Behind the Walls: Building Systems 1, Plumbing — 40B Cloutmans Lane Reconstruction

Few things provide more pleasure and utility on a daily basis than modern plumbing. Think about the things you have to do every day and think about what doing them would have been like two centuries ago. Sleeping, not so different. Cooking, definitely different, but cooking over a fire or on a wood stove; not so bad. But taking care of business on the toilet; much improved. And bathing, much easier today and therefore much, much more frequent.

As an example of how far we’ve come, have a look at the rough supply plumbing shown above in the wall in Ann’s shower.

For those with some familiarity with piping materials, you may ask; Where is the nice soldered copper? As someone who enjoyed the craft of soldering copper, with its cleaning/fluxing/heating/soldering cadence, it is a valid question.

The answer is that the piping system shown of plastic PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) pipes connected with special fittings has shown over the last 20 years to be, in a number of parameters, superior to sweated (soldered) copper.

Better resistance to corrosion from minerals in the water. Minerals in hard water can corrode copper piping prematurely.
Flexibility and longer lengths give systems with fewer joints and less internal friction, resulting in better water pressure.
Safer to install since an open flame is not required.
Less expensive in both material costs and labor costs.

So what is going on with all those blue (and one red) pipes?

The six position selector can choose:

Rain shower only.
Regular shower only.
Rain shower and regular shower.
Rain shower and regular shower and body sprays
Rain shower and body sprays
Regular shower and body sprays

Why two shower heads for Ann? She really likes the feel of the overhead rain shower head but there are times when she needs to take a shower and not get her hair wet.

My shower is similar but different:

This is all certainly a first world solution to a first world problem; but it is a nice one to have.

Note the careful craftsmanship of the plumbing, even though it will be invisible once the walls are finished. Our initial selection of a plumber was the one with the lowest price. That selection proved to be a mistake; within the first hour of their work they drilled into structural members that shouldn’t have been drilled and then the next day installed drainage piping that did not meet the plumbing code. We parted ways unpleasantly and then sought recommendations for a plumbing company which shared the vision for our home and could and would produce the quality of work this home needs and deserves.

Following a recommendation, we contracted with JC Plumbing from Malden, MA. Master plumber Jim Kennedy wears three hats; principal at the firm, plumbing inspector for the town of Saugus, and plumbing apprentice instructor. Their team did great work.

Next post; Behind the walls: Building Systems 2, Using and heating water efficiently.