Water distribution in the apartment: step by step instructions

Water supply is one communication that delivers water to the consumer. Without it, it is difficult to imagine modern life. Sooner or later, the question arises of replacing the water supply structure. In most cases, this need is determined by the wear of the structural elements of the old water supply. The wiring of the water supply in the apartment is a difficult event that requires special care, since any installation errors can lead to unpleasant consequences.

When planning a pipe replacement, you need to draw up a detailed diagram of the future wiring and determine the type of material

Step-by-step algorithm of work

How to make water distribution in apartments? To replace the old water supply in the apartment, you can contact a professional and you will not have to choose the material, the wiring diagram and carry out the installation of the system, however, such services are quite expensive. In turn, the organization of water distribution in the apartment with your own hands requires careful observance of building codes and rules. This event is divided into several main stages:

1. Initially, experts recommend preparing a plan of future work. Such a plan should include two main points:

• material selection. Many people are interested in one question: which pipes to choose for water supply? Pipes can be made of metal, metal or plastic. Each material has its own characteristics, which must be carefully studied so as not to encounter unexpected problems in the future. What material is best suited for the installation of plumbing: polypropylene or plastic? For independent wiring of water supply, metal-plastic pipes are most suitable. Mounting metal-plastic communication is quite simple, so even a beginner can afford such work. In any case, polypropylene or metal-plastic are suitable for water supply systems;
• selection of a water distribution scheme in the apartment. The installation scheme of water supply communication is determined depending on the type of multi-story building. To date, the most popular are two circuits: serial and parallel. A consistent wiring diagram is used if the water pressure in the apartment is always stable, however, this is extremely rare. Therefore, most often, for the installation of the water supply structure, the second option is used, namely: parallel or collector wiring of the water supply and sewerage.

The collector wiring system is a modern and more practical option, in such a water supply the pressure will be stable

Note! The main advantage of collector water distribution in the apartment is the ability to control the pressure of the working fluid in individual sources of water intake.

2. Calculation of fittings and other auxiliary elements, as well as the indicator of the cross section of the pipeline. It is recommended to install shut-off taps in front of each water intake. It is important to remember that the cross-sectional index of the pipes should be less than that of the connecting elements.
3. The fourth paragraph of the scheme includes a list of necessary tools for wiring.
4. Dismantling the old communication and laying a new one.During the dismantling of the old structure, it is very important to take care to comply with the cross-sectional indicator of all outlets and pipes, otherwise you will have to use special adapter couplings.

As a rule, in standard apartments the rooms where the waterworks are located have a limited area. In this regard, it is recommended to give preference to the most compact option for laying water supply. As already mentioned above, pipes from different materials can be used for water supply in an apartment.

Metal pipes

Today, metal pipes are not as popular as before, however, they are still used in water distribution in the apartment. For the organization of water supply, 3 types of pipes are used:

Pipes made of stainless or galvanized steel are reliable and durable, but they are distinguished by their large weight and complexity of installation

Galvanized steel. Such material is characterized by high strength characteristics, and also has an anti-corrosion layer, which protects the pipes from rusting. The shelf life of such pipes can reach 25 years, which is a pretty good indicator. The integrity of the anticorrosion layer may be affected by mechanical factors. The main disadvantage of galvanized steel pipes is the large mass, which complicates not only the installation of the system, but also the transportation of parts.

Stainless steel. Stainless steel is a material that is distinguished (like galvanizing) by a high coefficient of strength and corrosion resistance. The operational life of these products can reach 50 years under normal use. Products made of this material are not afraid of mechanical influences. The main disadvantage of these products is their high cost. Installation of a stainless steel pipeline is a rather complicated procedure due to the weight of individual parts.

Copper. Copper pipes are the most expensive of all, therefore they are conditionally classified as an elite class. Copper communication is characterized by good resistance to harmful corrosive influences, and its service life can reach 80 or more years. Separately, it is worth mentioning the aesthetic attractiveness of the copper pipeline - this design looks presentable and can become a decoration of the interior of a room. Of the minuses of a copper water supply system, it can be noted that the copper alloy is a plastic material, therefore it is characterized by low strength, as well as a rather complicated installation, which includes soldering with a gas burner.

Plastic pipes

The layout of pipes made of metal-plastic, as mentioned above, is the most suitable option for people who want to do all the work on their own. Metal-plastic parts consist of 3 layers: the outer polymer, the middle metal (usually an aluminum layer) and the inner polymer.

Plastic pipes rolled into small bays are very convenient for transportation and storage, which can not be said about steel products

Metal-plastic communication is mounted in two ways:

1. By means of threaded connecting elements, which include gaskets. A sealant is necessary to achieve the desired leak tightness in the system.
2. Using crimp fittings.

Helpful information! One of the main advantages of such pipes is the ability to bend them, which greatly facilitates the installation of water transport communications.

Products made of metal-plastic have resistance to the harmful effects of corrosion, and also due to the smooth inner walls they are characterized by high throughput. And thanks to the smooth walls, such products do not accumulate salt deposits inside themselves, which can eventually lead to a narrowing of the lumen of the pipe and its complete blockage.

How to make wiring metal-plastic pipes with your own hands? For wiring metal-plastic pipes with their own hands, the presence of a pipe cutter, pressing pliers and rimers is required. It is categorically not recommended to perform covert wiring of a metal-plastic water pipe in the walls. This is due to the fact that over time the sealing elements lose their useful properties and the connection nodes can leak, therefore, it is necessary to provide quick access to the pipeline for repair work.

Plastic pipes

Today plastic pipes are the most popular option for organizing water distribution in the apartment. Consider which polymer materials water can be routed from:

1. Polybutylene (PB). This material has a high coefficient of thermal conductivity, is quite ductile, so if necessary it can be bent. The maximum operating temperature for polybutylene parts reaches 90 ° C. Mounted polybutylene communication through the use of soldering equipment. The main disadvantage is the high cost.
   

   Many types of polymer pipes are connected by heating their ends with a special device, this gives one of the most reliable connections

2. Polyethylene (PE). Plastic products are not the best option for organizing the correct distribution of water in the apartment. This is especially true for hot water supply (DHW), since PE pipes have a maximum working temperature, which does not exceed 60 ° C. For hot water supply, it is necessary to use reinforced PE products. The working pressure for products made of this material does not exceed 3.5 atmospheres, and in apartment buildings, jumps of up to 6 atmospheres are possible (in systems transporting cold water) and 4.5 atmospheres in hot water pipes. The main advantage of PE parts is that they are not afraid of freezing. When installing a water supply structure made of polyethylene, experts recommend providing leakage protection (install Aquastop).
3. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Communications made of polyvinyl chloride are resistant to corrosion, to active chemical compounds. The cost of pipes for distributing water in the apartment, from this material is quite affordable. The maximum temperature that PVC parts can resist reaches up to 80 ° C. Among the disadvantages of PVC are the following: poor strength, lack of resistance to ultraviolet radiation. Installation of PVC communication is done by gluing joints or soldering them.
4. Propylene or polypropylene (PP). Propylene pipes for water supply are the most common option today. Communication from PP is low cost and affordable, has a high coefficient of strength (as for plastic).

The maximum operating temperature for a polypropylene pipe is 130 ° C. Properly organized piping allows you to get a system that can withstand pressure up to 12 atmospheres. Smooth walls of PP pipes exclude the possibility of salt deposits. Thus, PP pipes are the answer to the question of which pipes to use for water supply in apartments.

Note! The main disadvantage of PP products is their installation, which is performed by special soldering equipment.

Modern water systems in apartments are most often mounted from polypropylene pipes

Correct pipe design

Experts recommend calculating the diameter of the pipes before starting communication. For the correct calculation, it is necessary to study some rules:

• at the most distant point in the system there should be a double indicator of the reserve of water pressure;
• if the cross-sectional index of the pipes is 12 mm, then a phenomenon such as turbulization may occur.Typically, this phenomenon can occur at the entrance to the riser, however, if the communication is made of narrow twelve-millimeter pipes, then turbulization can occur at any point in the water supply. In order to protect themselves from this problem, experts recommend installing pipes whose cross-sectional index is 12 mm;
• the total pressure indicator in the system and, accordingly, the pressure of water depends on the number of connecting nodes. It is very important to remember that a unit of shut-off and control valves or connecting fittings takes approximately 0.15 atmospheres;
• PP communication, whose diameter is 16 mm, has a pressure loss equal to 0.05 atmospheres per 1 meter of pipeline;
• the minimum pressure that is allowed during the operation of the water supply system must not be lower than 0.3 atmosphere;
• It is recommended to pay special attention to the inlet water pressure indicator. This parameter is necessary to calculate the pressure indicator for the extreme points of communication.

Helpful information! The pressure in the central riser is quite simple to determine: just go down to the basement and get acquainted with the pressure gauge on the main pipe, and then simply divide this figure by the number of floors in the building. Thus, you will receive an indicator of pressure at the entrance to the apartment.

Many people prefer the distribution of water supply, which is performed using a pipe having a cross-sectional index of 20 mm. In this design, there are bends with a cross section of 16 mm. This system reduces pressure loss.

With serial wiring, you can save on materials, but in such a system, pressure differences are possible

Wiring diagram selection

The choice of a water distribution scheme in the apartment should take into account the particular layout of the premises, therefore it is recommended to use the services of a specialist. There are two main wiring diagrams:

• sequential (tee);
• parallel (collector wiring).

A sequential circuit is a classic option that can be found in most apartments. Such distribution of water in a house or apartment includes a common pipe laid from the riser to the room. As a rule, tees are installed on a common line, each of which corresponds to a certain plumbing fixture and is connected to it by means of short sections of the pipeline.

Advantages of the tee scheme:

• minimum consumption of materials;
• slight pressure loss in the system.

Of the disadvantages of such a scheme, it can be noted:

• separation of pressure at all water intake points;
• temperature loss in the system.

The collector wiring of pipes in the apartment is considered more functional, since its use avoids the loss of water pressure at the extreme points of water intake. Such distribution is organized as follows: water from a common riser moves first into the collector, and only then along an individual line to each point of water intake. The collector is a tank that has the shape of a cylinder and is equipped with the required number of taps (pipes).

Consider the advantages of collector wiring:

• eliminates the risk of water hammer in the system;
• pipelines going from the collector to plumbing fixtures are integral, therefore their hidden installation in gates is allowed;
• The collector wiring diagram is ideal for a large country house equipped with two or more bathrooms. This is due to the fact that such a scheme allows you to adjust the pressure indicators for different consumers.

Of the disadvantages of such a scheme, we can distinguish:

• high cost due to increased costs of materials;
• unpresentable appearance in the case of an open gasket.

Collector wiring is also convenient because pipes can be hidden

Selection of tools and dismantling of the old water supply

Specialists advise purchasing all materials with a small margin (approximately 10%) in order to replenish the translated material during the installation of the plumbing system. Consumption of materials is formed depending on the wiring diagram and on the installation option.

Disassembly should begin only after the acquisition of all necessary tools and materials. If it is planned not only to replace the water supply system, but also the common riser, it is necessary to notify the appropriate authority.

As a rule, modern polymer pipes are chosen for water distribution. Consider what tools are needed in this situation:

• soldering equipment;
• hacksaw or scissors for pipes.

Advice! Special scissors are considered the more preferable option, since the use of a hacksaw entails a large number of burrs on the cut.

• drill for making holes for fasteners;
• Bulgarian.

For the hidden laying of pipes in the walls, additional equipment will be required, namely a wall chaser. This tool is necessary for organizing channels in the wall.

DIY water distribution in the apartment

How to make water distribution in apartments? Let us consider in stages the most common wiring diagram to date:

1. First of all, the installation of the main valve on the common riser is performed.
2. At the second stage, the so-called water meter assembly is installed, which includes a coarse filter, as well as a valve (check) and a meter that measures the flow of water.
3. Then the hydromagnetic system (HMS) is mounted. The main objective of such a system is to process foreign particles that are in the water. The processed particles form a precipitate that is removed by a mechanical filter.
4. After installing the cleaning filter, it is necessary to install the Aquastop safety valve.

Thus, the installation of plumbing in the apartment. The meter must be equipped with anti-magnetic protection. Independent execution of pipe wiring in the apartment can be performed by anyone who does not have special construction knowledge and skills. If necessary, you can always contact a specialist who will carry out all the work correctly and give a guarantee for the finished pipeline.