What Is Rough-In Plumbing?

When you hear the term “rough-in” in regards to your new construction plumbing, you might be like many people and have no idea what that means. “Rough-in” is a term that refers to the stage of construction after the basic framing, mechanical wiring, plumbing, and HVAC installations are all completed — before the walls and ceilings are closed up with wallboard. This is also the point where the work is reviewed by an inspector. With the absence of wallboard, it also makes it easier to perform any modifications if the rough-in plumbing installation does not pass inspection or if the homeowner decided to make a change to the project.

In today’s blog, we will be going over a couple types of rough-in, an overview of the new construction plumbing inspection process, and how you should go about finding the right company that has the knowledge and experience to install rough-in plumbing for your new construction.

Looking for high-quality new construction plumbing in the Lexington area? Contact Plumbing Solutions, LLC today!

Different Types of Rough-In

While our main focus is rough-in plumbing, there is also electrical rough-in. Here are the main differences between the two.

• Electrical rough-in: When an electrical rough-in is performed, all electrical cables are pulled through the studs and framing and are then inserted into wall and ceiling boxes for future usage. Lights, light switches, and outlets are attached until the final inspection.
• Plumbing rough-in: As we briefly discussed above, a plumbing rough-in is where all water and drainage pipes are run through holes and studs in framing and all pipe connections are made. Similar to the electrical rough-in, no sinks, faucets, or other fixtures are connected until the inspection phase.

Overview of the Inspection Phase

After a rough-in (both electrical and plumbing) is completed, an inspector will have to come and make sure that everything is set up properly and up to code. When an inspector comes, the walls, floors, and ceilings will have been built but left open (with no drywall installed). The plumbing inspector will then come in and run the supply and drain pipes through studs and under floors to the kitchen, bathroom sinks, showers, bathtubs, and so forth. After the inspector approves the work that is completed, drywall may then be installed, and the plumber is able to return and install sinks, showers, bathtubs, and so forth. The inspector should then make a second visit, where they will give a final approval.

How Do I Know Who to Trust With Installing My Rough-In Plumbing?

This is a very frequently asked question, as this is a very large step in the new construction process. Think about how often you use the toilet, shower, dishwasher, etc. throughout your day or week. It just feels as though it is a normal part of living, right? Now, imagine if it wasn’t installed properly, you were experiencing a lot of trouble with clogs, your shower water was turning a yellowish color, or you were not getting water whatsoever. This is the difference between quality new construction plumbing and a poor one. When you are looking for a plumber, make sure that they have years of experience to back them up, training under their belts, are responsive to any and all questions you have, provide you with a warranty, and take your concerns seriously. At Plumbing Solutions, LLC, we do just that and much more. For any questions you may have regarding our rough-in plumbing services or to set up an appointment, contact our team today. We look forward to working with you and providing you with new construction plumbing that will last!