What Every New Home Should Have
.... and probably won't, unless you ask

Installing these plumbing items while the house is under construction will save you thousands of dollars later on, and eliminate the inconvenience and mess of having to tear up the basement floor and/or foundation walls.

* All prices shown are based on Manufacturer's Suggested List Price

1. Flood Guard™
   Prevent Sewer Line Backups for Less Than $10.00*
   (Float Model as shown)
   
   When spring rains bring flooding and sewer overloads, or when an obstruction blocks a sanitary sewer to prevent it from flowing freely, the sewer line can back up into the basement or house, ruining thousands of dollars worth of carpeting and household possessions.
   
   General Wire Spring's Flood Guard™ mounts quickly and easily into the basement drain. When it's in place, It acts as a check valve, allowing water to flow out but preventing it from backing up into your home.
   
   It can be installed in minutes, but it can prevent many hours of unpleasant clean-up. (A standpipe model is available for under $15.00)
   
   Learn More »
   
   
   
2. Water Supply Drain Valve
   Prevent burst pipes for Less Than $4.00*
   
    
   Boiler drains are horizontal faucets with male (MIP) or female IPS threads (FIP) on the inlet side, and with male hose threads at the outlet spout angled approximately perpendicular to the bottom.
   
   
   Adding a simple boiler drain valve to your main water line, just past the house shut-off valve, is the easiest and quickest way to drain water lines in the house.
   
   Indespensible when performing major remodeling, winterizing a summer home, or preventing burst pipes during an extended power outage in winter.
   
   Learn More »
   
   
3. Stop (cut-off) Valves at Every Fixture & Faucet
   (on both Hot and Cold Water Lines)
   
   Stop valves cut off the flow to a designated fixture or supply run in the event of emergency so that repairs can be made without turning off all the water in the house.
   
   Every fixture and faucet, (including outside hose bibs) should have stop valves (cut-off valves) installed.
   
   Ball Valves
   Less Than $6.00* each
   Ball valves offer the least trouble over time and usually work when they are needed. Ball valves rarely are harmed by sediment and furthermore their internal design allows full unimpeded flow of water through the valve.
   
   
   Learn More »
   
   
4. Water Heater Catch Pan
   Prevent Damage from a Leaking Water Heater for
   Less Than $20.00*
   
   The average life expectancy of a hot water heater is 10 to 12 years ... and when they fail, the cause is usually due to a cracked or ruptured glass tank liner.
   
   When that happens, the water in the tank is going to go someplace in your home ... that's 30 - 100 gallons of water, (depending on tank size)  ...
   or more, if you are not home to turn off the water going into the tank.
    
   
   A water heater catch pan provides an extra level of protection against this kind of water damage.
   
   Made of aluminium, the pan is 2" deep and is fitted with a 1" side or bottom drain outlet.
   
   
   Installed under a new water heater, plastic piping is then connected to the pan drain outlet and run to the closest floor drain. This prevents damage to floors and furniture in the event of a leak.
   

   The water heater drain/catch pan must be installed at the same time as the water heater. It cannot be added later, without removing the water heater.

   Catch pans are usually required by local codes when the water heater is in a finished area of the home, but it is an inexpensive safeguard for all water heater installations.
   
   Learn More »
   
   
   
5. Automatic Water Heater Shut-Off Valve
   Prevent Major Flooding when You Are Not at Home
   for Less Than $150.00*
   
   A catch pan alone, won't be enough to stop major flooding from a leaking or ruptured water tank if you are not at home.
   
   Unless the water to the water heater is turned off, it will continue to flow into the tank and into your home, resulting in major flooding.
   
   The solution is the WAGS (Water And Gas Safety valve).
   
   The WAGS is designed to shut off the water supply (and the gas supply for gas-fired heaters) in the event of a water leak from a hot water heater, thus minimizing water damage and possible gas leakage.
   
   The WAGS sits in a drip pan under the water heater and is activated when leaking water accumulates to a level of 3/4" in the pan. Once activated the valve shuts off the water and gas supply, indicated by a red pop-up tab. The valve has a control panel alarm to alert you in the event of a leak.
   
   The valve can be installed on all styles of water heaters (natural gas, propane, oil, electric). The valve is fully mechanical and requires no external power source.
   
   Learn More »
   
   
   
6. Hot Water Recirculating Pump
   Hot Water on Demand ... Everywhere in the House for
   Less Than $200.00*
   
   No more waiting for hot water:
   
   We're all used to wasting time and water waiting for water to get hot before taking a shower or bath, washing dishes or clothes, etc.
   
   It's not only tedious and frustrating, it's extremely wasteful as well. The water cooling off in the pipes, that was heated once but has cooled off, ends up in the sewer without being used.
   
   A recirculating pump keeps the water hot so there's no waiting and no waste.
   
   Recirculating pumps are easy to install and inexpensive during new construction. (hot water lines should be insulated when a recirculating pump is used)
   
   Recirculating pumps are also used for hydronic towel warmers and for radiant heating systems - providing hot water for heating through floor-installed zoning loops.
   
   A recirculating pump is the only way to get instant hot water at every faucet and fixture in the house.
   Learn More »
   
   
   
7. Insulated Supply Lines
   Prevent Frozen Pipes & Reduce Energy Bills
   for Less Than $ 0.50* per linear foot
   
   
   Installing inexpensive, preformed foam insulation sleeves on hot and cold water supply lines in unheated areas will not only prevent frozen pipes, but reduce energy bills.
   
   The foam simply slips onto the pipe through a slit in the sleeve, allowing easy access for repairs and maintenance.
   
   Insulating the entire length of the hot water pipes (not just in unheated areas) will reduce heat loss as the hot water is flowing to your faucet. More importantly, it will reduce standby losses when the tap is turned off and then back on within an hour or so.
   
   (For maximum energy savings, make sure the foam fits snug)
   
   Even when pipes are insulated, the water in the pipes will eventually cool, but it stays warmer longer than it would if the pipes weren't insulated, which can help prevent feezing pipes.
   
   
   Must have access to all piping for New Construction or major Remodeling
   
   
   
8. Upgraded Piping
   Fix Noisy Plumbing Before You Move In
   
   If you want quiet plumbing you need to solve the problem when the pipes are being installed. After the walls go up, it is too late to initiate an easy fix.
   
   
   • Type L Copper Water Pipe
     Reduce Noise & Maintain Water Flow
     approximately 40% more than standard Type M copper pipe
     
     Pipe sizes and pipe thicknesses play a major role in the amount of water flow and noisiness of your home.
     
     The turbulence of the water as is rushes through a pipe is what causes the vibrations that lead to sound and noise. Larger diameter pipes can deliver the necessary water to maintain the flow rate with a much lower velocity. A thicker pipe size will minimize noise levels..
     
     
     
   • Cast Iron Drain/Sewer/Vent (DSV) Pipes
     Added cost for entire house is based on the number of bathrooms ... at $200.00 - $250.00 per bathroom
     
     The drain waste and vent (DWV) system in a house is the permanent and crucial system which conveys waste water from the house, across the property line, to the city sewers, and vents the plumbing system gases to the atmosphere.
     
     Today, plastic pipe (ABS or PVC) is in common use for residential homes, while cast iron pipe is usually specified for commercial construction because of its durability and sound supression.
     
     Sound or noise is produced when something vibrates. Cast iron piping is denser than plastic and water has a tough time vibrating dense cast iron. Cast iron pipe is virtually maintenance free and is today's choice for custom residences.
     
     
   
   

 BACK

Was this article helpful?   Yes    No