Plumbing the American Way
Florida’s plumbing standards use PVC systems and specific venting rules – essential knowledge for new homeowners.
The plumbers were slightly overwhelmed by our requirements. They had never fitted a German wall-hung toilet set like this before and didn’t want to learn how to do it. So our builder took it into his own hands. He’d never done it before either, so he did it wrong straight away.
In any case, the plumbers here differentiate their water pipes into red and blue – red for hot, blue for cold – how could it be otherwise? Due to the climatic conditions here, there is no need to insulate the pipe for hot water like in Germany, so both pipes are the same and only differ in color.
We actually wanted a Manabloc system so that we wouldn’t have to wait so long every morning for the hot water from the instantaneous water heater in the garage far away. Unfortunately, we were successfully talked out of it. And so we now have to wait a long time every morning for hot water from the distant garage. If you don’t want that, you should definitely find a solution other than the conventional one.
Sanitary installation: procedure, materials and special features
Geberit technology, toilet on the left, bidet on the right
Installation in the utility room for washing machine and dryer
Water supply (left) and electrical connection for kitchen island
Toilet flush guest room
Plumbing installations in Florida differ significantly from those in Germany – both in terms of design and materials. PEX plastic pipes, which are flexible, durable and cost-effective, are usually installed in the USA. Although traditional copper pipes are still permitted, they are rarely used.
The majority of the pipes are prepared before the floor slab is poured – this is known as slab rough-in. Water inlets, drains and vents are positioned exactly where the kitchen, washbasin, toilet or shower are planned later. Errors in this phase can only be corrected later with great effort.
In Florida, hot water is generated almost exclusively via electric or tankless (on-demand) water heaters, which are installed centrally in the plant room or garage. There are generally no radiators or hot water heaters – instead, the room temperature is controlled by the air conditioning system.
After all, no American, neither the plumber nor the builder, managed to install our German toilets. A friend helped us move into the house to fix the faulty installation.
After the trades: Roof truss, timber frame walls, electrics, air conditioning, plumber, it’s time for the big permit “Frame Rough”.
