The Basics of Plumbing
When a plumbing job comes up all of a sudden, they are classified as an emergency. It might seem like the problem appeared out of nowhere, but the fact is that we all seem to ignore the signs – leaky pipe or dripping tap, or a shower drain that does not run out as quickly as it should. Another aspect that seems to confront most people is whether they should tackle the plumbing task themselves or call in the professional. Just what are the basics of plumbing? If you know what flows where and what goes where and the piping fixtures that attach, it might help you to save a bit of time and money.
What’s in the Pipelines?
The main purpose of residential plumbing is to bring water into your home and to take away the waste through a drainage system. There seems to be a maze of pipes supplying water to various parts of the house. Water is supplied to the sinks and showers and the more modern houses have shut off valves for individual fixtures in the bathroom and kitchen. Every home has main shut-off valve. The pipes are all made from PVC, copper and PEX materials. In days gone by mostly copper was used.
The Materials
The drainage system that leads out of the kitchens and bathrooms is independent of each other though they all finally lead to one common sewer chamber outside your home. The drain system used in houses is what helps keep your home toxin and gas-free. Cast iron piping was used in older homes but the newer homes use PVC or ABS. Outside drain pipes are still cast iron in many cases while the internal ones are made from PVC. Cast iron is sturdier, stronger and less likely to shake as much as PVC ones might.
The Main Section of Piping
The main part of the waste water system is the trap and vent. called an ‘S Bend’, it’s a curved piece of pipe under the bathroom and the kitchen sink. It keeps a small amount of water in the drain at all times. That prevents toxic gases from backing up through the line. Another critical safety feature of any plumbing system is the vent line. The vent pipe carries the gases from the sewer out of your home. the pipe leads to the roof.
Your sewage
In some areas that have not been redeveloped, usually older areas or rural areas, there is no connection the main sewer lines. In this case there is a leach drain installed. The leach drain is for grey water, that is from the kitchen an laundry and shower / bath in the bathroom. The toilet waste goes to a septic tank that requires pumping out a couple of times a year. A good plumbing company will have the expertise to be able to look after any issues that may arise with a home’s water supply and drainage system.
