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INSTALLATIONS:
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INTRODUCTION
Since most of the plumbing system is hidden in walls and under floors, it is a good idea to map out the plumbing system. The typical system is made out of 3 distinctive parts.
1 - The supply water system.
2 - Appliances and fixtures.
3 - The drain system.
1) The fresh water supplied by the municipality or your own spring or well. When the water is supplied by others, it may be metered and this device would be the property of the provider of the water. A typical family of 4 uses about 1,500 liters of water per day. The meter is followed by the main shutoff. Everything else past the meter is the responsibility of the owner. If the water pressure entering a building may rise above 40 Psi, a Pressure Regulating Valve should be installed to minimize damage in case of bursting pipes and especially hot water heaters. Sometimes the PRV is installed past a branch going outside to provide a maximum of pressure for gardening or car washing. Otherwise, the main supply line is split to branches servicing the various
2) fixtures and appliances. One of the branches will feed the water heater which in turn, will provide hot water to the fixtures and appliances. The hot water ends on the left side and the cold water on the right side.
3) The same fixtures and appliances will evacuate waste water through the various drains holes or lines, pass through a trap that prevents odours from returning from the drain/sewers into the house. The trap is a very important part of the system. The curved piping traps a bit of water and seals the drain line. This water is replaced every time that water is poured down the drain. The waste water then goes into the branch drain lines and is collected in the main stack and evacuated out of the building through the sewer line. Each drain line is vented through a vent pipe. Vent pipes may end in the main stack or go directly to a roof vent. The main stack is vented through the roof. The drain system is called Drain, Waste and Vent system.
PLANNING
When planning renovations, one needs to know first where the existing system is, but in case of emergencies, leaks and burst pipes, it is extremely helpful to know where the pipes run and where shutoffs are. Draw a layout of the house per floor in horizontal and vertical plans. Draw everything to scale. To help identify hidden pipes, run the water or have someone flash a toilet and listen through the walls using a stethoscope or place a (preferably metal) cup on the wall and listen through the bottom. For vents, have a helper climb on the roof, drop an auger and jiggle it. Exercise caution when going to a roof and do it only when dry.
CODE
Familiarize yourself with your local plumbing code. The official code books are difficult to read and understand. Look for simplified versions at your local supplier, ask them for advise, check you library, and bookstores.
PERMITS
Although many do-it-yourselfers do not bother with permits, we do advise to take one out for renovations to ensure quality work and safety, and to retain the value of your investment.
PIPE SIZE
When planning your piping, never undersize. For sillcocks and water heaters the minimum branch pipe size is 3/4", other fixtures and appliances is 1/2" and the supply tube size for toilets and vanity sinks is 3/8".
BACKFLOW PREVENTION (CROSS CONNECTIONS)
This is a more recent awareness not yet fully realized by the general public. Not even enforceable in all localities, yet, there are plenty of documented instances when people have been poisoned, some fatally, by polluted water siphoned into the potable water system. We recommend that you install a Vacuum Breaker on every hose bib in and outside your house and all underground piping.
When a city mains stop supplying water for any reason, a vacuum is created. The vacuum will suck any water left in the system. If you have a hose or pipe sitting in a sink or pool of non potable water and the tap is opened, the water will be sucked in the system. Later when the pressure is reestablished, this polluted water will be part of your water system until flashed.
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