Is Your Basement Surrounded By Clay Soil?

Basement construction in clay soil poses severalExpansion couplings are made of a synthetic polymer
problems. Expanded soil can bring about cracking in thesleeve that slips over the ends of both pipes. Steel
basement walls, floor and foundation if properclamps are used to hold the coupling and pipes
precautions are not taken. Common movementtogether. Once applied, the coupling will allow for a
caused by expansive clay soils also call for specialsmall amount of movement in the pipes. It is important
precautions to be taken when installing basementto make sure you have the expansion couplings and
plumbing. Its important to remember that pipes cannot regular couplings as the expansion couplings are
burst if plumbing is too rigid. Floating walls help keep themade to breathe with the home and the regular
walls and floors from being damaged as the homecouplings aren't made to move. When installing a
moves with the expansion of clay soil. This allows theshower you can use reverse floating walls to stabilize
walls to shift independently from the floor of thepipes in the basement and allow movement in the top
basement. The pipes need to be able to move upwardof the pipes. You should put as much of the plumbing
with the floor but not push against the first floor ofin the same area as possible and use the same wet
your home. The drainage pipes under the basementwall. A chase should be included and access can be
floor need to be able to breathe as well. When youeither along a wall or in the ceiling. Flex lines are
install bathrooms, laundry room, or a mudroom in theneeded for water supply lines. The main water supply
basement you need to allow for natural movement ofline should go into the chase and have flex lines
clay soil. Installing flexible expansion couplings andattached in that area to the pipes used in the
expansion joints on basement plumbing will allow forbasement. The most logical place for the chase
this movement and keep the pipes from leaking at theaccess panel is in the utility room along with the hot
joints or cracking. Your pipes should ideally be newwater heater. As well as having expansion joints and
during installation. If you are working with pre-existingflexible couplings installed the pipes there should be
pipes make sure not to go from one type of metal toenough space between the pipes and the ceiling/floor
another. If you are using copper stay with copperto keep from having the pipes push into the ceiling as
pipes and the same goes for other metals. Take carethe ground expands with the changes in the moisture
to not to change the size of pipes accidentally. It isin clay soil. Expansion joints will be needed for
possible to go from one size to another but it is notinstallation of ground water drainage pipes also. This
always usually wise idea. You should also start withcan be done below the basement floor, above the
new pipes whenever possible. Older pipes can havefoundation. Drains can be placed in the basement floor
lead solder break up while you are working with themallowing moisture that does enter the basement to run
and you do not want this to get into your water supply,into the drainage system and away from the home.
even if it is for a shower and not drinking water.Looking for a basement makeover? How about info
Anywhere that you are attaching one length of pipe toon installing floating walls in your basement? Tips on
another you need to add an expansion coupling.basement bar ideas.