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| The plumbing system in your home is composed of two separate subsystems. The Supply system brings freshwater in, and the Drainage takes waste-water out. The water that comes into your home is under pressure. It enters your home under enough pressure to allow it to travel upstairs, around corners, or wherever else it's needed. Water flows out your home by the power of gravity alone, it passes through a system of pipes laid under your floor, sloping towards the street, where the main sewer line is buried underground.
In many homes, the underground drain line between the house & the street sewer is made of Clay. It is against state code to build over clay, so If the addition is proposed to be located in the front, it is recommended to hire a plumber to mark the location & depth of the existing drain, so it is easier to replace if necessary. Do not rush to hire the plumber to change the line, as you might get a better deal from your contractor as part of the bigger project.
 
Many houses are still equipped with old Galvanized supply pipes. Taping new copper lines for the new addition, to the old galvanized system is bad practice. When re piping the house make sure all horizontal lines are at least 3/4" in diameter, the only 1/2" lines should be the vertical sections next to the fixture. Insulating the hot water supply lines will save you energy and get the hot water faster to the faucets.
If your water heater is too old, consider replacement with a new on-demand Tankless units. These relatively new devices will return their cost through savings on energy bills in 3-5 years. Most units come with 10-15 year warranty, and expect to last more. The tankless water heaters are small, and can be installed in or outdoors, so you might end up with an additional closet @ the end of the process...
Some heater come equipped with built-in timer operated hot water circulation pump to get you instant hot water in hi traffic hours. Most tankless water heaters will require larger gas line then the old water heater, so It is very important to properly size the entire gas grid throughout the house to maintain proper function of all gas operating fixtures.
Laying out an efficient, well-designed system requires craftsmanship and experience. Every house is different, the plumber must decrease water pressure as it enters the home from the water main, and preserve enough pressure throughout various parts of the system to provide adequate flow. Calculating for downward slope of drain, and the correct internal diameter of a waste pipe, or adequate venting will determine how well your system sends waste water to the sewer. Unbalanced system will avert you from enjoying its full potential.
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