Drains & Supplies

Residental Plumbing Systems

All the plumbing in a home (bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens) are tied to one common plumbing system which is the water supply and sewage/waste system.

The water comes in from a well or municipal supply. The hot water is then supplied by a water heater. The hot & cold water mains are usually ¾" pipes. The water supplies are then reduced to ½" branches that go to each individual faucet.

New and larger homes often have 1" main lines with ¾" supplies going to bathrooms or whirlpools.

Sink faucets are designed to be installed to ½" water lines (through a ½" stop valve and a 3/8" OD supply tube). Most bath and shower faucets are supplies by ½" water lines. Larger whirlpools & custom showers have led to the introduction of some "fast fill" or "high-flow" ¾" whirlpool valves.

High capacity whirlpools faucets and custom shower systems often require large volumes of water and pressure. Be sure to confirm the following:

• The capacity of your water system (gallons per minute or GPM) especially with well systems.
• The capacity of your water heater – especially if you’re installing a large whirlpool.
• The size of your water lines feeding your whirlpool faucets.

Each individual plumbing fixture requires a sanitary water trap (P-trap) to separate the fixture from the sewage/vent system. Different fixtures have different size and type drains.

• Sink traps are installed below the sink and can be easily accessed.
• Tub and Shower traps are installed below the floor and are installed as part of the plumbing system.
• Toilets have built in trapways .

Kitchen Drains

Drains fit a standard 3½" wide opening and connect to a standard 1½" tailpiece. Most sinks do not come with drains but some do.

All drains are not created equal:

• Brass vs. plastic.
• Type and quality of finish.
• Depth and quality of drain/seal.

Drain color/finish is usually matched to the sink (though it can be matched to the faucet). You can use any drain with any sink – but it’s easier to stay with the same brand. Garbage disposals come with chrome flanges. Special finish options can be ordered but will cost extra.

Bar Drains

Most sinks do not come with drains (check individual specs). Smaller bar sink drains are often called "Jr. basket strainers". Bar drains fit a standard 2" wide opening and connect to P-Trap with a:

• 1½" tailpiece
• 1¼" tailpiece

Drain either has a standard grid cover or can have a "pull-out" plug Kohler and some bar sinks use a conventional 3½" sink drain opening – check specs.

Kitchen & Bar Supplies / P-Traps

These are always concealed in a kitchen cabinet so finish and style are not important.

• 1½" P-Traps - can be plastic, rough brass or chrome
• 3/8" OD supply tubes - can be plastic, metal or braided (flex)

All sink faucets have one of two types of supply connections:

• ½" male thread (often referred to as with fitting)
• 3/8" OD copper tubing

They are usually already in place – or plumber can supply.

Faucet Hole Covers

• Cover extra holes in sinks
• Come in most popular colors/finishes

Dishwasher Air Gaps

• Code requirement in certain communities
• Separate dishwasher drain from potable (drinking) water
• Prevents drain water from being siphoned back into you water supply

Bathroom Sink Drains

• All bathroom drains fit a standard 1¾" opening
• Almost all faucets come with a pop-up drain
• Sinks with overflows need a pop-up drain with an overflow (standard)
• Vessel sinks do not have overflows so they require special order drains (less overflow)
• Bath sink drains usually have 1¼" tailpiece

Bath Sink Supplies and P-Traps

Self-rimming, drop-in and vessel style sinks:

• 1½" P-Traps with 1½" x 1¼" washers
• 3/8" OD supply tubes
• Can be plastic, rough brass or chrome

They are usually already in place – or plumber can supply Pedestal, wall hung and console style sinks:

• 1½" P-Traps with 1½" x 1¼" washers or 1¼" P-Traps
• 3/8" OD supply tubes – can be metal or braided flex

Shut off valves (stops) can be:

• Straight (through the floor)
• Angled (through the wall)
• The extension can be ½" copper connection or 3/8" or ½" IPS Threaded pipe nipple

• Need to match faucet finish if possible
• Need escutcheon plates for water supplies and for P-Trap
• Existing parts will need to be replaced – plumber may not supply

Tub Drains

Also called: Trip Levers, Waste & Overflow, Trip Waste

• Are 1½" to fit standard 1½" P-Traps
• Fit Standard 14" – 16" deep bathtubs
• Do not come with tub or with faucet – must be ordered separately
• Are usually purchased from the same mfg as the faucet
• Are usually color/finish matched to faucet
• The P-Trap is normally already installed or supplied by the plumber

Whirlpool & Soaking Tub Drains

• Are 1½" to fit standard 1½" P-Traps
• Fit Standard 17" – 26" deep baths
• Do not come with tub or with faucet – must be ordered separately
• Can be color/finish matched to whirlpool and monochromatic tub trim OR Can be color/finish matched to faucet and the metallic trim kit
• Can be standard lever style or twist & turn cable operated
• Are usually purchased from the same mfg as the faucet OR from the whirlpool mfg
• The P-Trap is normally already installed or supplied by the plumber

Leg Tub Drains

• These are 1½" OD Brass
• Are finished on all sides to match faucets
• Come with stopper and chain
• Mount through the floor w/escutcheon
• Check manufacturer tub specs

Shower Drains

• Fit a standard 3¼" opening and connect to a 2" P-Trap
• Most shower bases come with a standard Chrome Drain (or stainless steel)
• Kohler bases come less drain
• You can either order special finish drains OR sometimes you can order an optional finish drain plate
• Custom "Tiled-In" shower based will require a special shower drain The P-Trap is normally already installed or supplied by the plumber

Shower Supplies

Most shower faucets come with ½" supply connections either:

• Copper (cc or swt)
• Threaded (IPS)

Some larger "Hi-Flow" and Thermostatic valves come with ¾" connections These are connected directly to the plumbing system – no "finished" parts

Whirlpool Supplies

Most whirlpool faucets come with ¾" supply connections either:

• Copper (cc or swt)
• Threaded (IPS)

Some larger "High-Flow" valves come with ¾" connections – no "finished" parts.