About Rough-In Bathroom Plumbing
Planning is essential for any home improvement project, especially where plumbing is concerned. There are governmental codes plumbers follow during plumbing rough-in and installation. The type of materials, the locations of the water and drain hookups, the dimensions and the installation methods are drafted in advance.
Decisions about Materials
Many builders today opt for the much cheaper and versatile plastic pipes called PEX. Still, most plumbers agree that copper plumbing is the only way to go. Copper pipes require soldering during installation, which most people do not want or know how to do. PEX is an option that is readily available. The product is durable and is attached easily without having to be soldered.
Planning
The plumbing system is comprised of three main components, the water supply, the drainage and the venting. The rough plan has to show the three elements and include room for future expansion plans. Rough plumbing should account for any eventualities and future replacements. Design and engineering are major factors in plumbing. For optimum safety and performance, plumbers must adhere to the local building codes. A detailed design for the rough plumbing is useful during the planning, implementation and development of the project.
Rough-In Plumbing Diagram
The local building department requires a rough-in plumbing diagram. This is a three-dimensional drawing of the plumbing plans including dimensions and parts. This enables the department to conduct a faster and more accurate inspection. Rough in plumbing diagrams provide a plan of installation, a map of the system and a parts list.
Preparation
During the rough-In phase, the route piping, the water supply piping, as well as all the connections are measured and marked. The supply lines and access holes in the wall prepare the bathroom for testing. The positions for the sink, toilet shower and bathtub and all connecting pipes are measured and marked. This phase has to pass inspection before the project can continue.