A new home requires careful planning and consideration before construction begins. Building a new house requires taking into consideration not only the decorations, but also the plumbing, HVAC, and construction materials.
Constructing a home can be stressful and challenging if you don’t make the right preparations. An inefficient plumbing system, for example, can lead to leaks and major water damage in the future. Make sure your plumbing system is installed properly to prevent problems.
1. Secure Permits
Obtaining and securing the proper permits is the first step before installing a plumbing system. It may take some time to get everything in order, but obtaining permits will ensure that your home meets all safety guidelines. You and your family are protected by a permit, which allows professionals to inspect your plumbing design for mistakes and prevent pipe malfunctions in the future.
2. Think About Your Plumbing Needs
When designing a plumbing system, it is best to consider your present and future needs. In order to ensure that your drain lines, plumbing, and sewer are functional, you have to determine where they will be installed. Incorporate every present and future water need into your plumbing system while you can still access it easily and avoid spending money on future repairs.
Make sure you have enough outdoor plumbing connections throughout your house to meet your outdoor plumbing needs. Consider the seasons as well to ensure your pipes will withstand extreme weather conditions, especially during winter.
3. Centralize the Plumbing System
During the installation of a plumbing system, it is crucial to install everything in one place so that future maintenance and repairs can be easier. The following appliances should be installed together:
- Water Softener
- Water Heater
- Furnace
- Sewer Connection
- Sewage Ejector Pit
- Sump Pump
In the basement, this system can be installed together as it’s the most convenient place to install it without being an eyesore. If you lack a basement, you can install them on the main floor, inside a utility closet so they’re still tucked away.
4. Consider Water Softeners
Installing water softeners is the perfect solution if you have hard water issues. It is a good idea to install one even if you don’t have problems right now to ensure that you will be able to solve this issue in the future. Putting in a water softener while building your home will save you from additional payments in the future.
Installing something for your home should always be considered from a long-term perspective. Considering your future needs can save you money and prevent you from having to install new appliances.
5. Wet Wall Sharing
When building a home, you can save money by sharing a wet wall. How does a wet wall work? There is a wet wall that houses the sewer lines, water supply lines, and vent stacks. Most homes have separate wet walls for the pipes in different rooms such as the bathroom and kitchen, but you can save money by sharing one. A kitchen and laundry room can share a wet wall or bathrooms can share a wall.
A shared wet wall can save you money since it will reduce the labor and materials you need to install them. You will also find it easier to maintain and repair your plumbing if all the pipes are in one place.
6. List Down Rooms That Need Water Access
When designing your plumbing system’s layout, you should take into account all rooms that need water access. Bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry areas are the three main areas you should pay attention to.
- Bathroom
When designing a house, you should consider how many bathrooms you will need, and you should evaluate each one individually. Do you need a guest bathroom? What about a bathtub? How about a Jacuzzi? How about a shower? It would be best to list down what amenities your bathroom will have along with the necessary toilets and sinks.
- Kitchen
The appliances you will have in the kitchen should be considered when designing the kitchen. You will need water lines for your refrigerator, dishwasher, and sink. Also consider the future renovations you might make, such as adding a kitchen island that requires a plumbing line if you wish to install a sink in the future.
- Laundry Area
The laundry area is just as important as the bathrooms and kitchen. The washer connections should be placed in the right place to make them easier to install and use. To avoid water buildup on the floor when you’re washing your clothes, you should also have a proper drainage system installed in the laundry area.
In addition to these 3 priorities, you should also have a proper plumbing layout if you are going to build a garden, an outdoor tub, or a pool. Prepare a layout for everything, even the ones you currently don’t need, to make future installations easier.
7. Accessible Shut-Off Placement
For emergencies, you may want easy access to your main shut-off valve. Others usually place them in hard-to-reach areas, but you should choose a location with easier access. If you do this, you can easily turn off your plumbing system in case of a leak, a burst pipe, or even for regular maintenance. Simple access to your plumbing system’s main valve can prevent major water damage and save you money.
Takeaway
In the future, installing new plumbing lines can be costly. Make sure that the plumbing system design of your new home meets all of your current and future plumbing needs to avoid unnecessary spending! If you will need a backup water softener in the future, make sure you have a safety permit, a centralized plumbing system, and a backup water purification system. Simple tips can help you create a long-lasting, well-functioning plumbing system.
