Regardless of whether it's drinking, cooking, bathing or showering - as soon as the tap is turned on, clean and clear water bubbles out of the pipe. To ensure this at all times, a number of regulations must be complied with when new water pipes are installed. Among other things, certain DIN guidelines, the Energy Saving Ordinance and the Drinking Water Ordinance are of importance. Incidentally, the homeowner is generally responsible for all areas downstream of the main shut-off valve of the respective utility company.
Also of importance are the materials from which the water pipes are made. Plastic and copper, for example, are particularly common materials.
Both when an existing system is to be extended and when a new water pipe is to be laid, the following applies: Before the necessary work is started, a detailed laying plan cannot be dispensed with. This is a great help in determining the amount of materials required and also ensures that there is documentation of the exact position of the pipes. Thus, there is no risk of accidentally damaging the water pipes during drilling work in the future.
The planning of water pipes: What to consider
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When planning the water pipes, there are some basic guidelines to consider. For example, the laying of pipes from the water meter to the respective tapping point should always be done along the shortest route. Preference should be given to straight paths that run at right angles to ceilings and walls.
As a general rule, it is not permitted to run drinking water pipes through garbage or ventilation shafts, exterior walls or chimneys. The arrangement of cold and hot water pipes must also be planned in parallel - however, they are marked separately in the installation plan. If it is planned to lay the pipes horizontally, the hot water pipes should always be located above the cold water pipes, otherwise they will be heated too much.
It is also recommended to use a floor distributor. This makes it possible to continue the lines to the tapping points separately.
The applicable regulations for the laying of wastewater pipes
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DIN 1986 stipulates that wastewater pipes must have a certain diameter. How large this must be, always depends on the sanitary object, which is connected to the pipe. For example, the minimum diameter of a pipe connected to a sink is 40 millimeters. The diameter must be larger, for example, for a toilet.
There is a possibility that the pipes run in front of or in the wall. However, if the installation of the pipes takes place in load-bearing walls, it is impossible to do without checking the statics. To ensure that the wastewater is drained correctly and to prevent deposits from forming in the process, a slope of two centimeters should also be taken into account when laying the pipes.
In addition, when it comes to downpipes for drainage of the house, it is impossible to do without ventilation. This can consist of either a pipe aerator or roof ventilation. If the downpipes are laid outside the building, a frost-proof depth must be chosen for them, which is at least 80 centimeters. In addition, it is not allowed to drain dirty water and rain together.
Water pipes that are connected to the drinking water system are always subject to the applicable drinking water regulations, even for private tapping points. For example, this prevents the water from standing motionless in the pipe for a long period of time, as this heats it up and thus allows microorganisms that are hazardous to health to spread exceedingly quickly.
The different types of pipes for water pipes
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As a rule, the drain pipes in a conventional house are made of plastic. However, wastewater piped from washing machines or dishwashers can have very high temperatures, which is why so-called HT pipes, or high-temperature pipes, must be used. Normally, on the other hand, people resort to PVC or PP pipes, which are characterized by their gray color.
KG pipes, on the other hand, are used as base pipes, i.e. below the basement floor in the ground. These are also known as PVC sewer pipes and usually have a brown-orange color.
When it comes to drinking water pipes, plastic, internally tinned copper or corrosion-resistant steel are the preferred materials. If the pH value of the drinking water is below the value of 7.0, on the other hand, the use of pipes made of pure copper is not permitted, as excessive amounts of copper would then dissolve out of the pipe. All components that come into direct contact with drinking water must also be approved by the DVGW, the German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water.
Install and insulate water supply lines
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Nowadays, the common practice in most cases is to carry out the installation of water pipes on the walls. On them, the fastening is then done, for example, with the help of clamps. This is also called pre-wall installation. Through special fittings is then possible to screw the cut plastic pipes.
In addition, cold and hot water pipes cannot do without appropriate insulation. This not only ensures the safety of the drinking water, but also counteracts excessive energy loss. Preformed insulation shells made of foamed plastic are used for insulation. At least the thickness of the insulation layer should be four millimeters, if the pipes run next to hot water pipes, a thickness of 13 millimeters is necessary.
The specifics of sewage pipes
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Sewage pipes ensure that there is an uncomplicated and rapid drainage of used water. However, if the drain is too small in size, blockages will quickly occur. For this reason, DIN 1986 specifies the minimum diameter already mentioned.
In general, the installation of plastic wastewater pipes, which can be easily installed with the help of push-in joints, is much easier than the installation of copper pipes. The pipes are installed either in the form of a pre-wall installation or in pipe shafts located inside the wall.
All sewage pipes lead to a downpipe. This must necessarily have a slope, which in residential premises is between one and two centimeters per meter of pipe. Also, the thicker end of the sleeves must always be aligned with the direction from which the water flow comes when connecting pipes.
The step-by-step instructions for laying water pipes
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As already described, the laying of water pipes can be done either inside the wall or on it. The following is a handy step-by-step guide that allows water pipes to be easily installed by savvy amateur handymen, even on their own.
Cutting the pipes
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The first step in installing water lines is to cut the pipes to the required length. Ideally, a hacksaw is used if pipes made of copper are used. For plastic pipes, on the other hand, a pipe cutter is the right tool. This is followed by careful deburring of the pipes.
Assembly of the junction boxes and fittings
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Now the ends of the pipes are to be provided with the fittings. In addition, manifolds and junction boxes must be installed. These are then connected to the pipes.
Laying and connecting the water pipes
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The pipes are connected to the main water manifold. This is followed by laying the pipes in the desired locations. It is important that the pipes are not bent in the process.
By connecting several pipes together, even longer distances can be overcome without any problems. Depending on the material of the pipes, they are glued, clamped, soldered, pressed or plugged together. If the manifold has connections that are not used, these can be securely closed with the aid of a dummy plug.
Connection of the lines to the consumer
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The connection of water pipes to the respective water meter must necessarily be carried out by a qualified specialist. In the area of the fittings and branches, however, the work can also be carried out on one's own.
If it is a question of water pipes, which are made of metal, it is also not allowed to do without grounding them.
Insulation of the water pipes
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If the pipes were laid as planned, it is recommended that they are still insulated in the connection. This prevents the hot water pipes from cooling down too much, which would increase energy costs. In addition, the cold water pipes can not heat up so that there is no breeding ground for harmful microorganisms.
Testing the water pipes
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In advance of lining the pipes or plastering the wall, it is still necessary to check whether the water connection is correctly connected to the pipes and there are no leaks. For the purpose of testing, the pipes are pressed with air or water.
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Regardless of whether it's drinking, cooking, bathing or showering - as soon as the tap is turned on, clean and clear water bubbles out of the pipe. To ensure this at all times, a number of regulations must be complied with when new water pipes are installed. Among other things, certain DIN guidelines, the Energy Saving Ordinance and the Drinking Water Ordinance are of importance. Incidentally, the homeowner is generally responsible for all areas downstream of the main shut-off valve of the respective utility company.
Also of importance are the materials from which the water pipes are made. Plastic and copper, for example, are particularly common materials.
Both when an existing system is to be extended and when a new water pipe is to be laid, the following applies: Before the necessary work is started, a detailed laying plan cannot be dispensed with. This is a great help in determining the amount of materials required and also ensures that there is documentation of the exact position of the pipes. Thus, there is no risk of accidentally damaging the water pipes during drilling work in the future.