A wet wall is a non-structural wall that accommodates plumbing pipes for fixtures and can reduce construction costs, increase efficiency, and make plumbing repairs easier. It can be built between a bathroom and kitchen and requires special building materials to prevent leaks. It can also reduce renovation costs and make maintenance easier.
A wet wall is a structural wall designed to accommodate plumbing pipes for fixtures such as sinks, dishwashers, and toilets. Running plumbing fixtures through the wall tends to be expensive, and consolidating plumbing fixtures into a single wet wall can increase efficiency, reduce construction costs, and make it easier to fix plumbing problems in the future, as you only need access to one wall. In new home design, architects and contractors can think ahead when it comes to placing fixtures so that a single wet wall can be used for shared fixtures.
The wall can accommodate pipes of various sizes. Below the wall, pipes connect to water and sewer lines or feed a septic tank when sewer service is unavailable. The pipes rise inside the wall and can supply water or carry waste from either side. Commonly, a wet wall is built between a planned bathroom and kitchen, allowing them to share a wall, and any fixtures that require water will be lined up on either side.
Care should be taken when building a wet wall because the joists may need to be moved or adjusted to make room for the pipes. Usually, the wall is non-structural and the joists are primarily used to support the wall, not the entire building. Special building materials may be used and are sometimes required so that containment is available in the event of a leak. Rock slabs, for example, may be of a special design that can resist getting wet. The wet wall will also need protective splashbacks in the room to prevent the water from directly hitting the wall.
In a remodel, a contractor may recommend considering a wet wall design if it’s not already in use. Sharing a wall can reduce renovation costs, an important consideration for many people. You may need to move more stuff than you plan, but it also comes with some benefits. For example, the hot water line can be shortened, reducing the waiting time for hot water when people turn on the faucets.
When plumbing problems develop and people need access to pipes in walls, it will be centrally located, making maintenance very easy. This can reduce the expenses associated with plumbing repairs. In the event of a leak, the cost of repairing the water damage will also be reduced as the potential area of the leak will be reduced.
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