misterg
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We are doing a major remodel (basically a rebuild) on our house. We currently have an envelope of just the foundation walls; the basement slab is gone.
When the project is done, we will have 4 finished bathrooms and 1 basement bathroom rough-in, so 5 bathrooms someday. Additionally, there will be a standard kitchen (one sink plus dishwasher) and laundry (wash machine and utility sink). If we finish the basement, we will have about 3800 finished square feet and 5 bedrooms.
Today the plumbing contractor came out to place the portion of the sewer system that is beneath the slab, and he used a 3 inch main line which he tied into the existing 4" sewer lateral outside (goes to the septic tank). Every house I've ever owned, from 1500 sq feet with 3 bathrooms to 2500 square feet with 4 bathrooms, has had a 4 inch sewer main.
The plumber said that it is allowed by code (We're on the 2006 IRC and 2006 IPC). I did a quick check and as best as I can tell he is right, based on the number of fixtures that we have.
So, a few questions:
1) Is this really allowed by code?
2) Does this increase the potential for problems down the road, even if allowed by code?
If I'd known in advance, I would have spec'd a 4" sewer main even if not required. At this point, it would probably cost me quite a bit to change, but it's not too late until the slab is poured. Is this simply a case where current research has shown that the old way (4" for a typical house) was overdesigned?
Thanks,
Jeff
When the project is done, we will have 4 finished bathrooms and 1 basement bathroom rough-in, so 5 bathrooms someday. Additionally, there will be a standard kitchen (one sink plus dishwasher) and laundry (wash machine and utility sink). If we finish the basement, we will have about 3800 finished square feet and 5 bedrooms.
Today the plumbing contractor came out to place the portion of the sewer system that is beneath the slab, and he used a 3 inch main line which he tied into the existing 4" sewer lateral outside (goes to the septic tank). Every house I've ever owned, from 1500 sq feet with 3 bathrooms to 2500 square feet with 4 bathrooms, has had a 4 inch sewer main.
The plumber said that it is allowed by code (We're on the 2006 IRC and 2006 IPC). I did a quick check and as best as I can tell he is right, based on the number of fixtures that we have.
So, a few questions:
1) Is this really allowed by code?
2) Does this increase the potential for problems down the road, even if allowed by code?
If I'd known in advance, I would have spec'd a 4" sewer main even if not required. At this point, it would probably cost me quite a bit to change, but it's not too late until the slab is poured. Is this simply a case where current research has shown that the old way (4" for a typical house) was overdesigned?
Thanks,
Jeff