Resiliency and Affordability—Reduced Cost by Smart Plumbing Design – GreenBuildingAdvisor

By Joshua Salinger | August 13, 2025

At my firm, Birdsmouth Design-Build, we have been noticing that our clients are starting to ask for resiliency features in their homes more often. Everything from fire mitigation to protection from heat domes and cold snaps to earthquakes and other natural disasters. But one of the most common and expensive threats to any home is far more mundane: water leaks.

Water damage isn’t just inconvenient—it’s costly. In fact, water-related insurance claims are the second most common type in the United States, often exceeding $10,000 per incident. Beyond the financial toll, water intrusion can lead to mold, rot, structural degradation, and even long-term health problems.

But how do we mitigate water risks to make our homes more resilient without breaking the bank? Recently, Randy Williams (as part of this week’s resiliency and affordability series) asked me to consider some ways to address affordability and resiliency in buildings. I believe there is a way to accomplish both by leveraging costs and realizing savings over time.

First costs and the importance of design

Resilience to water damage starts with smart design. The layout of your home, particularly the placement of plumbing and mechanical systems, can dramatically reduce the chances of leaks—and make them easier to spot, contain, and fix when they do occur.

Start by designing all wet areas—kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms—near one another. This reduces the need for long plumbing runs and consolidates water lines to a single area. Not only does this save on material and labor costs, but it also simplifies maintenance and troubleshooting down the line. And if there is a leak, it will be contained to just one part…