I bought an existing home where the slab was prepared with a sink drain stubbed off through the slab but the unfinished plans called for the water and electric to be brought to the location inside the walls. My wife has decided that she does not like the original plans and wants an island instead. I need to prepare for this prior to installing the flooring and cabinets. I have a concrete guy who will cut me a trench (all the way to the soil) in the concrete and refill with concrete when complete. I need to place water supply lines and an electrical conduit (PVC - to run electrical later) in the trench. Then we will backfill/top with sand and refill with concrete and smooth to match the existing floor. From the wall (with the supply lines and electrical junction) to the island is around 70". So I will be going down, across and then back up.
I have multiple questions.
1) Is there a way to put something in the floor now and run the water supply lines later (like a conduit)? If so, does that force me to run PEX later since I cant see a way to route the copper down and then back up?
2) The whole house is copper today so I think I prefer to use copper for this. Can I mix copper (to the slab) with PEX (under the slab) and back to copper (on the island side)? If so, why would this be a good idea or bad idea? I assume PEX under the slab would not have any junctions so reduce leak opportunities
3) If I run copper, is there any reason not to sleeve it in PVC to reduce contact to with the concrete and allow for movement/flex
4) If I run PEX, can I run it both Hot and Cold in the same "conduit"
Sorry for all the questions. I would love to hear some constructive ways to prep this space now for the future work of adding the sink and electrical to the island.
Ed
I have multiple questions.
1) Is there a way to put something in the floor now and run the water supply lines later (like a conduit)? If so, does that force me to run PEX later since I cant see a way to route the copper down and then back up?
2) The whole house is copper today so I think I prefer to use copper for this. Can I mix copper (to the slab) with PEX (under the slab) and back to copper (on the island side)? If so, why would this be a good idea or bad idea? I assume PEX under the slab would not have any junctions so reduce leak opportunities
3) If I run copper, is there any reason not to sleeve it in PVC to reduce contact to with the concrete and allow for movement/flex
4) If I run PEX, can I run it both Hot and Cold in the same "conduit"
Sorry for all the questions. I would love to hear some constructive ways to prep this space now for the future work of adding the sink and electrical to the island.
Ed