APPLIANCES (PLUMBING)

When connecting the pipe, or dry fitting, a basin wrench can be helpful. Channel-lock makes one for Oil Filters and sink strainers that are very versatile.

When transitioning from one type of material to another (ABS to PVC, PVC to cast iron, etc.), use a Shielded coupling. This is also acceptable when transitioning from OLD PVC to NEW PVC (it is hard to clean the old PVC to bond to the new, in certain instances

When a toilet flange is broken or needs to be built up (where it is below the finish floor, there are various products that can be used to repair. Be sure to put a bead of caulk with ATV in it, on the item, to seal it from water penetration.

Tankless water heater startup

We get these items from MFS

Home Depot has hookups: Appliance Hookups

Dishwasher:

All units should have a dishwasher connected to an airgap connected to a garbage disposal.

Garbage Disposal:

All units should have a garbage disposal. This disposal should be connected to an airgap that is connected to a dishwasher.

Refrigerator:

All refrigerators should have icemakers. When plumbing a house, there should be a designated icemaker supply line.

Washer/Dryer:

All washer and dryers will be unitized units. There should be a plastic pan installed, beneath the washer and dryer combo, with it piped to the exterior of the house, or may be installed into the plumbing.

APPROVED MATERIALS

Home Depot Supply list: Faucets, Sinks, & Toilets

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THERE BE A TORCH USED IN A HOUSE OTHER THAN BY A LICENSED PLUMBER.

Shark bite fittings are allowed for transitions from one type of pipe to another (copper to PEX, mainly) and will generally be the new main shutoff to the house. DO NOT USE INSIDE A WAL without an ACCESS PANEL

When working with shark bit fittings, have a "disconnect tongs" set handy. They will save you much time and headache.

How to install a shark bite fitting

How to install a shark bite fitting.MOV

PEX is our standard material to plumb active plumbing systems with. When using traditional PEX, only use stainless steel clamps with a ratcheting hand tool, and use brass fittings.

For runs of PEX, only use straight sections of PEX. The rolls are difficult to deal with in tight spaces. Only use Blue PEX for cold water lines and red PEX for hot water lines. If you run out, get more PEX. Do not use the wrong color. Cut the pipe with a tubing cutter.

Always use pipe hangers that hold ½’’ and ¾’’ PEX. These should be installed every couple of feet, and next to any transition.

PVC

When running drain lines, only use PVC. Foam core is allowed.

When bonding PVC, first cut, then deburr, clean, prime, then cement with the following products. If adhering ABS (a black pipe that looks like PVC), clean, DO NOT prime, and cement, using the following cement.

Where needed, pipe dope with Teflon should be used.

When connecting the pipe, or dry fitting, a basin wrench can be helpful. Channel-lock makes one for Oil Filters and sink strainers that are very versatile.

When transitioning from one type of material to another (ABS to PVC, PVC to cast iron, etc.), use a Shielded coupling. This is also acceptable when transitioning from OLD PVC to NEW PVC (it is hard to clean the old PVC to bond to the new, in certain instances

There are also Unshielded couplings that, while not code approved, are acceptable for certain types of repairs. Here are some following examples:

Transitioning from PVC in the wall to a trap.

Transitioning from 1 ½’’ pipe to 2” pipe (though a solid PVC fitting is preferred). Remember that the wastewater must always go INTO the larger pipe from the smaller pipe.

Making a patch in the main line (generally, when a section of cast iron is cast).

Where there is a problem area where plumbing venting is not possible, the use of an “auto vent” is allowed for small fixtures such as sinks.

Watch the video on this page: Plumbing Maintenance for the installation

Toilet Seals

ALWAYS use a “waxless seal” with extender rings if extra height is needed. Fluid master makes a quality product. Using an extra set of nuts and washers to hold the bolts onto the toilet flange can be useful for keeping the bolts in place. These can be purchased in the hardware section of Home Depot.

When a toilet flange is broken or needs to be built up (where it is below the finish floor, there are various products that can be used to repair. Be sure to put a bead of caulk with ATV in it, on the item, to seal it from water penetration.

Valves

Only use quarter-turn ball valves. These last much longer than gate valves and are easier to install. Use ⅜ outlets. When plumbing comes out of the floor, use a straight valve. When coming out of the wall, use an angle valve.

Supply lines

Only use Stainless steel supply lines.

Faucet connection.

A Rigid EZ Change Faucet Tool is invaluable for connecting supply lines, sink baskets, etc.

Sink Strainers. Generally, use sink strainers that are lock-in style - look for screws that put pressure on the sink basket. They are easier to install. Also use plumber’s putty.

Traps

For ALL SINKS, use a flexible trap. While generally not code approved, these are excellent because they prevent leaks when the trap is hit by stored items under a sink. They also fit 1 ¼’’ pipe, as well as 1 ½’’ pipe.

Use a t off of the cold water supply to the kitchen sink for the water supply.

Ice makers

Use a stainless supply line (¼’’ x ¼’’), and “t” off of the sink's cold water if the fridge is close by. If not, use an ice maker shutoff, and plumb.

Dishwashers

Install with an air gap.

When finishing plumbing out, use escutcheon plates made of plastic. They split in the center so that you can bend them around the pipe once the wall is painted.

Showers

All houses should have at least 1 bathtub. Use a steel tub with ceramic coating. NO PLASTIC. For showers, use whatever base fits the space. All walls will be tiled, so there will be no next for the tub surround.

For valve assemblies, use Delta single handle kits with a chrome finish and threaded legs. If the house has a 3 handle kit and the surround is in good shape, replace it with the delta single handle, and use an escutcheon plate to cover the hole.

Washer hookup should always be a quarter-turn ball valve. If a gate valve system exists, replace it.

All plumbing jobs should have an automatic dog bowl installed. This should be located either in the kitchen, laundry room, or bathroom. These are ONLY TO GO IN DETACHED HOUSES AND TOWNHOMES. NOT Apartments.

Bath Faucets

Use Delta Single handle faucets.

Toilets

Use American standard or Mansfield, with fluid master parts, when available.

Vanities:

Generally, there will be 3 sizes: 36’’, 24’, and 18’’. We always want an inexpensive mirror to go with them, and sometimes, you can buy a set with both the vanity, top, and mirror. If you have the option, do that, but only when it is similarly priced to an in-stock vanity.

Kitchens

Please use single handle kitchen faucets with a pull-down sprayer. See the following example:

HOT WATER HEATERS

Burr Oak uses 2 types of hot water heaters tanked and tankless. ALWAYS use electrical products. If a gas tank exists, change to electric.

Tanked water heaters are used where a tanked water heater has already been used.

Tankless water heaters are used where there is currently or will immediately be upgraded to 200 amp electrical service. Only install if a significant amount of drywall is removed, specifically between the panel and heater. Occasionally, there may be an instance where a conduit is needed.

Tanked: only use 50 Gallon tanks

*have a pan piped to the exterior of the house

*pressure relief line, piped into the pan

*2 shutoff valves, 1 on the hot, 1 on the cold side

Electrical components should be sleeved in PVC, with an AC 60 amp disconnect for shutoff.

HOUSE RE-PLUMB PROCESS (READ FIRST)

DO NOT DRILL THROUGH FLOOR JOISTS TO INSTALL PLUMBING UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. You may drill through for up to ¾’’ PEX, Copper, CPVC, or electrical wire runs.

Often, when doing a project, the first question should be “What can I save?” and the next should be “What is worth saving?." A quick inspection of items will help you figure this out. For example: Are they 60-year old galvanized? (if the answer is yes, then replace all of them). Have the pipes frozen?, etc.

Toilet Install

toilet install.mp4

LAUNDRY ROOM ESSENTIALS MUST HAVE

The laundry room must have a drain for the water and a recessed dryer vent

Laundry room essentails.mp4

How to replace a garbage disposal

how to replace a garbage disposal.mp4

Tankless water heater startup

To properly turn on a tankless hot water heater, you have to turn on the main water line, turn off the valves, go into the breaker panel, find the hot water heater circuits, and turn them on. Then turn on the hot water and wait for the air bubbles to come out.

You can turn down the heater to 100 and 809 degrees, and then the water will be plenty warm. You can access the reset buttons by taking out the screws on the right and left side. After you’ve disconnected the wiring harness from the front plate, you’ll notice that there are several reset buttons. Be sure that the power is turned off before you reset any of these buttons because there’s a lot of power going through these elements.

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