When you think of installing plumbing, it’s probably not the first thing that comes to mind. However, installing plumbing correctly is not as straightforward as it might seem. Most people are guilty of committing a few common plumbing installation mistakes. The good news is that these are mistakes that can be corrected with a bit of knowledge and a little bit of effort before you call in the plumber. We have compiled a list of the most common plumbing installation mistakes for your reference.
The vertical space that is present inside each home is essential for proper plumbing installation. Without it, you risk running into issues where the pipes will not have enough room to expand and contract as they are designed to do. If you forget to account for vertical space, you will likely end up with plumbing that is not up to code and could result in leaks or other plumbing issues down the road. This mistake is especially common with new construction when vertical space is not available. To avoid this installation mistake, we recommend hiring a plumbing contractor with vertical plumbing experience.
Expansion and contraction of pipes is an essential component of any plumbing installation, but few people take the time to properly account for expansions in their plumbing design. Most people will install pipes that are too small for the flow of water in the home. Over time, the water will expand and push against the pipes, which could lead to leaks, backups, and other issues. To avoid this mistake, we recommend hiring a plumbing contractor with experience designing for expansion and contraction. It is usually recommended that you choose a contractor with experience installing commercial plumbing, as these systems are often designed with expansions and contractions in mind.
The type of housing construction could have a significant impact on your plumbing installation. For example, a foundation with an open crawl space could be a huge barrier to water flow. On the other hand, a house that was built on a slab could be a great installation site for water and sewer pipes. It is important to take the time to understand how your home was built as this could influence your choice of plumbing materials and installation methods. This could also save you money in the long run as you are less likely to run into issues with the plumbing.
This is especially important if you plan to install cast iron or copper pipes. In these cases, you need to take extra precautions to protect these pipes from damage. You may want to consider covering the pipes with plastic sleeves or coating them with epoxy to avoid scratches, dents, and other damage.
This is especially important when installing water and sewer pipes in basements. It is recommended that you keep the length of your water and sewer pipes to a minimum in basements. This way, the water will have room to expand and contract without causing damage to the pipes.
It is important to make sure that the pipes you choose for your installation meet code. Some people make the mistake of installing pipes that are too small for their needs. If the pipes do not meet code, you could face fines, expensive repairs, and other issues down the road.
In the end, there are a lot of things to consider when installing plumbing in your home. It can be tempting to skip over these details and jump right into the installation, but it’s better to take your time and do it right. Make sure to avoid the common installation mistakes outlined above and you’ll be well on your way to a properly installed and working plumbing system.