Essential Plumbing Considerations for New Construction in Upstate SC

Building a new home or commercial property in Upstate South Carolina is an exciting venture. But when it comes to plumbing, the decisions you make during the planning and construction phases will impact your property for decades to come. As experienced new construction plumbers serving Greenville, Clemson, Seneca, and the surrounding Upstate region, we've helped countless builders and homeowners get their plumbing right from the ground up.

Here's what you need to know about plumbing considerations for new construction in the Upstate.

1. Work with a Licensed Plumber from Day One

The most important decision you'll make is choosing the right plumbing contractor early in the process. Many builders wait until framing is complete to involve a plumber, but this can lead to costly changes and delays.

Why early involvement matters:

• Blueprint review: An experienced plumber can review your building plans before construction starts to identify potential issues and suggest improvements
• Coordination: Plumbing rough-in must be coordinated with HVAC, electrical, and framing work
• Code compliance: Each county in Upstate SC has specific plumbing code requirements that must be met
• Permit acquisition: Professional plumbers handle all necessary permits and inspections

2. Understand Local Plumbing Codes and Permits

Upstate South Carolina counties—including Oconee, Pickens, Anderson, and Greenville—each have specific building codes and inspection requirements. Your plumbing installation must meet South Carolina state plumbing code as well as any local amendments.

Key permit considerations:

• Plumbing permits are required for new construction in all Upstate SC counties
• Multiple inspections are required: rough-in, under-slab (if applicable), and final
• Water and sewer tap permits may be required separately
• Septic system permits have additional requirements in rural areas

Working with a licensed local plumber ensures all permits are obtained and inspections are passed on the first attempt.

3. Municipal Water vs. Well Water vs. Septic Considerations

The location of your new construction project in the Upstate will determine your water source and waste disposal options.

Municipal Water and Sewer

Properties in Greenville, Clemson, Seneca, Anderson, and other incorporated areas typically connect to public water and sewer systems. This requires:

• Water meter installation and tap fees
• Sewer connection fees and proper tie-in to the public system
• Backflow prevention devices in certain applications
• Coordination with local water/sewer authorities

Well Water Systems

Rural properties in areas like Lake Keowee, Westminster, Walhalla, and parts of Oconee County often rely on well water. Considerations include:

• Well drilling and pump installation before plumbing rough-in
• Pressure tank sizing for adequate water pressure throughout the home
• Water treatment systems if water quality testing reveals issues
• Electrical requirements for well pumps

Septic Systems

Properties without access to municipal sewer require septic systems. This involves:

• Soil percolation testing and health department approval
• Proper septic tank sizing based on bedroom count
• Drain field design and installation
• Coordination between plumbing installation and septic system placement

Learn more about our septic system services for new construction properties.

4. Proper Pipe Sizing and Materials

Selecting the right pipe materials and sizes is crucial for long-term performance and code compliance.

Water Supply Piping

For new construction in Upstate SC, we typically recommend:

• PEX (Cross-linked Polyethylene): Flexible, freeze-resistant, and cost-effective. Excellent for the Upstate's climate where occasional freezing temperatures occur
• Copper: Traditional, durable, and long-lasting. More expensive but preferred for some applications
• CPVC: Rigid plastic alternative, though less popular in new construction

Sizing matters: Proper water line sizing ensures adequate water pressure throughout the home. Undersized lines lead to pressure problems when multiple fixtures are used simultaneously.

Drain, Waste, and Vent (DWV) Piping

For drainage systems, we use:

• PVC (Schedule 40): Standard for DWV applications in South Carolina
• ABS: Allowed in some jurisdictions, though PVC is more common in our area
• Cast iron: Sometimes used in multi-story construction for sound dampening

Proper venting is essential and often overlooked. Every drain needs adequate venting to function properly and prevent sewer gas from entering the building.

5. Water Heater Selection and Placement

Choosing the right water heater type and size for your new construction is a decision you'll live with for years.

Traditional Tank Water Heaters

• Lower upfront cost
• Available in gas or electric models
• Typical lifespan of 10-12 years
• Require adequate space for tank installation

Tankless Water Heaters

• Higher efficiency and energy savings
• Endless hot water supply
• Longer lifespan (15-20 years)
• Higher upfront installation cost
• May require gas line upgrades or larger electrical service

Location planning: Water heater placement should minimize the distance to major hot water uses (bathrooms, kitchen, laundry) to reduce wait times and heat loss. In new construction, you have the flexibility to place it optimally.

Read more about water heater options for new construction.

6. Future-Proofing Your Plumbing System

Smart planning during construction can save thousands down the road:

Stub-Outs for Future Additions

• Include capped water lines for future basement bathroom, outdoor kitchen, or pool
• Rough-in plumbing for potential additions during initial construction
• Install cleanouts in accessible locations for future maintenance

Water Treatment Prep

Even if you don't install a water softener or filtration system initially, running a bypass loop makes future installation much easier and less expensive.

Smart Home Integration

Consider provisions for:

• Smart leak detection systems
• Automatic shutoff valves
• Water monitoring systems

7. Fixture Selection and Rough-In Coordination

Fixture selection should happen before rough-in to ensure proper placement of supply lines and drains.

Key considerations:

• Toilet rough-in: Standard is 12 inches from wall to center of drain, but verify with your specific fixture
• Shower valves: Different manufacturers have different rough-in requirements
• Vessel sinks: Require different drain placement than undermount sinks
• Kitchen sinks: Plan for garbage disposal and dishwasher connections
• Washing machine: Ensure proper drain size and venting for high-volume discharge

Providing fixture specifications to your plumber during the rough-in phase prevents costly changes later.

8. Preventing Frozen Pipes in Upstate SC

While we don't experience extreme cold, Upstate South Carolina does see freezing temperatures during winter months. New construction offers the best opportunity to prevent frozen pipe problems:

• Insulation: Insulate all water lines in exterior walls, attics, and crawl spaces
• Proper routing: Avoid running water lines through unheated spaces when possible
• Hose bibs: Install frost-proof outdoor faucets with proper slope
• Strategic placement: Keep plumbing in interior walls when possible, especially in bathrooms on exterior walls

See our guide on winterizing your plumbing for more prevention tips.

9. Budget Considerations for Plumbing in New Construction

Plumbing typically represents 10-15% of total construction costs. However, this varies based on:

• Number of bathrooms and fixtures
• Distance from water source or septic system location
• Type of water heater selected
• Fixture quality and features
• Complexity of the layout
• Site conditions (rocky soil, sloped lots, etc.)

Cost-saving tips without sacrificing quality:

• Stack bathrooms on multiple floors to share plumbing runs
• Minimize the distance between fixtures and the main water line
• Select standard fixture rough-in dimensions
• Plan fixture locations before framing to avoid expensive changes

However, don't cut corners on pipe quality, proper venting, or code compliance—these will cost much more to fix later.

10. The Importance of Quality Installation

Even the best materials fail if installation is poor. Quality plumbing installation means:

• Proper slope on drain lines: 1/4 inch per foot for proper drainage
• Secure pipe supports: Preventing sagging and stress on joints
• Pressure testing: All water lines should be pressure tested before walls are closed
• Clean installation: Burrs removed, proper priming and gluing of plastic pipes
• Accessibility: Cleanouts and shutoff valves in accessible locations

A licensed, experienced plumber takes pride in installation quality that you'll never see behind finished walls but will benefit from for years.

Timeline: When Plumbing Happens During Construction

Understanding the construction timeline helps coordinate all trades effectively:

1. Pre-construction: Blueprint review, permit applications, fixture selection
2. Site work: Well drilling (if applicable), septic system installation, water/sewer tap connections
3. Foundation stage: Under-slab plumbing installation before concrete pour (if applicable)
4. Rough-in: Installation of all supply lines, drains, and vents after framing before drywall
5. Rough-in inspection: Required before covering plumbing with drywall
6. Fixture installation: After drywall, painting, and flooring are complete
7. Final inspection: Testing all fixtures and obtaining final approval

Work with Experienced New Construction Plumbers

At Heinert Plumbing, we specialize in new construction plumbing throughout the Upstate SC region. Our team works with builders, contractors, and homeowners from the planning stage through final inspection.

Our new construction services include:

• Blueprint review and planning consultation
• All permit acquisition and inspections
• Underground plumbing and septic system installation
• Complete rough-in plumbing
• Fixture installation and final trim-out
• Water heater installation and setup
• Well pump and pressure system installation

We serve new construction projects in Greenville, Anderson, Seneca, Clemson, Easley, Walhalla, Westminster, Central, Pendleton, and throughout Oconee, Pickens, Anderson, and Greenville counties.