Are you planning on plumbing a house from scratch? Good! Remember these four crucial factors before you start your project.
Are you planning on plumbing a house from scratch?
If so, and the house is yours, you’re a brave homeowner. Many people who own a house won’t do major remodeling projects on their own without a contractor on-site.
If you feel that you know what you’re doing in terms of routing drains, planning pipes, and actually installing a useable system, by all means, be your own plumber. But before you start fiddling with your home’s water pipes, here are a few true beginner tips you should know.
1. A Licensed Plumber May Be Needed When Plumbing a House from Scratch
Did you know that the state of Alabama may require you to hire a licensed Montgomery Plumber to work on your home instead of doing the work yourself?
In most states, a licensed plumber is required by law to fix and update any plumbing in a residential building. If you’re a licensed plumber in your state, the project should go off without a hitch. However, if you have no formal licensing or training in this field, you may need to hire an expert to do the work for you.
2. Create a Pipe Diagram
If you are familiar with plumbing, you may visualize a lot of the pipework in your head.
However, before any pipes are laid or rerouted, create a pipe plan diagram on paper. This way, you and your employees (if you hire any), can keep track of whether the pipework makes sense considering the layout of your home.
Also, a pipe work blueprint is handy for any future plumber who might work in your home down the line.
3. Don’t Forget a Plumber’s Permit
Just because the house is yours doesn’t mean you can do with it as you please. At least this is true in the case of redoing a home’s entire plumbing system.
Depending on which state you live in, you may need to obtain a plumber’s permit in order to work on your own home. This permit usually costs between two hundred dollars and a little over twelve thousand dollars.
A permit ensures that you are granted the go-ahead by the city in which your home is built. It may even come with an expert plumber’s inspection.
If you feel you can afford a permit, do so before starting your project. Otherwise, put off the work until you’re able to afford the permit or a plumber. It’s not safe for anyone in your family to live in a home with faulty plumbing.
4. Don’t Use After-market Parts
This last tip should be obvious: Don’t be tempted into using aftermarket materials for the plumbing in your home.
Aftermarket materials are off-brand items that professional plumbers don’t normally use. Homeowners are persuaded to use them usually because they cost a fraction of the branded materials.
Don’t be blinded by the low price. With it comes to low quality. You may have to spend thousands of dollars more on repairs if your pipes burst due to low-quality plumbing.
Starting Your Project Soon?
Are you still thrilled about plumbing a house from scratch?
If so, share your progress with us in the comments below! Which tip was the most helpful to you? Also, don’t forget to visit us frequently to grab more DIY tips for your home.
