If you’re moving into a newly built home in Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, or anywhere in Riverside County, you might assume the plumbing is perfect. But even new construction has issues — and knowing what’s in your walls helps you maintain your plumbing properly and catch problems early. Davis Plumbing and Heating Inc. serves new homeowners throughout Riverside County.

What Plumbing Materials Are Used in New Riverside County Construction?

Since approximately 2005, most new single-family homes in Riverside County use:

  • PEX (Cross-Linked Polyethylene) supply lines — Flexible plastic tubing that is resistant to freezing, corrosion, and scale buildup. PEX connections use crimp rings, expansion fittings, or push-fit connectors (SharkBite). PEX is the dominant material in current new construction.
  • ABS or PVC drain, waste & vent (DWV) pipes — Black ABS or white PVC plastic pipes for all drain lines. Durable, lightweight, and resistant to corrosion.
  • Copper — Some builders still use copper for supply lines, especially for higher-end custom homes. Copper is extremely durable but more expensive than PEX.

Common New Home Plumbing Issues

Even new construction can have problems:

  • Builder-grade fixtures — Budget faucets, toilets, and showerheads installed by volume builders are often the lowest-cost options available. Upgrades pay dividends in durability and water efficiency.
  • Improper drain slopes — Construction speed sometimes leads to drain lines with insufficient slope (less than 1/4 inch per foot), causing chronic slow drains.
  • Missing or improper venting — Gurgling drains or sewer gas odors in new homes often indicate venting issues that need correction.
  • Missing expansion tank — California requires expansion tanks in homes with pressure-reducing valves (a closed system). Many new homes are missing these, causing pressure fluctuations and premature water heater failure.
  • Unprotected pipe penetrations — Fire blocking requirements aren’t always properly followed, leaving pipe holes that should be sealed.

New Home Plumbing Inspections

Davis Plumbing offers new homeowner plumbing inspections — a comprehensive walkthrough of your new home’s plumbing systems before the builder’s one-year warranty expires. We identify any installation deficiencies that should be corrected at the builder’s expense while you’re still within the warranty period.

Schedule Your New Home Plumbing Inspection

Call (951) 657-0393 to schedule a new home plumbing inspection or to discuss service for your Riverside County new construction home. Or contact us online.