Piping in the bathroom: analysis of hidden and open piping schemes

Are you going to make a repair in the bathroom with a complete replacement of water pipes? It usually takes a lot of time and money to bookmark communications. Agree, it will be a shame if, soon after the repair, one of the pipes leaks or a more serious breakdown occurs. To avoid this, you should not only have an idea, but also know the basic principles of pipe layout in the bathroom.

Many, even novice home masters, are ready to perform plumbing work on their own. And this is quite real - pipe routing in the bathroom or in the combined bathroom can be done independently, as new technologies and materials greatly simplify the installation and maintenance of engineering systems.

This article will discuss the principles of pipe routing in the bathroom. We will explain the differences between a hidden and an open installation system, and talk about how to independently equip an engineering communications network. Imagine thematic photos, diagrams and videos that will help you better understand the essence of the matter.

How to start?

You should not take an example from those who prefer to do everything “by eye”. Begin with a project for future wiring. This may seem redundant and even too complicated, but, nevertheless, such a project is necessary.

With its help, you can accurately determine the optimal place for each plumbing fixture, select the necessary parts and elements of pipelines and determine their flow rate.

It is recommended to start the project from the list of plumbing equipment, which is planned to be placed in the bathroom. It is important to know that if the toilet and the bathroom are separated in the house, you need to carry out the wiring project for both rooms. This is because their communications are connected and cannot be mounted separately.

Having decided on the list of plumbing, you should mark which pipes you need to bring to each of the devices.

A competent project for piping in the bathroom must take into account the availability of plumbing fixtures, valves, counters and other elements of the system (+)

You can focus on such a scheme:

• Bathtub of any type or shower. Connects cold, hot water, as well as sewage.
• Washbasin. Sewerage, hot and cold water supply.
• Bidet. It is connected to the pipeline of hot, cold water supply and to the sewerage.
• Toilet bowl. Cold water and sewer are connected.
• Washing machine. Sewerage and cold water supply.

At the next stage, you need to build a framework for the future project. For this, accurate measurements of the room are carried out, according to which the scheme is subsequently built. It is desirable to perform on graph paper on a suitable scale.

All sizes must be strictly observed. This is an important condition for the implementation of a competent project. All plumbing fixtures are also measured in the same way. Their sizes are needed in order to "fit" the equipment into the room as accurately as possible.

If there is as yet no final decision regarding the location of the plumbing, you can proceed as follows. On paper, precisely according to the measurements made, in accordance with the scale of the premises, a schematic image of each plumbing fixture is built.

The pattern is cut out, and the resulting figures should be placed on the floor, achieving optimal arrangement of devices.

When carrying out the wiring project, it is important to follow the recommended sequence of plumbing fixtures. So, the toilet should be as close as possible to the riser

In doing so, the following requirements must be taken into account. The first from the sewer riser is traditionally the toilet is installed. It is optimal for its outlet to be connected to the riser by means of a fitting. A large distance from the riser, and even more so the presence of turns in the pipeline will provoke blockages and will not allow the equipment to work normally.

Plumbing fixtures should preferably be positioned so that drains from them spilled through the toilet. This will be a very good prevention of blockages.

In addition to the toilet closest to the sewer riser, it is recommended to place a bath or shower with a low drain. This is to prevent possible bias problems. The rest of the plumbing equipment can be placed at any convenient distance.

In addition, it is advisable to carefully study the technical documentation for plumbing equipment for its connection. If a typical variant is proposed, which provides for a single-level arrangement of the pipeline and the axis of the sewer outlet of the device, no problems will arise.

If atypical connection is supposed, it is necessary to be prepared for all its features.

Most often, variations in connection can be in the toilet. Depending on the model, their discharge can be direct or inclined, as well as directed towards the floor or wall. Installation technology oblique toilet has its own characteristics.

Atypical may be connecting shower stalls and bathtubs. Decoupling of their discharge can have a different configuration. All these features must be taken into account at the design stage.

Pipe routing can be performed by various methods. It is important at the design stage to get acquainted with the features of each type and be prepared to competently implement the selected option

After the plumbing installation sites are fixed, work begins with the placement of pipelines suitable for them. The scale of the scheme must be strictly adhered to, only in this way it will be possible to carry out the correct wiring of pipes in the bathroom.

An important nuance.When dealing with the "arrangement" of plumbing and furniture, one should not forget that all the doors in the room should open freely and it should be convenient to use each device.

Types of engineering communications wiring

Before designing the wiring, you should get acquainted with what varieties of such designs exist. There are only three of them. And one, with bushings, is practically not used. Therefore, we will not consider it.

Type # 1. Serial wiring

For its implementation from the risers of cold and hot water supply, bends are made leading to the first consumer. From it pipes are laid to the second and further. Each water intake point is equipped with a tee, to one of the outlets of which a consumer is connected.

In general, this is a very simple scheme. It can only be used where the number of water consumers is small.

This is due to the fact that with the simultaneous activation of several water points at once, the pressure in them will weaken, and may be insufficient for the correct operation of the equipment. This is the main disadvantage of serial wiring.

However, for apartments with one bathroom and a small amount of plumbing used, this option may be the best. A significant drawback of the system is the inability to turn off one of the plumbing fixtures for replacement or repair.

Serial wiring is extremely easy to implement, but not very convenient to operate. However, for small bathrooms this solution may be quite acceptable.

The advantages of serial wiring are much greater. First of all, it is simplicity in design and installation. There will be no complicated schemes, everything is very simple.

In addition, such wiring is considered the most economical option. The consumption of pipes and other elements will be significantly lower than in other systems, installation costs are also minimal.

Even a novice plumber will cope with the design and subsequent arrangement of a consistent, otherwise tee wiring

Type # 2. Collector type wiring

The collector view scheme involves connecting each of the consumers to the main highway. To do this, use a special element called a collector - a device that distributes water flows.

In a more complex version, and this is best, each collector branch is equipped with a shut-off valve. Collector-type wiring can be considered the most convenient option to use. There are several reasons for this.

Firstly, lack of pressure drops in the system. All consumers receive an equally good pressure of water, even if all points of drawdown act simultaneously.

If pressure in the apartment system or private home or for some reason too little, you can temporarily limit the flow of water to one of the consumers, for example, to the toilet, thereby increasing the pressure on others.

The collector type of wiring is more convenient to use than the serial. In this case, a separate highway goes to each consumer, which ensures that there are no problems with pressure. However, in the design and installation of such a system is more complex

Secondlythe ability to disconnect plumbing fixtures from the water supply if they need to be replaced or repaired.

Thirdlyreliability. In fact, a single pipe goes to each consumer, without any connections and other elements. Leak may occur only in the area of ​​the collector or near the device itself. Here it will be very easy to find. For this reason, pipes with collector wiring can be safely installed using the hidden method.

Fourthease of use. If there is a problem with the plumbing fixture and there is a leak, for example, at the mixer, you do not need to climb under the sink. It is enough to shut off the shut-off valve on the manifold leading to the malfunctioning device and wait for the arrival of specialists.

Even a woman or a child unfamiliar with plumbing intricacies can do this. In this case, all other equipment will work properly.

Professionals recommend using manifolds with shut-off taps for installation in water systems. With their help, if necessary, you can easily stop the flow of water to a branch or plumbing device that needs repair

However, collector wiring has some disadvantages. First of all, it will cost the owner more than a sequential scheme, the amount. This is due to the fact that it will be necessary to lay a branch for each consumer. This will take a lot more material.

In addition, the installation of manifolds and shut-off valves will be required if the valves are not equipped with them. And the scheme itself will be much more complicated than a sequential one.

Installation methods for water pipes

To install the wiring of plumbing pipes, you can choose one of two options: hidden and open. We will analyze the latter in more detail.

Method # 1. Open gasket

Open installation assumes that pipes and other elements of utilities are mounted directly on the wall or above the floor. This extremely facilitates and reduces the cost of their installation. But the general appearance of the bathroom suffers from this.

The advantages of open installation include:

• possibility of continuous monitoring over the state of utilities - the pipes are always in sight and the appearance of a leak will not go unnoticed;
• ease of installation - the details are connected and fixed in place, even a novice plumber can cope with the work, given, of course, the method of connecting the elements.
• availability - the cost of installation is minimal.

The disadvantages include the possibility of mechanical damage to open pipes. But this is rather true for plastic parts. It is not so easy to damage steel pipes.

In addition, engineering communications are publicly available, which, of course, is ugly. This drawback can be fought.When carrying out the wiring project, you need to try to choose a place for laying pipes so that they are as invisible as possible.

The method of open pipe laying is as simple as possible to implement. The result is a functional but less aesthetic pipeline. Therefore, they try to make it as inconspicuous as possible

It is clear that in this way they cannot be completely masked. Therefore, home craftsmen use all kinds of designs to hide unaesthetic pipes. The easiest way to hide them in a box.

Most often, it is made of plastic panels or plasterboard. The latter must necessarily be moisture resistant, given that it will be used in the bathroom.

If space permits, it is quite possible to use false walls, behind which pipes are laid. A good option is the roller shutters, they look especially good behind the toilet.

Choosing the option of masking communications, you need to understand that aesthetics should not interfere with functionality, so all masking structures must be equipped with hatches through which inspection and necessary repair of pipes will be carried out.

In addition, it is not recommended to mask some pipes. These are, for example, steel parts. They are susceptible to corrosion, which develops especially rapidly in conditions of high humidity. Therefore, they are best used only in open form.

The maximum is to close it with an easily removable box and conduct regular inspections for external corrosion, which you must immediately begin to fight.

Method # 2. Concealed engineering communications

Pipe routing in a concealed bathtub involves the installation of parts inside specially designed or newly made voids in building structures. It can be small niches or gouges hollowed out in the walls, whose dimensions slightly exceed the diameter of the laid pipes.

A hidden laying also includes laying the pipeline in a screed, when a layer of concrete mortar is mounted on top of the parts.

Sawing or cutting strobes under pipes is a very time-consuming operation. Before doing them, you should draw lines on the wall where the strobes should go, and calculate the exact dimensions of the cavities under the pipes

The undoubted advantage of this option is considered aesthetics. Engineering connections and communications are completely invisible. Outlets of pipelines in the form of sewer sockets or water sockets are placed on the walls or in the floor. Accidental damage to pipes is not possible.

Significant disadvantages of the method include:

• labor input;
• cost;
• lack of ability to control the condition of the pipeline.

Let's consider hidden installation in more detail. First of all, it is not always possible. Cutting or hollowing out gates in the walls is allowed in private houses built from solid blocks or bricks, as well as in free-standing apartments.

In the latter, walls of increased thickness are made. In all other cases, conflicts with building codes are possible.

Bearing structures are under significant load. Their strobes significantly weaken. For walls of increased thickness this is permissible. For standard, which are most often used in standard buildings, no.

Strobing in floor slabs is strictly forbidden for all types of buildings. As an alternative to gates, a pipeline can be laid behind the wall cladding, in the screed or in the overhead space, if necessary.

Performing a hidden installation of pipes, it is imperative to provide for the possibility of free access to the collector and counters, as well as to arrange inspection hatches if possible.

Difficulties can arise with the sewer pipe if it needs to be masked under the floor. This happens when, for example, you need to bring communications to the bath-island, standing in the middle of the room or at a considerable distance from the wall. Sewer pipes have a large diameter, so you can not put them in the screed.

In this case, it will turn out to be too high and heavy, which will become too much load on the floors, which may simply not withstand it. The best solution is to build a small podium, under which there will be enough space for utilities. The design can be frame or block.

Regardless of the location of the hidden laying of the pipeline and its purpose, the method of mounting parts does not change. All elements of the line fit into a special casing pipe, the latter is placed in the prepared technological cavity.

After the pipeline is laid, the cavities are closed, the plane of the base is leveled. If necessary, the topcoat is laid.

The main disadvantage of flush mounting is the inability to control the condition of the pipeline. For this reason, all its elements must be as resistant to corrosion as possible and reliably connected. Proper installation is very important.

The best option for hidden installation are plastic, copper and metal-plastic pipes.

After laying the system in the prepared cavity, the gates are carefully sealed with a solution. The plane is maximally leveled and prepared for the subsequent finishing

Another important point that must be taken into account when flush mounting pipes is to prevent possible condensation. If this happens, moisture will appear inside the structure, which sooner or later will provoke its destruction.

Therefore, it is recommended to place the pipe with hot water over the cold one. In addition, both parts should be wrapped in a heat-insulating material, for example, a Merilon or the like.

Features of entering communications into the apartment

Having decided on the type of piping in the toilet and in the bathroom, we finish the preparation of the project. For the system to work flawlessly, it is important that the input of communications into the apartment is done correctly. Let’s figure out how to do it right.

First of all, there must be a stopcock at the inlet, which will make it possible to shut off the water supply if necessary.If the stop valves are already standing, it is necessary to check their quality.

In new buildings usually put nodes of good quality, in old houses may be outdated devices. It is advisable to put on input ball valve good quality.

An important point. If you need to close / open the device, you need to do this smoothly. A sharp turn of the handle may provoke a water hammer, which is able to disable plumbing equipment.

Mandatory elements at the entrance of the water supply to the apartment are shutoff ball valves, coarse filters and meters. Pressure control equipment, fine filters and other devices are mounted as desired

Immediately after the ball valve, it is recommended to install a special leakage protection system equipped with a controlled shut-off valve. After it, a self-washing main filter is mounted. It will remove coarse impurities from the water, which significantly extends the life of the devices.

It should be followed water metersif they are needed.

Next you can mount the water flow regulator. This is not an obligatory element - it is necessary only where there are problems with the pressure of water. Next, a sequential or collector wiring of an open or hidden type of installation is performed.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The subtleties of arranging pipe routing in the bathroom:

How to properly perform covert cabling:

How to properly arrange the conclusions of the water supply and sewerage:

To independently carry out the piping in the bathroom or in the combined bathroom is quite within the power of the home master. Inexperienced plumbers need to strictly follow the requirements of the instructions, competently and accurately perform all the work, choose the pipes and other elements correctly.

If you have doubts about your own abilities, you should invite an experienced mentor or seek help from a professional plumber.

Have experience in wiring pipes in the bathroom? Please tell us which laying scheme you followed, share information on the choice and installation of pipes. You can leave comments in the form below.