Residential Plumbing (F01)
Plumbing is hidden but critical – code violations and poor work cause water damage and health hazards.
This BidScope guides you through residential plumbing systems: water supply (service line from meter, distribution piping to fixtures, pressure regulation), drain-waste-vent (DWV – waste removal, vent stack for air, proper slope for drainage), and gas piping where applicable.
Learn pipe materials: PEX (cross-linked polyethylene – flexible, freeze-resistant, dominates new construction), copper (traditional, durable, soldered joints, more expensive), CPVC (rigid plastic, chlorine-resistant for water supply), PVC (drain and vent only, not for pressurized water), and cast iron or ABS for drain lines.
Understand Utah-specific requirements: water service typically 1-inch for single-family homes, pressure reducers often required (municipal pressure 80+ PSI can damage fixtures and appliances), backflow prevention for irrigation systems, thermal expansion tanks with closed systems.
Master fixture rough-in dimensions: toilet flange placement, shower valve height and centering, sink and vanity dimensions.
Navigate code requirements: proper vent sizing and placement, trap requirements on all drains, cleanouts for access, minimum fixture counts by bedroom count.
Learn water heater basics covered in separate BidScope but coordinated with whole-house plumbing.
Understand when permits are required (always for new work, usually for significant repairs/replacement).
Know emergency shutoffs and their locations.
Plan for future access with proper panels and chase space.
Calculate realistic costs for common projects: bathroom rough-in $1,200-2,500, kitchen rough-in $800-1,800, water line replacement $1,500-4,000, whole-house repipe $4,000-12,000+.
This tool ensures your plumbing is code-compliant, properly designed, and professionally installed.
What’s Included:
- Residential plumbing systems (water supply, drain-waste-vent, gas)
- Water supply system (service line, distribution, pressure)
- Main water service line sizing (typically 1-inch residential)
- Distribution piping to fixtures
- Pipe material options (PEX, copper, CPVC, PVC)
- PEX advantages (flexible, freeze-resistant, faster install, lower cost)
- PEX types (PEX-A, PEX-B, PEX-C differences)
- Copper pipe (Type L for inside, Type K for underground)
- Copper soldered joints vs press fittings
- CPVC for water supply (rigid, chlorine-resistant)
- PVC for drain and vent only (not rated for pressure)
- ABS vs PVC for drain lines
- Cast iron for quieter drains
- Water pressure and regulation
- Utah municipal pressure often 80-100+ PSI
- Pressure reducing valve installation (60-70 PSI ideal)
- Thermal expansion tanks with closed systems
- Backflow prevention devices
- Drain-waste-vent (DWV) system design
- Proper drain slope (1/4 inch per foot minimum)
- Vent stack sizing and placement
- Wet venting vs dry venting
- Trap requirements (all drains need P-traps or S-traps)
- Cleanout placement and access
- Fixture rough-in dimensions and heights
- Toilet flange placement (12 inches from wall typical)
- Shower valve height (48 inches to center typical)
- Sink and vanity rough-in
- Bathtub waste and overflow
- Washing machine boxes
- Code requirements (IPC/UPC)
- Minimum fixture counts by bedroom count
- Fixture unit calculations
- Permit requirements (always for new, often for replacement)
- Utah S-10 plumbing license verification
- Gas piping if applicable (CSST, black iron)
- Gas pipe sizing and pressure drop
- Emergency shutoffs (main water, individual fixtures)
- Whole-house shutoff valve
- Access panels for valves and connections
- Cost estimates (bathroom rough $1,200-2,500, kitchen $800-1,800, water line $1,500-4,000, whole-house repipe $4,000-12,000+)
- Finding licensed plumbers
- Emergency vs scheduled service rates
