Metal buildings have their own share of benefits; they’re durable, feature easy and quick assembly, and are both cost- and energy-efficient. When it’s time to add plumbing or wiring to their infrastructure, however, there are several factors that you’ll want to keep in mind to ensure that you complete your project successfully.
Investing in wiring and plumbing for your new metal building can present myriad complications, but the result is worth it. Ultimately, you’re doing the work necessary to transform a simple building or container into a fully functional living or working space.
With that transformation comes a lot of responsibility. To provide safe and meaningful, properly-working utilities to anyone who will use your building, consider the following elements before initiating your plumbing or wiring project.
Remember These Details for a Successful Plumbing or Wiring Project
There are at least eight considerations you should have before you start up your wiring or plumbing process. They include:
Zoning and Code Requirements
When installing plumbing in Georgia, state law and the International Plumbing Code mandates that you follow specific regulations. These regulations help ensure that you’re delivering clean water to your building and safely routing waste away. These requirements include adequate ventilation, thorough testing of your system, and approval from a local regulating authority regarding your plans. A recent Georgia state amendment decreed that new buildings must use high-efficiency plumbing as well. The Georgia electrical code amendments have similar requirements for all wiring projects.
Quality of Wiring and Plumbing Components
When selecting devices to install with plumbing and especially wiring, you need to use thoroughly vetted equipment. Doing your research and choosing electrical components recommended or certified by a trustworthy authority (such as the UL Certification Database) will be well worth your time.
Adequate Insulation
Depending on the temperature range in your specific location, your wiring could be in danger of overheating; likewise, your plumbing could freeze with cold enough temperatures. Consider the likely effects of your local environment, and compensate with lots of strategically placed insulation.
Already-Existing Electrical, Sewage, Cables, and More
Before you start any new additions to your build – even for a new metal build – you need to be very sure that your plans don’t conflict with any already-existing pipes or cables.
Drainage
The vast majority of structural damage to foundational or basement areas has a simple (preventative) fix: Invest inadequate drainage before you put in new plumbing. Doing this up-front will protect the value of your building for the foreseeable future.
Possibility for Future Expansions or Upgrades
Even if you’re not planning on changing your building’s format or function anytime soon, you need to account for the fact that you may change your mind – or a future building owner might have very different ideas. If you set up your wiring and plumbing in a strategic way, you’ll make it much easier for future upgrades to your building. This will save you (or a future owner) money and headaches in the long run.
Accessibility for Future Fixes
Likewise, you need to account for the fact that even if you install your wiring and plumbing impeccably, parts are going to need replacing; components will leak, break, or require rewiring. You’ll make it much easier (and less expensive) for your future self or any future owners of your building to have an easy way to access your plumbing and wiring for upcoming maintenance.
The Financial Balance Between Saving and Security
Both your plumbing and your wiring are integral investments for your building’s essential infrastructure. Therefore it is essential that these are done right – so probably not the place to save cash.
These eight factors can make or break your Georgia plumbing or wiring project. Taking a few minutes to consider them and their ramifications can give you a much stronger chance of success.
If you need help managing the installation of proper plumbing or safe electricity in your new metal building, Peak Steel Contractors is ready to assist. From start to finish, we specialize in metal building design and construction done well.
Learn more about our past projects here. And, feel free to contact us for more information about plumbing and wiring a new metal building.