Tiny house plumbing overview

[@BlessedForgiven-nc8cu]

I've been in construction for almost 20 years. I will say to anyone watching this guy knows what he's talking about. Great video sir. You taught me some better ways to plumb.

[@checkoutTinyHouseTravelers]

I can't believe that with all of the tiny house love out there that these videos are not getting the hits that they deserve. This is the best build series that I have found and I REALLY like the way that you walk thru the build and will reference this often as I start my build

[@actuallytiny2537]

Thanks John, I'm sure the hits will come when we shoot the finished house next year. We've been living in it for a year and couldn't be happier.

[@aureas]

I second this wholeheartedly! 🙌🏽💜🙌🏽

[@xaviertardone9194]

All the tiny house love? There's only like 4 states that people are buying them from . Fl, co, ca,tx

[@checkoutTinyHouseTravelers]

@@xaviertardone9194 i am building my own and there are like 14 TV shows about them.

[@xaviertardone9194]

@@checkoutTinyHouseTravelers So am I . I hear ya , Im in Colorado and build a couple of them for a company that doesn't understand what salt water does to lumber 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️. There being sent to the most humid places in the country . 🤷🏼

[@alexandermayerkirstein]

I agree. This is a top notch fast track for diy tiny home plumbing. No fluff, no click bait, no theatrics. Great information, well structured, delivered for comprehension, based on successful experience. Thank you sincerely for the excellent video.

[@Jordan-tq2jc]

How does this guy not have more subscribers? These are some of the best tiny house “walk-throughs” I’ve ever seen.

[@JohnSeaward]

I've been doing construction from foundations to roof tops, renovations and so forth and this gent has nailed every possible thing in regards to layout, set up, materials, tools, what most do not understand or get that the more you plan ahead and organize your parts and materials and tools the easier the job will be, and he also nailed tr extra protection issues only thing concerns me is hot water PEX and just regular PEX are two different heat ranges, yes a tiny house does not generate the heat in water temp like a foundation house but always make sure that you get the highest heat range possible for your PEX, and also by doing like this gent did and follow the studs versus the bends to your plumbing like shower controls is great cause a many leaks are caused by stress on the fittings and that's even in copper pipes also, so yes great job with video and honestly this what all builders should do ! Keep it honest and real ! Thanks for the video

[@pelipapa]

Pays dividends to goggle PexA and PexB as far as how to connect them. Teo different tools..

[@emilyruth8778]

These videos are going to save my sanity. So grateful for this dude and all the knowledge he's sharing. Definitely knows his shit. Thank you so much!!!!

[@askedwardlee]

Best tiny house plumbing video I've seen! Great job!

[@wickhands4796]

Incredible tiny plumbing video. All the content you put out is high quality, and detail oriented. I really appreciate that!!

[@victornunez6354]

We just got a shed 12X36. We want it to turn into a tiny house. When you don't know nothing about plumbing. Its overwhelming. When looking for videos in how to do plumbing. I found these videos. I ask several of my plumbers friends to help me out, nobody wants to help. so I am going to do it myself with the help of these videos. Thanks great videos.

[@repentlive4jesus662]

Wow, are you sure they're not just acquaintances? They don't sound like good friends. I hope you do well, i can't afford to hire someone and I really want to be able to do the plumbing and electricity and insulation as cheap and as perfectly as possible but i know nothing about these things.

[@wisewoman7906]

Mine is 12'X32'. Good luck to you.

[@davidleathers5837]

Wow. I'm a newbie and this is the best series of vids I've seen. Excellent info, no fluff, no drama, just good stuff. Thank you!!

[@JulienKozak]

I bought your kayak making course years ago and knew I recognized you. So cool to see you do this as well!!! I can see your experience in instructional videos from the kayak stuff shining through here. Never seen any videos so clearly explained and well thought out in this genre.

[@kn58657]

Brian, I've been some kind of a fan of yours since seeing your features on Kirsten Dirksen's channel, some of my favorites among their hundreds of their videos. Seeing what you guys do here, and the care and intentionality you bring to all aspects of the work, is profoundly inspiring and impressive. Cheers from Norway

[@nobodynobody783]

Thank you very much for taking the time and energy to share your knowledge. I'm as dumb as a rock on certain things and to hear you explain things is very helpful. I like your scene transitions on 'B' roll...your editing was beautiful and added a 3 dimensional visualization.

[@nathanw4748]

I have never done any plumbing myself but this video made alot of sense and was very helpful. This was an amazing video and I learned alot.

[@jasond8734]

Great video Brian. I'm about to take on a tiny house build. Looking forward to learning more from your other videos. Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@kevingoff7233]

Fantastic video, learned a lot in only twenty minutes. Going to be starting a build on my tiny house at the beginning of next year, this gives me a lot to consider.

[@grazynakaledek6228]

Thank you for sharing this very informative and detailed video. Good Luck with your build. Cheers from Toronto, Canada!

[@spicher40]

Thanks so much. Have my first 2 trailers coming in weeks here. This will help

[@worldchangingvideos6253]

Air admittance valve is super smart, that's the future and saves energy too vs a hole in the roof.

[@SBecktacular]

Really great! Right down to business sans the sky and forest footage 😅 Great information delivered succinctly 👌👌👌

[@marka8486]

ABSOLUTELY SUPERB!!!!! Well done sir

[@abalter]

Incredibly informative and well done video.

[@funkygh]

Brian you both rock. These videos are great. It cracks me up that in every video you say "I'm trying not to cram in too much" meanwhile while cramming in WAY too much for most mere mortals to grasp in real time, but hey they can always watch it over and over again. If I had time to build my own TH your vids would be my bible but sadly the first one is going to be built by a pro builder and I'll do the next ones. At least I can check their work with the aid of your vids. Keep it up! And how bout one on DIY solar panels or code-compliant installation of a wood stove? Here's one tip that I use in small apartment loft bed builds - use solid angle iron for framing rather than wood framing - saves several inches on headroom, and gives a nice modern look if you paint it a cool color.

[@actuallytiny2537]

Thanks, we had to take a year and work on our other business but hopefully in May we can start filming again on the tiny house, The wood stove thing is a little intimidating. To do that right I'd have to do a minimum of 4 20 minute videos! I'm hoping to do it though.

[@whammybar98]

How fitting! He's making a plumbing video and his tool "box" is a plastic tub! The Tool tub is when you know you're a real plumber! Haha All jokes aside, this video helped me plan for what I'm going to do for my mini home!

[@DimensionalMan]

This video is gold.

[@derekwalsh4583]

This little kzbin.infoUgkxVoi3B4CB6Oygq1-vo4OTL1M_M5JkrXif tub works perfect in our 6 x 6 shower and is easy to get in and out. Also easy to drain.

[@JerryDontUwannaKnow]

Great video, very informative, looking to build my own off grid thanks for the input on the plumbing tips.

[@Kralphrn]

Wow what a good video,great explanation of everything

[@glamptribe]

This is an incredible video. Thank you so much!

[@eternalbeing3339]

You're videos are very helpful thank you.

[@Mhdogman]

Such a AWESOME video. Thank you so much.

[@robertovaldes1550]

Great information do you have any video that shows your toilet sewer plumbing ?

[@jarodtaylor2829]

Also, santees can most certainly be used for venting. You flip it upside down and it's a vent fitting. Long sweeps are drainage fittings but can absolutely be used to vent, but it's never required for code.

[@Field-Frenzy]

Great video! You deserve more views.

[@DavidVonLehman]

I've now watched this plumbing video and both your electric wiring videos and all were fantastic. Excellent work. I plan on running basic plumbing (kitchen sink and a bath sink) to a semi-permanent canvas cottage. The sink will just drain out to some buried perforated pipe. The structure is not insulated, so I'm worried about a p-trap with leftover standing water that could freeze. Would a simple gravity-fed drain pipe from the sink down through the decking work in this application? Seeing as there's no sewer system or toilet, there are no sewer gases to contend with.

[@corneliadalsin8678]

So incredibly good!!!

[@wulfclaw4921]

Very well thought out and all inclusive tutorial ! Thanks a lot ! Wulfy

[@shiradanielle]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!!!

[@wisewoman7906]

Thanks for the terminology. I always get stuck trying to shop for something, but the real term for the item escapes me. Makes asking for help very frustrating.

[@OSHomestead]

Appreciate the insight. Thank you!

[@lovethyneighbor2481]

Bravo. Excellent video. THANKS

[@kaytobe]

Great video. I’ve seen designs where they raise the floor (at least in part of the house) to give you more space for plumbing. What do you think or know about that? I’m looking at building a tiny for a cold climate hooked up to town water and a septic tank.

[@worldchangingvideos6253]

Every inch counts, would make the home needlessly smaller.

[@ScallopTip]

Great video. Very helpful. Thank you sir.

[@MaximC]

Thank you very much for the information.

[@George_us]

I just started working on my shower pan and I got a similar trailer with recess cavity (mine is 7.5" deep). I like to keep the shower 2" p-trap in the cavity (similar to yours) but what you have is called an S-trap (with no trap arm) and people don't recommend it. I am thinking of having the 2" p-trap under the trailer (outside) and build a box with insulation around it to keep it from freezing. Hopefully, it will work.

[@actuallytiny2537]

This is one of those things where it’s better to actually assess what’s going on with air and water flow. The rules of thumb are there for a reason and they keep people from making mistakes but often times they don’t allow for the kind of flexibility that you need in making things work in tight spaces. If you have an S trap going straight down a significant distance into a pipe that could become overfilled then there’s the possibility of a Venturi effect gurgling the trap. I think some will make the argument that along vertical drop below and S trap could potentially do the same thing but if you actually think about the water flow that’s not really possible. In this case we’ve got a single upstream toilet and a sink draining into a 3 inch diameter pipe with two vents on it before the shower. The net effect is that the pipe could never even come close to filling with water and so there’s no possibility of suction in that trap. But this is just the way that we decided to do it it doesn’t mean that there’s not a ton of other possible solutions.

[@twolionsadventures7719]

Great Video. Thank you for such thorough detail! :)

[@monoclehikes68]

This is for some really good informative information

[@anotherflyer]

Great stuff.

[@armedmariner]

Excellent job brother. Very helpful to me. Thank you.

[@taylorarndt9334]

Great video! Doing a skoolie build and curious your or anyone elses thoughts on HepvO waste valves instead of a pee trap?

[@staffordgarland9226]

Great teacher!

[@Skashoon]

I’ve been studying plumbing in preparation for doing my own plumbing in my shed-conversion tiny house. One thing I noticed is that your shower p trap appears to be an S trap, which are not allowed by IPC & UPC codes. Also, the minimum trap arm length is 3” or 4” (can’t recall at this moment). I do like your idea for using spigots for low point drains. I’ll definitely use that idea. One issue I’m facing is that the corners in my tiny house are double studded, making it quite a project to get the PEX around the corner, within the wall. Any suggestions? I’m thinking of just cutting a notch with a reciprocating utility saw, then covering with nail plates somehow. I foolishly bought Push to Connect Shark Bite fittings because I thought it would be easier as a novice. But now I can see that the crimp method fittings are cheaper. The savings using crimp rings would offset the cost of a crimping tool. Live and learn.

[@lakebruhh]

Thanks for the awesome video.

[@ayyitslola8322]

You are amazing. Thank you!!

[@chrismaggiemobley7695]

Just FYI you don’t want to mix metals Use copper pipe clamps with copper pipe and galvanized pipe clamps with galvanized and so on The mixing of metals will cause the pipe to corroded

[@actuallytiny2537]

Those are brass nipples, not copper, so there should be minimal galvanic reaction with the straps.

[@LostMapEngineering]

Great video. Wish you linked Cape Falcon Kayaks channel - I would have found these informative videos earlier.

[@jamesknaphus5583]

If you could show more about what you were mentioning about the toilet and shower vent. I’m very curious how to approach this with my own tiny house

[@evanjohnson323]

Did y'all consider the Hepvo waterless P traps ? They seem like a good solution for Tiny Houses

[@jattwhiskey604]

Would it be better to run all pipes in the sub floor. It would have he most insulation and prevent the any icing. Can also have access from the bottom of the trailer from the belly panels.

[@adampease]

could you comment on the merits of crimping PEX vs expansion PEX? It looks like the crimping PEX requires a simpler and cheaper tool possibly? Also, can you comment on why PEX rather than CPVC? CPVC seems even easier - just cut and glue. I used CPVC in repairing an RV but have not used PEX. Great videos! Very clear and efficient.

[@themistermax]

Great vid. Question - why not insulate and finish the walls, then run the pex inside? I did that on my cabin, and it's easier, and less likely to freeze. Most of it ends up being hidden anyway (not that I care).

[@RevenantStudios]

Wondering if you know anything about the hepvo waterless valves to replace the need for p-traps and venting. I believe they can also be installed outside and do not freeze up. I am planning to use them on my tiny house and was curious if you had any thoughts. Great video btw! I just found your channel and love your work. Can't wait for the electrical video.

[@actuallytiny2537]

Hey Erik! Thanks for the tip on the hepvo vents. We hadn't heard of them, but are definitely going to order one for the kitchen sink and check it out. Unfortunately they don't seem to make a 2inch one or that would have solved our shower trap issue!

[@George_us]

@@actuallytiny2537 I think, Code requires 2" pipe for the shower, however there are people that says 2" is for a tub or a shower with multiple shower heads (for a good drain flow) and they use 1.5" for a normal shower pan with a single shower head. I am going to use these products myself but I am also going to have a vent pipe. I am going to feed my drain vent pipe to the duct that takes the shower steam out on the upper side of my tiny house instead of separately going through the roof (I am not sure. if this is allowed by code). www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NLMPLDU/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1 www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0069KCZO4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

[@mariami2670]

It's an amazing video! Thank you ❤

[@Iivingroomforest]

Thanks for the tips🙏🏽

[@dempseydoodles]

How would you set up a remote/off grid tiny house drainage? I wanna use a composting toilet setup, but where can I drain my shower/bath sink/kitchen sink? Can I just drain it on the ground? I’m looking everywhere for this answer and I’m getting no luck.

[@terrimann5339]

How much would up charge to plumb a tiny house

[@paraworth]

Really nice explanation thanks 🤩

[@StilljustHelen]

so useful. thank you

[@bikeninja956]

another great share, really appreciate this, so for the shower drain pipe.... you mention it won't freeze, but it goes really deep into the floor, so there is only that 1" pink foam as insulation underneath it, this will be enough?

[@actuallytiny2537]

In a super cold climate it might be an issue but where we live it’s unlikely to have problems. You’d want to do it differently in Vermont.

[@nikkipelle2749]

Loved the content! Still not entirely sure how the system "works"... where is the pump? If you are using a water holding system, what elements do you need in addition to just the piping and drains? And what fittings do you use for the shower, sink, toilet, etc? This is an awesome vid! Just wondering if you could explain the working a bit more thoroughly. What hooks to the pipes? LOL THANKS! Cheers.

[@actuallytiny2537]

The house is fed by a hose just like any RV, and the fixtures are the same as in a normal house. There are of course many other solutions depending on your needs and your situation.

[@NikHandsome]

actually tiny thanks for getting back to me. We were originally going to use a water holding system, tanks and stuff but we ended up with the lot next to my parents house so we may just hose it from their house/well. Is a simple hose to the main line enough? It’s about an acre over. I would still need a pump right?

[@actuallytiny2537]

Do a quick web search for garden hose pressure drop calculator and that will help you to figure out whether you were going to need to add additional pressure

[@NikHandsome]

actually tiny oh, ok. Cool! I didn’t know that was a thing😂😂😂 thanks, dude! Be easy!

[@scottclements9029]

Brilliant, thank you.

[@ttorpsmith]

We always use copper straps on copper pipe to avoid galvanic action

[@actuallytiny2537]

Those are brass nipples, not copper, so there should be minimal galvanic reaction with the straps.

[@hollys4664]

do you have any thoughts on PE-RT pipe? just wondering

[@pster222]

Awesome, informative video.!

[@cinnamonro9654]

Can you use 3/4 pex plumbing on the inside for the rough in

[@jreu2e]

I wish I could like this like 8 times

[@projectlinkservices7849]

Hi I am building a 8 by 20' Many hope I want to eventually be off bread but at the current moment I would like to Hook up to city and/or campsites I also wanna have the option to hook up to a Generator and eventually too solar panel What do you suggest for venting the Mini home and what do you suggest for venting

[@eileenmcloughlin4778]

Recently discovered PVC piping is TOXIC! What is pex made if?

[@thomase.winters9090]

Depending on your location you cannot plumb the shower as shown. You've created an "s" trap which is illegal. In most areas a mechanical vent terminates above the flood level rim of the fixture and must remain accessible.

[@actuallytiny2537]

I was aware of the issue when I put it in but chose not to worry about it because there is no governing body that inspects tiny houses, and the steel trailer frame on two sides and a pocket door on the other prohibits going sideways into a vertical stack. With the drop to a horizontal 3" pipe being less than a foot, (and vented just upstream) there's no actual risk of gurgling the trap. So it meets the spirit of the rule if not the exact letter.

[@busnorth]

Weaken the small support walls with holes. How are you going to keep the pipes from freezing so close to the out side wall. They don't even do that in trailer house or campers. Were do you get 60s abs pipe. Why not pvc dwv?

[@PreechTv]

This guy is on it

[@greenshereen]

Any tips on installing plumbing underneath a raised floor instead of inside the walls (i.e. for when you have solid aircrete walls)?

[@ronaldtreitner1460]

step one always make sure those lines you're about to use are pex, don't use something else, trust me..... we wanted two colors one for cold, one for hot but of course, could only find white. a freind offered his roll of red, so we used it without taking a good look at it. very shortly after taking showers the first time we developed leaks. after taking everything back apart we discovered a good portion of the red had melted from the hot water. when i looked at it and compared it to the white it was much thinner to start with, while it was marked and rated for the same use, it was not, and made in china. i had to tear everything back apart to replace all the red lines with white.

[@1367dhbkhf]

I know it’s been a while but thanks for this. You may have saved us tons of money.

[@kennethvogt9379]

Do all the elbows in the plumbing make for more noise as the water flows through?

[@tierneyrosenstock2327]

So with the drain pipes: do you connect them together on the underside of the house so they all drain out at one point? No issues with freezing? Thanks!

[@actuallytiny2537]

All the traps are inside the house so they can’t freeze and you’re not gonna get any significant ice buildup in this climate but it could be different elsewhere. Everything gets connected underneath the house but can be separately disconnected to divert to gray water etc.

[@DreamWevr]

I want to know can you DIY plumbing tiny house witgout having a license to do it also what if I need a main line amd drain line to make connection to city water amd sewer is more cost effective if I do your method and how can make sure if you do it your way how an make sure dont have issues with any regulations

[@actuallytiny2537]

Every jurisdiction is going to be different, so it’s best to talk to your local planning office to understand what you can legally do yourself and the code you need to follow, and what permits and inspections you might need. You may want to hire a local plumber to consult on your plan and check your work even if you choose to DIY, to ensure it’s up to code. Hooking up to city connections will definitely require a permit and inspection. Our city allows tiny houses to be hooked up with RV connections, but that might not be the case where you live. The methods we show here work for the way our city approaches tiny houses, but may not be appropriate for where you are. We’re also located in a temperate climate - you would need to approach the plumbing differently in a colder climate where freezing is a concern. When in doubt, it’s always best to consult with a local professional!

[@varider84]

Not sure if this is true or not or just something I’ve “heard”. Is it true that you lose flow to your fittings when you use too many elbows in plumbing?

[@actuallytiny2537]

That’s true

[@TeraeB]

You rock!

[@George_us]

Is it okay to use PVC instead of ABS pipe in the drain system?

[@daanfaes3275]

i think so yes

[@jarodtaylor2829]

Yes, pvc is a little quieter but it's harder to work with. Abs is more flexible and much easier to work with but you can potentially hear the water draining a bit louder.

[@gabeking2996]

You have to many fixtures on 1/2 by COD after 3 fixtures you are suppose to step up your pipe size to 3/4

[@actuallytiny2537]

I built my last three houses and plumbed them to code so I’m familiar with it, But a tiny house is more like an RV where with both plumbing and electrical the occasional mild flow restriction is considered acceptable. you also really have to analyze the whole system, for example I would’ve run three-quarter mainline through the floor but when your supply is a half inch hose bib that becomes the determining factor on flow drop, so the three-quarter is wasted. In real life if the sink the toilet in the shower are all running at the same time there’s a slight depressurization but it’s not much of an issue.

[@gabeking2996]

You can't put those metal straps directly on the copper it will eat away at the pipe eventually! They have copper straps that's for copper !

[@actuallytiny2537]

Those nipples are brass, so the electrolysis issue pretty minimal.

[@hayzus143]

Don't use galv straps on copper without 10mil tape

[@paulcurtis5496]

I'm not sure why people aren't plumbing with only cold water throughout and then where heat is needed a point of need on-demand water heater. Significantly less plumbing to fail and significant savings in heating water only where needed and not shipped across the entire length of plumbing...

[@natsirim499]

Curious ?? I'm an old person, so forgive me... Why are you not using Traditional piping. Rubber Hoses seem Micky mouse to me. Not trying to be rude. Is this Piping used on Yaghts??

[@actuallytiny2537]

Pex (extruded polyethylene piping) is pretty standard these days in construction. Unlike PVC from the past it’s non-toxic long lasting and freeze resistant. Copper is a lot more expensive, harder to work with, and has a much heavier environmental footprint. As an old-school guy myself it took a while to come around but the actual facts support this is the better option for a variety of reasons.

[@natsirim499]

@@actuallytiny2537 ... Freeze Resistant ... Excellent. Mice and Ant Proof? I will Study This process. Thanks😇 HAPPY New Year 🎈

[@eddygoodwin7089]

If your worried about a pee trap freezing, you might want to keep all of your pipes in the exterior wall in mind

[@martins82090]

I'm a plumber. Those galvanized straps should never touch copper, it will cause electrolysis and corrode the copper.

[@actuallytiny2537]

Those nipples are brass, so electrolysis is pretty minimal, and it's in an exposed location so it can be serviced if need be. Thanks for pointing that out though, it's really important with straight copper.

[@Bbbbbbbbbbb-f1w]

Plumbing doesn’t go inside an outside wall😂 Also PEX fittings restrict water flow by decreasing the inside diameter of pipe, as opposed to copper pipe.

[@babarumraisin4863]

Don't know about those galvanized pipe clamps on the copper pipes.....zinc, copper, and water as an electrolyte makes a battery, causing corrosion.

[@actuallytiny2537]

Those nipples are schedule 40 brass not copper so the electrolysis concern is pretty minimal.

[@ourplacenorthern]

You NEVER put plumbing in outside walls/floors as it WILL freeze. Unless you know DAMN SURE it will remain in a warm climate.

[@tmkinnear]

While it may not be code, I’d use an AAV for the toilet and shower v penetrating the roof. 😊