When was the last time you gave extensive thought to your bathroom in Florida? How about the bathroom’s plumbing? If you are like most people, you do not think about your bathroom until something goes wrong. However, once the plumbing or another component of your bathroom in Florida malfunctions, an in-depth understanding of the space becomes quite important. Our plumbing crew is here to break down the nuances of bathroom plumbing in plain English for all to understand.
The Basics of Bathroom Plumbing
Bathrooms rely on water lines to move water to and from the sink, shower, toilet and so on. These water lines are roughed-in with considerable care, ensuring there is enough space between them and the floor as well as between the hot and cold lines. In fact, local codes dictate the minimum amount of distance of clearance between bathroom vanities, side walls, toilet flanges and piping. Our plumbers in Florida are here to sweat all the small stuff of plumbing codes on your behalf to ensure your bathroom is fully compliant and stands the test of time.
The Main Drain
If plumbing is to be installed or replaced, the main line will have to be located. If the current system is faulty, the concrete above will be broken through to guarantee the main line is in the proper position and deep enough to permit proper downhill slope within the newly-added drain lines. These new drain lines will be connected to a current line beneath the basement. This line must be pinpointed prior to the actual planning process. Our team is here to find the main stack vertical pipe that moves to the basement. This pipe subsequently extends below the floor to the city’s sewage system below the street.
Drain lines require a downhill slope of a minimum of a quarter-inch per each linear foot. If this downhill slope is not present, waste will not move through the pipes as it should. Rest easy, as our plumbers in Florida are here to take the measurements necessary to ensure waste flows exactly as it should. We will assess the downhill slope, measure the main line’s depth of center and the horizontal piping depth below the drain. If it turns out the main line does not have adequate depth, the fixtures will have to be positioned that much closer to the line or a sewage ejection pump will be installed.
The Bathroom Sink
The manner in which plumbing is connected below the bathroom sink is of the utmost importance. Plastic tubing p-traps along with trap adapters are necessary to ensure the bathroom sink plumbing is properly installed and functions as it should in the years ahead. Trim rap kits and washers are available in different types and sizes, each of which our team understands in-depth.
So don’t attempt to plumbing or remodeling on your own. This is a job for the professionals rather than a DIY (do it yourself) endeavor. As an example, the United States plumbing codes are nuanced to the point that a basin lav must be roughed in with a 1.25 inch trap and 1.25 inch vent.
The Toilet Drain
In the context of drainage, it is prudent to use long pattern fittings to ensure waste properly segues from vertical piping to horizontal piping. A closet flange is linked to a closet bend, typically with a 4-inch fitting along the inlet and a 3-inch fitting along the outlet. The closet bend outlet connects to the sanitary tee through a diminutive piece of PVC. The toilet drains downstream through the aforementioned vertical piping that connects to the horizontal piping.
The Plumbing Cleanout
Plumbing cleanouts are added for a convenient space that provides access to the drain pipes in order to clear away debris and clogs. A cleanout cap can be removed to provide the necessary access. The majority of plumbing codes mandate cleanout installations amidst the plumbing rough-in process. The typical bathroom in Florida needs a 3-inch cleanout adapter along with a 3-inch cleanout plug for a plumbing cleanout. The cleanout adapter connects to the combo inlet, providing easy access for rodding the drain in the event of a backup.
The Importance of Plumbing Venting
Plumbing fixtures of all types must be properly vented. The logic in using plumbing venting is to safeguard trap seals. Trap seals within the P-Trap stop sewer gas from moving into your living space. Waste that moves through the drainage system generates alterations in air pressure. Such pressure undulations have the potential to compromise trap seals, possibly removing part of the seal altogether. Once this seal is gone, the sewer gas moves into the home.
We know exactly how to plumb a bathroom in Florida to ensure the vent is installed properly and such pressure fluctuations are controlled, guaranteeing the trap seal within the P-Trap holds strong. From common venting to wet venting, circuit venting and beyond, our plumbers in Florida have the nuances of all venting methods mastered.
Conclusion
A well-functioning bathroom is often taken for granted. It is only when a component malfunctions or breaks down that homeowners give their bathroom the attention it needs. It helps to have a good understanding of the various components of your bathroom. This post will help you understand the various facets of bathroom plumbing in simple language so it becomes easy for you to understand and take proper care of it.
Need To Hire A Plumber? Call Erica’s Plumbing, Air Conditioning and Restoration Team
If your bathroom’s plumbing is not functioning as expected, our plumbing crew is here to help. We will get your bathroom in Florida back in working order as quickly as possible. Our team provides regular service calls as well as emergency service. Contact us today! You can reach us at (561) 782-2779.
