Tips on Planning the Rough Plumbing In Your Home Renovation

Tips on Planning the Rough Plumbing In Your Home Renovation

Planning ahead is a wise move in any home improvement. When plumbing is concerned, planning becomes a necessity. Whether you’re at the budgeting stage or are trying to compile an accurate material list for a DIY plumbing project, planning out the rough plumbing is an important step.

You’ll need to make some decisions on the type of materials used, the location of various elements in the system, and the basic layout of the plumbing itself. If you’re putting in most or all of the system yourself this plan will be an essential tool. And even if you are hiring a professional plumber to come in you can use the plan to supervise more effectively.

How to Make Good Material Decisions

It’s still up for debate between plumbers and others in the industry, but in general, the newer plastic designs within your supply plumbing do not measure up to the quality seen in copper plumbing. Remember though that copper pipes need to be soldered together during installation. Often in DIY projects, this could pose a difficulty, but if you have hired a pro copper plumbing won’t be a problem at all.

PEX is another choice in supply lines. This composite-type product offers decent durability and can be attached without the need to solder. Plumbers and home handymen alike are opting for PEX products in their home plumbing.

For the drainage and vent pipes, your only choice should be ABS, which is a rigid plastic that requires special glue for all attachments. Make a note of where your ABS venting is and avoid hanging shelving and pictures in those locations, so as not to puncture the plumbing and release noxious gases into the house.

Cover the Three Elements For Today and In the Future

There are three main components of your plumbing system: water supply, drainage, and venting. Draw out a rough plan showing each of these three elements and don’t forget to include them for future plans of expansion.

If you will be in need of another bathroom or should be replacing your standard tub shower with something a little more luxurious, be sure the rough plumbing will account for it. The size and location of each pipe in the plan should take all of the eventualities into play.

Plan for a Water Inlet System

Engineering and design play a major role in plumbing. To provide the optimum performance and safety in your home, turn to the specifications required in the local building code. It may be that air chambers are needed at each fixture. This is generally a 10 to the 12-inch chamber that extends above the fixture. It is simply covered with a plug cap but serves as a way to eliminate water hammering. This condition is usually a result of variations in pressure as the taps open and close and an air inlet chamber is the best way to get rid of that.

A design for your rough plumbing will come in handy during many stages of a major home improvement project. If you are tackling the plumbing yourself a detailed design will help you have a better material list. If you’re bringing in the pros this sketch of the supply, drainage, and venting pipes will give you a good idea of what’s happening and can help you to be a better and more satisfied customer. Either way, a design of your rough plumbing is well worth the time and effort.

Posted by: Diana

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3 Ways Your Household Can Conserve Water

The way you use your plumbing can have a significant impact on the environment. Conserving water does more than just reduce consumption; it also helps lower greenhouse gas emissions associated with treating and distributing municipal water. If you want to help the environment and keep bills to a minimum, follow these water conservation tips.

How to Decrease Your Water Usage

1. Upgrade Plumbing Fixtures

Upgrading to high-efficiency water fixtures can significantly reduce how much water your family uses. For example, a tankless water heater requires much less water than a standard model because it only draws water into the system when a faucet is turned on. Low-flow showerheads, toilets, and faucets use fewer gallons per minute than standard fixtures.

2. Limit Running Water

Many people keep the water running when it’s not necessary. Don’t leave the faucet running the whole time when shaving, brushing your teeth or washing your hands.

While this might not seem like a significant change, you likely perform these activities several times per day, and the savings can add up quickly. You can also lower water consumption by limiting showers to 10 minutes or less.

3. Have Leaks Fixed Quickly

A dripping faucet or leaky toilet can waste countless gallons of water — even if the leak seems relatively minor. Major leaks that require re-piping can be even more wasteful if not addressed quickly.

Whenever you notice a potential plumbing leak, call a professional to fix it right away. Addressing the leak before it gets worse will save water and help you avoid extensive damage to your home.

If you want upgraded water fixtures or prompt plumbing repairs, Buck’s Plumbing & Sewer Service in Cookeville, TN will help your family reduce water consumption. Serving Putnam County and the surrounding areas since 1960, this family-owned and -operated company offers prompt work that’s always completed to the highest standards. To learn more about their services, visit them online or call (931) 528-1157.

Bathroom Renovation: Bathroom Plumbing Material Choices

Bathroom Renovation: Bathroom Plumbing Material Choices

Unless your bathroom renovation is purely cosmetic in nature, bathroom plumbing may very well be part of your project requirements. Depending upon the age of your home, you will be working with one of the following types of pipes: plastic PVC (ABS or CPVC), copper, galvanized iron, or cast iron.

If plumbing will be part of your bathroom renovation design, this would be the perfect time to replace old plumbing with new. This would avoid the possible inconvenience and costs incurred by a bathroom plumbing problem at a later time.

Bathroom renovation cost, tools, materials, time involvement, and project complexity will be determined not only by the extent of your bathroom renovation but also by the type of pipe used in plumbing.

Plastic Pipe

Lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to use, plastic pipe is popular for residential plumbing purposes. Available in PVC, ABS, PE, and CPVC forms. There is also PB, but its use is prohibited in many local codes.

Available as rigid and flexible plastic pipe. PVC pipe resists chemical damage and heat better than ABS and meets all plumbing code requirements for above-ground use. CPVC withstands the high temperatures and pressure of water supply systems.

Use plastic pipe for the following purposes:

• ABS or PVC pipe with a drain-waste-vent (DWV) NSF rating; use for sink traps and as a plastic drain pipe for bathroom sink plumbing.

• CPVC pipe with a PW rating as a plastic water pipe for bathroom plumbing fixture water supply lines.

Pipe type and grade ratings are stamped on each pipe for easy identification. Please note: ABS use is restricted in some local plumbing codes.

Check with a licensed plumbing contractor, certified building inspector, or local residential plumbing code guidelines before beginning any renovation project that includes plumbing.

Copper Pipe

The best material is available for water supply pipes. Available as a rigid and flexible pipe; chromed copper is also available and a popular choice for exposed areas. Copper pipe resists corrosion; sweat-soldered joints are durable.

Rigid copper pipe is approved for home water supply systems by all local codes and is available in 3 wall thicknesses:

• Type M – thin and inexpensive; a good choice for bathroom plumbing do-it-yourself projects.

• Type L – strong, easily soldered; preferred choice of the home renovation contractor who wants top-notch quality bathroom plumbing.

• Type K – the heaviest wall thickness of all copper pipe for plumbing; used most often for underground water service lines.

The flexible copper pipe comes in 2 wall thickness grades; types L and K. Although approved for most home water supply systems, type L is used primarily for gas service lines

DWV copper pipe is for drain systems but is seldom used because most codes allow low-cost plastic DWV pipe.

Galvanized Iron Pipe

Often the type of water supply and small drain line pipe found in older homes; identified by a zinc coating and iron pipe thread fittings.

Iron pipe is strong but difficult to cut; it corrodes with age and eventually needs replacement. Low water pressure is often a sign that rust has built up inside the pipe.

Old galvanized iron pipe systems can be difficult to work with; they are not recommended for new bathroom renovation purposes. These types of bathroom plumbing repairs and alterations are best left to a plumbing contractor.

Cast Iron Pipe

Rarely used in new bathroom plumbing, the cast iron pipe can be identified by its dark color and rough surface. It is strong, but difficult to cut and fit pieces together. Hubbed fittings can develop leaks, and pipes can rust through.

When the plumbing code book allows, plastic pipe replacements should be made. Use a special fitting called an “banded coupling” to connect new plastic pipe to existing cast iron. Cast iron pipe repair is another bathroom renovation project best left in the hands of a reliable bathroom remodeling contractor.

We hope this article on bathroom plumbing material choices has been helpful. If you require assistance with your bathroom renovation idea, why not post project requirements at TrustedPros.com. It is fast, easy, and FREE!

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