How to Size Your Water Lines (PEX & Copper)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 มิ.ย. 2024
- Quin Williams of Williams Plumbing shows how to size the water lines in your plumbing system. This method will work for PEX, copper, and galvanized pipes. This video uses the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code.
Link to Table 610.3: imgur.com/a/TjxUSem
Link to Table 610.4: imgur.com/a/imvK2LL
0:00 Introduction
1:35 How to calculate the total fixture units
3:12 How to calculate the developed length of the most remote outlet
4:17 How to calculate the elevation of the highest fixture
7:03 The 75% method
7:27 How to size the hot water branch
12:02 How to size the cold water branch
16:07 How to upsize for PEX B
17:07 Please subscribe to see more tutorials!
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Williams is the Northwest’s largest plumbing and civil contractor. We offer a comprehensive line of quality plumbing, civil construction, HVAC, green energy, consulting, and service solutions to meet the needs of just about any building project.
Williams Plumbing & Heating, Inc.
2131 Industrial Dr.
Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 587-0969
www.willplumb.com/ - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
This is our first video that uses so many charts and diagrams - did you find our illustrations helpful? What can we do better for future videos? Thanks for watching!
@Christ Lucca Good! Appreciate the feedback.
Very helpful thank you! What about if you are using a manifold, I've been looking to buy one and they are pretty much 3/4" or 1" inlet for hot and cold and then 1/2" going to all fixtures...
@@joelprestamo9074 Joel, what you are describing is called a parallel water distribution system that uses a manifold. There are two types of manifold systems:
+ The “home run” system utilizes a centrally located manifold to individually distribute supply lines to each fixture.
+ The “remote manifold” system utilizes a trunk or main, which services several small manifolds that in turn service a group of individual fixtures.
Which system are you thinking about?
@@willplumb I am thinking about the home run system.
@@joelprestamo9074 Joel, you would pivot to size based on GPM for the demand of all outlets supplied. Check with your local code but it will be somewhere around:
1/2" - GPM: Velocity at 4 ft./sec. = 2. Velocity at 8 ft./sec. = 5
3/4" - GPM: Velocity at 4 ft./sec. = 6. Velocity at 8 ft./sec. = 11
1" - GPM: Velocity at 4 ft./sec. = 10. Velocity at 8 ft./sec. = 20
1 1/4" - GPM: Velocity at 4 ft./sec. = 15. Velocity at 8 ft./sec. = 31
1 1/2" - GPM: Velocity at 4 ft./sec. = 22. Velocity at 8 ft./sec. = 44
Pros of a Home Run system:
+ Being able to turn off one circuit to make repairs without shutting down water to the whole house
+ Leaks are usually located at the manifold rather than out in the distribution piping.
Cons:
+Really hard to have a hot water recirc. This causes you to wait for hot water.
+Wayyyyy more pex piping you need to buy.
In summary, it's good for small houses with a centrally-located access to the manifold, bad for large houses that want instant hot water. I usually recommend trunk and branch systems as opposed to a manifold system. Hope that helps!
Awesome as a remodeler I’ve been doing plumbing for yrs and used standard configuration I run the mains as 3/4 then to 1/2. This really opened my eyes to the calculations really needed. Thanx very helpful video
Super Helpful THANKS!! As a DIYer it's nice to have a comprehensive how to video and Sweet diagrams!
Hey- this is like the most beautifully put together and well produced educational/informative home improvement video Ive ever seen in TH-cam or otherwise. Someone get this guy a full time job doing this.
Thanks, Tom! I appreciate the high praise!
Can’t say less what a master..
Wow, you are a life saver. Taking a plumbing class on line and your explanation is pure GOLD. You explain so thoroughly. It has helped me a lot. You are a master teacher. Thank you, thank you!!!!
planning on replumbing my 130 yr old home. This is immensely helpful thank you
So am I. 135yr old house.
After doing some test on my own, I replaced the hot water lines to my sinks with 3/8 pex.(they were 1/2 copper) That made a world of difference, the hot water gets to the sink much faster, and I save a lot of hot water. 2 sinks are about 15 ft from the water heater, one is about 40 ft, and no problems with flow. I even had a master plumber say it would not work, but it works great. I did run an individual line back to the water heater for each as I know trying to run 2 sinks off of a 3/8 line could be a problem. Sometime you have to think outside the box to make things better, I did, and now I save money and time every time I need hot water at the sink.
This has to be among the best, most informative and useful video I have seen, like ever. Nice work!
What a superb, clear, professional presentation. I am just about to plumb an entire off-grid farmhouse with three kitchens & two bathrooms. This was extremely helpful. Thanks.
Quinn, this is fantastic! As a DIYer this information is invaluable, much thanks for putting this out!
A great description of the process. The repetition just illustrates the detail needed to get an accurate need. Thank you for this video.
This is absolutely brilliant and so well put together. Thank you!
Thank you. Love your pictorial diagrams. Really helps the mind to internalize visual with your word description.
"Awesome" presentation! So easy to understand that an accountant can get it! Thank you
Thank you! This was enormously helpful. I really appreciate you walking through the math with us.
Remember that this is finding the "minimum" allowed size. You can definitely upsize for more flow. I run at least 3/4" automatically from the water heater all the way to the end of the line and branch off to each fixture with 1/2" .
You can definitely upsize for more flow, but for hot water you also want to consider that the larger the pipe, the longer you have to run the tap to get hot water which is both a daily (or more) annoyance and a waste of water. You could reduce this issue with a recirculating pump setup, but then it still increases your water heater load. A length of 3/4" pipe contains more than twice the water of the same length of 1/2", so you'll stand around approximately twice as long to get hot water to come out and you'll waste twice as much water. For cold water it doesn't really matter other than material costs.
Wouldn’t oversizing it make you more prone to pressure drops elsewhere when both run at the same time? “Hey, look at this awesome water pressure when only one is running!” (Add three running at once) “Oh… this is not as cool.”
@Ryan Kramer this is just a guess, but the larger pipe should maintain higher pressure because the water can flow slower through it and still maintain the volume of water being poured from the various openings.
If it follows Bernoulli's Principle, then a faster flowing liquid will produce less outward pressure on its container, while a slower moving fluid produces more.
That should make a smaller line more prone to reduced pressure when multiple valves are open.
@@ryankramer I helped replace all of the water lines in my parents house from galvanized to 3/4 -1 inch cooper all the way through the basement, changing near where it heads up to fixtures.
They recently had to install a new bathroom and I wasn't available so they called a plumber to do it, he chose poorly and used 1/2 inch for the cold water lines. Now they cannot use that shower and any other water fixture in the house or they get burned if someone uses any cold water.
The 1/2 inch water lines shouldn't be that bad, so maybe he fucked up the soldering to much and partially obstructed the pipes or connected it farther away then he should have and flow is extra poor? I haven't had time to check on it so I can try to unfuck his disaster, but either way you have to size your pipes properly.
@@Bound4Earth THIS this is what I'm worried about-- scalding my future tenant if they happen to be showering when I decide to water the gardens. Any advice for me-- I want to put in 2 sillcocks-- there is no exisiting way to water the gardens I am starting in my (new to me) 1890's duplex. Should I tee in before the first fixture lines (1st floor shower) or just after? I'm guessing after (distal to). And do I keep same size-- 3/4 before splitting it to 1/2 and 1/2 for the north side and south side sillcocks?
Very useful for me. About to run pex in a new house and had not considered this much. Glad I watched this particlular video.
I am now a subscriber bro! I’m new to rough in plumbing about a month in and I just about got about all the 3rd&4th guy stuff down backings, scabs, setting tubs, drilling backings, ford fittings for service etc. today when I was in the crawl I had to help the 2nd guy (water piper) tee in some lines and I’m laughing because I think I had that ah ha moment like “oh shit I know how this goes now” anyways dude your video confirmed it and explained so much to me that I felt like I already knew and I’m gonna re watch this video over and over, I’m soooo excited.
Love from Seattle!! 💪🏾
These videos are excellent. I am a property maintenance supervisor, and pretty good at it, but I am a Jack of all trades, master of none. It is great to find informational videos that will grow my skill set, and yet are also very entertaining.
I love the video and it came at a perfect time for me. I'm sure a lot of people would like to see more videos like this. There really isn't a lot out there explaining how people go about sizing stuff up for their house if they're doing it themselves.
This comment is music to my ears. Real happy that this helped you out!
As a Harry Homeowner, this is very helpful information presented in a clear manner. Just what I needed. I'll pass it around.
PS - Your artwork is perfect for the task. You should sign it. :)
Best explanation ever! Thank you so much. I have probably just gotten "lucky" sizing plumbing on rehabs in the past. Now I know I'll be doing the right way!
Excellent demo! Great information! Thanks
This is such a great explanation. I found it very useful. Thank you!
Your video is so perfect and well explained. Keep up the excellent work
Excellent video on the whole house plumbing.... Someone installed PEX B at this main coming into the house in a repair but bc you'll never see all the fixtures on at the same time the customer never knew it was done. 99.9% of the time it'll never move 22.25GPM through that point. Copper crimp with no tape/protection buried in the ground.
Thanks again for taking the time and the videographers effort. subbed.
Best presentation I've seen no far.
Very helpful. I am starting a diy repipe and I needed to learn about pipe sizing. I am making my own plumbing out line and using you guide. Thanks man!
Hey, good luck on the repipe project! Glad this helped!
Very well presented. It takes a lot of work to create videos like this. Thank you.
Yes, it does! Thank you for watching, and I hope this helped!
Very helpful, and timely, thanks for putting in that effort
that was one of the easiest lesson i've had online great lesson thanks guys
Great to hear! Happy to help.
Excellent! Answered a lot of questions I have been wondering about.
I'm an old San Francisco local 38 plumber. Cast iron and copper was the norm there. I did a 4" copper waste (Exposed below) and vent system for the telephone company. Priceless. Nice video and I'm sure you're a top notch plumber. I was! ;-))
This is awesome. Through and explained very well. Thanks
Informative illustrations which clearly showed the calculation and fixture stack-up process when sizing water lines. I feel compelled to verify what is in my home before I start two bathroom renovations. Helpful explanation at the end of your video regarding Pex B flow restriction and when to consider sizing up. Would be curious to see some content on the potential issues of not having the lines sized properly. Great work!
Glad it was helpful!
I know now why you said "your favorite plumber". I can not thank you enough for removing such a huuuuge burden regarding pipe sizing and pressure drop. Could you please make a video on how to select the size of the Water heater ( heating element selection) & Water storage tank.. God Bless!
Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!
Thank you for posting this - I am/will use to size my house repiping job.
great explanation and video.
Bravo. great Teacher.
This. Is. AWESOME. Thanks!
As an industry pro I found this video so helpful. Sometimes I forget why I do things that are just by memory. I would love to have this diagram as a poster in my home office. If I can’t get one screen shots will have to do
That was exactly what I needed! Thank you man!
Great video! Very good approach, easy to understand!
Good! Thanks for watching.
What a very good video and presentation. Very informative and knowledgeable.
Thank you. I'm glad we could help!
I’m a second year student at PHCC and HOLY SHIT this video took a huuuuuge burden off my back. Thank you, keep up the great work and god bless man 🙏🏽
That’s awesome to hear. Happy to help!
i wish you were my teacher. great work.
Awesome video and very informative!
THANKS IM LEARNING A LOT FROM YOU.
Tremendously useful. I have galvanized that I'm replacing. Using your information I learned that it is sized well so I can just repeat what I have.
That’s great to hear, Jack. Good luck on your plumbing project!
I'm thinking of doing the same thing, but probably using Pex B so I wonder if simply duplicating the galvanized without upscaling would work. On the other hand, the inside of my ancient galvanized pipes is probably clogged to the point that anything is better and even the pex b fixtures would be an improvement!
WOW!!! Wonderful explanation. The best ever. Just subscribed. Thanks!
A lot of great info here. Thanks.
Great video ! Very helpful
Very informative. thank you.
Thank you for excellent education!
Of course! Thanks for watching, and I hope this helped your project!
Another very helpful video. Thank you
Thanks! Happy to help.
That was really a great video and explanation amazing work. It wasn't what i was looking for as my problem was going from copper to pex but this did explain how increasing water pressure can help get adequate amount of pressure in a different way as well explain why homes are starting to get 1" lines.
Also interesting to note, 1" pipe, along with a 3/4" or preferably 1" meter is absolutely necessary to allow for a fire sprinkler system. Preferably at time of construction but also just to allow retrofit without digging up the yard. Pretty much impossible to make a 2 head NFPA 13D calc work with a 3/4" private main and 5/8" meter.
great video buddy, was just explaining this to a young up and comer, gonna just share your video next time.
Awesome thank you!
Great video! I wish you would have described how to measure the water pressure though. Total novice to that element and your explanations are amazing.
Great put together video. Easy to understand 😎😬
Thanks! Glad we could help.
Very informative! Thank you!
Glad you found this helpful!
Great info! Very clearly explained...excited to map out my plumbing tomorrow!!
Great video very informative thanks
Thank you, happy to help!
Well done! Gracias
Nice video. I would suggest adding to the total developed length based on the number of fittings in the system as required by code. The simple method is to add 1.2 feet per fitting. The ICC Codes also require the distance from water main to the meter be add to total developed length. Friction loss through the water meter or any special fixture such as backflow preventer, water softener or pressure reducing valve.
Great timing going to install a filtration system for my well and was wondering of sizing the pex pipe after it. I'm just running 1inch through the system and will switch to 3/4 to feed the branches.
Love your video. Please do a sample of sizing water supply for public restroom.
Many thanks
Great video! Thank you!
Thanks! Hope this helped.
Great job. Thanks!
Thanks for watching!
Fascinating. My house has been size wrong in multiple places.
So helpful! I'm currently in trade school and this refresher was amazing! Could you do a video on sizing Waste and vent also? I always struggle with DWV more. Especially doing the Cross secionals. Thanks!
That's awesome to hear! Thanks for the thought on sizing waste and vent - we're planning a bunch of videos, so we'll keep this topic in mind. Best of luck in trade school. It's a great career.
Great video
A must for DIYers and of course, plumbers.
A lot goes into these choices. Code is a minimum as you stated, but local codes will also come into play as well as manufacturers recommendations for their faucets (ie.. Grohe brand calls for 3/4” feed on most of their products) which is why you want to have your fixtures picked out before mechanicals are installed so tradesmen know what to prepare for.
Found my goto resource -thx
Great video 👍just subscribed
Excellent! 🇨🇦👊
Here in Mich a 2 family flat has a 3 quarter water meter.we run 3quarter then half at each fixture.if running pex with the insert fittings I just run 3quarter to the fixture and use a 3quarter to half adapter at the fixtures.good video taking the time to teach and share
3/4 to the last branch for residential homes is a good rule of thumb to pass inspection
Great video! The illustrations are AWESOME!!! I’m about to repipe my whole house as it currently has about 4 different type of piping, it was built in the 50’s! This has come at a perfect time. I’m working off a .5hp sub pump sitting at about 60ft deep in a 75ft 4” well with 60psi and 10-11gpm. The main line from the pump into the house is 3/4” and about 15ft distance before reaching the 20gal diaphragm tank. In your example water begins at the meter, as I don’t have a meter, where do I begin sizing from? Would it be from the well head, or would it be from the diaphragm tank? The reason for my question is I’m at 15 wsfu for my cold (including 2 hose bibs =3.5wsfu).
Good video. Thanks
Thank you, hope this helped!
Love the info and videos, I am not a plumber but these videos intrigue me and provide great info on the way installations work. I love DIY projects and learning about all trades so this info is GREAT! I do have one question...How is the pressure increased in a home. Reason is my parents are looking to build a home out in the country and I am curious on how water pressure is maintained at city supplied water pressure, if they getting water from a well? Is there a pump inside the home that regulates water pressure received upon use of each fixture? how does that work? the home will be a ranch one story home on a hill, where the garage and pressure tank will be on below the home. Should the Pressure tank be installed on the roof to have gravity assist with pressure?
GME to the Moon! Nice job.
This was so good
Thanks! Hope this helped you!
When I checked out my brother's rental properly I was shocked to see it was all individual 1/4 inch pex tubing. One big line into 20 in the basement branching off in every direction. It looked terrible and the main ran up an outside wall right before it split, so all of the lines would freeze in the winter. More plumbers need to watch this video, especially with Pex being much easier to work with and not having to think as much. Some just turn off the brain completely.
To be fair this was nearly a decade ago, so it might be better researched now.
Well done thanks
Thanks for watching!
You the best thaks for you info
No problem! Glad to help!
Excellent!
Thank you!
I’d be incredibly interested in how to plan for a water filter or multiple types of filters after your main and it’s impact on the math/flow here.
Planning on replumbing my 70’s house and this info has been amazing. Thank you!
Nice video and very informative for the average DIYer. You should do one more complicated, one that includes multiple hose bibs and lawn sprinklers and 3/4” fill valves, multiple shower heads etc.
Thanks for the idea!
Well Done...
Hey William! Fantastic video. Very informative. Not sure how quickly you’ll see this, but I have a half bath that I’m converting into a full bath. And also I’m adding a washer dryer on the opposite side of the wall that hosts the vanity. It’s slab on grade… What do I do in order to make sure everything is up to code? Specifically, 1) how would I vent the new washer (tie into vanity or separate? And which drain needs to be higher if they can join?) 2) Based on your video, if the supply line to the half bath is only 1/2” for the toilet and vanity, I will have to upgrade that supply line to 3/4”, correct? Since im adding 4 unit shower and “x”unit washer
**To help clarify, water heater is about 10’ away vertically from 1/2 bath. Anything helps. Thanks man
good job 👍
Thanks!
I feel a little bit smarter thank you
Great video! Thanks for the very clear explanation. I assume all the math would apply when sizing a manifold for PEX? I'm planning on repiping my house because we have major water pressure issues. If I'm running home runs to each fixture, then I think that's easy enough to size those based on this video, but then is it just a matter of adding up all the fixture units the manifold is serving to size that?
Great videos… first one I’ve seen that actually helped with the planning. And, one of the areas that I was wondering about was what you closed with - impact of pex -b on flow. But, I do wonder if the pex-b statement is correct because I just had a plumber out who changed out the 1” poly to 3/4” pex-b thus creating 1/2” flow restrictions due to the inserts. My washer fills much slower than before. I wonder if this is why.
Are you a teacher? Dude you totally should be. Thanks.
Thank you for not
Telling a lie!
thank so much ,very useful ,can we use this method for sizing ppr pipe?
Hi, it's very nice and informative... Kindly tell me what if use throughout 1" line ... will there be any difference in flow and pressures (cost dosen't matter).