Plumbing is something that should be well considered during the design stage of your new home.
Simply placing wet areas anywhere can become very costly and create long term energy loss, whereas a well-planned plumbing design will not only save costs upfront but will also give long term savings with its ongoing efficiency.
The plumbing layout is an important factor throughout the building certification process and if you deviate from the approved layout during construction, councils have the right to demand correction. If changes are required after construction has commenced, then applications will need to be made outlining the changes which will not only be costly but will also cause significant delays in your building schedule. Any sort of amendment during construction will have much the same impact.
Good planning can save money and wet wall sharing is very smart design. A wet wall is a wall that contains the water and sewer lines. By utilising one wet wall for several applications will reduce the plumbing materials and labour. For example, if you can back the kitchen on to a bathroom, laundry or ensuite, rather than having them in all four corners of the home, significant savings will be made. If your design does not allow for this you can maximise the placement by considering the external tap points for garden hoses, outdoor kitchens or pools, as these may be able to run in proximity to the internal wet areas.
Finally, to future proof your home it is always smart to take pictures of the wiring and plumbing in each wall before internal plasterboard or cement sheeting linings are hung. These photos will help trades find the services and help other trades avoid damaging the services. Always give time and consideration to the plumbing design.