View Full Version : Pipes in the ground....How deep?
Pewterpower
07-16-2006, 08:22 PM
Still kicking around different ideas to get water supplied to the kitchen for when I repipe. The only other way, besides going all the way across the ceiling, would be to go under the driveway, thru the front yard, and then to a kitchen wall.
So back to my question......
How deep to the pipes need to be buried?
Dunbar Plumbing
07-16-2006, 08:44 PM
In my area 36-48" is the norm.
If you're in FLA then I would say at least 2' but local authority dictates the final rule. I don't see a issue with freezing down there but more for the safety of other utilities or applications going in the ground to consider.
jadnashua
07-16-2006, 09:04 PM
If this is both hot and cold, even with insulation, running underground may not be the greatest idea...you may never get any hot water into the kitchen. If you have a water heater in that area, then it's a viable option.
master plumber mark
07-17-2006, 04:56 AM
you would have to be nuts to re run water
lines under a dirveway, just to your kitchen sink
thats way too much trouble
just figure out how to do it overhead that will look
pleaseing to your family.... building a fake bulkhead
to hide the pipes overhead or down some wall..
I'm with Mark on this one. I just did a similar job where we ran piping across a wall edge and then boxed it in. It looks nice and will never freeze. It was much easier than digging. This home had 5 lines under the slab 4 had leaks. We ran all the lines through the home.
Pewterpower
07-17-2006, 03:44 PM
Running them thru the ceiling is not a problem, and is my first choice. My only concern is that it is NOT attic, nor crawl space. There is just the drywall (ceiling), then insulation, and about a foot above that is the roof (or whatever thickness a roof beam is.) It would be about a 20 ft run doing it like this, so that would be some REALLY hot hot water.
And cold water from the cold water pipe?? Fuggetaboddit.... :D
Dunbar Plumbing
07-17-2006, 06:32 PM
Whoops! I thought we was discussing a main water line install. Gotta stop looking at key-words when I reply.
Not a good idea to run a water line setup for an isolated fixture. A house yes, A kitchen sink....no.
Bob NH
07-17-2006, 06:53 PM
Most places that I have seen is Florida have large roof overhangs. You might be able to put the pipes outside in the corner where the "crown molding" would go if you had crown molding on the outside. They could be insulated from freezing.
master plumber mark
07-18-2006, 05:38 AM
its really the best and only option you have
unless you prefer tearing up the concrete and cutting a
trench through the house.....
Pewterpower
07-18-2006, 04:33 PM
unless you prefer tearing up the concrete and cutting a trench through the house.....
Ummmmmmmm...........no!
Freezing isn't even an issue here. So I would run the pipes to the soffet, then down the side of the house a few feet. I can then enter the house, thru the wall, where a kitchen cabinet is, and then to the sink.
I think that just to be on the safe side, I'll wrap the exposed pipes and then cover with flashing.
Sounds like a plan to me.