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grey water

Changes to plumbing plans in house build for future greywater?

Erica Colmenares

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Location: Charlotte, Tennessee

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posted 5 years ago

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I'm so bummed. We just heard back from the county about whether we could have a greywater system in our new house build plumbing. The answer wasn't no. It was "Hell, no!"

Given that, and that we're already underway with our build, what should I be thinking about for future adaptation for greywater. I'm a little overwhelmed - I was hoping to not have to learn about this stuff, but just have it be part of what we had built. I'm trying to put on my big girl pants, though. I do have Art Ludwig's book, and have read enough about greywater to be 1) excited about it and 2) again, a little overwhelmed.

Or maybe we just focus on water conservation?

Middle Tennessee - zone 7a

Dustin Rhodes

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posted 5 years ago

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I feel like usually they just don't want our "alternative" systems to be the ONLY system we have, so that if we change our minds, sell the house, or have issues, etc. we can go back to the "conventional system" with little hassle.

If you put in a conventional system AND a grey water diversion system, and they might be happy.

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Erica Colmenares

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Location: Charlotte, Tennessee

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Dustin Rhodes wrote:
If you put in a conventional system AND a grey water diversion system, and they might be happy.

I wish that were an option. From what I gather, any grey water diversion system will have to be added after this guy inspects the plumbing. So, a retrofit. Seems like such a waste of time/effort ... bitch, moan, complain ... oh well.

But maybe there are things I can try to get the plumber to include that will make the retrofit easier. I'm off to find my Ludwig book.

Middle Tennessee - zone 7a

R Scott

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posted 5 years ago

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Make sure you can access the shower and washing machine drains in the crawlspace. And KNOW which ones they are! That probably means the plumber will have to run separate pipes for the toilet and shower from the second floor down to the crawlspace.

If you are on a slab, it will be a lot trickier, but the washing machine is still easy.

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Erica Colmenares

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Location: Charlotte, Tennessee

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posted 5 years ago

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R Scott wrote:Make sure you can access the shower and washing machine drains in the crawlspace. And KNOW which ones they are! That probably means the plumber will have to run separate pipes for the toilet and shower from the second floor down to the crawlspace.

We will have an unfinished basement, so that sounds like it's easier than a crawlspace to do this. So I just need to convince the contractor/plumber to run those separate pipes. Sounds easy enough. Thanks!

Middle Tennessee - zone 7a

John C Daley

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Hopefully the contractor or plumber will cooperate, after all you are paying the money.
But I know from bitter experience how they can resist extra work.
Perhaps approach it by asking,"what would the cost be involved ...."
It is important if you make any change of plans to get it priced before you agree to it.
It makes things a lot smoother at the end when its time to opay.
I have seen extra costs of greater than 20% of the original price because of changes requested without thoiught to the cost.

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Alex Arn

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We are building with the option to divert the grey water into the septic in the deep of winter via a valve. In your case I would do all the plumbing for that option and not install the valve but have it in a place where you can install it later.

Erica Colmenares

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Location: Charlotte, Tennessee

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John C Daley wrote:Hopefully the contractor or plumber will cooperate, after all you are paying the money.

The drawings they quoted had plumbing for the greywater system, so I think if I can get them to do it, it shouldn't cost more? They may argue, though, that it's clear I'm planning to break the code down the line ... We'll see.

Middle Tennessee - zone 7a

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