Plumbing Slope Rule and Why it is CRITICAL

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[@barrymilam9665]

If you are using 3" pipe or bigger, you can slope it at 1/8 inch per foot by plumbing code. I'm a master plumber and I've been doing it for 51 years. Also the p-trap is a trap seal by holding 2'' of water so sewer gases are unable to Escape into a structure.

[@sherazwilliam1358]

Sir, quick question, I am new to this and just wondering, if your doing an 2'' pipe is the pitch 1/4?

[@conorlarkin7135]

@@sherazwilliam1358yes

[@DontLookBehindYou1]

​@@sherazwilliam1358 just in case he doesn't get back with you, yes in the IPC code it's 1/4 inch for smaller than 3 inch pipe.

[@nickhunt2245]

1/8" minimum...so no less than 1/8" for 3" or bigger and no less than 1/4" for smaller. So, 1/4" per foot for everything is acceptable. Not familiar with what the maximum slope is, but 1/4" per foot is plenty for everything.

[@martindaudet4604]

What if your poops are more like an Oh Henry bar?

[@Moonman24]

Please do a test for too much slope. We are all told all the time that too much slope causes clog because water would leave the solids behind. But I have had several plumbers swear up and down to me that it's a myth. That they have never seen a clog caused by too much slope.

[@shafiqahmad6658]

That's what I thought exactly.

[@DontLookBehindYou1]

I've been plumbing for quite some time and this always seemed mythish to me. I can see it somewhat, but it mostly seems to be applicable when the water can get pulled from a ptrap... I guess "too much slope" can be relative to the situation and amount of solids, etc

[@shyft09]

I've heard this in connection with the sewers in London and Paris which work with gravity and are over a 100 years old, but they were made with bricks, it might be something passed on from that time even though now we use smooth PVC pipes which maybe don't have that problem

[@dhebert111]

Mythical....😉​@@DontLookBehindYou1

[@azmrblack]

It's not a myth, but it's not well documented either. The water CAN actually outrun the solids, leaving them in the line. If it wasn't true, then why do we have standards for slope at all? Food for thought. Here's a video of testing done on slope - doesn't address the question (though mentioned), but it does show some things: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6SVn3Z9eL2BftE

[@latonyaricks3294]

I know he was eating a candy bar….but somehow I cringed every time….lol. Awesome video.

[@billfong5509]

your show is helpful and informative. I run a hotel in such a cold place ( -50c) and have a lot of challenges with the plumbing systems. I found useful tips on how to prevent frozen pipes and improve the slope of the sewer line. Thank you for sharing and experience with me. I appreciate it!

[@devinnorsworthy9154]

Jesus... how many feet beneath the ground does your pipes have to be??

[@debbiebuxton2854]

Lived in Alaska for quite a while, first the valley then Anchorage. Would you mind telling me how you kept the lines from freezing?

[@WiliamBennettwildarbennett]

No plumbing experiment are incomplete without some whole ketnel corn and Taco Bell into added to the mix😂 Awesome video 👍

[@paulhatcher6406]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I’ve been plumbing today and kept asking myself how much slope was needed. You just gave me piece of mind. I promise I won’t forget it .

[@sjstevens6375]

Suggestion - put food coloring in the water next time so you can see it.

[@devinnorsworthy9154]

People don't want the dye in/on the pipes.

[@FrustratedBaboon]

@@devinnorsworthy9154 WTF are you talking about? He said for the experiment.

[@devinnorsworthy9154]

@@FrustratedBaboon 😄 🤣 😂

[@8691AJ]

Ya got to give it to him. He is persistent at proving a point. Thank you

[@jodymorris9590]

Absolutely loved Today’s Task today now to find my snickers snack..!

[@Mountain-Man-3000]

I feel like this is an argument against low-flow toilets....

[@andrewhewlett7672]

theres no substitute for volume!!!!

[@shaunjakeway6856]

The "grade" on his level and his statements of where the bubble falls on his level is based on the length of his level. He's using a torpedo level, abd they're junk. Get a 12" and if you dont have the 1/4" 3/8" 1/2" gradients on it, you can hold the level level and then measure the height difference, abd it should be whatever grade that you'd like

[@chadcutkomp6780]

I'll NEVER look at a snikers the same way. Hahahaha!!!!

[@donaldlee6760]

My 1966 house foundation has sank over the decades and one bathroom now has 1/64-inch per foot slope over 10 feet. It would likely not be a problem but unfortunately 1) I use a crazy amount of toilet paper and 2) we use Kirkland paper and it won't break apart in water (tested by putting a few squares into a cup of water and shaking). Anyway a few times / year I get a TP clog in the drain pipe when I overfill the bowl nearly over the rim with TP and then flush. Solutions are: 1) Fill the bowl half full of TP before flushing 2) Buy TP that dissolves in water (most will) and 3 ) Install a bidet. I've personally done #1 and #3 and I suggest #3 as the best solution.

[@JTTTTx]

Plumber here-Actually there is a compound that has been created to duplicate the 💩. All toilets are tested with it. It Is somewhat like half cooked oatmeal. The other thing is called “ drain line carry “. Our plumbing system design takes this into consideration- for all layouts , it’s what we do. Venting, fixtures and fixture layout all are factors here. Pro tip- there is a limit to how far the solids will travel in any system even with the proper pitch. As I recall, it’s 45 feet with a 1.60 gallon flush, 2% pitch and 3” pipe.

[@devinnorsworthy9154]

That's also why it is beneficial to have other lines assisting in carrying that waste. Like tubs, sinks, etc. I set up a system today. Have to finish it tomorrow.

[@danieb4273]

​@@devinnorsworthy9154 Is that why toilets have a certain position on a wet vent drain?

[@Nick32176]

Eating a little chunk of snicker before throwing into the experiment saved him from a big trouble. very smart guy.

[@dianeh.3327]

reminds me of Caddyshack! super informative as always!

[@frankchythlook152]

That's what it was! I was trying to think if it was The Jerk or another movie of that era. Thanks!

[@awesomerpower]

Doody!

[@nargisbibi1367]

In uk for soil it's 1:40 ratio. Hence if you level length is 1800 mm you need a 45mm block at end of level and it should show level at end point

[@lizlund7091]

I smell an experiment for a school project! Awesome!

[@TheRTM]

Question: Is there a meter or digital gauge that can be placed on the pipe to give you an accurate read on what the slope is?

[@accordv6er]

Yes both, technically. Just convert slope to angle and there's lots of meters digital or otherwise wise that work.

[@Steve-G-Maine2]

Where you buy the clear pipe?

[@theresa308]

Joel ty for video but can you also explain regarding the different ply toilet papers with the plumbing system??

[@katrinaloving6625]

We had to replace ours line very informative and if anything your kids looked they where having fun learning

[@duckyone20]

Listen. I know I'm a grown adult but for some reason the snickers and toilet paper made me chuckle. Great information as always though! I think you just wanted a snickers though lol

[@caseycarlino10]

I think a babe Ruth would’ve been better, think Caddy shack pool scene 😂

[@TodaysTask]

What was I thinking Baby Ruth would have been way better. "Cadyshack"

[@duckyone20]

@@TodaysTask you'll have to redo it now 😂

[@ivysweets]

Lol it made me chuckle too and I’m also a grown adult! 😂😂 great video Joel!

[@mackellyman5642]

1/4" for 3" by Engineered design. Scouring in sewer piping occurs when the water flows at a certain speed and sediment will not settle at the bottom of the pipe. The general rule of thumb in plumbing engineering is a minimum velocity of 2 feet per second is needed to maintain the scouring action.

[@gamerval2610]

thank you for explaining it.i keep hearing the rule 1/4 inch per foot but i dont know why. i was just going to make it straight. but now i know why

[@FrustratedBaboon]

I keep a much higher slope based on the length of the pipe because you lose the momentum, a toilet pipe is usually less than 24" in length to the vertical 4" drain.

[@brucecummings514]

You taking a bite of that candy bar was grossing me out I just can't finish watching it

[@Stoddy2k]

If it’s my wife using the toilet it’s usually half a roll. 😂

[@matthewlothian3182]

where did u get the clear pvc pipe

[@shannonser5368]

This is the first time you didn’t know s**t! 😆 Had to say it. 💜

[@coatknight]

media.tenor.com/-AYZ8Z08BbsAAAAM/spaceballs.gif

[@theCZarate]

I am about to run lines for a new adu... and your video gave me all the knowledge i need it... ear a subcribe

[@TodaysTask]

Welcome aboard!

[@oh.you.know09]

Ahahaha you're so dang funny! 🤣 I love how your videos are informative and entertaining at the same time!

[@mattd8411]

Good job thanks for the time and dedication this took. Seems like sometimes its higher up so that would help also wonder if a vent would have helped.

[@kakashigaiden24]

hahaha you change it multiple times, i like the way you test things, consistency is the key.

[@oscarc6949]

So I have a 100 foot run drain to main sewer line.. so .25 for every foot means i need to drop it 25 feet..! Lol thats no possible.. im i missing something..?!

[@TodaysTask]

I see what you are saying, but 100 x.25 25 inches not feet. So it would be roughly 25 inches deep.

[@Monterrico14]

Con Oscar!

[@jamesraub2626]

25 inches 2ft1inch learn to math

[@78Hatrick]

Hey Boston, go grab me another doo doo bar so I can eat half & flush the other half 😂😂😂😂😂

[@sulimanorlanes8167]

Please make sa video of too much slope. thanks.

[@tednisbeth3088]

great presentation !

[@KMMEDIA1]

Hello I live in Europe and we are building a pipe to hide a very small river near to our home. The lenght is 18 mts. We used slope 1cm per 1mt so we ended up having the end of the pipe 20 cm lower than the start, so the end of the pipe is underwater. We have now mixed feedback : some guys told us, that we did wrong, because we should make minimal slope as the water comes itself. Please let me know what do You think, should we keep 20cm lower or lift one side of the pape to have just little, little slope?

[@donaldlee6760]

It seems like the end of the pipe should be at or slightly above the water level, otherwise how would you know if it's even working?

[@sandyc6569]

Loved the bloopers!! 😅😅😅

[@erinbrown9897]

The entire video was a blooper.

[@vasili_pasioudis]

An update to this video would be the perfect opportunity to MythBust that over sloping may risk water over running and leaving solids behind. Is this true or old wives tales from the times of clay pipes + requirement of minimizing water velocity into municipality sewer lines.

[@dannykhoury8027]

Thank you

[@NYC_Plumber_Guy]

Great video thank you for taking the time

[@Southpaw07]

You got an A+ for the demo. 😂

[@goodtint]

What about 1* or 6* see any different

[@AshwanikumarSainiARTER]

The experiment is very useful to understand the dynamics, Thanks:-) As I understand 1/4inch per foot is the slope for a pipe with 2.5 inch or less diameter pipe or is it the same for all diameter pipes?

[@shellyplant78]

i love joel and ive noticed kids always hang around because joel has chocolate but if joel wasn't using chocolate the kids wouldn't be hanging around

[@mistervelux]

😂😂😂

[@mohamedwagih3388]

interesting video all must see and apply in construction of kitchen & toilet drainage best wishes.

[@edthelasttribe9580]

😂 ideally you check whole run with level as longs the bubble sticking out a bit on the other end of level that’s all it matters… toilet usually flushes the water at more faster phase than you pouring the bucket of water.. if you raise the soiled stack to high , you will have siphoning problems inside the toilet pan… you can do calculations referring to the plumbing water regulations, but most of time it’s experience how you use the level and how you install the soiled stack from the first place .

[@GTSSignDesignGTSSignDesign]

Maybe put the snickers bar in before the toilet paper... i usually don't wipe before i poop LOL

[@kookia213]

Just to understand, when you say 1/4 inch for every foot => that is the height / depth of the leverage you need to position under the beginning of the tube? (like the black thing you put under it to simulate?). Thank you.

[@mannylopez4133]

for every horizontal foot you elevate 1/4'". 4 feet elevate 1 inch. 12 inches elevate 12 *1/4 of an inch which will be 3 inches.

[@AnthonySomes]

Good demo. Improvement suggestion. Colored water to see better in pipe

[@guskalo1981]

I'm having a nightmare of a time with one of the bathrooms in the office building I look after with a bad slope and urea buildup.

[@dannynamadula221]

Appreciated. Good demonstration. Keep it up

[@kencleg7721]

One reason we kept the old toilets and just rebuilt them 12$ each why there the old 3-4 gallon tanks. 80’. It’s a ride

[@shanehowle8894]

Informative and very entertaining- thank you

[@butterflies222]

Great video Joel!

[@Bamacher59]

Great video but try venting the pipe 2-in vent pipe

[@knowleskarateacademy3347]

What slope would be considered too much?

[@notdisclosed]

No such thing. Vertical stacks are used all the time. More velocity = better suspension of solids.

[@Δημήτρης-δ8η]

Awesome video! Thanks mate.

[@jasonholman1209]

People say that it’s 1/4 or 1/8 inch per foot required but that is code MINIMUM.

[@nosferadu]

I will never eat Snickers again.

[@sandyc6569]

Nooooo Did it have to be Sneakers? Why not Almond Joy!! 😂😂🤣🤣😂😂

[@annaahmed8144]

Haha, hi Sandy, I’m from England, I too love a Snickers (many years ago it used to be called a “Marathon” bar here). I wish he’d used a Mars bar - urgh, soooo sweet/sickly. Love all the new house build videos and looking forward to seeing the final grand reveal.

[@sandyc6569]

@@annaahmed8144 Yeah or that one!! 🤣🤣 I to am excited for their future for sure!! 🥳🥳🥳

[@ibrahimmohammed4368]

great work

[@murphmurph2124]

Bananas soaked in dark coffee work great 👍

[@electrictonix9891]

Good idea ,...".done all

[@allwrong3114]

LOL! Great experiment and very entertaining! Getting ready to re-plumb my tiny old house. This practical demonstration was helpful!

[@robertpaget809]

Don’t forget to put the cistern water in on the flush

[@millanightingale7062]

This was a great video

[@kevinalfrey2633]

I keep thinking off the baby Ruth pool scene on candy shack 😂

[@sethbeske268]

Great experiment it shows us what plumbing systems are like when the new houses are built great Job Joel I am from Wisconsin watching Bonnie’s channel for a long time and now this one so awesome!!! 👍❤️ keep up the great work Joel!

[@SusyTH]

Interesting! And Thanks!

[@bonniehoellein]

WOW Joel, Just wow

[@jking3892]

LOL ,, everybody wants to take a bite of the snickers

[@hopelessnerd6677]

Is this really a fair test, since there's no corn in a snickers bar to provide buoyancy? At least you took a bite out of it first. LOL!

[@timbrown9305]

Something about this reminds me of Caddy Shack.

[@SlackerU]

That's not 2% slope, 2% is 1/4 per foot so I imagine you're just under 1% when the bubble is touching the line. I wish you had 100ft of pipe to video flow rates at different slopes for stormwater-drainage. I know the flow-charts are very accurate. For stormwater drainage a 4inch smooth-wall pipe actually needs 2.8% slope to achieve 3-feet-per-second velocity for self-cleaning capabilities. I have a stormwater playlist if you're bored with extra pipe to play with.

[@johnb4859]

More simple to measure length of pipe and then raise the start side 1/4" per foot of pipe . . 8 foot pipe should be 2" higher at start end.👍

[@scotth5038]

Sh$t and water go down hill and pay days on friday.

[@charliep5139]

Once I saw the pile of Snickers bars, I knew this dude was legit... nice video. next time, color the water to make it easier to see or maybe put some glitter or something in it for that first plain water demonstration. Also, it seems like it would've been easier to find an extra toilet somewhere and rig it up on a table to do the demo instead of the ladder thing, heh.

[@johncouch7785]

i would like to see a more realistic demonstration using the actual ‘product’ to be flushed. And including the taking a bite. That will definitely generate a lot of views.

[@igoski1582]

You should have given a CLOSE UP video shot of what a 2% slope looks like in regards of the site bubble and the line. You just "said" the 2% slope where you're in the bubble just barely. I think that is not even correct. I think, you mean when the bubble is just barely on the line. IMO, you missed on not showing what the 2% looked like with the level.

[@prnfl]

i really don't understand why you don't just have a bidet and less paper waste down the toilet

[@vancester1st]

I think a Babe Ruth is actually code.

[@geneduclos4003]

agree. too many corners on a snicker bar.

[@rachellehmann9962]

You should let the boys and Olivia participate in a more vlogs

[@TodaysTask]

I really like when they can help.

[@MrRainCountry]

Nice demonstration. Poor use of the Snickers, you should have ate them first 🤔😉

[@dannydanny9875]

Science Rules, Joel!

[@TomatoTriVias]

Id rather use 5% slope instead of 2%.

[@davidkomer3890]

Should be using 1.5 gallons per 'flush' to be accurate.

[@geneduclos4003]

a baberuth bar would be more realistic. too many corners on a snicker bar.

[@roylcraft]

Attach a 1" block to the end of a 4ft level, done!

[@gregjones3453]

try 1/2'' block! Its called 1/8" per foot, we do it everyday on 4" and bigger pipe.

[@deadphishcheesespread]

It would have been easier to buy a toilet.

[@foxy5833]

Enjoy those snickers!

[@nikkihillhouse]

nice video, but I would have eaten those before the video started,, 🙂

[@карлчэпек]

Snickers imitate poop!

[@azmrblack]

This is something ALOT of "plumbers" and DIY don't pay attention to, and is VITAL to the sewer working. Here's a good video on drain line carry: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6SVn3Z9eL2BftE -- I recently saw a video of a large plumbing company not only fight with the homeowner and county employees, but installed the new line FLAT and in places with NEGATIVE fall (aka pitch). If you're going to do plumbing, get some advice and buy a copy of the NPC...because in most places you have to pull permits and get inspections, and it sucks to do a job twice when the inspector fails you - if you can afford it, especially in these times.

[@hollyatkinson3940]

Food colour bro

[@budtackett8347]

thats about normal ,small tank is a double flusher every time!

[@jameshoward1215]

Just wasting up food

[@jonathanklopf7581]

your not using enough water.