Water supply is one of the most important communications in the house, since the comfort of living depends on it. Therefore, it is very important to correctly route it, because the water must be in the kitchen, bathroom and toilet. That is why many people are interested in the question of how to properly make the water distribution in the apartment. Despite the fact that this task is not simple, since it requires the presence of certain knowledge and skills, everyone can cope with it. The main thing is to follow the instructions and observe safety precautions.
Types of wiring: which one to choose, reviews
Before figuring out how the correct water distribution in the apartment is done, it is necessary to understand what its types exist. The choice of a suitable layout is very important, especially in small apartments, where every meter of free space is simply worth its weight in gold. There are two types of wiring - hidden and open. The first option is more suitable for small apartments, and the second can be used in private homes. To understand which type is best for your home, you need to understand all the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.
In addition, there are both positive and negative reviews about each type of wiring, after reading which you can make the right choice for yourself.
Concealed wiring: advantages and disadvantages
Hidden distribution of water in the apartment is one of the most popular ways of laying communications and has certain advantages and disadvantages that should be considered when conducting water supply in a house or apartment.
Advantages
Among the main advantages of a hidden water supply system, the following can be distinguished:
- more attractive appearance, since the pipes are not visible and do not spoil the aesthetics of the interior;
- the absence of pipes in the room allows you to easily move and arrange furniture as soon as your heart desires;
- in case of fire, the fire will not damage the pipes and repair costs will be minimal.
All these advantages allow you to implement any design project in the home and make the interior more attractive.
disadvantages
Despite the above advantages, the hidden distribution of water in the apartment has its drawbacks, which, unfortunately, are more:
- limited choice of materials, since this type of wiring requires special elements;
- large time, financial and labor costs for shredding walls and laying pipes;
- installation of the pipeline requires the complete removal of finish and cladding from the walls;
- hidden distribution of cold water in the apartment does not allow timely detection of pipe leaks;
- the inability to inspect communications and carry out preventive measures;
- high probability of damage to pipes when drilling holes in the wall.
Thus, the list of shortcomings is quite impressive, so you should think carefully before conducting a hidden water supply in the apartment.
Open wiring: pros and cons
An alternative to hidden is the open wiring of hot and cold water in the apartment. It requires less time and financial costs, and is also much easier to implement. Nevertheless, it has its pros and cons, which will be discussed later.
pros
Among the main advantages of open water are:
- absolutely any pipes can be used for communications;
- very simple installation process, since you do not need to ditch the walls;
- to dismantle or replace the water supply system is much easier than with a closed wiring;
- in case of leaking pipes, you can immediately detect the problem and solve it;
- timely implementation of preventive work.
Thus, this type of wiring has the greatest number of advantages, so most people choose it.
Minuses
Open water distribution in an apartment, compared to a closed one, has a significantly smaller number of disadvantages, among which are:
- the pipes are in full view, therefore spoil the aesthetic appearance of the housing;
- a significant decrease in the usable area in the room;
- in the case of using plastic pipes, there is a high probability of damage to the water supply in case of fire.
If aesthetics is not in the first place for you and there is free space in the house, then it is possible that these shortcomings will turn out to be insignificant for you.
Pipe Layout Design
If you have decided on the type of water supply, then at the next stage you need a water distribution scheme in the apartment. Its creation should be approached very responsibly, since the convenience and comfort of housing depends on how correctly the water supply will be designed. Indeed, you will agree that it will not be very pleasant if you take a shower and instead of water of a comfortable temperature, boiling water starts to run.
There are two main schemes - serial and collector circuits, as well as combined, combining elements of both options.
Serial is a water supply scheme in which all points are connected in a certain sequence. A pipe departs from the general highway, supplying water to a large number of people at the same time. The main disadvantage of such a scheme is that with the simultaneous use of water by several consumers at once, the former will have the highest pressure and good pressure, while the latter will run much worse.
Collector water distribution in the apartment is laid according to a different principle. Water is supplied from the main line to the collector, and already from it is supplied to consumers through separate pipes. This scheme has a significant advantage, since each consumer has its own tap, which allows you to shut off the water supply for repairs and maintenance. In addition, the pressure of water in each house or apartment will be the same. The main disadvantage of collector wiring is the high cost, since more materials and elements are needed for its implementation.
Which pipes are best for running water?
Today in construction stores you can find many types of pipes, among which are:
- Steel: have high strength and durability, so they will last several years. However, when choosing these pipes, it is necessary to take into account the fact that during operation the pipes will gradually clog, which significantly reduces the quality of the water. In addition, it will be necessary to tinker with the installation of steel pipes, since very accurate threading is necessary for their laying.
- Stainless steel pipes: they are of the highest quality, since they do not oxidize during operation, but not everyone can afford such pipes because of their exorbitant price.
- Copper pipes: versatile, as copper has excellent performance, high strength and excellent corrosion resistance. In addition, the service life of copper pipes is 70 years, but their cost is at an appropriate level.
- Metal-plastic pipes: the most common type of pipe with a low price, ease of installation, excellent resistance to corrosion and the formation of various bacteria and harmful microorganisms in the pipes. However, they are not suitable for use with very high temperatures exceeding 90 degrees.
- Polyethylene pipes: a very common type, which has good strength, ease of installation and low cost. However, due to their poor resistance to elevated temperatures, they can be used exclusively for supplying cold water, therefore they are practically not used for communication wires in private houses and apartments.
- Pipes made of polypropylene: perfect for the implementation of a hidden distribution of water in the apartment. They have high strength and are not susceptible to corrosion, and, therefore, do not affect the quality of the water. The service life is approximately 50 years.
When choosing pipes for laying a water pipe, it is necessary to take into account the layout and type of wiring, as well as your financial capabilities. Metal-plastic pipes will be the best option, since they are durable and inexpensive.
DIY piping
After you decide on all the nuances of the future water supply, you can begin to draw up a wiring diagram. In this case, the type of wiring, the diameter of the pipes, the exact length of the water supply, the installation method and the location of the bends should be considered. If you do not have such experience, then it is better to turn to professionals for help.
When the scheme is completed, you can begin to purchase all the necessary materials. At the same time, 10 percent should be added to the calculated amount, since, as practice shows, you always have to buy.
If you plan to carry out water supply in an old room, which already has communications, then the first thing to do is dismantle the old pipes. To do this, you will need to shut off the water supply to the house or apartment. Next, you can start laying pipes. It is worth noting that we will answer the question of how to make water distribution in the apartment using the example of laying plastic pipes. All work is performed in the following sequence:
- We perform pipe cutting of the required length.
- We remove the protective chamfer from the pipes.
- A nut is put on the pipe and a ring is installed.
- The joints of the pipes are fixed using crimp fittings.
When all work is completed and the water distribution in the apartment is ready, the entire system is checked for leaks using a special device that uses high air pressure. For prevention purposes, all fittings must be tightened every year so that they do not become loose and do not begin to leak water.
As it turned out, making water distributions in the apartment with your own hands is not difficult. In the process, you just need to adhere to the instructions, have the necessary materials, and also the desire to make a reliable and durable wiring.