Building your home from scratch can be a thrilling experience. However, it needs a lot of planning. One of the things you don’t want to neglect when building a home is planning the plumbing system. A poor plumbing system can result in water damage and leaks that may cause expensive renovations in the future. To avoid such issues, read on to discover five tips for planning your plumbing system when building your new home.
- Consider Your Plumbing Needs
The first thing you should think about before installing your plumbing is your present and future plumbing needs. You can ensure your plumbing system is designed to serve your present and future needs. This will help you avoid spending money on future renovations and repairs.
Think about how many bathrooms and toilets you will need. Make sure you also consider where external fixtures, such as faucets, sinks, and showers, will be placed to avoid drainage problems. Do not forget your outdoor plumbing. You should have enough outdoor faucet connections to use around the house.
- Think About Piping
Repairing bad piping after construction will cost you a pretty penny. Before your plumbing is installed, make sure you have quality pipes that can survive extreme weather conditions. It would help if you also asked your plumber about the material of the pipes. This knowledge can be handy for future fixture installations.
- Obtain All Necessary Permissions and Permits
Before installation begins, remember to secure the necessary permits and permissions. You’ll need permits to avoid legal problems. Permits are also important in ensuring your home meets all safety requirements and code guidelines.
Permit requirements vary depending on the kind of work you want to be done and the location of your building. It may take some time to secure all the permits and permissions. So make sure to apply for them ahead of time.
- Make a List of the Rooms that Require Plumbing
You should make a list of all the rooms that require planning when designing your plumbing system. You should also note the features you want in each room. The essential areas to consider are the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, basement, and outdoor areas.
Kitchen
You will likely need a sink or two, a dishwasher, and a water faucet for the kitchen. It would also help to consider your kitchen appliances, so you have water lines for those that need them.
Bathroom
Your bathroom plumbing will also require detailed planning. Include in your plan the number of fixtures such as toilets, bathtubs, sinks, showers, and drains that you need.
Laundry Room
The laundry area is another essential room in your plumbing system design. You will need the right washer connections and proper drainage to avoid flooding the room while doing laundry.
Basement
The basement is another area in your home that requires essential plumbing features. If you live in a flood-prone area, installing a sump pump in your basement will prevent excess water runoff. This will help prevent water damage to your foundation during floods.
Outdoor Areas
For your outdoors, consider things like a pool, outdoor faucets, outdoor tub, hoses, and a sprinkler system for your lawns. Make sure you prepare a layout that covers any future installations you have in mind.
- Choose an Accessible Shut-Off Valve
In case of plumbing issues, you want to have easy access to the main shut-off valve. This could prevent water damage and wastage in case of a pipe burst. Therefore, when designing your plumbing system, locate the main shut-off switch in a place you can access quickly and easily.
Poor plumbing installation can cost you a lot of money in the future. To avoid this, contact a plumber to design and install the plumbing system for your house. The expert plumbers at Quality Plumbing are the partners you need for your plumbing needs. Contact us today for quality and durable plumbing!