This document provides an overview of plumbing for weatherization technicians, covering common plumbing materials like PVC, copper, and cast iron pipes. It outlines learning objectives like recognizing tools and materials, installing water and pipe insulation, and identifying potential water heater replacements. The document also discusses health and safety considerations, energy efficiency measures related to plumbing like faucet aerators and pipe insulation, and guidelines from codes like NFPA 54 and UPC.
1. 1 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
Plumbing Overview
WEATHERIZATION INSTALLER/TECHNICIAN FUNDAMENTALS
WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
2. 2 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
Learning Objectives
By attending this session, participants will be able to:
• Recognize common plumbing tools and materials, their
characteristics and uses, and fittings.
• Discuss common hazards and how to resolve them.
• Install faucet aerators, pipe insulation, and tank wrap.
• Recognize asbestos.
• List potential water heater replacement types.
• Cite applicable building codes.
PLUMBING OVERVIEW
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Basic Plumbing Toolkit
Photo courtesy of Popular Mechanics
PLUMBING OVERVIEW
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Common Plumbing Materials
Graphic courtesy of watersystemsz.com
PLUMBING OVERVIEW
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Cast Iron Pipe
Images courtesy of About.com – Home Repair
• Commonly used for main
waste drain
• Very strong
• Difficult to cut
• Fitting Method: Banded
neoprene couplings
Banded neoprene fitting, also called
a no-hub cast iron pipe fitting.
PLUMBING OVERVIEW
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Drains, waste, and venting Hot and cold water supply
PVC and CPVC
Images courtesy of About.com – Home Repair
PLUMBING OVERVIEW
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Chromed brass pipe Chromed copper pipe
Chromed Piping
Exposed drains
and traps
Water supply
Images courtesy of About.com – Home Repair
PLUMBING OVERVIEW
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Was commonly used for
supply and drain lines in
older homes
Threaded fittings are
prepared with plumber’s
tape
Galvanized Iron Pipe
Image courtesy of About.com – Home Repair
Image courtesy of
411plumbing.com
Image courtesy of all-about-pipe.com
PLUMBING OVERVIEW
9. 9 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
Used for water supply Soldering joints
Copper Pipe
Images courtesy of About.com – Home Repair Image courtesy of familyhandyman.com
PLUMBING OVERVIEW
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Piping, fittings and crimping tools
Plumbing
manifold
PEX Piping
Image courtesy of pexsupply.com
Image courtesy of jobsitebuildiq.com
Image courtesy of mobilehomerepair.com
Image courtesy of extremehowto.com
Crimpers
PLUMBING OVERVIEW
11. 11 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
Image courtesy of
checkthishouse.com
Black iron pipe is commonly
used for gas supply lines.
Black Iron Pipe
Image courtesy of preferredhomerepair.com
Image courtesy of About.com – Home Repair
Black Iron Pipe
Gas supply lines should have drip
legs to collect condensation.
PLUMBING OVERVIEW
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Health and Safety
Factors to consider
include:
• Insufficient clearance
• Significant plumbing leaks
• Structural problems
• Standing water or
open sewage
• Vermin
• Major obstructions
• Electrical hazards
Note: The health and safety of workers and the long-term
integrity of the client’s home should be the main concerns.
Photo courtesy of WV GOEO
PLUMBING OVERVIEW
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Common efficiency measures related to plumbing
include:
• Wrapping hot water heater tanks with
insulation.
• Adding pipe insulation to hot water
pipes.
• Water heater replacement.
• Adjusting the set temperature.
• Repairing leaky hot water taps.
• Installing low-flow showerheads and
faucet aerators.
Plumbing-related Energy
Efficiency Measures
Photo courtesy of US Department of Energy
After checking the temperature at
the faucet, the auditor may adjust
the water heater set temperature.
PLUMBING OVERVIEW
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TYPICAL WEATHERIZATION MEASURES
Photos courtesy of the US Department of Energy
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Cut pipe insulation at an
angle to cover elbows
Insulate the Pipes
Don’t insulate too close to the
flame on gas water heaters
Pipe is exposed at elbow Insulation too close to flame
PLUMBING OVERVIEW
Photos courtesy of the US Department of Energy
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Removal and disposal of
asbestos materials requires
special training and
credentials. Check state
requirements.
Asbestos Pipe Wrap
Image courtesy of theaurorahomeinspector.com
If asbestos pipe wrap is
discovered on the job site,
notify the crew leader for
direction.
PLUMBING OVERVIEW
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Replacement can be based on:
• Audit
• Water Heater Guide on WAPTAC
• Health & Safety
Can replace existing water heater
in eligible households with:
• Standard tank water heaters
• Whole Home Tankless
• Heat Pump Water Heaters
• Solar Water Heaters
Replacement
Images courtesy of www.energystar.gov
PLUMBING OVERVIEW
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Cut down on hot water use by repairing leaks and
installing low-flow fixtures.
Hot Water Use
Source: 2008 Buildings Energy Databook. US DOE
6% Faucet Flow
20% Bath Filling
Showers 37%
Clothes Washer 14%
Dishwasher 10% 14% Sink Filling
PLUMBING OVERVIEW
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Repair Leaky Hot Water Tap
Average High
Energy Savings 144 kWh/yr 3,000 kWh/yr
$ Savings* $15.84/yr $330/yr
Leakage 2 drips/min 1 drip/sec
* Savings based on $0.11/kWh
PLUMBING OVERVIEW
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Reduce Hot Water Consumption
• Showers:
Replace faucets with
flow of ≥ 3 gpm
• Lavatory faucets:
Install faucet aerators if none exist
• Kitchen faucets:
Install faucet aerators if none exist
Low-Flow Fixtures
PLUMBING OVERVIEW
Image courtesy of askmehelpdesk.com
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Faucet aerators:
• Can reduce hot water
use.
• Go together as shown
here.
Faucet Aerators
Image courtesy of askmehelpdesk.com
PLUMBING OVERVIEW
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Summary
• Common plumbing materials include galvanized pipe,
PVC/CPVC, copper, black iron pipe, cast iron, and PEX.
• Many low-cost measures – faucet aerators, pipe insulation
and tank wrap – take almost no time to install and save the
clients money.
• Asbestos should not be disturbed.
• Water heater replacements may include storage tank, on-
demand, solar, and heat pump water heaters.
• NFPA 54 provides gas fitting guidelines. The UPC addresses
plumbing.
PLUMBING OVERVIEW
Notas do Editor
By attending this session, participants will be able to:
Recognize common plumbing tools and materials, their characteristics and uses, and fittings.
Discuss common hazards and how to resolve them.
Install faucet aerators, pipe insulation, and tank wrap.
Recognize asbestos.
List potential water heater replacement types.
Cite applicable building codes.
Present this slide as an interactive discussion, soliciting personal examples from the trainees. Add your own personal examples and knowledge to supplement.
The basic plumbing toolbox should include:
1. Propane Torch: Required if you're going to sweat copper pipe and fittings. Models with self-igniting torch heads light at the squeeze of a trigger, more convenient than using a striker or matches.
2. Tongue-and-Groove Pliers: Commonly called by the brand name Channellocks, these pliers are the first tool plumbers reach for when they need to grab, pull, twist, hold, tighten, or loosen something. Having two sizes: 10-in. and 12-in., is handy.
3. Hacksaw: Used to cut through metal pipe, hardware, screws, nuts and bolts, and plastic pipe. Make sure the blade is tense in the frame for tough cuts, and be sure to keep extra blades on hand. In tight spots, wrap one end of a loose blade in a cloth to create a handle to slip the blade in for the cut.
4. Metal File: This tool removes burrs and smoothes the edges of metal pipes after cutting. It's best to have two files on hand: half-round, which has both rounded and flat surfaces, and a rat-tail file, which is round and tapered.
5. Basin Wrench: For tightening and loosening nuts that hold sink faucets in place. The tool's long shaft and swiveling jaw can reach up and into the deep, narrow space behind a sink and lock onto the nuts. There's no other tool that can do what this one does, though it may not be needed on most weatherization jobs.
6. Pipe Wrench: These large, heavy wrenches are used to tighten and loosen threaded pipes, fittings and nuts. You'll need two--one for turning and one for gripping and holding. The serrated teeth help the wrench hold its grip but can damage a fixture's finish--when you need protection, for instance when working on a smooth surface that is visible, wrap the wrench's jaws in a cloth. Having a 10-in. and a 14-in. model is handy.
7. Hand Auger: Sometimes called a plumber's snake, this hand-cranked drain-clearing tool has a 25-ft.-long flexible steel cable that's effective at clearing obstructions from tubs, showers, sinks, toilets, and drain lines.
8. Adjustable Wrench: This versatile tool is required for working on compression fittings, supply lines, and other plumbing parts that have hex-shaped nuts. If they’re working properly, the moving jaw holds a firm setting so that it won't slip loose under torque. Having two sizes comes in handy: 6-in. and 10-in.
9. Tubing Cutter: Looking somewhat like a C-clamp, this essential tool provides the quickest, cleanest way to cut copper pipe. The toolbox should include both a standard-size tubing cutter and a close-quarter minicutter, which works in tight spaces.
(Not shown)
10. Plunger: It's the first tool to grab when you need to dislodge clogs from sinks, tubs, toilets, showers and floor drains. When using it in a toilet, press down, create a firm seal around the drain, and pull upward. The idea is to vacuum the clog out, not push it deeper.
11. Fire-Resistant Cloth: A thick, specially treated cloth ($15) that's used to protect nearby combustible surfaces when soldering with an open-flame propane torch. It's always smart to keep a fire extinguisher nearby, too.
Adapted from: 12 Basic Plumbing Supplies For Home Tool Kits: DIY Guy - Popular Mechanics
Q: Which of these are least likely to be used in the course of weatherization?
A: Plunger (hopefully), hand-auger, basin wrench.
Common piping materials vary depending on their function.
Waste lines are generally cast iron, Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC), or chromed brass.
Water supply lines are chromed copper, galvanized iron, plain copper, Chlorinated Poly Vinyl Chloride (CPVC), or Cross-linked Polyethylene (PEX).
Natural gas supply is often black iron.
Cast iron pipe is generally black and often looks mottled. It is very durable and strong, and deadens the sound of flowing waste water quite well.
Cutting required a special tool (shown) or heavy duty reciprocating saw.
PVC is used for sanitary waste lines, venting and drain traps. It is chemical and heat resistant, and often used to repair sections of broken cast iron waste pipe.
CPVC is a duller, white plastic and is used for hot and cold supply lines.
Both are inexpensive rigid plastics that are easy to cut with a tubing cutter or hack saw. They are joined together either with pressure fittings (if future removal is desired), or with plastic fittings and solvent glue for permanent connections.
Chromed pipes are used where appearance is important, for example, where supply or drain pipes are regularly visible.
Chromed brass pipes are used for waste lines – exposed trap – in lieu of PVC.
Chromed copper pipe is for water supply.
Both are easily cut with a hacksaw and joined with compatible compression fittings.
Galvanized pipe is dull silver, rigid pipe that can be used for either supply or drain lines, but has largely been replaced with copper and PEX piping over the years. Galvanized pipes fail gradually due to rust and corrosion.
It can be cut with a reciprocating saw or hack saw.
Pipe is joined with galvanized fittings after threads are wrapped with plumbing tape, commonly called by the trade name, Teflon tape.
Copper pipe is commonly used for water supply lines. Copper is a soft metal, so it is easy to cut and manipulate. It is expensive, and in some parts of the country millions of dollars in damages are done when thieves strip copper pipes and wires from uninhabited homes.
Copper is easily cut with a tubing cutter or hacksaw. Connect sections of copper piping with copper fitting and lead-free solder.
Copper is resistant to corrosion, but can develop pinhole leaks and is susceptible to bursting when water within freezes.
PEX is used for water supply lines and radiant heating applications.
For potable water use, it comes in red, blue and white. Typically, this flexible, durable piping is installed with blue, used for cold water supply, and red for hot water. In some new construction, plumbers install a plumbing manifold that serves as a sort of circuit breaker for the water supply. The water to a given fixture can be shut off right from the manifold. In most retrofit settings, it mimics the trunk and branch layout of the original piping.
PEX is made of cross-linked HDPE (high density polyethylene) polymer and has been in use since the 1970’s. It can withstand temperatures from below 32 degrees to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. PEX is corrosion resistant and unlike copper pipe, will not develop pinholes or burst as easily due to freezing water.
Because PEX uses fewer connections and fittings than other pipe options, it is easier and faster to install. The reduced number of required fittings in a PEX system also reduces the possibility of leaks.
PEX is cut and fit with specialized fittings and tools.
Black iron pipe is used for natural gas and propane supply. The rigid black piping looks like black galvanized pipe, but is usually 1” or less in diameter, and is specifically designed for gas applications.
Black iron pipe can be cut with a reciprocating saw or hack saw, and like galvanized pipe, is joined with threaded fittings that have been prepared with plumber’s tape.
Note where the gas supply enters the furnace in the illustration on the left. There is a shut-off valve before the pipe enters the furnace.
Gas supply lines require drip legs to collect moisture from the gas lines and prevent that moisture from contaminating the furnace components.
You should refer to locally enforced gasfitting codes and NFPA 54 for detailed information.
Working on plumbing can take you to some dark, uncomfortable parts of the home. Be sure to wear protective suits and respirators where appropriate.
Factors to consider include:
Insufficient clearance
Significant plumbing leaks
Structural problems
Standing water or open sewage
Vermin
Major obstructions
Electrical hazards
Common efficiency measures related to plumbing include:
Wrapping hot water heater tanks with insulation.
Adding pipe insulation to water supply pipes. General recommendations are the first 6 feet of hot and cold pipes from the water heater. Refer to the local field guide.
Water heater replacement.
Adjusting the set temperature. The auditor will typically do this during the initial audit after checking the temperature at the faucet.
Repairing leaky hot water taps.
Installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. The auditor will meter the flow first to determine if the existing fixtures exceed recommended flow rates.
Note – safety issues related to proper venting of gas water heaters are covered in the Combustion Safety and Identifying Mechanical Systems sections of this curriculum.
Insulating the water heater and the first 6 feet of pipe takes almost no time and pays back in energy savings within the first year or two.
Guidelines for insulating gas water heaters:
Stay 3” above the floor so tank leaks are obvious when they occur. (Some agencies require 6” clearance)
Keep the combustion air intake free of obstructions.
Don’t cover the top of the tank.
Keep pipe insulation away from the pilot.
Guidelines for insulating electric water heaters:
Stay 3” above the floor. (Some agencies require 6” clearance.)
Cover the top.
Q: What do we do before wrapping any water heater?
A: Visually inspect for leaks or damage of any kind. Don’t wrap a leaky or malfunctioning water heater. Then set the temperature down to 120 degrees F. Often, the auditor does this during the initial assessment.
Elbows should be insulated correctly, with insulating sleeves cut at a 45-degree angle to cover the joint.
On gas water heaters, pipe insulation can present a fire hazard if installed too close to the burner.
In many older homes, pipes may have been insulated with asbestos pipe wrap. Asbestos is dangerous if it becomes airborne. The tiny fibers are inhaled and become deeply embedded in the lungs, potentially causing long-term respiratory illness and cancer.
Asbestos is really only a hazard if it is friable, that is, crumbly and likely to become airborne. If you discover asbestos pipe wrap that appears to be in good condition, do not disturb it. If you discover friable asbestos, either as pipe wrap or furnace covering, notify the crew leader and ask for direction.
You may not remove and dispose of asbestos without proper training and credentials. Check state requirements.
Replacement can be based on:
Audit results.
Water Heater Info Toolkit on WAPTAC.
Health and safety concerns.
Replace an existing water heater in eligible households with a:
Standard tank water heater.
Whole home tankless water heater.
Heat pump water heater.
Solar water heater.
Whenever a water heater or any appliance is being replaced, the existing unit must be removed from the client’s home and properly disposed of. Any new penetrations made during replacements must be sealed and any insulation replaced. Finish interior surfaces to a paintable surface where applicable, i.e., in the living space. In unfinished basements, the disturbed surfaces may be left in a condition similar to surrounding surfaces.
This chart shows typical hot water use by end use in the home.
Cut down on hot water use by repairing leaks and installing low-flow fixtures.
Repairing a hot water tap leaking 2 drops/minute can save almost $16/yr based on $0.11/kWh.
Repairing larger leaks save substantially more. Repairing a hot water leak dripping at the rate of 1 drop/second will save over $300/year based on the same energy prices.
Low-flow fixtures reduce hot water consumption.
Showers: Replace showerheads that have a flow ≥ 3 gpm with low-flow showerheads.
Lavatory faucets: Install faucet aerators if none exist.
Kitchen faucets: Install faucet aerators if none exist.
Faucet aerators can greatly reduce hot water use, in turn reducing energy use. This is especially true in homes with older fixtures with high flow rates.
Be sure everything is put together in order, as shown here, to avoid creating a leaky faucet.
Common plumbing materials include galvanized pipe, PVC/CPVC, copper, black iron pipe, cast iron, and PEX.
Many low-cost measures – faucet aerators, pipe insulation and tank wrap – take almost no time to install and save the clients money.
Asbestos should not be disturbed.
Water heater replacements may include storage tank, on-demand, solar, and heat pump water heaters.
NFPA 54 provides gas fitting guidelines. The UPC addresses plumbing.
Present this slide as an interactive discussion, soliciting personal examples from the trainees. Add your own personal examples and knowledge to supplement.
