There are many reasons that people might need to install a water supply pipe in their homes. The most common reason is when a house has been built and the builder did not put one in. The second most common reason for installing a water supply pipe is when there have been plumbing repairs or renovations done to the home. Other reasons include leaks from other pipes or clogs from tree roots growing through cracks in the drainpipe under your house.
In order to install a new water supply pipe, you may need to purchase some materials such as PVC piping material, fittings, valves, and connectors which can all be found at any hardware store near you. You may also require tools including saws, drills and wrenches which could all be available for purchase as well.
Before you begin it is best to ask yourself
- how much water needs to be carried to the house
- where the water may come from
- and how many stories does your home have
Hot and Cold Water Interior Plumbing
The most important part of all this is making sure that you do not end up with a water pressure that is far too high or low as this can damage tanks and pipes. You may need assistance from a professional plumber if you are unsure about any particular step in the process. However, for those who are feeling confident enough to try installing their own supply pipe then it could not take more than an hour or two depending on the length of your pipe run. This article may explain all the basic steps involved in installing a water supply pipe and may describe each of these steps in adequate detail.
From the outside faucet, the first thing to do would be to use your saw or drill with a hole cutting attachment to get started on making holes for the new piping. It is important here to take note of where you want your garden tap and how far apart you want them placed.
It is highly recommended that when placing these holes that you place them slightly higher than the ground level in order not to have any trouble with flooding issues later down the track. There are many different kinds of materials you can use for this including plastic, wood, concrete, aluminium, etc depending on what kind of look you are going for.
Common Materials Used for Piping
Pipes can be made from various different types of materials, such as
- Copper pipe
- Plastic pipe
- Steel pipe
- Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride
Each of these materials comes with its own set of pros and cons. For example, steel piping may be very durable but is difficult to work with. Different kinds of plastic are also available for purchase, though they can sometimes crack easier than metal piping. Copper piping is probably the most common material used because it is inexpensive, easy to install and has a long lifespan, especially when protected by insulation.
When making your decision on what kind of material you would like to use make sure that you know how much wear and tear the area you may be installing gets on an average day. A garden tap in a place where cars frequently drive over might need a more durable kind of piping in order to survive. That being said it is also worth mentioning that most plastics can be painted, something that steel and copper cannot do.
Typical Size for Underground Pipes for Both Hot and Cold Water Supply
Water pipes have different pipe sizing depending on the materials the pipe is made of and how much flow capacity you need, under how much water pressure and plumbing codes.
Copper Pipe Size for Hot and Cold Water Supply
One of the most important things to consider when planning out your piping system is how much water you want to be able to provide. This may determine the minimum bore size for your piping. For example, if you have decided that you are going to need 10 litres per minute in order to keep up with demand at all times, then you may need a minimum 1/2 inch (12mm) copper pipe bore in order to achieve that.
You can always purchase larger pipes but it is not recommended because these may rattle inside each other over time due to thermal expansion, resulting in dangerous pressure drops. It is also worth mentioning that this calculation does not account for any showers or taps which might have a large amount of water being used at once.
Plastic Pipe Size for Hot and Cold Water Supply
Plastic piping does not have a set standard size for piping, as the material it’s made from allows for different sizes to be manufactured. However, there are some general rules that you can follow which may ensure your plumbing system works effectively and meets health and safety standards. The minimum recommended bore size for plastic pipe could be 15mm especially if the flow rate of the water going through it exceeds 10 litres per minute.
Steel Pipe Size for Hot and Cold Water Supply
Steel pipes are usually sold in nominal pipe sizes, which are not based on the actual internal diameter. Instead, they represent the outer dimensions of the steel pipe and can be used to determine if a given type of steel pipe may fit into another steel product such as a fitting or flange. For example, 12mm nominal size steel pipe has an outside diameter of 50mm and therefore may fit into fittings and components sized for 50mm nominal piping. Cast iron pipe size is usually for drainage and in smaller diameters.
Copper Pipes vs Plastic Pipes
Copper piping can be used for both hot and cold water supplies. It provides the highest quality of durability but has a higher installation cost than plastic pipe due to its greater weight. The use of copper piping may also ensure that you meet health and safety standards as it is very resistant to bacteria and other microorganisms that may grow in your plumbing system. Plastics pipes on the other hand are much easier to work with which is why they are often chosen by do-it-yourself enthusiasts, but could not be used for drinking or irrigation purposes as they can contain harmful chemicals such as chlorine which may leach into the water you need for cooking, showers or irrigation.
They also cannot support high-pressure systems directly. Steel piping is often chosen for its ease of installation, weight and resistance to corrosion. The corrosion resistance offered by steel also makes it easier to make use of underground piping systems due to the fact that they won’t need any kind of protective coating like anti-corrosion paint. Steel has a lower flow rate than copper but given the price difference, many people see this as an advantage.
There are some pipes that can be used for both hot and cold water supplies such as PEX-a and Polybutylene (PB) however these cannot be used internally in most cases and may be covered up with another material such as wood or plastic which means you may encounter problems if this covering is ruptured. As a result, we recommend using one material for both your hot and cold water supply lines.
Common Materials for Interior Plumbing Australia
Normally, you would use a combination of copper, steel or plastic piping to achieve the results you need in an internal plumbing system. However, there are some cases where one material is better suited than another depending on what is required by local building codes. In Australia, the most common materials used for internal plumbing systems include copper, plastics and steel with plastic being the least favoured because it has been linked to contamination from heavy metals which can lead to bacterial growth over time, especially when exposed to acidic compounds such as vinegar.
If you’re installing a new piping system then we recommend using either copper or steel pipes as these may require less maintenance and inspection over time compared to plastics which have been known to break down over time. Steel piping could be covered with either PVC or ABS pipe if you’re installing it within walls, floors, ceilings etc.
People often use the “rule of thumb” when determining the size of water pipes they need in their homes which states that you could allow 50mm per person (e.g. two people would require 50mm x 2). However, this rule is based on the average use of water in a household and different homes may have different needs. For example, if you have small children who are taking their first shower then you could expect much higher water usage than someone who lives alone or with an adult partner.
What Size Water Line Should I Run in My House?
Generally, a water line that is sized to match the flow rate of your home’s hot water system may be sufficient for most household activities. In Australia, the recommended standard size for a shower rose is 9 litres per minute (L/m) or 12 L/m for an average bathtub. This may require a minimum of 15mm copper or 22mm steel pipe.
For a kitchen sink, you could use one that has an aerator with a flow rate of approximately 7 L/m, which can be achieved by either increasing the size of your water line or adding an additional tap to your sink. As basins are not used for activities that take up large amounts of water such as showers, baths and washing machines they are often only sized to match the flow rate needed for effective hand-washing. For this reason, many homes include two separate hot water systems so one can be used for household chores while the other is kept available for personal hygiene routines.
Water Piping for Laundry Appliances
It’s important to have proper hot water lines installed when using appliances in your house which require a large amount of hot water such as washing machines, dishwashers and laundry tubs. In most homes, the main water line is located in the ceiling near the machine which may require you to run new lines from this point down into your machine. You now have a few choices including either running your hot and cold line separately from the appliance or using a combination of metal and plastic piping for each type of water supply
If you opt for separate supplies then it may make repairs much easier but you’ll need to be careful with how they are installed so you can ensure that they won’t come apart when under pressure from use. As a result, we recommend using metal pipes inside a thick wall wherever possible with plastic being added only if necessary e.g. for parts that need to be replaced at regular intervals such as the washing machine hose which may become dry over time and crack.
What is a Water Hammer?
Water hammer is a term used to describe the banging and knocking noise that occurs in homes when appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers suddenly switch on or off. This noise can be quite loud and disrupt your household activities which are why it’s important for you to install an air chamber device near the point where cold water enters your home.
An air chamber is basically a small metal (copper) cylinder with a pressure release valve attached directly to its side which absorbs some of the vibration caused by water moving through your pipes
What are Vent Pipes?
Vent pipes are a small secondary water supply line that is installed near appliances that require large amounts of hot water e.g. washing machines, dishwashers, laundry tubs etc. A vent pipe has one open end which connects to the incoming main water line and another that sits inside your appliance where it may pull in cold water for use. A third section of the pipe is also required which runs through your roof so that air can be released from within the system.
Pipes clog up over time which can cause water to flow back down into your appliance. It’s important that you check these on a regular basis so you can clean them out before this happens. Pipes installed underground are more prone to clogging.
