| Pipes and Plumbing: Introduction |
From "Home IQ"
episode DHIQ-110 |
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After deciding to build, one of the first jobs the Obergs (Brad and Lynn) have to do is make decisions about the plumbing. Kitchen cabinet and bath vanity designs need to be created before the plumbing work can begin. Without this, the plumber won't know where the plumbing lines go. Viewers go along with the couple as they visit their kitchen and bath designer. After making their choices, the designer visits the site to mark where all of sinks and tubs will go. Placement of the sinks and tubs is only part of the equation. There are many other factors that influence the plumbing in the Oberg's new home, including a sprinkler system, a second laundry room in the basement, a Jacuzzi tub and a multiple head shower in the master bathroom. With the plumbing needs worked out and their locations clearly marked, the plumber begins the plumbing rough-in.
In DIY's new Home IQ series, you'll follow the Oberg family during the decision-making process of building this beautiful new home.
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In this week's episode of Home IQ, we go under the house and inside the walls of the Oberg home to drain the mystery out of the plumbing system.
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Shopping for Bathroom FixturesIn the Oberg home the homeowners went with a stylish variety of sinks in their four-and-a-half bathrooms: - Pedastal Sink
- Hanging Sink
- Vanity Sink
Pedestal Sink
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Hanging Sink
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Vanity Sink
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The shopping process wasn't an easy chore for the Oberg family. In addition to visiting showrooms, Brad and Lynn had to trek out to the construction site on a regular basis in order to determine where the bathroom fixtures would go.Many subcontractors are affected by the plumbing choices that any new homeowners make. And these important decisions must be made on time if the construction of the home is to stay on schedule. Bath fixtures (vanity, toilet, shower, etc.) and kitchen cabinet designs need to be created "before" the plumbing rough-in and work begin. Without these designs the plumber won't know where the pipes and lines go.
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Figure A
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Figure B
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Figure C
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Marking the Construction Site for Fixture PlacementOnce the decisions are made, Allen Kline, the Oberg's kitchen and bath designer, goes to the site to leave his mark. This entails marking exactly where the sinks, fixtures (figure A -- kitchen mark-up on the left and the finished kitchen on the right) and everything else go. These marks also help the homeowners get a better visual of where everything will be located. If you don't think plumbing is complex, consider the fact that in the Oberg kitchen alone there are two sinks (the main sink and the vegetable sink in the center island), a dishwasher, food disposal, an ice maker in the refrigerator and a wet bar (figure B) -- all of which involve plumbing! When asked why there are so many sinks planned for her new home, Lynn replied, "we're messy people. What I think makes it look like a lot of sinks is that we've got a sink in the utility room (figure C) and then we've got a utility sink in the basement." With Lynn's craft and art projects and her costume designs, these extra sinks come in handy.
Factors That Influenced the Plumbing In the Oberg House- New technologies are very important in the Oberg home since Brad is an engineer. For example, he wants to experiment with a unique new fire-sprinkler system (figure D).
- Lynn wants a second laundry room in the basement for her costume-design studio.
- The couple wants a whirlpool bath in the master bathroom.
- And both want a multiple-head shower (figure E) with angled water jets in the master suite.
These features all require advance planning. Cindy Schad, bathroom designer, informed the couple that they would have to go out to the site, meet with the plumber and physically show him exactly where they want the water jets in the shower to be located. He will mark the spots. Note: Due to the extra water used with this particular type of system, a bigger (3/4" copper for the Oberg shower versus the standard 1/2") water-supply line is needed. The standard faucet produces approximately five gallons of water per minute, which is "not" enough to run multiple sprays. With the plumbing needs worked out and the locations clearly marked at the construction site, the plumber begins running the pipes. This initial phase of the plumbing process is known as the rough-in. To find out more about the early stages of plumbing and the rough-in process, click here to visit our "Home IQ" package page. Scroll down to the "Raise Your Home IQ" articles by Ibacos and choose the "Plumbing & Electric" section. In the next segment the location of the pipes is determined and the running-of-the-pipes process begins.
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: buildm@zoominternet.net
Website: hendolhursthomes.com
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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