| Basement construction in clay soil poses several | | | | Expansion couplings are made of a synthetic polymer |
| problems. Expanded soil can bring about cracking in the | | | | sleeve that slips over the ends of both pipes. Steel |
| basement walls, floor and foundation if proper | | | | clamps are used to hold the coupling and pipes |
| precautions are not taken. Common movement | | | | together. Once applied, the coupling will allow for a |
| caused by expansive clay soils also call for special | | | | small amount of movement in the pipes. It is important |
| precautions to be taken when installing basement | | | | to make sure you have the expansion couplings and |
| plumbing. Its important to remember that pipes can | | | | not regular couplings as the expansion couplings are |
| burst if plumbing is too rigid. Floating walls help keep the | | | | made to breathe with the home and the regular |
| walls and floors from being damaged as the home | | | | couplings aren't made to move. When installing a |
| moves with the expansion of clay soil. This allows the | | | | shower you can use reverse floating walls to stabilize |
| walls to shift independently from the floor of the | | | | pipes in the basement and allow movement in the top |
| basement. The pipes need to be able to move upward | | | | of the pipes. You should put as much of the plumbing |
| with the floor but not push against the first floor of | | | | in the same area as possible and use the same wet |
| your home. The drainage pipes under the basement | | | | wall. A chase should be included and access can be |
| floor need to be able to breathe as well. When you | | | | either along a wall or in the ceiling. Flex lines are |
| install bathrooms, laundry room, or a mudroom in the | | | | needed for water supply lines. The main water supply |
| basement you need to allow for natural movement of | | | | line should go into the chase and have flex lines |
| clay soil. Installing flexible expansion couplings and | | | | attached in that area to the pipes used in the |
| expansion joints on basement plumbing will allow for | | | | basement. The most logical place for the chase |
| this movement and keep the pipes from leaking at the | | | | access panel is in the utility room along with the hot |
| joints or cracking. Your pipes should ideally be new | | | | water heater. As well as having expansion joints and |
| during installation. If you are working with pre-existing | | | | flexible couplings installed the pipes there should be |
| pipes make sure not to go from one type of metal to | | | | enough space between the pipes and the ceiling/floor |
| another. If you are using copper stay with copper | | | | to keep from having the pipes push into the ceiling as |
| pipes and the same goes for other metals. Take care | | | | the ground expands with the changes in the moisture |
| to not to change the size of pipes accidentally. It is | | | | in clay soil. Expansion joints will be needed for |
| possible to go from one size to another but it is not | | | | installation of ground water drainage pipes also. This |
| always usually wise idea. You should also start with | | | | can be done below the basement floor, above the |
| new pipes whenever possible. Older pipes can have | | | | foundation. Drains can be placed in the basement floor |
| lead solder break up while you are working with them | | | | allowing 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 to | | | | on installing floating walls in your basement? Tips on |
| another you need to add an expansion coupling. | | | | basement bar ideas. |