Plumbing Basics
Most of us don’t even think about how our plumbing works until we have a problem and then we don’t have a clue as to what could be wrong. And if you’re thinking of making any changes or renovations involving plumbing, a basic understanding of your system may prevent you from making any costly mistakes. Being informed before you contact your plumber can save you time and money!
Below are some basic things you should know about the plumbing system in your home.
Subsystems. The plumbing system in your home is composed of two separate subsystems. One brings freshwater in, and the other takes wastewater out. Water coming in is under pressure, which allows it to travel upstairs and around corners. This cold water coming in is immediately ready for use. Hot water, however, requires another step, a hot water heater. The second subsystem is your drainage. Drainage depends upon the gravity. Gravity pulls the waste along where it flows to a sewage treatment facility or septic tank.
Water Pressure. All plumbing fixtures are designed to operate within a range of water volume. It is the plumber’s job to ensure that each fixture, from the toilet to a simple laundry hose receive the correct amount of water volume. Plumbers rely on the internal diameter of the water pipes to control water volume. You might be surprised to find out that then water pressure and water volume are not the same. The pressure remains the same, but the volume may change due to variations in pipe size.
Gravity. Plumbers use gravity to drive the drainage and waste removal of the plumbing system. Drainage leaves your house because the pipes all pitch, or angle, downward. The plumbing system must be properly vented to release air pressure, or it will lose its flow. The drainage and waste system is referred to as the “DWV”, drainage, waste, and vent system.
Codes. The job of a plumber, when designing or repairing a system, is most often dictated by local, state and federal codes. Codes will specify the internal diameter of pipe that must be used for a particular plumbing section or function. For instance, pipe of increasingly smaller diameter is called for as the supply pipes branch out from the water main that enters the house. The water coming in from the main is under too much pressure for an individual sink, toilet or household appliance to handle. This decreasing drop in pressure as water moves away from the main, to primary supply lines then to secondary supply lines, ensures that each appliance receives the correct amount of pressure and volume of water.
Vents. Vents are the pipes sticking out of the roof of your house. These allow air to enter drainpipes. Without this air supply coming in, wastewater would not flow out properly and the water in the traps would need to be siphoned away.
Traps. This is another important component of the drainage system. You can see this under every sink; it is the S-shape section of the pipe under the drain. Water that flows from the basin goes through this trap and out through the drainpipe. Enough water will remain in the trap to form a seal that prevents sewer gas from backing up into your home. Every fixture must have a trap. Hair and grease are most likely to collect and build up here causing a blockage. These traps often have clean-out plugs that give you easier access to remove or break up any blockage.
Shut-Off Valves. It is important to know where the emergency shut-off valves are in your home. If you have a leak in your plumbing system you should shut off the water supply and contact your plumber immediately. Leaks need immediate attention and can cause property damage as well as being a safety hazard.
Most of us don’t even think about how our plumbing works until we have a problem and then we don’t have a clue as to what could be wrong. And if you’re thinking of making any changes or renovations involving plumbing, a basic understanding of your system may prevent you from making any costly mistakes. Being informed before you contact your plumber can save you time and money!
Below are some basic things you should know about the plumbing system in your home.
Subsystems. The plumbing system in your home is composed of two separate subsystems. One brings freshwater in, and the other takes wastewater out. Water coming in is under pressure, which allows it to travel upstairs and around corners. This cold water coming in is immediately ready for use. Hot water, however, requires another step, a hot water heater. The second subsystem is your drainage. Drainage depends upon the gravity. Gravity pulls the waste along where it flows to a sewage treatment facility or septic tank.
Water Pressure. All plumbing fixtures are designed to operate within a range of water volume. It is the plumber’s job to ensure that each fixture, from the toilet to a simple laundry hose receive the correct amount of water volume. Plumbers rely on the internal diameter of the water pipes to control water volume. You might be surprised to find out that then water pressure and water volume are not the same. The pressure remains the same, but the volume may change due to variations in pipe size.
Gravity. Plumbers use gravity to drive the drainage and waste removal of the plumbing system. Drainage leaves your house because the pipes all pitch, or angle, downward. The plumbing system must be properly vented to release air pressure, or it will lose its flow. The drainage and waste system is referred to as the “DWV”, drainage, waste, and vent system.
Codes. The job of a plumber, when designing or repairing a system, is most often dictated by local, state and federal codes. Codes will specify the internal diameter of pipe that must be used for a particular plumbing section or function. For instance, pipe of increasingly smaller diameter is called for as the supply pipes branch out from the water main that enters the house. The water coming in from the main is under too much pressure for an individual sink, toilet or household appliance to handle. This decreasing drop in pressure as water moves away from the main, to primary supply lines then to secondary supply lines, ensures that each appliance receives the correct amount of pressure and volume of water.
Vents. Vents are the pipes sticking out of the roof of your house. These allow air to enter drainpipes. Without this air supply coming in, wastewater would not flow out properly and the water in the traps would need to be siphoned away.
Traps. This is another important component of the drainage system. You can see this under every sink; it is the S-shape section of the pipe under the drain. Water that flows from the basin goes through this trap and out through the drainpipe. Enough water will remain in the trap to form a seal that prevents sewer gas from backing up into your home. Every fixture must have a trap. Hair and grease are most likely to collect and build up here causing a blockage. These traps often have clean-out plugs that give you easier access to remove or break up any blockage.
Shut-Off Valves. It is important to know where the emergency shut-off valves are in your home. If you have a leak in your plumbing system you should shut off the water supply and contact your plumber immediately. Leaks need immediate attention and can cause property damage as well as being a safety hazard.
- Whole house turn-off. This is the most important valve in the house. This valve is generally located near the foundation, inside or outside, often in the basement or garage. If you have any problems with this valve you should have it replaced immediately by your plumber.
- Whole house hot-water turn-off. There should be a valve on the cold-water inlet into your water heater. Normally, this value will be located on top of the water heater on the right side.
- Toilet shut-off. Typically this is an oval handle and is located under the left side of the toilet tank.
- Sink shut-off. This is usually located just beneath the sink or within the cabinet or vanity under the sink. The right one is usually the cold water, and the left the hot water.
- Dishwasher shut-off. This should be located under the kitchen sink.
- Clothes washer shut-off. This valve should be located where the house-supply line meets the washer hoses. Washer hoses are often weak and you should close the valves when leaving your home for an extended period of time. Better yet, replace old washing machine hoses with ones that have a reinforced stainless steel braiding around them.
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