Last week, the concrete contractors set forms and poured piers for the foundation at Oma and Opa’s, and over the weekend, Kenny and I played plumber’s apprentice, assisting Opa as he installed the drainage system for the bathrooms, laundry, and kitchen. And I have to say – plumbing rough-in for drainage is no simple feat!
Not only is there a manual labor aspect involved (digging trenches, moving dirt, etc.), but it also requires a great deal of brain power.
If you are not meticulously precise with your measurements and placement of fittings, you might end up with a drain vent pipe sticking out of the wall, a toilet floating somewhere out in the middle of the bathroom, or maybe even a kitchen sink drain out on your back porch! And the mere thought of attempting to figure out which and how many of the various shapes and sizes of fittings that you would need to plumb an entire house makes my brain hurt!
But Opa had all that figured out. He basically translated from this:
To this:
All in his head!
In summary, my recommendation for designing and installing pluming for drainage would be one that holds true to many projects that we have completed at the Village – quite simply, if you don’t have an Opa, then hire a professional!
Since the plumbing rough-in is now completed, the concrete contractors can get back to work and pour the foundation, which will hopefully happen later this week.