New Home Plumbing: Things You Should Know
It seems like many new homes are popping up in every neighborhood! There are around 3 million new homes built every month. With the hot housing market, many people will be looking to install new, reliable plumbing. Installing brand-new plumbing offers the opportunity to do it right.
Home plumbing has changed a lot in the past 20 years. Fixtures used to be made from metal, but today’s plumbing relies on a blend of plastics and alloys. Building regulations have become more strict, and construction materials are much more expensive, especially metals like copper. A plumbing mistake is much more costly than it used to be. Having proper installation of your plumbing can save you money!
The Parts Of Your Home’s Plumbing System
Plumbing systems have a lot of different moving parts and pieces. Here’s an overview of your new home’s plumbing system.
Pipes
Clean water enters the pipe system at 50 – 60 psi from the water supply line. Unclean water is pulled down by gravity to exit the pipe system. Air blowing through the vents keeps the pipes clean and clear.
It’s a simple and self-sufficient setup that should last the test of time if it’s set up correctly.
Plumbing Fixtures
If you’re installing plumbing in new construction, you will want to install the plumbing fixtures before finishing the interior. Tubs, sinks, and showers are much easier to install when the walls and doorways haven’t been installed yet.
Once you’ve installed your plumbing fixtures, cover them with cardboard or plastic to keep them clean and free of dust during the remainder of the construction.
Septic Tanks and Sewer Lines
Septic tanks and sewer lines are some of the trickiest pieces of a home’s plumbing system. Find out what size of septic tank you will need for your house. The number of bedrooms calculates this in your newly constructed house.
Septic tanks separate solid from liquid wastes. The tank’s facultative and anaerobic microorganisms help break down the solid waste. This process creates gas by-products that need to be appropriately vented.
With pipes, plumbing fixtures, septic tanks, and sewer lines, plumbing a house isn’t super complicated, but you should be aware of many specific things.
More Info
While every building project is unique with its logistical considerations, these are a few good rules of thumb to consider when you’re ready to install your plumbing system. If you need new home plumbing, be sure to contact us!