Building a new home from the ground up involves a lot of spinning wheels. You will be selecting cabinet paint colors and door styles, as well as faucet types — that is the fun part. Further, doing the permits and just figuring out how to get a tap to have running water, are often overlooked when you buy a piece of land. Now comes the importance of new construction plumbing and new water plumbing. Plumbing problems are mostly thought of as issues related to existing piping. But wait, who do you think installs these parts in the first place?
While there are more factors to consider when building an entire home, new build construction is one of the most important pieces of the large puzzle.
Whether you are getting ready to work on your new build or are starting to plan for a future construction project, you are likely wondering about where new construction plumbing and new water plumbing fit into the whole puzzle of building a home. Keep reading to learn about this facet in this new construction process.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED?
When you start in plumbing for new build, you may need a list of all the system components you will be fitting. This stuff must all work together to complete a true plumbing system.
PIPING
Pipes move water to and from homes or buildings, drawing water at 50 – 60 psi from the water supply line. The used water is ushered out under the power of gravity into a septic tank or sanitary sewer system.
When properly cared for, installed pipes can last over 40 years. The pipes also need to be connected in the correct way and attached to the main water line so that water can be pumped in and out of the home. Using an off-the-grid well? Well, unless you want to walk out in freezing weather with a bucket and drag that thing back to the house, pipes must be installed.
FIXTURES
After the piping is established, we need a way for the water to be accessible from the inside of the house or building. This can include faucets, tubs, sinks, drains, showers, and other interior plumbing fixtures. Usually, this is done before walls and new doorways go in a new build. These fixtures are covered with plastic or tarps to protect them from dust and paint splatter after they have been installed.
SEPTIC TANK
A septic tank’s primary function is to separate liquid waste from solid waste. In other words, it is more or less a portable sewage plant on the premises.
Before they are transported through a sewage pipe to a real sewage facility, anaerobic microorganisms help in decomposing the materials. The septic tank rests in an underground tank 10-25 feet from the home, preferably away from steep slopes and trees.
CONSTRUCTION PLUMBING PHASE
The development of the construction plumbing process is developed parallelly with the general development process. However, we can provide you with a general step-by-step run of the mill ordeal for plumbing installation. Check out what you would expect out of the process.
Step 1: STUDY LOCAL PLUMBING CODES AND SECURE PERMITS
Before building, every area has distinctive necessities and legitimate forms that you have to experience to ensure you get the correct grants and conform to plumbing guidelines in your general vicinity. These permits are in place to ensure your installation is properly performed and is of a quality that will be long-lasting and safe.
However, before you go forward with new construction, tell your local city or county that you are going to do it. Most of the time, your general contractor will handle this for you.
Step 2: INSTALL DRAIN AND VENT LINES
With the permits and regulations out of the way (or at least on their way), you can start building. Step one will be to plumb the drain and vent lines. Place the drains and vents within one foot of where they need to be, or there could be problems in the future.
For example, the slope of your sloped drains should be between 1/4 inch per foot and 3 inches per foot. If failed, this could cause water to not properly leave the home or building.
Step 3: INSTALL SUPPLY LINES
By now, you have a route to get water out of the house or building. The next step is to install the water supply lines.
Copper tubing is the standard in this country for water supply lines because it is malleable and will not corrode. It is also run on a separate drain or vent line. This will cause future plumbing repairs to be more difficult.
Step 4: PUT FIXTURES IN PLACE
With the supply, drain, and vent lines in place, move on to putting in fixtures. At this point, the plumbing can marry together with the construction of the rest of the building.
This is where you can bring in the design if you want a shiny faucet and modern sink basin. The sides and top of the zone, when installed, will also be shielded by plastic or tarp to keep them free from debris during construction.
Step 5: ADD THE FINAL TOUCHES
You now have all of the functional parts of the home or building finalized. The last of these should be to introduce wet walls or tile, where they are going. It is vital to install a wet wall around the tub or shower and tiles around them to prevent the walls around these areas from rotting or not having any mold grown on them.
Make space at the edge of the tube to leave enough room for grout. You can also add tile and a wet wall around the bathroom and kitchen sinks.
COMMERCIAL PLUMBING INSTALLATION
Whether you are building a new commercial building or expanding your current space, professional plumbing installation is essential. Many people assume that a plumbing contractor can handle the needs of any job, but this is not the case. Make sure you hire a contractor who understands commercial plumbing.
Many areas have a complex pipe system, and industrial sectors generally need pipes with higher strength. Meeting these will most certainly be a battle that little however experienced and equipped 2-10 HBW workers are not going to have the capacity to meet. Please ensure to vet your plumber properly.
NEW CONSTRUCTION PLUMBING TIPS
Now that we have gone over some basics of construction plumbing. However, this is just a mere glimpse of the hundreds of nuances involved in the same process. Before we wrap up, we thought it would be useful to cover a few other tips and considerations related to new construction plumbing.
- Map out the plumbing. A diagram with the help of the drainage pipes, vents, and pipe fittings will be perfect in the mind. This will also be required for a permit in some areas.
- If you can, install the water heater and the furnace in the basement. If a basement is not available, store these items on the first floor in a utility closet.
- A main water shut-off valve must be provided for each and every building. That hit will need to be accessible in case of an emergency.
- By utilizing a water softening system in your home, you can minimize the amount of calcium and magnesium present in the water, which can seriously inhibit your property value if not taken care of ritually.
In conclusion, new construction plumbing is a crucial aspect of building a new home from the ground up. It involves meticulous planning, securing the necessary permits, and understanding local plumbing codes. Proper installation of piping, fixtures, and septic systems ensures that your home has a reliable and efficient plumbing system.
Each step, from installing drain and vent lines to adding the final touches like wet walls and tiles, plays a significant role in the overall functionality and longevity of the plumbing infrastructure. Additionally, for commercial buildings, hiring a contractor experienced in handling complex plumbing systems is essential.
By following best practices and considering all aspects of new construction plumbing, you can ensure a safe, efficient, and durable plumbing system for your new home or building.
