How to Install a Water Line PVC Pipe in a Basement Wall
Certain basement installations require a water line. If you add a bathroom in your basement, you must first install water piping in the wall to provide water to the sink and toilet. Water lines in home plumbing use a type of PVC pipe called CPVC pipe. This pipe is harder than regular PVC pipe and is safe for potable water. Install the piping before drywall or you will not be able to access the inside of the wall. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Spade bit
- Cordless drill
- CPVC fittings
- CPVC cement
- Reciprocating saw
Instructions
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1
Turn the main water supply off to your home.
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2
Plan the path you wish to run your CPVC piping. Likely you will have to cut a tee into an existing water line to feed the new area.
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3
Load a spade bit into a drill that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of your piping. Mark out and drill the holes through the center of each stud at the height required for the fixture. Drill a hole through the top plate of the wall at the location where you want to exit the wall and enter the ceiling joist space. Coordinate this location near where you will tap into the existing plumbing.
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4
Hold the tee fitting up to the water line you wish to splice into. Make a mark on the pipe at each location you need to cut to fit the tee into the system. Cut the pipe with a reciprocating saw at those locations.
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5
Swab the outside of the existing pipe and the inside of the tee fitting with CPVC cement. Fit the tee fitting into position and hold for 45 seconds to allow the cement to set.
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6
Measure and cut lengths of CPVC pipe and slide them into the wall. Leave gaps where each fitting will be. For example, if you are running from one wall to an adjacent one, leave the appropriate space for a 90-degree elbow.
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Start at your tee fitting and measure and cut CPVC pipe at the appropriate lengths to meet up with the pipe you slid in the wall. Cement all fittings and pipe together. Allow the end of the pipe to stick out of the wall approximately 6 inches. This will be called your stub-out. You will cut this at a later time once the drywall is complete. You will then connect the necessary parts to it that are required by your specific fixture.
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Attach a cap on the end of the pipe with cement and turn the water supply back on.
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Tips & Warnings
Check with local building codes before proceeding. Some municipalities require a licensed plumber to perform all plumbing work.
Look at the requirements for your specific fixture you are installing. The manufacturer will recommend at what heights the plumbing should stub out of the wall.
