If you’re remodeling a house or doing some plumbing work, it’s important to know what the building looks like underneath its exterior.
That’s why many contractors and plumbers prefer blueprints over plans: they provide more detail on how things are wired, set up, and built.
But if you don’t have access to any blueprints, how can you find them? In this article we’ll discuss how to locate plumbing blueprints using online tools and services as well as those that live in archives or courthouses.
Sure, here is the single column Takeaway table based on the TITLE:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| How-to Guide for Finding Plumbing Blueprints |
| Tips for running plumbing pipes |
| How to locate your plumbing vent stack |
| Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of right-angle plumbing pipes |
| Pro tips for fixing common plumbing issues |
| Understanding who to hire for natural gas plumbing |
| Further reading resources |
| Frequently asked questions about plumbing blueprints |
Call The Realtor
Call the realtor. If you’re planning on buying a house, it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into.
The best way to do this is by consulting with your real estate agent or broker and asking them how they can help you in the process.
Not only will they be able to tell you where the blueprints are and whether there were any problems with previous leaks, but they may also have some ideas about contractors who would be able to fix this issue for you as well!
Running plumbing pipes requires precision, planning, and proper tools. If you’re planning on taking on this task yourself, consider checking out our pro-tips for running plumbing pipes to make sure you’re prepared and avoid any potential costly mistakes.
Ask The Homeowner
Ask the homeowner if they have any blueprints. If they do, ask if you can take a look at them.
If not, try to find the previous owner of the house and see if they have any blueprints that might help with your plumbing work.
If this doesn’t work out, try to find the original construction company that built your home and see if there are any old blueprints from when it was being built.
Table: Ask The Homeowner
| Questions to Ask the Homeowner |
|---|
| Do you have any blueprints for the plumbing system? |
| Can I take a look at the blueprints? |
| Are there any specific areas of the plumbing system you’re concerned about? |
| Have there been any recent repairs or modifications to the plumbing system? |
| Do you have any plans for future renovations that could impact the plumbing system? |
Check With Your County Or Town Hall
- Check with your county or town hall. The local government offices are a good place to start.
- Contact the tax assessor’s office to see if they have any blueprints on file, or if they can find out who might have them in their office.
- Ask at the building department and other departments that may be involved in permits and inspections for buildings (such as planning and zoning).
Plumbing vent stacks are a crucial part of a plumbing system, but they can get clogged or damaged over time. If you’re having issues with a plumbing vent stack, our article on how to find your plumbing vent stack can provide you with valuable insights and steps to take.
Search The Land Records At Your County Courthouse
Search for the surveyor’s records, original deed and property history. Look at tax records and building permits to determine if plumbing work has been done on the property in question.
Check With A Surveyor
If you’re still looking for old-school blueprints, surveyors are a good source. They often have access to original drawings or copies of them that date back to when the house was built. Surveyors can also tell you about changes in the area and help you determine how things were originally laid out in your house.
Right-angle plumbing pipes can often be tricky to work with, but they can also offer unique advantages in certain situations. Our article on what is a right-angle plumbing pipe delves deep into the advantages and disadvantages of these pipes, helping you decide if they are the right fit for your project.
Ask Your Building Inspector
You can ask your building inspector if you have a permit. A permit is required for most plumbing work, so if the inspector says that you do not have one on file, then you will need to get one before you begin any renovations.
The building inspector can tell you what codes are in your area. Codes vary from region to region and state to state, and each code might be slightly different from the next (for example: some areas require more drainage than others).
Table: Ask Your Building Inspector
| Questions to Ask Your Building Inspector |
|---|
| Do I have a permit on file for plumbing work? |
| What type of plumbing work requires a permit? |
| How do I obtain a plumbing permit if I don’t have one? |
| Are there any specific codes or regulations I need to be aware of when obtaining a permit? |
| Can you provide me with a copy of the plumbing code regulations for my area? |
Look At Similar Houses In The Area
The second way to find plumbing blueprints is to look around at similar houses in your area. Look closely at the plumbing, layout, building materials and age of the house.
If it’s an older home with a basement that may be a good sign that there is a crawl space as well!
Look at the style of the house too if it has classic features like gables or columns on either side of its doors then you know it was built in an era when having an indoor toilet was considered luxurious!
Fixing plumbing issues can be challenging, but it doesn’t always require hiring a professional. With our pro guide on fixing plumbing issues, we provide you with valuable tips and tricks to tackle basic plumbing issues, saving you time and money.
Ask The Local Home Builders Association
If you’re lucky, the local home builders association may be able to help. They might have old blueprints that show where all of the vents, traps and drains are located. They also might know if there are other builders in your area who still have their old drawings.
If they can’t help you, then it’s time to ask around at some of the local construction companies. A good contractor should be able to recreate those blueprints for you.
Hire An Architect To Recreate Them For You
It’s important to hire an architect if you need blueprints, because they will help you make sure that your plumbing plan is legally sound and can be implemented without any problems. However, finding an architect can be difficult so here are some tips on how to find one:
Make sure that the architect has experience with residential plumbing projects. In this business, there are many different types of architects and even though it might seem like all architects work on residential projects, this isn’t always true.
It’s important for you to find someone who specializes in residential plumbing so that they know what they’re doing when it comes time for implementation.
Ask around among friends and family members who have recently had a new house built or remodeled by an architect; these people may already have recommendations from which you can choose from!
Look through online directories such as Yelp and Angie’s List (both free) for reviews about local architects; these sites are often very helpful when choosing which employees work best together!
Natural gas plumbing can be a sensitive matter, so it’s important to know who the right professionals are to handle these types of installations. Our article on who does natural gas plumbing provides you with the information you need to hire the right people for the job, ensuring the safety of you and those around you.
Talk To A Local Plumber About Old Work In The Area.
Talk to a local plumber about old work in the area. If you’ve got an old house and are looking for plumbing blueprints, ask your plumber if they have any that they could copy for you. They may have some in their office or on file from previous jobs.
If it’s been awhile since someone has updated the house or there hasn’t been much plumbing done to it, your best bet is probably going to be getting new drawings done by an experienced contractor who knows how to read existing plans and interpret them.
It’s not uncommon for old houses (and sometimes even newer ones) in certain areas of the country—especially those built before World War II—to use a type of piping called “bronze” piping because of its distinctive coloration.
This type of piping uses lead as part of its construction, which means that it needs regular maintenance over time before becoming dangerous enough that someone might get sick from it.’
Utilize Online Tools And Services
You can use a web search engine to locate plumbing blueprints. Type in “plumbing plans” or “plumbing blueprints,” and you should be able to find a few results that will help you get started.
You can also check your local library for resources on plumbing design and construction. This is an excellent way to get access to some of the best blueprints, since libraries tend to have up-to-date editions of all kinds of books that are very useful in this situation.
You might also look into using home design software packages like AutoCAD or Google SketchUp, which both have functions that allow you to quickly generate 3D models based on 2D drawings (you don’t need any prior experience with these programs).
If there’s no existing layout for your house yet and it’s still being built from scratch by professionals, then this could be useful when trying out different layouts before deciding on one final design!
Conclusion
I hope you now know that there are many options for finding plumbing blueprints. You can even use online services such as Google or Bing Maps to find them!
If you’re still having trouble finding what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to call us at Plumbing Blueprints. We’ll be happy to help in any way we can.
Further reading
If you’re looking for more information on reading, understanding, or finding blueprints for your plumbing project, check out these additional resources:
Reading And Understanding Blueprints: A comprehensive guide that takes you through the process of reading blueprints step-by-step, covering symbols, codes, and common practices.
How to Find Plans for Your Old House: A useful guide that provides you with tips and resources to locate blueprints and information on old houses, including archival sources and local government offices.
How to Draw a Plumbing Plan: If you’re planning on designing a plumbing system from scratch, this guide covers everything you need to know about designing plumbing plans, including deciding on fixtures, sizes, and material choices.
FAQs
What is the importance of reading blueprints in plumbing projects?
Reading blueprints is crucial when it comes to plumbing projects because it provides you with an accurate understanding of the plumbing system, including dimensions, pipe sizes, and fixture locations, among other things. Without understanding blueprints, you may run the risk of mistakes or miscalculations that could lead to costly repairs.
What are some common symbols and codes used in plumbing blueprints?
Some common symbols and codes used include the schematic symbol for a trap, which is a U-shaped pipe, the symbol for a hot water supply, which is a red circle with an “H” inside, and codes like the IPC (International Plumbing Code) or UPC (Uniform Plumbing Code) that provide standardized rules related to plumbing.
Where Can I Find Blueprints or Plans for my house?
You can find blueprints or plans for your house in local government offices, libraries, or historical societies. Additionally, there are online resources that offer house blueprints.
Do I need to know how to draw a plumbing plan for a remodel?
Knowing how to draw a plumbing plan can be helpful when it comes to plumbing remodels because it helps you to visualize the necessary changes and outline the steps for implementation. It can also be beneficial when working with contractors, as it can help ensure clear communication.
What Are The Common Mistakes or Issues People Run into When Reading Plumbing Blueprints?
Common mistakes or issues people run into when reading plumbing blueprints can include misinterpreting symbols or codes, not accounting for adequate space or support for fixtures, or not properly accounting for necessary slope in drainage lines. It’s important to have a thorough understanding of symbols, codes, and pipe sizing to ensure a successful plumbing project.
My name is Hellen James, and I’m a home improvement blogger. As a blogger who writes about how to make your homes better, I’ve learned that everyone wants to know more about their houses and what they can do with them.