What Is a Home Plumbing Manifold? Trunk & Branch vs. Home Run Plumbing Systems Explained

A home plumbing manifold is a modern water distribution system that serves as a central control hub for your home’s plumbing. Much like an electrical breaker panel manages power, a plumbing manifold controls the flow of hot and cold water to every fixture in your home—sinks, showers, toilets, washing machines, and more.

Rather than relying on a traditional branching layout, a plumbing manifold creates what’s known as a home-run plumbing system. In this setup, each fixture receives its own dedicated supply line that runs directly from the manifold. These systems typically use flexible PEX piping and are commonly installed in a basement, utility closet, or mechanical room for easy access and maintenance.

Trunk & Branch Plumbing System Explained

A trunk and branch plumbing system is the traditional method found in many older homes. This system uses one main trunk pipe for hot water and one for cold water, with smaller branch lines splitting off to supply individual fixtures.

While trunk and branch systems use less piping and can provide strong pressure to a single fixture, they often experience pressure drops when multiple fixtures are running at once. Because fixtures share supply lines, shutting off water usually requires turning off a larger section of the home—or even the main water valve.

Home Run Plumbing System (Manifold System) Explained

A home run plumbing system uses a central plumbing manifold with dedicated PEX lines running directly to each fixture. This layout delivers more balanced water pressure, makes fixture-specific shutoffs possible, and simplifies maintenance.

Because hot water travels through a direct line, home run systems deliver hot water faster, reduce water waste, and improve overall efficiency. If a leak occurs, it can be isolated to a single line, minimizing potential damage and repair costs.

Trunk & Branch vs. Home Run Plumbing: Key Differences

Feature	Trunk & Branch System	Home Run (Manifold) System
Pipe layout	Main trunk with branching lines	Dedicated line to each fixture
Water pressure	Higher pressure at one fixture	Balanced pressure throughout home
Hot water delivery	Slower, shared lines	Faster, direct supply
Water waste	Higher	Reduced
Shut-off control	Limited	Individual fixture shutoffs
Leak isolation	Affects multiple fixtures	Isolated to one line
Piping required	Less tubing	More piping required

Which Plumbing System Is Best for Your Home?

A trunk and branch plumbing system may be more cost-effective and require less material, making it common in older homes or simple layouts. However, a home run plumbing system with a plumbing manifold offers significant advantages in water pressure consistency, efficiency, and ease of maintenance.

Home run systems are especially popular in new construction, major renovations, and energy-efficient homes where long-term performance matters. Although they require more piping and a higher upfront investment, many homeowners find the convenience, faster hot water, and reduced water waste well worth it.