5 Weeks In - Rough Plumbing

So my last post was two weeks ago, and if you remember I said if all went well I'd be posting an update about our rough plumbing one week later (one week ago).  Well, you see where I'm going with this.  Another week delay, but alas, we have rough plumbing.  I'm sure it doesn't look like much fun in pictures, but it was a lot of fun to walk through the "house" and recognize what purpose each pipe will serve.  Please try to ignore the nearly completely framed house on our rear neighbor's lot (yes, they started the same day as us.)  Our builder and project manager are quick to point out that it's not a race and that they'll continue choose quality over speed everyday, which we value.  But a LITTLE speed would be nice once in a while.  :)  

Here are some updated pics:

The giant plywood box on the left with 1450 on it is a temporary dumpster.  Classy right?  Our subs don't just leave trash on the ground - they build a box around it!  :)

Here you see P and the nugget making their way from their garage in through their laundry room.  

This is a view of the plumbing for our master bath in the back corner.  If you want to try to visualize... the far left fixture is my vanity.  Then up/clockwise is brent's vanity, then the shower, then the potty room.  The closest (bottom right) is part of the laundry room fixtures.

These are the 2 back to back kids bathrooms.

and speaking of the little helpers... you can't appreciate how filthy and sweaty they were from this pic, but trust me!  running daphne through a car wash would have been more efficient than the baby wipes we had.

Some of you are probably thinking "that's it??  lame update!"  Others may have paid attention and noticed the plumbing doesn't look like plumbing you may be used to seeing.  For our boston friends and family, first and foremost, you notice the plumbing is in the ground and the concrete is going to be poured over it.  that's 100% normal for texas.  no basements here!

But, you may have also noticed the lack of copper pipes!  We're using PEX pipe instead of copper.  Here is some info on PEX v. Copper for anyone who's interested (info taken from http://www.plumbingnetworks.com/info/pex-copper/):

Advantages of PEX:

• Adaptable and easy-to-use plumbing system
• Can be used with hot and cold water
• Can also be used with metal and PVC piping
• PEX has fewer fittings, making it faster to install and with less of a chance to leak
• PEX is more burst-resistant due to its flexibility to expand and contract
• It has a shutoff valve at each supply line, making it more convenient for you when you have to get repairs done
• PEX can have a pressure balanced system
• Since it is flexible, the pipes can be bent around most corners and usually won't need a coupling or fitting

Disadvantages of PEX:

• It cannot be used outside
• Cannot be recycled, due to its shorter life use
• It provides an impermeable membrane that may allow the possibility of water contamination
• The pipes may be damaged if left outside for a long period of time

Advantages of Copper:

Durable and flexible, making it easy to installSafer in natural disastersWeather and bacteria-resistantResists corrosion, more so than other metalsUnaffected by ultraviolet rays, so it can be used outsideCopper does not release toxic gases in a fire because it resists burningIn earthquakes, the slightly elastic pipes flex so that they don't snapCopper is recyclable, making it a more sound environmental choice

Disadvantages of Copper Piping

• Can corrode
• Has become expensive
• With higher levels of copper from corrosion, water can have a metallic taste
• Copper can freeze and break during cold water

We're told the concrete subs have been chomping at the bit to get started for weeks now, so hopefully we see big progress next week!