Flow-On Effect: 5 Places You Might Want Plumbed in Your Kitchen
One water point under the sink may not be enough to supply your kitchen. Here are some other areas to consider plumbing
Rebecca Senyard
12 June 2018
Houzz Australia Contributor. A licensed plumber with more than 10 years' experience on the tools, passionate about sharing what I have learned to help with your new build or renovation. I also write an award-winning blog, The Plumbette.
Houzz Australia Contributor. A licensed plumber with more than 10 years' experience... More
There are so many elements to consider when finalising the design of a new kitchen. From textures and colours to the nitty gritty details of materials, power points and storage, it can be daunting to ensure all of the necessities are covered in a new kitchen build or renovation.
While it’s common to ensure there are enough power points for appliances, it’s also crucial to ensure there are enough water points. Getting your plumber to allow for water points in various locations of your kitchen will prevent pipework penetrations through cabinetry. In some instances, the water lines may need to be reconsidered if electrical appliances are in the way.
So how many water points will you need in your new kitchen? It all depends on the appliances and where they are located. Here are some places to consider.
While it’s common to ensure there are enough power points for appliances, it’s also crucial to ensure there are enough water points. Getting your plumber to allow for water points in various locations of your kitchen will prevent pipework penetrations through cabinetry. In some instances, the water lines may need to be reconsidered if electrical appliances are in the way.
So how many water points will you need in your new kitchen? It all depends on the appliances and where they are located. Here are some places to consider.
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1. Under the sink
The most obvious and important location for a water connection is under the sink. Hot and cold water points are required to charge the sink. At minimum, there should be one cold and one hot water point under the sink. But if there are appliances connected to the sink, you will require more water points.
The most obvious and important location for a water connection is under the sink. Hot and cold water points are required to charge the sink. At minimum, there should be one cold and one hot water point under the sink. But if there are appliances connected to the sink, you will require more water points.
The dishwasher is one appliance that is usually installed under the drain of the sink. A dishwasher requires its own cold water point, and some may also require a hot water point. Your plumber will be able to tee into the existing hot and cold water lines under the sink to feed the dishwasher.
The water branches feeding the dishwasher should have their own mini stop taps and pressure-limiting valves. The mini stop tap allows for easy disconnection when the water line needs to be shut off to the appliance.
A pressure-limiting valve prevents blowouts if the water pressure fluctuates. Most appliances will have a maximum pressure that they can handle, and a pressure-limiting valve will ensure the water pressure doesn’t go beyond what the appliance can handle. It’s also usually a mandatory requirement as part of the warranty.
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The water branches feeding the dishwasher should have their own mini stop taps and pressure-limiting valves. The mini stop tap allows for easy disconnection when the water line needs to be shut off to the appliance.
A pressure-limiting valve prevents blowouts if the water pressure fluctuates. Most appliances will have a maximum pressure that they can handle, and a pressure-limiting valve will ensure the water pressure doesn’t go beyond what the appliance can handle. It’s also usually a mandatory requirement as part of the warranty.
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The second appliance that requires its own water point under a sink is a filtered water tap. A filtered water tap will have the tap installed on the sink landing, and the body of the appliance installed under the kitchen sink in the cupboard. In the photo above, a Zip Hydrotap has been installed, so this sink would have three water points; two to feed the sink mixer (hot and cold) and one cold water point to feed the filtered tap.
The filtered tap will also require a pressure-limiting valve and its own mini stop tap. There will be times when the appliance requires a filter change and its water supply will need to be turned off. The mini stop tap will stop the water going to the appliance, but not to the sink mixer, so you will still be able to use the sink if needed.
The filtered tap will also require a pressure-limiting valve and its own mini stop tap. There will be times when the appliance requires a filter change and its water supply will need to be turned off. The mini stop tap will stop the water going to the appliance, but not to the sink mixer, so you will still be able to use the sink if needed.
2. Island bench
If you choose to have your filtered water tap installed in a different location, away from the kitchen sink, it will require its own water connection.
In this example, the filtered tap has been installed in the island bench, and the kitchen sink is installed adjacent to the island. It is difficult to get the water points from one section of the kitchen to the other, so it’s important for the plumber to know the design layout so the water points can be allowed for during the rough-in.
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If you choose to have your filtered water tap installed in a different location, away from the kitchen sink, it will require its own water connection.
In this example, the filtered tap has been installed in the island bench, and the kitchen sink is installed adjacent to the island. It is difficult to get the water points from one section of the kitchen to the other, so it’s important for the plumber to know the design layout so the water points can be allowed for during the rough-in.
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3. Behind the fridge
If your fridge has a filtered cold water function or ice-maker, a water point will need to be installed in the fridge cavity. A mini stop tap, filter and pressure-limiting valve will need to be installed on this water line to prevent pressure blowouts.
It can be possible for the plumber to connect into the existing water supply under the kitchen sink, and run the water line in the cupboards to the fridge location. But if the water connection can be installed at the time of rough-in, this saves the headaches of getting a water pipe through cabinetry and around other appliances such as the oven or microwave. It can also reduce labour costs, which saves you money in the long run.
If your fridge has a filtered cold water function or ice-maker, a water point will need to be installed in the fridge cavity. A mini stop tap, filter and pressure-limiting valve will need to be installed on this water line to prevent pressure blowouts.
It can be possible for the plumber to connect into the existing water supply under the kitchen sink, and run the water line in the cupboards to the fridge location. But if the water connection can be installed at the time of rough-in, this saves the headaches of getting a water pipe through cabinetry and around other appliances such as the oven or microwave. It can also reduce labour costs, which saves you money in the long run.
4. Coffee machine
Not all coffee machines require their own water connection; some can be manually filled with water. But if you have a commercial coffee machine that requires its own filtered water line, a water connection should be considered in the location of the coffee machine.
The coffee machine may be installed in cabinetry, or it may be placed on a kitchen bench. Wherever the location, check if a water connection is needed, and plan accordingly for a mini stop tap, pressure-limiting valve and water filter.
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Not all coffee machines require their own water connection; some can be manually filled with water. But if you have a commercial coffee machine that requires its own filtered water line, a water connection should be considered in the location of the coffee machine.
The coffee machine may be installed in cabinetry, or it may be placed on a kitchen bench. Wherever the location, check if a water connection is needed, and plan accordingly for a mini stop tap, pressure-limiting valve and water filter.
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5. Butler’s pantry
Once the water points are considered in the main kitchen space, it’s important to consider if any water connections are needed for the butler’s pantry. In some designs, a sink and dishwasher will be installed in the butler’s pantry. Two water points should be considered in the butler’s pantry at a minimum. These are to feed the sink and the dishwasher, if one is included.
Once the water points are considered in the main kitchen space, it’s important to consider if any water connections are needed for the butler’s pantry. In some designs, a sink and dishwasher will be installed in the butler’s pantry. Two water points should be considered in the butler’s pantry at a minimum. These are to feed the sink and the dishwasher, if one is included.
During the design process and when appliances are being chosen for the kitchen, it’s important to check what water connections may be needed. If everything is within arm’s reach of the kitchen sink, your plumber may be able to install enough branches from the existing water service to feed each appliance.
But if other electrical appliances are in the way, it may be difficult to get that water line installed to where it needs to be. Always check the appliance, and then consider if its location in the kitchen warrants its own water connection.
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But if other electrical appliances are in the way, it may be difficult to get that water line installed to where it needs to be. Always check the appliance, and then consider if its location in the kitchen warrants its own water connection.
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Fridges!!! So many fridges require a water line too! :)
Don't forget a water point if a bar/drinks area is being included near the kitchen or living area. These spots are also great to put a coffee machine and it's handy to have water near these.
This is not actually in the main kitchen, but many houses now have an outdoor area and outdoor kichen directly out side the main one. This would be a good place for planning a water connection also.