Lively Learning: Manifold Water Distribution
Plumbing Manifold System
We’re enhancing all the 2025 homes in Lively Lane with the addition of a manifold water distribution system and we’ve selected the Viega Manabloc product to provide more control over your home’s plumbing while increasing efficiency and convenience. In episode two of our Lively Learning series, we explore how the Manabloc system delivers better performance for your future home.
What is the manifold water distribution system?
A manifold is like a central hub that distributes water directly to all the fixtures in your home. Unlike a traditional residential plumbing system that pushes all water through a large trunk line in your home and then branches off to each fixture, a manifold sends water directly to each fixture. This type of installation provides a central control panel for your plumbing, similar to an electrical breaker box, and comes with a lot of other benefits.
What are the core benefits of a manifold?
Firstly, you gain more granular control over your plumbing by being able to isolate each room or fixture via an individual valve without having to shut off your entire water supply. This feature is particularly beneficial when you need to change out a fixture or address a plumbing issue with minimal disruption to the other parts of the house. Pressure drops can also be reduced when multiple fixtures are used simultaneously since the manifold is regulating and delivering water directly just to the fixtures in use instead of having to maintain pressure to all supply runs like in a conventional installation. There are also fewer fittings/joints required through the home since each room or fixture receives its own run providing fewer fail points in the home. But, the most exciting benefit lies in hot water energy savings.
How does a manifold work with hot water?
In the typical trunk/branch configuration in most homes, the water heater has to supply hot water to all the hot water pipes in the home when any one fixture calls for hot water. This puts unnecessary strain on the water heater and is wasteful since much of the hot water goes unused. With a manifold system, the water heater only needs to supply the manifold and then it delivers hot water just to the specific fixtures requiring it on demand. This design not only provides faster access to hot water since you don’t have to wait for the unheated water to clear through, it also enhances energy efficiency - which equates to less cost for you.
The Viega Manabloc is yet another building system many would call an upgrade that Lively Lane has made standard, and we’re excited to bring it to all homes delivering in 2025.
