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Choosing the Right Pipes and Plumbing
System for a Log Cabin
Major Considerations when Plumbing a Log
Cabin
By: Mark J. Donovan
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If you have plans to build a log cabin home then you
need to think a little more carefully about the plumbing system for it. A
log cabin home creates unique problems for a log cabin, particularly in the
running of the supply and drain pipes throughout the home.
Starting from the well, you can either use galvanized steel pipe or
polyethylene. Most well diggers, however, have switched to polyethylene pipe
for bringing water from the well into the home, as it is much more flexible
and lighter than galvanized steel pipe. Polyethylene pipe, however, should
never be used for hot water lines.
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Log cabin homes are often built as camps in high country. Consequently when
selecting a pump for either a well or a water cistern it’s important to keep in
mind that water pumps loose approximately 1 foot of suction lift for each 1,000
feet of elevation above sea level. Note that when shopping for water pumps an
important factor, or rating to evaluate, is the suction pump lift, or more
specifically how high the pump can lift a volume of water.
As with all plumbing pipes you should locate supply and drain pipes on internal
walls within the log cabin to prevent the risk of frozen and broken pipes. This
is particularly important if the log cabin is located in a colder climate.
Similarly, any vent pipes should be located on internal walls within the log
cabin.
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I recommend using PVC pipes for the drain lines and either
copper pipes or flexible plastic tubing (rated for both cold and hot
water) for the supply lines. The diameter of the main PVC drain lines will
depend upon the number of bathrooms in the home. For the most part, ½ inch
diameter supply lines are adequate for the standard bathroom or kitchen
faucet. If you are putting in a Jacuzzi tub then you should use ¾ inch
diameter supply lines for it. Though the log cabin maybe just a camp it
is important that you check with the local building authorities prior to
doing any plumbing on your home. |
Most municipalities will not allow a homeowner to install his own plumbing.
Consequently you’ll have to hire a professional plumber in most cases.
However, it’s worth asking your local building inspector, if for not for
anything else at least to obtain the necessary permits for doing the plumbing
work.
For the final stage in your log cabin’s plumbing system make sure that the
septic tank and outlet pipe to the septic tank are located well below the
frost line for your climate region. Otherwise you could end up with a frozen
septic tank or drain line to it. The last thing you want to do is come up to
your log cabin in the winter, flush the toilet a couple of times, and then
find dirty water backing up into you cabin. It happens, and I can say I’ve
personally been there. It’s not pretty and it’s a tough problem to resolve in
the dead of winter. You may also want to place insulation directly over the
outlet pipe prior to burying it in the soil.
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For more help on bathroom remodeling, see HomeAdditionPlus.com's
Bathroom Remodeling Bid Sheet.
The
Bathroom Remodeling Bid Sheet
provides you with the knowledge and information you need to plan a bathroom addition
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Additional Home Plumbing Resources
Plumbing Fixtures for Your Log Cabin from Amazon.com
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