Planning new home plumbing

When it comes to planning plumbing for a new home, it pays to be meticulous: consider the layout of the house and choose your products carefully.

Though it's very much behind the scenes and only thought of when something goes wrong, household plumbing is one of the most important aspects of a new home design. And, like everything else related to building a new home, getting the best from your household plumbing requires a reasonable amount of planning.

"In my opinion it is very important that clients, when choosing fixtures and tapware, not only get what they want, but that they understand what the item does and whether it is going to fit with the layout of their new home," says David from Mark O'Byrne Plumbing.

Plan, plan, plan your plumbing

David recommends consulting with your plumber extensively about your options for home plumbing, pipes and tapware. A plan detailing where you are going to put toilets, taps and sinks should be drawn up. Consider where the laundry will be situated, where the showers and baths will go and whether there is anything else that will require water inlets and outlets.

Budget for your household plumbing

Most plumbers should be able to supply and install the pipework for your home's plumbing system. When it comes to the cost of household plumbing, there are generally three tiers - cheap, middle of the road and good quality. And according to David, you should not scrimp. "The old adage, 'You get what you pay for' definitely applies to plumbing," he says.

Consider water-saver plumbing

Many home owners today are also interested in water-saving systems, which tend to be more expensive than standard home plumbing, although David is circumspect about their benefits. "Some of those systems take quite a period of time to justify the outlay," he says. "A water-saving tank is all well and good, but greater thought needs to be given to how you actually use water."

If a water-saving tank is not for you, there are other environmentally friendly plumbing products available, such as polyethylene pipes and the now-common water-efficient showerheads, taps and appliances. All plumbing products are given a star rating to indicate water efficiency, so look for a high rating. It's also possible to have hot water pipes insulated against heat loss.

Speaking to a plumber is the first step in any household plumbing plan, so do this as early as possible in the design of your new home. Find your nearest household plumbing expert: