes causing misaligned or leaking pipes behind walls and below floors. We account for these local realities every time we run new plumbing for a remodel.
Typical Costs and What Drives Them
The price to add a pot filler or second sink depends on a few key factors that are directly tied to your home's layout:
- Distance from main supply lines. The farther the new fixture is from existing hot and cold water pipes, the more material and labor required to route new lines, especially if runs need to cross joists or duck under floors.
- Wall and cabinet access. Cutting into plaster, tile, or brick to reach the space behind your stove or build out for an island sink can mean extra time and patching.
- Type and condition of existing plumbing. If we run into old galvanized or lead lines, we may need to replace sections with copper or PEX for safe water delivery. That can drive costs up, but it's important for long-term reliability and safety.
- Permit and code requirements. DeKalb County building codes require proper shutoff valves, air gaps, and sometimes a backflow preventer for pot fillers. Inspections may also be needed for supply and drain line modifications.
- Finishing touches. Matching or updating countertop and wall finishes after installation can add to the total budget, depending on your remodel scope.
Expect the pot filler itself or a second sink and faucet to be a smaller part of the total cost, the real investment is in plumbing and finish work. If you're interested in a garbage disposal for your prep sink, we recommend checking our garbage disposal services page for common add-ons and their costs.
Key Steps in the Installation Process
Here's how our crew typically approaches these projects in Sycamore homes:
- First, we inspect the current plumbing to find the best connection points, usually from the basement or below the kitchen.
- We assess wall, floor, or cabinet access to see where new lines can be routed with the least disruption.
- After planning the route, we add necessary shutoffs, and, if needed, install new pipe runs using PEX, copper, or both.
- For a pot filler, hot water isn't always necessary, but if you want both, we'll run both supplies. We also make sure there's a shutoff accessible under the sink or in the basement, per local code.
- When adding a second sink, we tie into the existing drain and vent system, checking for proper slope so waste water flows without risk of clogs.
- After pressure-testing and checking for leaks, we finish up with fixture installation and any patching work that's needed.
If you're dealing with slow drains or old traps while remodeling, our drain cleaning service can be scheduled at the same time for a smoother upgrade.
Potential Issues and Warning Signs
When opening up older kitchens, we often spot issues that should be addressed while the walls are already open. Watch for:
- Signs of corrosion, rust, or leaks on supply lines behind cabinets or under floors.
- Old traps or venting that don't meet current plumbing codes.
- Low water pressure in existing lines (can signal mineral buildup or old valves).
- Mismatched pipe materials, galvanized to copper, joined with improper fittings.
- Drain lines with improper slope, which could cause future backups.
We handle these kinds of repairs on kitchen projects all the time. You can see more about our pipe repair and repiping work if you have an older home. Spotting and fixing small problems now often saves bigger headaches and water damage later.
Other Plumbing Features to Consider in Your Remodel
Alongside a new pot filler or prep sink, many Sycamore homeowners take the opportunity to update main kitchen faucets, add a water filtration system, or upgrade to a deeper basin. Our team handles faucet and fixture installation during the same remodel, so you get a consistent finish and fewer contractors coming in and out.
If your kitchen is over a basement or crawl space that's prone to moisture, it's smart to make sure your home's sump pump is working as it should. Heavy rains and high water tables in DeKalb County can lead to flooding, especially for older homes near the Kishwaukee River. Good drainage and a reliable pump protect all that new work upstairs.
Thinking about a pot filler, a prep sink, or other smart kitchen upgrades? Our licensed plumbers know the quirks of Sycamore homes and work with both old and new plumbing systems every week. Call 779-217-8369 to talk through your project, get a fair estimate, and schedule a visit. We're here to help you get your kitchen just the way you want it.