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Water line in attic, good idea or not?
3/29/2012 5:46:57 PM
I am planning a master bath remodel and the shower thermostatic valve calls for a dedicated 3/4" supply line. I currently have 1/2" copper and it is buried in the slab, the service entrance is on the opposite side of the house.
It looks like I only have 2 options. Step up the 1/2" to 3/4" where it meets the valve, and keep the existing 1/2" supply line. I'm guessing this will greatly reduce the flow and is not a great option. The second option is to cap the 1/2" line at the shower and run a dedicated 3/4" line from the service entrance to the fixture. The only was this would be possible is to run it in the attic.
Naturally I have concerns with having a potential leak source above my ceiling. A plumber advised me that it is with in code and I could use either copper or PEX.
Would you guys run it in the attic and hope it never leaks? Which would be preferred, copper or PEX if I did?
It looks like I only have 2 options. Step up the 1/2" to 3/4" where it meets the valve, and keep the existing 1/2" supply line. I'm guessing this will greatly reduce the flow and is not a great option. The second option is to cap the 1/2" line at the shower and run a dedicated 3/4" line from the service entrance to the fixture. The only was this would be possible is to run it in the attic.
Naturally I have concerns with having a potential leak source above my ceiling. A plumber advised me that it is with in code and I could use either copper or PEX.
Would you guys run it in the attic and hope it never leaks? Which would be preferred, copper or PEX if I did?
3/29/2012 6:31:17 PM
You're in FL....what's the chance of it freezing up there? Either way, anyone with a two story house with plumbing upstairs has a potential leak source above their ceiling.
3/29/2012 7:07:20 PM
Pex is less prone to freeze damage.
3/29/2012 7:13:52 PM
Agreed with above, I'd be worried about freezes instead of leaks and since you're in florida thats likely not going to happen so I wouldn't have a problem doing it.
3/29/2012 7:17:22 PM
Freeze damage is not going to be an issue for me in FL, just the opposite 
. I imagine PEX would be easier and less time consuming to run since I won't have to sweat pipe. I guess I'm more concerned about longtime reliability.
. I imagine PEX would be easier and less time consuming to run since I won't have to sweat pipe. I guess I'm more concerned about longtime reliability.3/29/2012 7:26:21 PM
Our 1-story house was built in 1967, and still has all of the original iron pipes in the attic. As far as we can tell, none of them have ever been replaced. We live in SE Texas, and it occasionally freezes, but apparently not cold or long enough to cool down the attic through all the insulation.
3/29/2012 9:17:42 PM
Every house in houston has the pipes in the attic. I have never seen on with them in the slab. Honestly that sounds risky because if your foundation settles and the slab breaks a pipe youre fucked.
We have pvc, copper, and occasionally you may see the black iron pipes used or whatever theyre made out of but that stuff is more commonly for gas.
I bought my house as a foreosure and all the copper pipes in the attic were burst because kids broke out the windows in the winter when the house was vacant with the water on and the pipes froze and burst. First time i have ever seen a house like that in houston.
Cost me about $100 in tools and materials and a day to fix them all and another week to replace all the drywall in the whole house from 4ft down and $1500 in contractor labor and materials.
Basically, i have NO problems with running water in the attic and would prefer it up there as opposed to being in the slab since our foundations settle and crack so much.
We have pvc, copper, and occasionally you may see the black iron pipes used or whatever theyre made out of but that stuff is more commonly for gas.
I bought my house as a foreosure and all the copper pipes in the attic were burst because kids broke out the windows in the winter when the house was vacant with the water on and the pipes froze and burst. First time i have ever seen a house like that in houston.
Cost me about $100 in tools and materials and a day to fix them all and another week to replace all the drywall in the whole house from 4ft down and $1500 in contractor labor and materials.
Basically, i have NO problems with running water in the attic and would prefer it up there as opposed to being in the slab since our foundations settle and crack so much.
3/30/2012 12:39:09 AM
It all depends on climate,
Here no freaking way!
When I was working in AZ, all the time ( but I dreamed of basements, when working on water lines, in an attic, in PHX, in the summer)
If you dont have freezing temp, get a roll of pex, and run a line with no joints.
Here no freaking way!
When I was working in AZ, all the time ( but I dreamed of basements, when working on water lines, in an attic, in PHX, in the summer)
If you dont have freezing temp, get a roll of pex, and run a line with no joints.
4/1/2012 9:44:41 PM
Originally Posted By Scott574:
Freeze damage is not going to be an issue for me in FL, just the opposite. I imagine PEX would be easier and less time consuming to run since I won't have to sweat pipe. I guess I'm more concerned about longtime reliability.
Freeze damage is not going to be an issue for me in FL, just the opposite
. I imagine PEX would be easier and less time consuming to run since I won't have to sweat pipe. I guess I'm more concerned about longtime reliability.Use copper.
4/2/2012 12:30:07 AM
Originally Posted By TheRealSundance:
Use copper.
Originally Posted By Scott574:
Freeze damage is not going to be an issue for me in FL, just the opposite. I imagine PEX would be easier and less time consuming to run since I won't have to sweat pipe. I guess I'm more concerned about longtime reliability.
Freeze damage is not going to be an issue for me in FL, just the opposite
. I imagine PEX would be easier and less time consuming to run since I won't have to sweat pipe. I guess I'm more concerned about longtime reliability.Use copper.
sweating pipe is stupid easy. I learned how to do it after watching a 5 minute youtube video and ive never had a joint fail after i got done with it.
4/2/2012 12:40:31 AM
pex and sharkbite gtg
4/2/2012 7:53:45 PM
Originally Posted By Jake-The-Snake:
get a roll of pex, and run a line with no joints.
get a roll of pex, and run a line with no joints.
This would be the way to go.
4/2/2012 8:44:23 PM
Originally Posted By CTbuilder1:
This would be the way to go.
Originally Posted By Jake-The-Snake:
get a roll of pex, and run a line with no joints.
get a roll of pex, and run a line with no joints.
This would be the way to go.
yep
and insulation / impact protection definitely wouldn't hurt either
