A distribution manifold for a water supply system or a plumbing comb is a device designed to simplify the water supply scheme in a private house or apartment. Its purpose is to bring a uniform water flow to every point in the living space and provide reliable protection against leakage. However, the device is able to cope well with its tasks only with proper installation.
Application area
The task of the collector is to equalize the pressure in the water main, to prevent sudden drops in pressure and water hammer.
With his help:
- Autonomous systems are being created that supply water to each apartment of a multi-storey building.
- Water pipes are supplied to each plumbing fixture.
- All plumbing fixtures function independently of each other.
To achieve the best result, it is recommended to install collector devices on cold and hot water pipes. The outlet of each pipe section is equipped with a tap or a valve that allows you to quickly shut off the water supply to any point. This will help to avoid leaks in the event of a malfunction. The collector is placed on the main riser and usually hidden in a plumbing cabinet. It is undesirable to close it with furniture or sew it into the wall without quick access.
Device and principle of operation
Redistribution of the water jet by the collector to several directions with the same pressure is the main function of the installation.
The switchgear is connected directly to the riser. On both sides there is a threaded connection (on one - internal thread, on the other - external) for connection to the main pipe and additional manifolds.
The inlet opening is 20-40 percent larger than the outlet ones. For a collector water supply system in a standard apartment, the first section is 3/4 ", the second is 1/2".
Shut-off elements at the outlet allow you to shut off the water flow in time and adjust the power for each individual point to stabilize the pressure or save on water.
Reservoir classification
Devices are created from different materials:
- brass;
- polypropylene;
- made of cross-linked polyethylene;
- made of stainless steel.
Devices are classified according to the method of connecting pipes. Threaded fastening implies the presence of an internal or external thread. The connection is made using a Eurocone or using compression fittings for pipes made of metal-plastic and plastic.
For water supply pipes made of polypropylene, plastic fittings for soldering are still used. But products made of cross-linked polyethylene cannot be connected like that, compression fittings will be required.
The collector unit has a different number of outlets: from 2 to 6. The products are equipped with two fasteners corresponding to the section of the main pipe. With their help, several blocks are combined into one device without the use of additional transition parts. An increase in the length of the comb is necessary in cottages with a large number of plumbing fixtures.
It happens that only one device is installed. Then special plugs are used to close the unused outputs.
The devices block the flows to some consumers, while the rest continue to work.This helps when repairing or replacing plumbing, restoring a damaged area, or cleaning a plumbing.
Criterias of choice
Before choosing a device, it is important to calculate the total number of water consumers. These include toilets, taps, dishwashers and washing machines and other appliances. Their number must match the number of outputs. If in the future it is planned to connect additional plumbing fixtures, it is worth choosing a comb with a large number of leads. Unused outlets are closed with special plumbing plugs.
The type of device differs depending on the material and cross-section of pipe sections and fittings. To make the collector easier to mount, select a water comb with already installed taps.
If the number of points is more than the number of pins, put several devices, connecting them into one whole.
It is worth familiarizing yourself with the technical characteristics of the various dies in order to make a choice:
- pressure in the water main;
- device throughput;
- installation for hot or cold water supply;
- the ability to connect an additional plumbing fixture.
There are situations when a flexible water supply hose is required for connection, which is due to the location of the device and the area of the room. The hoses are easy to install, but less leak-proof.
Installation rules
The wiring of the water supply network with the installation of a collector can be done independently. It is assembled according to the following scheme: the main pipe is connected to the comb directly, without any branches. Pipes supplying water for each plumbing fixture are connected to it. The devices are conveniently mounted behind the toilet cistern. But other versions are also valid.
To choose a place for a comb, take into account:
- availability for repair and installation;
- humidity (moderate);
- the presence of a bearing wall on which the device is fixed;
- the ability to work in the event of an accident at any time of the day thanks to additional lighting.
Sometimes the device is installed in a separate room or cabinet. Special clamps are used to secure the collector.
The combs are installed for both hot and cold water supply. For ease of use and to avoid confusion, manufacturers produce collectors in two shades: red and blue.
The installation should be performed only after the wiring is mounted, meters, a check valve, filters and other parts of the water supply line are exposed. At the point of connection to the main riser, the system is equipped with ball valves that shut off the main flow. It also houses a coarse filter and a meter that allows you to control water consumption.
You will need to complete the installation of water lines for each point of consumption. To do this, it is worth leaving free taps in the collector, drowning them with plumbing plugs. Only then can the distribution node be mounted. Install it without additional sealing.
Carrying out the installation in this order will reduce the load on the connections and help to avoid their deformation. This is especially true for non-professionals.
When installing, you need to take into account the following points:
- The device responsible for the distribution is certainly equipped with shut-off elements for regulating and shutting off the flow.
- The cross-section of the connection point to the main line must be larger than the standard 15 mm. Such a diameter of the inlet pipe allows providing the consumer with the required amount of water while using several plumbing fixtures at the same time.
- To neutralize water hammer, which can cause serious damage to the water supply, you need to install a special damper.
- Fittings-adapters are installed on the threaded connection of the valves or outlets from the manifold.Pipes supplying water to consumption points are connected to them.
- When a building with two or more floors is equipped with a water supply system, it may be necessary to install a circulation pump.
If a hidden scheme of a water distribution system is chosen, it will be necessary to install heat-insulating material on the supply pipes. This method avoids cracking of the screed or places where the grooves are embedded. Heat losses in the hot water supply pipeline will also be reduced.
Advantages and disadvantages
The device has many advantages:
- Convenience. All communication nodes are located in one place. There is no need to crawl under the sink to turn off the mixer with a faulty crane-axle box. All that is required is to close the required tap on the splitter.
- Reliability. A pipe is laid from the device to the point of consumption without any connections. If everything is installed correctly, there will be no leaks.
- Elimination of pressure drops. With the simultaneous use of two plumbing fixtures, the pressure in the line will remain unchanged. If shut-off valves are available, you can adjust the water supply if the pressure in the water supply is too high or too low.
- No temperature extremes. This point is important when using hot water at two points.
Collectors are needed for the convenience of using household appliances that are connected to the plumbing system. It is not necessary to completely turn off the water supply complex if it is necessary to repair individual points or sections of the highway. The system can be installed in a hidden form. It can be cumbersome when opened.
The only downside to the installation is the price. The distribution of water supply using collectors is much more expensive in terms of material (the combs themselves and connecting elements) and for work, if a hired specialist is engaged in this. But taking into account the reliability and usefulness of the device, the costs are well paid off.
The water supply system with a manifold helps to eliminate most of the flaws in the water supply line or allows you to protect consumers from possible imperfections in sequential or mixed sweep schemes. The durability of plastic, copper and steel appliances is more than half a century, but the service life of ball valves is about 15 years.
