If you are planning a major plumbing job, such as adding on a new bathroom or updating an existing one, you may need to create new plumbing lines. This can involve changing the path of existing pipes or installing new ones altogether. This can get challenging, as pipes are often embedded in wall spaces or covered by other surfaces and materials. The easiest option is to run piping through paths that have already been designed for plumbing, as they are designed to handle long piping tubes. But if you need to choose a new route for your plumbing pipes altogether, there are several ways to make that happen. If you need to set up new plumbing lines in your home, here are some tips for doing so based on your individual situation.
Routing Through Existing Cavities
Creating a path for your new plumbing lines from existing cavities is the easiest solution when you’re re-configuring pipes. If you put new pipes through places where they were installed before, you can simply follow the same paths as your old plumbing. This saves a lot of work in the end, as you don’t have to open new spaces or change the configuration of your home’s walls. This strategy is also ideal if you are using modern and flexible plumbing materials, which you can read more about here.
Starting from the Basement
If the plumbing calls for changes in the layout of the fixtures, the basement is a good place to start for a re-routing project. In most homes, the basement contains all electrical and plumbing fixtures. If you’re starting a new plumbing project, this makes life much easier. If you are doing a bathroom renovation, for instance, you can snake the drain line into the basement where it connects underneath the floor joists to the main drain line. By using this strategy, you’ll be able to create more efficient and less complex plumbing solutions for your bathroom. If you choose to use this tactic, however, be aware that you should avoid cutting through support beams and floor joists. Doing so can reduce your home’s structural integrity. And that would lead to a whole host of problems! If you’re trying to route plumbing through new spots in your home, check with your local building codes to make sure you properly route the plumbing around the support beams instead of through them.
Alternatives for Routing Plumbing
The two easiest choices for making new plumbing lines in your home are using existing plumbing spaces to route the new piping and attaching the new plumbing lines to existing lines in the basement. If neither of these options provide the solution you’re looking for, there are other options available. However, they are a little bit trickier. If you are not sure what you’re doing, contact a plumber in Henderson who has the expertise required to safely and correctly route the plumbing lines through your home. Regardless of whether you try it on your own or use professional assistance, here are some alternative strategies for routing plumbing lines through your home’s interior.
Construct a Wall Chase
A wall chase is simply an artificial wall that has a cavity to hold your home’s plumbing. The chase can extend over multiple levels, which means that it can essentially encase the plumbing from the basement all the way to the attic. A chase is primarily constructed to accommodate new vent stacks.
A variation of the wall chase is called a soffit. The soffit is very similar in function. But instead of running vertically from floor to floor, it runs in a horizontal pattern. Sometimes, people use both methods to accommodate new plumbing.
Convert a Laundry Chute
Routing new plumbing is much easier if you’re working with open spaces. This means that a laundry chute, which is full of open space and usually leads to the basement, is a perfect candidate for a new plumbing route. If you have an unused laundry chute, consider putting it to use holding your plumbing lines. The door of the laundry chute can even be converted to a panel with your shutoff valves.
Other Considerations
When you create new plumbing lines in your home, installing the pipes is just half of the equation. You’ll have to keep safety and legal restrictions in mind as you go along, too. This means that you will have to install shutoff valves for the newly added appliances. As a homeowner, you should also know where the main shutoff valves are in case you need to access them for an emergency.
Another thing to keep in mind is that your new plumbing lines will have to follow local building codes. Many people are aware that they need to install their electricity correctly or get a water heater permit Las Vegas. But one of the most commonly overlooked plumbing components for building code compliance is ventilation. Vents must be placed throughout your home in accordance with local building codes. Vents that are too far away from a plumbing line or an appliance won’t be able to allow proper drainage and ventilation. Depending on where you live, you might need to abide by local and city building codes. If you’re not sure, don’t continue! Ask a plumber in Henderson for an expert opinion.
Even if your plumbing is new, it will eventually need service and maintenance. And in fact, keeping up to date with pipe maintenance service Las Vegas is a good way to prevent many plumbing problems in the future. Through routine service and maintenance, you will also have a professional’s opinion on whether or not you correctly installed your plumbing. This is important, as a professional plumber can detect abnormalities and fix them before a more serious problem develops.
Planning new plumbing routes can be a challenge, but following these strategies can make your project a success. From working with existing open spaces in your home to following old plumbing paths, installing new plumbing lines does not have to be a long, complicated chore. However, there are many nuances associated with planning new plumbing lines, including abiding by local codes. If you need help, or if you’re not sure where to begin, don’t hesitate to let us know! We are happy to answer questions you have and help you out with affordable plumbing in Henderson.
