We gals need some help

Being in NM, the work ethic SUCKS~ hence I hive hired three diff plumbers in a week to do a top out for a 1056 room addition we are doing for our foster kid program. None, zilch, nada, has even showed up to give us an estimate. That being said, I am so pissed I have decided to do it myself but I just have a few questions regarding "being within code".

1. We have designed our drain system from the plans. How much slope is required for the main drain line? Also, can the water lines run parallel to the drain lines ( in other words can I run them side by side). What size(s) drain pipe is required from the toilet to the main drain? Sink to Main drain? Bath to main line? Laundry to main line? and Floor drain to main line?

Also,
The main water line to the house is on one end of the property and the new hot water heater is on the opposite end of the addition on the second floor. Can I run a main water line across the 2nd floor trough the floor trusses (they have a chase) or does it need to be run underground outside of the building?

Please please help. These kids are waiting for this project to get done. Plumbing has set us behind 4 weeks already.

All drains need 1/4" of fall.

With out being able to see anything we can't really tell you what size pipe.

Toilets require 3"

Main drain will be 3 or 4"

Water lines can be run anywhere as long as it will not freeze.

Can you post a pic of the drain system?

You didn't even mention vents which are what makes the system work.

I would strongly suggest you keep trying to get a plumber to come out and insist on a permit and inspection.

Plumbing a correctly working drain system is not as easy as it looks.

I was too vague.... and thanks

Thanks so much. yes we are aware of the venting that is needed. Perhaps I was to vague of what we are doing. I am only going to do what I know I can do until I can find a plumber. I am confident I can do the drain system and water supply lines. I just did not have a code book. there bottom floor is a family room and there are two new bedrooms upstairs, a bath, a lundry room, and of course a new water heater and furnace closet. I am planning on running the main drain from the tub (which is furthest away down to the bottom of the truss chases which is about a total of 20 feet and the slope is 24" so I am confident this is adequate. I am planning on connecting the remaining drain lines from the tub,toilet, etc. directly into that main line. SO there is not alot of difficulty in this I am sure. I just was not sure of the piep size requirements, but I am going to borrow a code book today.
Thanks so much again.

plumbing

You have opened a Pandora's box. I have to agree with Cass that this is a lot more complicated then it looks. Codes are local, no matter what we say it may not be legal where you live.

If you plan to procede on your own, I'll answer some of your questions, 1/4 in. per ft. on pipe 3in. or smaller, 1/8in. per ft. on larger pipe, [This is another code question]

Sizes have to be calculated.

Once your water line enters the building like Cass said you can run it anywhere.

Like the other post implied I think that you have to keep trying to get a plumber, you may be over your head. Sorry, luck be with you.

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"When all else fails, read the directions"

Thanks guys... I will keep you posted

Thanks for your concern! I am going to attempt this. But if it is okay, I will check in with the board and maybe take some digitals of what is happening or if I have a problem. Just think, maybe with your guidance you guys can be my plumbers via internet... ha ha... I am on my way to Home Depot... and I called ahead and the head of the plumbing department is going to go over my plans and help us too (re: local codes). I also may have a journeyman coming too... my other contractors feel bad what has happened to us as alot of them donated to this project... and they are behind us! My framer just told me "if anyone can do it..you girls can"... so we will see. I will be the first to admit it if I fail.

Cross your fingers!

piping

It is hard enough being a plumber over the phone, much less trying to guide someone doing a complete remodel over the Internet. And the problem with being the first one to admit you have failed, is that you have to put a lot of time and money into it before you know that it was wasted/

Update: For everyone who has read about the girl plumb job

We went to the Depot and low and behold my drawings for the drain system were perfect. We spent 2 hours laying the entire system out on the floor of Home Depot (Hats off to Warren at Home Depot). Then I was lucky enough to find a guy working for a labor company who knew plumbing in and out. So today, we cut all the holes and put in the vents, etc. We actually only had to make one penetration as we tied the vents together I will send pics tomorrow after everything is glued hung and strapped. Everyone said it will pass inspection with flying colors. So now, I am confident to run the water lines which we will be doing Monday if we can ever find the main drain to tie to. FYI... we visited a construction site in ABQ today to see how their drains were run. The apartment, ironically was laid out exactly as my addition was. We took pics and everything in case we ran into a jam. But we did not need it with Anthony helping us. Stay tuned for my pics tomoorw and thanks again for reading.

how goes??

I'm not a plumber, but I did just complete a rough in for a new bath in my attic, which we're remodeling. And I was only able to do it with help from this board and a few others. So I'm just curious.

Did you apply for a permit? I know I had to have a permit number (and pay the fees) before I could get an inspector out. Also, I could be misreading your post, but if you don't yet have the drain lines roughed in (it sounded like you just had the vents) then what will the inspector do?

In my case, which I think was typical, I had sent the inspector a copy of my plans. We discussed a few things and he asked me to make one change, a bit unusual as he had me put in a flat vent in addition to my wet vent, just in case. After working together on the design, I built it.

The inspector won't want to come out and just see what you did. You may know this already, but he'll want it filled with water in order to test it. I installed a test tee with a clean and seal plug, which was a great way to go, though a bit pricey. I had to drag a garden hose up onto the roof to fill my system after inflating the plug. The system should be filled before he gets there.

So I wouldn't go calling the inspector until you've tied into your main stack and gotten all the dwv piping in. In fact, complete the entire rough in.

Lastly, post pics and try to focus your questions. The plumbers on this board and other boards gave me an inspiring amount of help. Your optimism is great, but be careful. Home depot clerks mean well, but they may not know what they are doing. I don't see how going to home depot confirmed your design plans. Call your local plumbing inspector.

If you ask focused questions here and upload pictures, etc., you'll get great advice.

Best of luck to you.

Oh Thanks! Let me explain...

Yes we have applied for the plumbing permit as a homeowner. The home Depot Clerk was not just a "clerk". He was a retired plumber. But they only helped me with the right parts. I often do not explain well, and yesterday, my adrenaline, was pumped when I posted becaause I was so excited. Today all drain lines and vents will be finished, and yes, I will have the inspector check before we finish. We were already planning on testing everything anyway.

Thanks!

B sure to use cleaner on the pipe and fittings B4 you use the glue. Did the plumber tell you where the use Ts and where to use Ys?

Hi Cass

Yes we used primer/cleaner.. we were a little messy, but thorough. And my journeyman... knew the T's and Y's....