New plumbing system designs are often more complicated than a layman would expect. In order for the system to work properly, it needs to be designed and installed by a trusted professional plumbing company. Before you start a residential or commercial project all on your own, it’s important to understand the most common DIY mistakes.
Plumbing for New Home Builds and Renovations
Residential plumbing projects come in all shapes and sizes. But don’t let the small-scale designs fool you! Plumbing problems always seem to come back to inexperience. Even those little upgrades you might need for a kitchen renovation can quickly get out of hand. A beginner should always be mindful of their limitations. Going with an expert from the start can help you avoid the most common plumbing pitfalls:
Mistake 1: Not Following the Plumbing Code
This mistake can happen in a few different ways. The average homeowner is often completely untrained on the local plumbing and building codes, so they’re more likely to make this mistake and not even know it.
Unfortunately, even inexperienced plumbing contractors may not understand the plumbing code. They may try to follow the rules but still miss the mark (like, miscounting the number of fixtures on your vent stack), or the plumber might have just decided to take a shortcut—even though they knew it broke code. Either way, you’re in trouble.
Mistake 2: Not Creating a Streamlined System
While the first mistake can start showing problems right away, this second mistake is a little harder to spot. You see, streamlined plumbing systems are all about coordination during the design stage. Thinking about how your room placement relates to plumbing helps you keep plumbing costs down.
Ideally, your main plumbing equipment should be as close to your kitchen as possible. It also helps to have your bathrooms grouped together, either on opposite walls or above each other on the first and second floors. Stacking plumbing fixtures and chases helps ensure that you get the most efficient system possible. A good plumber will take time to review your home’s floorplan to make sure you get an economical plumbing design.
Mistake 3: Not Protecting What You Already Have
When done right, a new plumbing system should be an asset to your home—not a liability. It doesn’t matter whether you’re planning to remodel or you’re building a new home from the ground up, some plumbing rules of thumb go beyond the basic builder’s code. It comes down to professional integrity and expertise.
You want to protect your investment, and that means hiring a plumbing contractor that has the skills and expertise to do the work professionally. An expert will have first-hand knowledge of the different materials and supplies you can choose from. From there, your plumber can make recommendations according to your budget and home layout.
Plumbing Systems Designed by Fite Plumbing
Going with a trusted company like Fite Plumbing from the start can help you avoid the most common plumbing pitfalls. Your residential plumbing work should last for decades to come, so make sure it’s done right the first time. If you don’t have a background in professional plumbing, please consider giving Fite Plumbing a call at 317-271-5400. You can also send us a message to get started on getting your plumbing flowing.
