Plumbing Rough-in

Residential Electrical & Plumbing Systems

Plumbing Rough-in for New Kitchens, Bathrooms, and Laundry Rooms

Plumbing rough-in is the behind-the-walls work that determines whether your new bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room functions correctly. Drain connections that end up 2 inches off center make the fixture installation difficult or impossible without cutting finished tile. Supply line locations that don't match actual fixture specifications require field modifications after walls are closed. We coordinate rough-in locations against the actual specified fixtures before setting a single pipe — not against generic centerline dimensions.

Supply lines run as copper or PEX from the main distribution point to each fixture. Copper is the preferred choice for durability and longevity in permanent installations. PEX is practical for renovation rough-in because its flexibility reduces fittings and connections when routing through existing wall and floor cavities. Drain and vent piping is ABS or PVC with proper slope — 1/4 inch per foot on horizontal drain runs — and vent stacks extended through the roof to maintain the air pressure balance that drains require.

The rough-in inspection happens before insulation and drywall go up. The inspector verifies pipe sizing, slope, vent connections, and pressure test results for supply lines. Passing that inspection is the checkpoint that clears the project for insulation and finish work. We schedule rough-in inspections for electrical, HVAC, and plumbing together when the municipality allows combined inspections — one scheduling coordination instead of three.