Plumbing a bathroom explained in 4 minutes. [You CAN do it!] #diy #plumbing

Summary

In this video, Jeff from Rising Tide Plumbing teaches viewers how to lay out drain lines for a standard three-fixture bathroom, focusing on the toilet, lavatory, and shower. He covers key plumbing concepts such as wet venting, pipe sizing, and proper installation of plumbing components like flanges, Y fittings, and trap arms. Jeff also emphasizes the importance of maintaining correct pitch and limiting turns in the drain line, as well as vent sizing. To wrap up, he discusses the controversial use of air admittance valves, offering his perspective and inviting viewers to stay tuned for a deeper dive in a future video.

Takeaways

• 😀 Always start the bathroom layout with the toilet, and ensure the toilet flange is 12 inches from the center to the finished wall.
• 😀 The minimum size for the toilet drain line should be 3 inches. Ensure the distance from the top of the toilet flange to the center line of the horizontal pipe is no more than 12 inches to avoid using a 90-degree fitting.
• 😀 A minimum fall of 1/8 inch per foot is required for a 3-inch drain line, though it’s recommended to slightly increase the pitch.
• 😀 The main venting system in a three-fixture bathroom can be a wet vent, and the minimum size for the wet vent drain line should be 2 inches.
• 😀 The minimum grade for 2-inch drain lines is 1/4 inch per foot, though slightly steeper grades are sometimes used.
• 😀 In North Carolina, you can have up to four horizontal turns in a drain line before needing a cleanout. A 45-degree turn counts as one, while a 90-degree turn counts as two.
• 😀 The distance from the trap arm to the fixture must be properly sized—up to 8 feet for 2-inch trap arms and up to 12 feet for 3-inch trap arms.
• 😀 The dry vent, which starts from the lavatory and leads up through the roof or to an air admittance valve, should be at least half the size of the drain it serves (1.5 inches for a 3-inch drain).
• 😀 Air admittance valves (AAVs) are controversial, with different opinions about their use in plumbing. Some see them as necessary, while others oppose them as 'cheater valves'.
• 😀 For successful plumbing, understanding the basics of venting and drain line sizing is critical, so make sure to watch related educational videos for deeper insights.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on teaching viewers about the drain line layout for a standard three-fixture bathroom group, which includes a toilet, lavatory, and shower. It explains how to design these systems through a wet vent.

Why is the toilet flange placement important?

The toilet flange placement is crucial because it needs to be 12 inches from the center of the flange to the finished wall behind it, ensuring proper clearance for the toilet. Additionally, it should have at least 15 inches of clearance on each side, per code.

What is the minimum pipe size for a toilet drain line?

The minimum pipe size for a toilet drain line is 3 inches in diameter.

What is the importance of using a long sweep instead of a 90-degree fitting on toilet drain lines?

A long sweep is required if the distance between the top of the floor flange and the centerline of the horizontal pipe exceeds 12 inches. Using a 90-degree fitting in this case would not meet plumbing codes and could create drainage issues.

What is the minimum fall or pitch required for a 3-inch drain line?

The minimum fall or pitch required for a 3-inch drain line is 1/8 inch per foot. While this is the minimum, it's often recommended to use a slightly steeper pitch for better drainage.

How many horizontal turns can a drain line have before a cleanout is required in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, a drain line can have up to four horizontal turns before a cleanout is required. A horizontal turn is defined as a 45-degree angle or two 90-degree turns.

What is a trap arm, and what is its length limitation?

A trap arm is the distance between the P-trap and where the fixture receives air through the vent. For a 2-inch trap arm, the maximum length is 8 feet, and for a 3-inch trap arm, the maximum length is 12 feet.

How do you size a dry vent line, and what is the minimum required size?

The size of a dry vent line is typically half the size of the drain it serves. For example, if a drain line is 3 inches, the vent line must be at least 1.5 inches. The minimum size for a dry vent line is 1.5 inches.

What is the controversial topic discussed at the end of the video?

The controversial topic discussed is air admittance valves (AAVs). These valves have mixed opinions in the plumbing community, with some seeing them as a useful tool and others labeling them as 'cheater valves.' The video promises a follow-up discussion on where and when AAVs can be used.

What does Jeff recommend viewers do if they want to learn more about venting in plumbing?

Jeff recommends viewers watch a previous video on the basics of venting in plumbing, as it will help them better understand the concepts discussed in this video.