How To Run Plumbing To A Detached Garage?

Without water, your use of your garage can be rather limited. By simply running a water line to your detached garage, you can expand the usefulness of your garage to include laundry facilities, an extra shower, a sink, the ability to clean your vehicle under shelter in the winter and much more.

In this article, we discuss the process, cost and other considerations you should keep in mind when running plumbing to a detached garage. Read on to learn more.

How Much Does It Cost To Run Plumbing To Your Garage?

There are a number of different factors that will affect the cost of your individual project. Think about the following:

How much will the materials cost?

The cost of valves, pipes and other incidentals will vary depending upon the distance you have to cover and the purposes you have in mind.

What kind of foundation does your garage have?

If you have a concrete foundation, your cost of equipment or the amount you need to pay the plumber will increase. It takes heavier equipment to drill through concrete, and of course, it will take a plumber more man hours to do so.

How is the layout between the house and the garage?

The farther apart your house and garage are, the more it will cost to add plumbing.

How deep is your main water/sewer line?

The deeper these utilities are buried, the more the project will cost.

Is your garage insulated?

If you plan to keep a water heater in your garage, you’ll need insulation to prevent spending a fortune keeping your water hot. Of course, you’ll also need insulation and heating to keep any pipes from freezing if you live in a very cold area.

You’ll want to add the insulation when you do the project to prevent outrageous expenses and broken pipes.

Is your garage ventilated?

The addition of plumbing necessitates good ventilation. Without it, you’ll have problems with condensation and moisture. If you don’t already have ventilation in your garage, you’ll need to add it at the time of your project. Be sure to add a plumbing vent in the roof.

Will plumbing my garage increase the value of my home?

You may feel overwhelmed by the cost of adding plumbing to your garage, but keep in mind that doing so may add significant value to your home.

Running A Water Line To An Outbuilding Or A Shed

What Do You Do To Run Plumbing To Your Garage?

Every situation is different, and your exact steps will depend on variables such as the time of year, the consistency of the soil, the age of your existing plumbing and more.

Generally speaking, you and/or your plumber should follow these simple steps when adding plumbing to your detached garage:

Start with a plan

• Work closely with your plumber to draw up a working plan.
• Determine which part of the plumbing in your home is nearest to your garage.
• Examine the slope to be sure that the drainage pipes you install will work correctly.

Clear the way

• Drill out the areas in cement where the plumbing must run.
• Do all the digging at once to create an open path to run the plumbing.
• Cut openings in the walls of the house and garage through which the plumbing will run.

Complete the installation

• Run the plumbing.
• Install ventilation.
• Install insulation.
• Install fixtures.

Every Plumbing Installation Is Different

As noted, the precise steps you will take to install plumbing in your detached garage will vary depending upon the purpose of the project, the distance covered, your climate and many more variables.

Work closely with a certified plumber to be sure the job is done legally and correctly right from the start. Doing so will save you lots of time, money and headaches down the road.