When building a home, there are a lot of things to consider and plan for. One of the most important aspects of your barndominium home build is the plumbing. Without proper plumbing, your home will not be livable and it is also one of the most expensive repairs to make. Good barndominium plumbing will make all the difference when it comes to the functionality of your home.
Barndominium plumbing is different from plumbing in a traditional home. With a barndominium, there are extra steps you need to take and things that you need to consider. In this article, we have laid out everything you need to know about barndominium plumbing. By understanding what goes into the process, you can be ready for your build when the time comes.
What to Consider When Plumbing a Barndominium
If you have started the process of planning a barndominium build, you know how much there is to do. Before you can get started on it, you have to know what steps you are going to take. One of the biggest steps is the installation of utilities. Depending on the area you are building in, this could be easy or incredibly difficult.
Before you start planning your barndominium plumbing, consider where you are going to hook it up. Is there a sewer main near your plot of land or will the city have to install one? Will you use a septic tank? Knowing the answers to these questions before you start will help streamline the entire process.
Plumbing Before You Pour the Slab
One of the idiosyncrasies of barndominium plumbing has to do with the concrete slab foundation. Because barndominiums don’t use traditional foundations, they don’t have a crawlspace. This means that you will have to install your plumbing in the concrete. This requires some serious planning before you begin the installation of your barndominium.
Because of the permanent nature of barndominium plumbing, you need to think before beginning. You will not be able to remove the plumbing after the slab is laid. If you have to, you can jackhammer the entire slab to get the barndominium plumbing out. However, this is incredibly difficult and will be very expensive, so it is best to get it right.
Plumbing Rough-In
One of the ways you can avoid potential mistakes with barndominium plumbing is the rough-in. Roughing-in plumbing means that you dry-fit everything before laying the slab. This will help you identify any issues and give you a good idea of what you need to do. A rough-in is very helpful with the layout of your barndo and can show you where your design needs improvement.
The rough-in process will also tell you if you need to make changes to your floor plan. While it is one thing to plan out your barndominium plumbing on paper, it is another to see it in person. You may get to the rough-in process and see that you need to change your layout. This allows you to make the changes you need without having to pull up any concrete.
How to Do Barndominium Plumbing
Create Your Floor Plan
The first step of figuring out your barndominium plumbing is to get a good floor plan. Your barndominium floor plan will dictate all kinds of things about your home including where the plumbing will be. You will most likely need the most plumbing work around the bathrooms and kitchens. The floor plan will help you figure out the design of your barndominium plumbing.
To get a floor plan made, either you design your own with a user-friendly software available or you have to sit down and write out everything you want from your barndominium. Then, take this list to a professional draftsman. They will take your list and turn it into a workable floor plan. Using this, you and your builder can create your barndominium plumbing design.
Rough-In the Barndominium Plumbing
Before you install your barndominium plumbing, you will have to go through the rough-in process. When fitting all your fixtures, make sure that everything is exactly as it is going to be. This will allow you to avoid mistakes when installing the actual plumbing. This is very important and can end up saving you a lot of money in the long run.
When roughing in your barndominium plumbing, talk with your builder and make sure you’re on the same page. They will be able to offer suggestions about design and changes you should make. They will also have a good idea about the big picture and will be able to provide insight. Having this resource at your disposal is crucial and will help you get the most out of your barndominium plumbing.
Check for a Tight Seal
Once you have the plumbing roughed in, you should check for a tight seal. Using a hose, run water at high pressure through the plumbing. Check every connection for leaks and look closely at any seams that may need to be tightened. This will be your only opportunity to do so, and you must make sure your plumbing is sealed.
Once you have prepped and checked your barndominium plumbing, you can pour the slab. After the slab is poured, you will not be able to change anything about your plumbing design. This is why it is so important to run through the whole design and make sure it is correct. Doing these extra steps will save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
Conclusion
By understanding what goes into barndominium plumbing, you can get the best possible design. Your home should be geared toward your comfort and convenience. The plumbing has a lot to do with the function of the house and should be done correctly. Knowing how to rough it in and check the seals will be very helpful.
If you would like more helpful guides, be sure to check out the rest of Barndominiums.co. There, you will find more guides like this one and tips and tricks, including financing and insurance, from the pros. You will also find featured barndominiums to help get you inspired for your own custom dream home.
