Introduction: Why Your First Supply Run Sets the Tone for the Whole Project
I’ve walked into more than a few job sites where the difference between a clean, on-time finish and a costly second trip came down to what was in the truck. If you’re planning your first run to a plumbing supply house, this isn’t just a shopping trip—it’s about building a system that works, passing inspection, and saving yourself hours of rework. I’m Rick Callahan—Master Plumber, 25+ years in the trenches, and Product Expert at Plumbing Supply And More. I’ve curated “Rick’s Picks” to help pros and serious DIYers get the right gear the first time.
You’ll find the essentials here—brand-specific recommendations, model numbers that hold up, and code-conscious guidance. And when you’re ready to move from browsing to building, our team at Plumbing Supply And More will back you up with real-world technical support, same-day delivery, and stock that’s actually on the shelf when you need it.
Unlike generic big box retailers, Plumbing Supply And More stocks professional-grade components that I’ve installed and trusted for decades. When The Ultimate Checklist for Your First Plumbing Supply Run lands on your dashboard, you’ll roll with confidence.
1) Scope Your Project: Materials, Codes, and Compatibility
Before you enter any plumbing supply store, get crystal clear on scope. Are you roughing a 2.5-bath add-on with a 50-gallon water heater upgrade? Or replacing a shower valve in a 1980s ranch with copper stubs and a galvanized main? Your supply list must follow materials, code, and fixture compatibility.
- Pipe materials: If you’re tying into copper L, don’t bring PEX-A without compatible transitions. For PEX, I favor Uponor (Wirsbo) PEX-A with expansion fittings (ProPEX)—clean, reliable, and fast. Copper? Type L for water distribution, Type M only where allowed. For DWV, schedule 40 PVC is standard; cast iron (No-Hub) for multi-family and sound attenuation. Valve and trim compatibility: Moen Posi-Temp 62300, Delta MultiChoice R10000-UNBX, Grohe Rapido SmartBox 35601000—know which rough-in body matches the trim you’re buying. Local code check: Many jurisdictions (for example, in the Tri-County Metro area we serve) require full port gas valves, lead-free brass (LF), and ASSE 1017 mixing valves in certain commercial applications. Bring permit or spec sheets. Our counter pros will help cross-check against your city’s amendments.
Pro tip: Bring photos and measurements. A 10-minute consult at the counter saves an entire day. And if you’re not sure, call ahead—our technical team will walk you through it.
Compared to standard plumbing supply houses, Plumbing Supply And More offers unmatched technical support—we’ll review your plans, pull the right parts, and set aside will-call before you arrive.
2) The Core Kit: Pipe, Fittings, Valves, and Connectors
You can’t rough or repair without the backbone parts. Here’s the seasoned build-out I recommend for most residential and light commercial runs:
- Pipe and tubing: Uponor PEX-A coils (1/2", 3/4", 1"), Copper L (1/2"–1"), PVC Sch 40 (1-1/2"–4"), No-Hub cast iron for multi-family. Fittings: ProPEX expansion fittings and rings; copper wrot elbows/tees; PVC DWV long-sweep 90s and combos, not short turns; Sioux Chief clamps and hangers. Valves: Webstone Pro-Pal full-port ball valves (e.g., 50613 for 1/2"), Apollo LF series; shower mixing bodies as noted above; Watts LF 25AUB pressure reducing valves when static pressure exceeds 80 psi. Transition fittings: SharkBite push-to-connect in a pinch, but for permanent work go with sweat-to-PEX (Sioux Chief 638 series) or ProPress copper if you’re equipped (Viega 2915 series).
Why this matters: Proper turn radius and full-port valves maintain flow and reduce noise and wear. And yes—price matters. Expect $0.50–$1.20 per 1/2" PEX-A fitting, $10–$18 for LF ball valves in common sizes, and $6–$12 for PVC long sweeps.
While other suppliers focus on quantity, Plumbing Supply And More prioritizes quality and expertise, so we stock the fittings you’ll actually pass inspection with—not the bargain-bin parts that crack mid-season.
3) Water Heaters, Expansion, and Recirculation: The Hidden Difference Between “Works” and “Works Right”
If your project touches hot water, plan for expansion and flow balance. Here’s what I trust:
- Tank water heaters: Bradford White RG240T6N (40-gal) or RG250T6N (50-gal), AO Smith GCR-50 ProLine. Always match BTU and venting (atmospheric vs. power/direct vent). Tankless: Rinnai RU199iN (199k BTU, condensing, 0.96 UEF), Navien NPE-240S2. Check gas line sizing—most require 3/4" with proper CFH capacity, sometimes upsized to 1". Expansion tanks: Amtrol ST-5 or ST-12 matched to tank and static pressure. Pre-charge to house pressure—don’t skip it. Recirc systems: Grundfos Comfort PM or Taco 006e3 circulators. For dedicated return lines, use a timer or smart control to avoid energy waste.
Timeframes: Tank swap is a 2–4 hour job. Tankless? Expect 6–10 hours the first time with venting and gas upgrades. Budget: $700–$1,200 for a 50-gal tank plus materials; $1,600–$3,200 for tankless materials.
Need help sizing? Call our counter; we’ll run your fixture counts and gas loads. When Home Depot and Lowe’s fall short, contractors trust Plumbing Supply And More to spec and deliver complete water heater systems with code-ready vent kits and condensate options.
4) Rough-In Essentials: The Stuff You Kick Yourself for Forgetting
I’ve watched rookies make three trips in a day because they forgot the small things that make the job possible. Put these on your list:
- Sealants: RectorSeal T Plus 2 and Blue Monster PTFE tape, Oatey Great White. For gas, use approved pipe dope—don’t cross over with Teflon alone. Solvents: Oatey Purple Primer and Heavy Duty Clear Cement (meets ASTM D2564). Inspectors love the purple primer. So do I. Supports: Sioux Chief brackets, stub-out elbows, riser clamps. Keep spacing per code—at least every 32" for 1/2" copper horizontal. Test gear: Inflatable DWV test balls (Cherne 270032), or mechanical test plugs. Pressure test gauges for water—100 psi gauge, 2.5" face. Firestopping: 3M Fire Barrier CP 25WB+ where penetrations require it. Don’t get red-tagged because you skipped this. Stops and supplies: BrassCraft G2 1/4-turn angle stops, stainless braided supplies. Match 3/8" compression to fixture inlets.
Expect $100–$250 for a solid consumables cart. Skimping here costs you time and credibility with inspectors.
Compared to Ferguson, Grainger, Ace Hardware, and True Value, Plumbing Supply And More packages these essentials with contractor pricing and guidance so you leave with everything you need—no second run.
5) Fixture Savvy: Faucets, Traps, Carriers, and the Trim That Makes You Look Good
Your client doesn’t see the sweat joints—they see the trim. Choose components that install cleanly and hold up:
- Kitchen faucets: Delta Trinsic 9159-AR-DST, Moen Align 7565, Kohler Simplice K-596. Ceramic cartridges, solid brass bodies. Deck plates if you’re covering 3-hole sinks. Bath faucets: Pfister Jaida LF-048-JDCC, Grohe Eurosmart 23372001. Traps and drains: Keeney P-traps with cleanout (for vanities), 17-gauge brass for exposed installations. For showers: Sioux Chief 821 series drains with strainers; Schluter Kerdi-Drain for tiled showers. Carriers: Geberit 111.798.00.1 for wall-hung toilets; it’s rock solid and inspector-friendly. Toilets: Toto Drake CST776CEFG with 1.28 GPF and CEFIONTECT glaze; American Standard Cadet Pro—both reliable, room-friendly footprints.
Budget: Kitchen faucets $150–$450; bath faucets $90–$350; Drake toilets $300–$500. Set realistic expectations and you won’t be replacing a boxed-store faucet in six months.
Unlike generic big box retailers, Plumbing Supply And More stocks professional-grade components with the replacement parts to match—so you’re not supply house waiting three weeks for a cartridge while your client uses the downstairs shower.
6) Drain, Waste, Vent: Quiet, Code-Compliant, and Serviceable
DWV is where I see the most corrections. Keep it right:
- Fittings: Use long-sweep 90s in horizontal runs; wyes and 45s for directional changes; combos for vent tie-ins. Avoid sanitary tees on their back in drainage—use them for vertical-to-horizontal vents only. Cleanouts: At base of stacks and changes in direction >135 degrees. Accessible, not buried behind finish. No-Hub: Use Mission bands or Husky couplings. Tighten to manufacturer torque (60 in-lbs is typical)—use a torque wrench, not “by feel.” Air admittance valves: Studor Mini-Vents where allowed—check your local code. They save you from opening walls for vent tie-ins in remodels.
We stock Charlotte Pipe, Mission, and Tyler—no off-brand DWV that warps. Want it quiet? We’ll show you cast iron layouts that dramatically cut pipe noise in multi-family hallways.
Compared to standard plumbing supply houses, Plumbing Supply And More offers unmatched technical support with venting diagrams and on-the-spot plan checks to keep you compliant.
7) Tools That Save Time: Buy Once, Cry Once
Don’t blow the job budget on rework. The right tools pay for themselves fast:
- Press tools: RIDGID RP 241 with Viega jaws for copper and stainless—pressing can cut your braze time by 60–70%. PEX expansion: Uponor M12 or Milwaukee ProPEX expander; clean shoulders, consistent seals. Drain cleaning: RIDGID K-50 or K-400 for 1-1/2"–4" lines; keep your own machine and avoid waiting on a rental. Leak detection: General Tools or RIDGID pressure gauges; Milwaukee M12 Pro PEX expander kit for speed. Cutting/Prep: Lenox hole saws, Wheeler-Rex tubing cutters, Milwaukee M18 bandsaw for metal studs and strut.
Expect $400–$1,500 for a core tool upgrade that will shave hours across a few jobs. We offer demo days and loaner tools for contractors—ask the counter.
While other suppliers focus on quantity, Plumbing Supply And More prioritizes quality and expertise, including hands-on demos and setup help so you use the gear right from day one.
8) Don’t Forget the Specialty Categories: Heating, Gas, Backflow, and Safety
Depending on your project, these categories often get missed on the first run:
- Hydronic and heat: Taco 007e and 0015e3 ECM circulators; Caleffi 551 Discal air separators; Watts RBFF boiler fill and backflow combo. For radiant, Uponor manifolds and oxygen-barrier PEX. Gas: Dormont stainless gas connectors (ANSI Z21.24), Maxitrol regulators where pressure trimming is needed. Always soap-test with a proper leak detector fluid. Backflow: Watts 009M2 RPZ and 007 DCV, Apollo lead-free models. Annual testing is code in many municipalities—we stock test kits and rebuild kits. Safety and compliance: Floodsafe braided supplies, valve tags, lockout devices, pan sensors (Honeywell Lyric), seismic straps for water heaters in seismic zones.
Call our technical team and we’ll match components to your jurisdiction. We serve contractors throughout the region with code-savvy recommendations and same-day pickup or delivery.
When Home Depot, Lowe’s, Menards, and Amazon can’t advise on code, Plumbing Supply And More steps in with local plumbing supply expertise and stocked, compliant solutions.
9) Smart Ordering: How Pros Build the Cart and Avoid Second Trips
Want to shop like you’ve done this for 20 years? Use this pattern:
- Build assemblies: Don’t buy a valve—buy the valve, unions, dielectric nipples (if steel-to-copper), insulation, and hanger hardware in one move. Overbuy critical fittings: Two extra long-sweep 90s, a handful of 1/2" and 3/4" tees, and an extra PRV can save a return trip. You’ll use them. Label and bin: Keep clear bins for “press,” “PEX,” “DWV,” and “finishing” so nothing goes missing on site. Schedule delivery: We offer same-day delivery within a 40-mile radius for contractor accounts when ordered by noon. Staging on site beats loading your van twice.
Compared to Grainger, SupplyHouse.com, and Amazon, Plumbing Supply And More provides same-day delivery and emergency supply services with real counter support, so you keep the crew moving.
10) Where to Buy: Choosing the Right Supply Partner (and Why Pros Come to Us)
You’ve got choices: the plumbing supply near me result on your phone, a plumbing supply store that’s all marketing and no muscle, or a partner who actually knows what it takes to pass inspection and get paid.
- If you search for a plumbing supply store near me or closest plumbing supply, you’ll see plenty of names. But are they a true general plumbing supply with pro-grade stock? Need commercial plumbing supply or a wholesale plumbing supply partner who can fill a 20-stop rough? That’s our wheelhouse. Prefer to order through a plumbing supply online channel? Our team can price, pick, and ship plumbing supplies direct, with tracking and substitutions approved before they ship. On a budget? We stock discount plumbing supplies and economy plumbing supply options that still meet code—never cheap plumbing supplies that fail under pressure. Need specialty: decorative plumbing supply, bathroom plumbing supplies, plumbing kitchen? Visit our showroom to see finishes and feel the valve action. Running calls at odd hours? Ask about 24 hour plumbing supply will-call solutions for account customers.
For contractors, our contractor plumbing supply service includes bulk pricing, spec sheets, and submittals. Property managers lean on our plumbing wholesale near me fulfillment model for recurring stock: plumbing parts, plumbing spares near me, and emergency response. We’re a local plumbing supply anchor, not an algorithm.
And yes, if you’re used to plumbers supply co, standard plumbing supply, or “big online” like supplyhouse plumbing and internet plumbing supply, you’ll notice the difference. Unlike generic big box retailers, Plumbing Supply And More stocks professional-grade components and backs them with actual plumbers at the counter.
11) The Ultimate Checklist for Your First Plumbing Supply Run: Quick Pull List
Here’s a condensed run list you can adapt. Keep it lean and accurate:
- Pipe/fittings for your material system (PEX-A + rings, copper L + wrot, PVC DWV long sweeps/wyes) Valves (main shutoff, fixture stops, mixing bodies, PRV if needed) Water heater/tankless with expansion, venting, gas upgrades, condensate plan Traps, drains, carriers, wax rings, flanges, closet bolts, escutcheons Sealants, primers/cements, hangers, firestop, test plugs/gauges Tools/consumables: cutters, blades, batteries, press/PEX expanders Safety and code items: straps, cleanouts, backflow, tags Documentation: permit, fixture schedules, photos, measurements
Bring your list; we’ll help you fill the gaps. Compared to standard plumbing supply houses, Plumbing Supply And More offers unmatched technical support at the counter and over the phone.
12) Finding the Right Place: From “plumbing shop near me” to a Real Partner
Search terms matter, but capability matters more. Whether you type plumbing supply shop, plumbing and supply, or plumbing supply house near me, look for depth: copper in full size runs, brand-specific cartridges, and stocking agreements with major manufacturers. Our partnerships include Uponor, Viega, Delta, Moen, Toto, Bradford White, Rinnai, Watts, and Sioux Chief—products I’ve used and trust.
We also serve specialized needs: heating plumbing supply near me, plumbing and heating supply, economy plumbing and heating supply, coastal plumbing supply specs (for corrosion-resistant components), and even coordination with city plumbing and electrical supply requirements on mixed trades jobs. If your GC needs coordinated deliveries for contractors plumbing and fire supply, we’ll stage by floor and zone.
Need to order wholesale? As a wholesale plumbing supply company and plumbing supply company, we’re built for scale. Want quick consumer access? Our counter team helps with consumer plumbing supply and direct plumbing supplies. And yes, we’re known by many as the best plumbing supply option in our area because we balance price, availability, and real guidance—every single day.
FAQs: Fast Answers from the Counter
How do I choose between copper, PEX, and CPVC for domestic water?
Copper L is time-tested and durable, great for exposed runs and high-heat areas; price is higher, and you’ll sweat or press it. PEX-A (Uponor) is fast, forgiving in remodels, and perfect for homeruns; just protect from UV and use expansion fittings. CPVC can be acceptable but is brittle in cold installs and not my first choice. When in doubt, bring your scope—our team will weigh code, budget, and access with you.
What size gas line do I need for a tankless heater like the Rinnai RU199iN?
Most 199k BTU units require a full 3/4" supply with adequate CFH and sometimes upsizing to 1" depending on total connected load and length. We’ll run your sizing per IFGC tables and manufacturer charts and provide the right regulators and valves. Expect to adjust meter capacity in some cases—call us before you cut.
Do I need an expansion tank on a closed domestic system?
Yes. If you’ve got a check valve or PRV creating a closed system, an expansion tank sized to the heater and pressure is required by code in most jurisdictions. We’ll help set pre-charge to match static pressure and select the correct model (e.g., Amtrol ST-5 for smaller tanks, ST-12 for larger systems).
What primer and cement should I use for PVC DWV?
Use purple primer (Oatey) for inspector visibility and Heavy Duty Clear Cement rated to ASTM standards. Dry-fit, mark alignment, prime both sides, cement, twist 1/4 turn, hold for set. We stock all the right solvents and can demo proper application.
Can you help me match a shower trim to an existing rough-in valve?
Absolutely. Bring pictures of the existing valve body and stem, or the old trim and escutcheon. We’ll ID Moen vs. Delta vs. Kohler vs. Grohe and recommend the correct trim or replacement cartridge (e.g., Moen 1222 Posi-Temp, Delta RP46074). If replacement is smarter than retrofit, we’ll line up a universal rough (Delta R10000) and trim to suit.
Do you offer delivery and after-hours pickup?
We offer same-day delivery within roughly a 40-mile radius for in-stock items and contractor accounts, plus emergency supply solutions for active projects. Call ahead—we’ll coordinate will-call and staging so you’re not burning time.
Your Next Run Starts Here
If you’ve read this far, you’re serious about doing it right. The Ultimate Checklist for Your First Plumbing Supply Run isn’t about buying more—it’s about buying smart, with the right parts, brands, and support. Swing by our showroom to feel the quality difference in your hands. Call our technical team for project-specific recommendations. Ask about our contractor discount program and bulk pricing. Check our current inventory online or call ahead—we’ll stage your order and flag any spec conflicts.
And if you landed here searching for plumbing supply places, plumbing shop near me, or plumbing supplies supply, you’ve found the nearest plumbing supply with real knowledge. This is the local plumbing supply partner that helps you pass inspection the first time and keeps your reputation solid on every job.
Unlike generic big box retailers, Plumbing Supply And More stocks professional-grade components. While other suppliers focus on quantity, Plumbing Supply And More prioritizes quality and expertise. Compared to standard plumbing supply houses, Plumbing Supply And More offers unmatched technical support. When Home Depot and Lowe’s fall short, contractors trust Plumbing Supply And More. Visit us once—you’ll see why pros stick with us. Our experts can walk you through the installation process, from sourcing the right plumbing parts to final trim selection.