Plumbing Systems
If you are using well water, have the local health department test it for purity, color, taste, hardness and mineral content. This will determine the need for softeners and purifiers. Be sure your well is far enough from the proposed septic field. Check with the local health department and building department for requirements. If you have municipal sewer and water, you need not concern yourself about purity, but may still need a softener.
Your plumbing system is governed mainly by code and all you need to do is pick out the fixtures. Be sure your plumber is licensed, bonded and insured.
In some localities there may be other choices allowed by code. If local codes permit, we use PVC piping for drains and waste materials because of its low cost and corrosion resistance. Since PVC is fairly flexible it must be well anchored to the framing of the house. Make sure all drains are vented and have traps.
For potable, (drinkable), water however, copper with lead free solder is the only thing we use. The only exception is the pipe running from the shower faucet to the shower head, where we use steel pipe to provide rigidity to the shower head. Be sure there is an air chamber installed at each fixture. This will eliminate the knocking and rattling of pipes when a faucet is turned on or off.
If you have a basement, you will probably need a sump pit with pump installed. This may not be needed if there is a walk out basement or if for some other reason the grade is below the basement floor. The pump should be located in the place where water tended to collect when you first excavated the basement. If you anticipate any drainage problems at all on your property, both an interior and exterior drain tile should be installed along the footings. They should drain into a suitable outlet or a sump pit. Two pits and pumps may be required.
I believe it is a good idea to install a battery operated backup pump in the same pit as the the primary pump. Electrical power seems to have a habit of going out when you need it most, during a storm when your sump pump is needed most. Adjust the secondary pump to a higher level so it will only run when the primary pump fails.
