Bayside Melbourne’s suburbs feature a diverse range of residential properties with varying plumbing designs. The most notable difference is between freestanding and dual-occupancy homes. While the former features simpler, centralised systems, the latter uses complex and efficient systems.
Whether you’re looking to repair or renovate your freestanding or dual occupancy home, Plumb Well Solutions can help you navigate a lot of the confusion surrounding them. Over the course of these next few sections, we’ll discuss how each property is unique and why you should consult a professional for your plumbing needs.
Plumbing Layout in Freestanding Homes
Design Characteristics
Freestanding homes populate many of Bayside’s established suburbs like Brighton. They will usually feature traditional, simple plumbing layouts with longer pipe runs and gravity-fed drainage systems.
Given the larger footprint of these homes, pipes need to extend further to ensure proper slope and pressure management. Therefore, this gravity-fed drainage system will feature individual vent stacks for adequate pressure while complying with the local council’s stormwater and sewerage regulations.
These homes will also feature a single plumbing network that stretches throughout the entire home. The main connection points for water supply, drainage, and gas connect to the rest of the plumbing system, which also allows for easier maintenance and replacement.
Common Features
Older homes built before the 1980s will usually have galvanised steel or cast-iron pipes. Of course, these pipes raise the concern for ageing infrastructure that could corrode and require replacing with newer PVC or PEX pipes.
The Bayside Council also mandates that these homes follow local stormwater compliance. To prevent flooding, local systems will often require soak wells or connected drainage systems to effectively divert water from storms.
These centralised drainage systems can also face pressure variations, especially in elevated areas. To counteract these changes, pressure-limiting valves often need to be installed.
Dual Occupancy Homes
Design Characteristics
The higher urban density in the Bayside area led to the construction of dual occupancy homes, which included duplexes and subdivided properties.
The smaller footprint of these properties requires compact and complex layouts in new home plumbing. With their strategic placement, shorter pipes use wall cavities and raised floor systems to maximise space.
Local council approval dictates whether these homes can have fully independent or partially shared infrastructure. If they’re independent, they will have separate water meters, drainage, and gas lines, but a shared infrastructure means sharing sewer lines or stormwater systems.
Common Features
Dual occupancies will often incorporate WELS-rated fixtures to meet local sustainability requirements. Furthermore, shared infrastructure maintenance will have to be legally documented through strata plumbing agreements.
Pressure balancing is a common challenge that many dual occupancies face. As both dwellings are using water simultaneously, larger supply pipes or pressure-limiting valves can help reduce possible pressure drops. Working with a professional plumbing service provider like Plumb Well Solutions can help you choose the best way to solve inconsistent water pressure.
Key Plumbing Differences between Dual Occupancy and Freestanding Homes
Infrastructure and Layout
New home plumbing in Bayside Melbourne varies significantly between dual occupancy and freestanding homes. In terms of infrastructure and layout, the biggest difference between the two is that of self-contained and shared plumbing systems. Freestanding homes feature longer pipes with traditional gravity-fed drainage, while dual occupancy has compact pipe routing with complex drainage.
Regulatory Requirements
Freestanding homes need to have straightforward compliance with local stormwater rules but face no restrictions on pipe placement. On the other hand, dual occupancies need to meet specific plumbing codes and feature WELS-rated fixtures. Homeowners will also have to install acoustic pipe insulation in cases of shared walls.
Maintenance and Cost Considerations
The simpler layout of freestanding homes allows for easier repairs and a lower installation cost. As a single owner has access to the entire property, contractors will not face any delays. Dual occupancies will have shared maintenance agreements, which can result in limitations to access to shared infrastructure. The complex fault diagnosis for these systems also means higher upfront costs for repairs and installations.
Trust Plumb Well Solutions for Your Plumbing Needs
Freestanding and dual-occupancy homes each have their unique features, and you need plumbers who understand them. As a licensed service provider in Bayside Melbourne, Plumb Well Solutions can help repair or install the right system in your home. Whether you’re looking for tailor-made systems or want to ensure regulatory compliance, their professional contractors can help you every step of the way. With an emphasis on efficiency and sustainability, you get long-lasting solutions to your new home plumbing in Bayside Melbourne.