The water supply system is an integral element of any comfortable home. Regardless of whether it is installed in an existing building or installed during the construction of a new one, its design and installation must be approached very responsibly. Let's talk about how to install a water supply system in a private house with your own hands. Where to start and how to carry out all the work correctly.
First of all, you need to decide on a source for water supply. You need to know that according to the standards, the water supply system must provide water to each person living in the house based on the calculation of 30-50 liters per day per person.
When arranging a bathroom and sewerage system, the calculated figure increases three times. For watering the garden and green spaces, a water consumption of at least 5 liters per square meter is assumed. meter.
A well-designed and equipped water supply system of a private house fully satisfies all the residents’ water needs, both cold and hot.
It turns out that the volumes of water consumption of a country house are quite large. Therefore, the choice of water source must be approached as responsibly as possible. The owner can choose between decentralized and centralized water supply. In the first option, the source of water supply will be a well, borehole, etc. In the second there is a water supply network that supplies its settlement.
Stationary centralized system
The easiest option to implement involves connecting the in-house water supply to a centralized water supply line. To make such a connection, the homeowner will need to submit an application to the organization that operates the centralized highway. The document will be reviewed, after which a decision will be made to allow or deny connection.
To connect to a centralized water supply network, the owner of the house must obtain permission from the organization operating it. You should also obtain a list of conditions for connection, which indicate the location and method of connection, the depth of laying pipes for entering the water supply manifold, etc. (+)
In the first case, an official permit must be issued, which stipulates the conditions for connection and water use. Along with it, detailed recommendations are issued with a diagram indicating the optimal methods for making connections with various pipeline laying options. Next, the owner can independently lay pipes or use the services of specialists.
Decentralized method of water supply
It is assumed that water will be supplied to the house from a river, well, well, etc. It is important that the water intake is located at least 20 m from the septic tank, cesspool and similar objects. It is optimal to drill a well or dig a well at a minimum distance from the house. This will save on pipes and make it easier to maintain the plumbing. Before carrying out work, it is necessary to ensure that the source can provide the required water consumption.
The source of water for the autonomous water supply system of a private house can be a well, a well or an open reservoir, the water of which meets the requirements of the SES
Practice shows that the well is good for seasonal use. However, it is not recommended for permanent residences. In this case, the best option is a well, which must be equipped with a powerful pump. This is the only way to ensure a sufficient volume of water to serve all the needs of residents.
How does the plumbing system work?
Any system supplying water to a house consists of two equal parts: external and internal. The outdoor area connects the water source to the house. Depending on where the water is supplied from, the system configuration may vary. The simplest option is a structure connecting the house to a centralized network. In this case, it will be a regular pipeline.
If a well is chosen as a source of water supply, in addition to pipes, the external water supply will include water-lifting equipment: a surface or submersible pump, the type of device depends on the well. In addition, this also includes an automatic control system for pumping equipment, filters for coarse and fine cleaning, as well as water distribution devices, which include water tanks, shut-off valves, etc.
To ensure the required pressure in the water supply, a storage tank can be used, which is placed at the highest point of the building or on an overpass near it
In a water supply system connected to a centralized main, the pressure is determined by its characteristics. For an autonomous system, it is necessary to install a pumping station or install a water tank. The first option is preferable, since in the second case you will have to build an overpass about 3-4 meters high and install a metal or plastic tank on it.
If only seasonal residence in the house is intended, then the external water supply can be laid openly, that is, directly on the ground. If the system will be used year-round, then the pipes are laid in trenches buried below the soil freezing level. If for some reason the pipeline is laid above this level, the structure will need to be properly insulated.
The internal part of the water supply system consists of several elements. Their number may vary depending on actual conditions, but a typical scheme necessarily includes the following:
- pipes of various diameters;
- water metering units, if the system is connected to a centralized main;
- devices for heating water, if necessary;
- control and shut-off valves;
- faucets and other plumbing equipment;
- distribution network.
To properly arrange the water supply system, it is necessary to develop a diagram that will accurately indicate the location of the pipeline. Both external and internal. Such a scheme is necessary to determine the optimal installation option and to accurately determine the amount of material required for its implementation.
The outer section of the water pipeline is laid in a trench, the depth of which should be greater than the freezing level of the soil in the coldest season
How to develop a competent scheme
Some craftsmen consider such a project an unnecessary extravagance and do not want to waste their time on it. This is fundamentally wrong. A competent diagram will help to avoid many problems when installing water supply in a country house. In the process of its development, it is necessary to take into account several important factors:
- type of water pipe layout;
- number of collectors, if necessary;
- number of pumps and filters;
- number of water points;
- water heater volume;
- the location of each element of the plumbing system and the distance to it.
In addition, the diagram will need to accurately mark all the placement points of the water supply elements and show how the pipeline will pass through all the rooms of the building. Therefore, to develop a scheme, you will first need to make an accurate drawing of the building and, if necessary, supplement it with a site plan on which the external part of the structure will be marked. It must be remembered that the project must be drawn up on a single scale based on accurate measurements.
Connection of plumbing fixtures is made according to a tee (series) and collector (parallel) circuit. The second option is more complicated and more expensive, but unlike the first it equalizes the pressure at all water points in the system
Experts recommend using one tape measure for all measurements to avoid unwanted discrepancies in measurements. Before working with the project, you should decide on the type of future wiring. There are only two possible options.
Sequential piping
It assumes the presence of a common pipe from which branches are made to each water collection point. It is clear that in this case it will not be possible to achieve the same pressure at each water consumption point. Moreover, the more there are, the less pressure in each of them.
The advantage of this scheme is the minimum pipe consumption and, accordingly, low cost. The main disadvantage is uneven pressure in the system. This scheme is used mainly in houses with a small number of residents or with a small number of water points.
Collector diagram for water supply distribution
The main difference from parallel wiring is the presence of a special distribution unit - a collector, from which a separate pipeline is laid to each consumer. This makes it possible to supply water to all water points with the same pressure. Depending on the length of the system, it may include several collectors. The main disadvantage of such a system is the high consumption of pipes.
A typical water supply diagram looks something like this. It starts either from the point of insertion into the centralized main line, or from the area where the system is connected to a well or other source of water supply. In the latter case, a pump or pumping station must be installed here to supply water to the system. It also assumes the presence of a hydraulic accumulator and a shut-off valve, which is used in the event of a leak or scheduled repairs.
If necessary, divide the water flow, use a tee. It will generate two streams: one will be used for technical needs, such as watering the garden, swimming pool, shower, etc., and the second will be sent to the house. The pipe that carries water into the house must be equipped with a filtration system to clean the liquid from all kinds of impurities. At this stage, coarse filters will be quite sufficient.
The collector is a distribution node in which the total flow is divided into several branches
Next, you will need to install another tee on the pipe entering the house. This is done only if it is planned to organize hot water supply. The flow will be divided into cold water and water sent for heating.
The cold water supply pipe is connected to the corresponding collector, from which distribution is carried out further throughout the building. The hot pipeline is first connected to the water heater, then to the corresponding collector, and then in the same way as the first option.
When designing wiring, experts strongly recommend reducing the length of pipelines as much as possible and keeping the number of joints and bends to a minimum. After all, they are the potential causes of leaks. In addition, it is highly undesirable to turn pipes at right angles. This significantly reduces the pressure in the main line.
The water supply can be laid in a hidden or open way. The first is the most aesthetic. He assumes that the pipes will be laid in grooves laid inside the walls or covered with decorative boxes. In this case, it is important that the material from which the parts are made is not susceptible to corrosion, since it will be extremely difficult to notice a leak in time. Open-mounted pipes are laid on top of the walls.
How to choose the right pipes
The parts from which the plumbing system is assembled must be inert to chemical and temperature influences, durable, wear-resistant and as light as possible. That is why polyethylene, polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride pipes are most often chosen to install a system in a country house. When choosing, you need to take into account the operating temperature of plastics; not all can interact with hot water.
Modern plastic parts are equipped with a large number of components, which allows you to assemble a structure of any degree of complexity.
As an option, you can use metal-plastic parts. There are many arguments in favor of assembling a water supply system from plastic elements. First of all, the design is lightweight, but at the same time durable. Installation of the system is so simple that even a beginner can handle it. Soldering is used to fasten parts together, resulting in very strong, almost monolithic joints.
Another plus is the ability to bend elements, which can significantly reduce the number of dangerous areas in an emergency sense. Where it is necessary to connect metal and plastic elements, special combined type fittings with special metal inserts are used. Plastic parts have high torsional rigidity. This is very important for cases where the pump develops high torque.
If necessary, the plastic pipeline can be modernized, which is also important. In addition to plastic and metal-plastic, you can use traditional options. These include parts made of steel or copper. The main disadvantage of the first option is the susceptibility to corrosion. Copper pipes have many advantages, but their cost is very high.
An important point is the choice of the diameter of the parts. It is carried out based on the length of a specific pipeline section. For lines longer than 30 m, parts with a diameter of 32 mm are selected; pipelines shorter than 10 m are assembled from elements with a cross-section of 20 mm. Medium-length lines are mounted from pipes with a diameter of 25 mm.
Metal water pipes are a classic option, the main disadvantage of which is considered to be the complexity of installation and susceptibility to corrosion.
Features of installing a water supply system
When installing water pipes in a private home yourself, experts recommend following several rules. First of all, it is better to start laying the pipeline from the water consumer, and not vice versa. It will be easier this way. First, using an adapter for a threaded type connection, we attach the water pipe to the consumer. It is advisable to install a shut-off ball valve between the adapter and the device.
It will make it possible, if necessary, to quickly shut off the water supply or repair a broken device without any problems. The pipe is led from the water consumer to the collector. When performing wiring, you need to follow a few simple rules:
- The pipes should be placed at a distance of about 20 mm from the wall, this will make them easier to repair.
- It is highly undesirable to lay pipes so that they pass through partitions or walls. If this is still necessary, the parts are placed in a special glass.
- Clips are used for fastening to walls. They must be present every one and a half to two meters and at all corner joints.
- If drain taps are to be installed, the pipe is laid with a slight slope towards it.
- When going around an internal corner, the part is placed at a distance of 30-40 mm from the wall, when going around an external corner - 15 mm.
Before connecting to the collector, it is strongly recommended to install shut-off valves on the pipe going to the consumer. This will allow you to quickly disconnect the branch from the system in the event of an emergency, as well as repair it without unnecessary problems.
Water pipes can be laid in a hidden way inside grooves made in the wall of the building. The hidden installation method is most often used to implement collector wiring
How to connect a pumping station
Another important issue that must be considered when installing water supply in a country house is connecting the pumping station to the internal system. It was already mentioned above that a pumping station or pressure tank can be used to provide the building with a sufficient amount of water. Using the second option is quite troublesome. As practice shows, most homeowners choose a pumping station.
The device pumps water from a well, or less often from a well. This equipment is sensitive to low temperatures, so it is placed in the basement, basement or heated technical room. However, in this case, the noise from the operating pump may disturb residents. In some cases, the equipment is placed in a specially equipped caisson that covers the well head.
Work on connecting the pumping station is generally carried out as follows. A pipe is connected from the source to the equipment, onto which a brass fitting equipped with an adapter with a diameter of 32 mm is put on. A tee equipped with a drain valve is connected to it. This will make it possible to turn off the water supply if necessary. A check valve is connected to the tee. The device will not allow water to return to the well.
A pumping station is a set of equipment that ensures complete pumping of water from a well or well.
It may be necessary to turn the line to direct the pipe to the pumping station. If this is the case, a special corner is used. All subsequent elements are connected using the so-called “American”. First, a shut-off ball valve is connected, turning off the water supply if necessary. Then a coarse filter is installed, which will protect the device from impurities.
After this, the pumping station is connected. There is a nuance here. The equipment involves the installation of a damper tank and a pressure switch. If the pump is located in the well and all other equipment is located in the house, then the pressure switch is installed on top of the pipe. A damper tank is mounted below. After this, the dry running sensor is connected. It will not allow the pump to work without water and will protect it from damage.
The last connection element is an adapter for a pipe with a diameter of 25 mm. After all the parts have been installed, it is recommended to check the quality of the work performed. To do this, start the pump and let it run for a while. If the equipment pumps water properly, then everything is fine and work can continue. If not, you need to find the cause and eliminate it.
The pumping station can be installed in an insulated caisson above the well head, or can be installed in a house, in any heated room
Hydraulic accumulator: needed or not needed
The hydraulic accumulator is not a mandatory element of the water supply system of a country house. However, it is almost always used. This device makes it possible to maintain constant pressure in the system. The pumping equipment does not operate continuously. This effect is achieved by the design of the hydraulic accumulator. It is a tank divided by a membrane into two parts.
The first contains air, the second contains a supply of water, which is gradually used up for the needs of the residents. When the amount of liquid reaches a certain minimum, the pump automatically turns on to replenish its supply. Thus, the pressure in the system is always stable. You can do without a hydraulic accumulator. To do this, you need to install a storage tank at the highest point of the building.
However, such a design will not provide constant pressure in the system. The water from it will flow down to the consumer by gravity, without strong pressure. Often, even a washing machine will not be able to fully operate in such conditions. Therefore, installing a hydraulic accumulator is considered the optimal solution. The volume of equipment is selected depending on the needs of the residents living in the house.
The hydraulic accumulator, which is a membrane storage tank, is designed to maintain stable pressure in the system
Water purification equipment
Water treatment is also not a mandatory element of the water supply system. However, practice shows that most homeowners install such equipment. It is especially necessary for those who use a borehole or well as a source of water. The quality of such water is usually far from ideal. The liquid coming from the well is in most cases contaminated with mechanical impurities.
Therefore, at a minimum, it is worth installing coarse filters. To fully protect the water supply system and the household appliances connected to it, you should accurately determine the nature of the impurities and the chemical composition of the water coming from the well. To do this, the samples are taken to the laboratory and a detailed analysis is obtained, which will show which filters are needed for this system.
Water treatment equipment is installed after the hydraulic accumulator. It is a set of filters selected based on the results of an analysis of the water entering the house. Combination devices can be installed here, which include several filters at once.
However, there is no point in installing fine filters and reverse osmosis here. Such equipment is installed only in the kitchen to purify a small amount of water that will be used for drinking and cooking.
If water heating is intended, then one of the water supply branches must be connected to a heating device
Video materials on the topic of the article
Which source of water supply to choose: well or borehole:
How to properly install internal plumbing:
Installation of a water supply inlet unit inside the building:
Plumbing in a private building, be it a summer house or a full-fledged residential building, is necessary. Moreover, you can design and assemble the system yourself. At the same time, it is important to listen to the advice of specialists and not to deviate from the instructions. If this seems too complicated, you can entrust the work to a construction company. Professionals will quickly and efficiently carry out all the necessary work, and the owner will only have to accept the finished structure into operation.