| Pipes and Plumbing: Location, Location, Location! |
From "Home IQ"
episode DHIQ-110 |
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When it comes to the plumbing, it's all about location. Before any work can begin, the plumbers, site supervisor and carpenter work together to decide exactly where the plumbing will go. After the plumbing is laid a problem is discovered. Viewers see how the team works together to come up with a solution. The next step is to install the drains and vents following the kitchen designer's marks. The plumbing system in the Oberg's house is a basic distribution network and viewers hear from apprentice plumber Jeremy Dindinger who explains. Viewers see how the sewer gases are vented up through the roof to the outside and hear from Bill Rittelmann of Ibacos and journeyman plumber Mike Morse. The framing of the Oberg's master tub and a delay in the delivery of the guest shower are a few other problems that arise, but both are resolved and work continues.
A plumber knows how to rough-in a sink or shower, but it's vital that the homeowners and site manager determine the location first. The plumber is called in before the concrete for the basement floor is poured because there are drains that need to go below it. For the Oberg home the basement will include a fourth bathroom (figure A) and a slop sink for Brad's workshop. The plumbers, Michael Morse and Jeremy Dindinger (apprentice), meet with Greg Allen, the site supervisor, and Jim Misencik, the carpenter, to discuss and get familiar with the blueprints. They figure out where the walls of the bathroom will be (figure B). But as we've discovered earlier in this custom home-building process, there can be confusion when deciphering a new set of blueprints. For example, Misencik discovered that the plans showed the stairs, the plumbing and the basement shower all in the same place.
Troubleshooting the Problem- Serious figuring had to be done by the site supervisor because moving the pipes (figure C), which are now underneath the solid cement, would be expensive and difficult.
- To avoid chopping up the concrete flooring, the brain trust decided to adjust the landing, move some plumbing overhead and keep the drains where they are. But, unfortunately, when the shower is finally set the plumber still has to chop the floor (figure D) in order to attach the drain. This is proof that sometimes problems on a construction site just can't be avoided!
Throughout the rest of the house, the plumbers install the drains and vents, following the kitchen designer's marks (figure E).Note: The plumbing system in the Oberg house is a basic distribution network with the supply lines bringing the water to a specific location and the drains carry waste water away. And the sewer gases are vented up through the roof to the outside.
Why Vent?The purpose of venting is twofold: - So the water will go down the drain without causing suction, especially in the toilet. If there were no vent off the stack (figure F) of the toilet the bowl would drain completely.
- The other purpose for a vent is to extract sewer gas from the home safely.
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Figure G
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Figure H
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Figure I
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Placement, Placement, PlacementWhen it comes to placement of the tubs, toilets and showers, the plumber is not the only subcontractor involved. The carpenter and site supervisor also need to know exactly what goes where. For example, in the master bathroom the whirlpool tub (figure G -- rough-in on left and finished tub on right) needs special attention because its size and design aren't standard -- and the framing for it won't be simple! Once the site supervisor and carpenter figure out the framing for the tub, the frame is built and the tub is cemented in. Later, after a visit from Brad he requested that the tub be shifted a bit, but after much discussion and a visit from Lynn (figure H), the tub stayed where it is. Note: Another problem developed at this stage when the shower in the guest bathroom wasn't delivered in the planned five days. To keep on schedule the framing was continued, but when the shower did arrive the installation required an extra step of removing some wall studs in order to fit the shower in place. With most tubs and showers in place and minor correction made, the plumbers finish up the rough-in of the drains and vents. One of the finishing touches for the venting system are the phalanges (figure I) where the vent pipe pokes through the roof. They are placed underneath the roof shingles and have a rubber ring to keep the water out. In the next segment see some of the new plumbing technologies that were utilized in the Oberg house.
RESOURCES :
Kohler Product Information
Kohler Co.
Website: www.us.kohler.com
Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinets (Manor House)
Manor House Kitchens
Website: www.manorhousekitchens.com
Residential Sprinkler System and Radiant Flooring (Wirsbo)
Wirsbo Co.
Website: www.wirsbo.com
Kitchen and Bathroom Fixtures (Nicklas Supply)
Nicklas Supply, Inc./Splash
Website: www.wit-co.com
or www.nicklassupply.com
Plumbing Services (Pedicone)
Pedicone Plumbing
4364 Gibsonia Rd.
Rt. 910
Gibsonia, PA 15044
Phone: 724-443-6794
GUESTS :
Brad and Lynn Oberg
Homeowners
Company: IBACOS (Brad)
Title: Co-Founder/Chief Technology Officer
Website: www.ibacos.com
Greg Allen
Site Supervisor
Hendolhurst Homes
955 Markman Park Rd.
Baden, PA 15005
Phone: 724-935-5658
Fax: 724-935-0884
E-mail: gcrbs@adelphia.net
Allen Kline
Senior Kitchen Designer
Manor House Kitchens
See contact information above under Resources
Jim Misencik
Framer
Misencik, Inc.
Pittsburgh, PA
Cindy Schad
Designer/Sales
Nicklas Supply, Inc./Splash
PO Box 1730
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
Phone: 724-772-1060
Fax: 724-772-3020
Bill Rittlemann
Project Engineer
IBACOS
2214 Liberty Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Website: www.ibacos.com
Jeremy Dindinger
Apprentice Plumber
Pedicone Plumbing
4364 Gibsonia Rd.
Rt. 910
Gibsonia, PA 15044
Phone: 724-443-6794
Kirk Vigil
Regional Sales Mgr.
Wirsbo Co.
5925 148th St. W.
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Toll-free: 800-321-4739
Phone: 952-891-2000
Fax: 952-891-2008
Website: www.wirsbo.com
Michael Morse
Journeyman Plumber
Pedicone Plumbing
4364 Gibsonia Rd.
Rt. 910
Gibsonia, PA 15044
Phone: 724-443-6794
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