Plumbing 101: What You Should Know
Hiring a plumbing to fix even a minor problem can be expensive. Below introduces basic skills and information that homeowners should know. Armed with this knowledge, home owners will be empowered to make simple fixes to their home's plumbing system that will save them money, time and trouble.
The Science of Plumbing
The science behind plumbing is actually quite simple because plumbing follows fundamental laws of nature such as gravity, pressure and the fact that water always seeks its own level. Plumbing systems are comprised of pipes, values, drains, fittings and fixtures. Most plumbing pipes are made of plastic PVC piping and sometimes galvanized steel. Plumbing systems are actually comprised of two separate, yet equally important subsystems. The first subsystem brings new water in and the second takes old water out. These systems supply water to fixtures, which are things like tubs, sinks, toilets and washing machines that draw in new water and expel waste water. These systems must be strictly segregated.
Incoming Water
The water in the first subsystem enters the home under pressure so that it is able to move upstairs …show more content…
That is, waste water goes downward and outward to the septic tank or sewer system. There are many traps and vents that allow this process to occur. Vents, which are typically located on the roof, allow air to enter drainpipes that causes waste water to flow out. Traps are the S-shaped pipes underneath sinks that force almost all the water through drainpipe, but leave enough to act as a sealant that prevents sewer water and gas from backing up. Sink traps are usually manufactured with clean-out plugs that enable homeowners to easily clean the trap without having to remove it from the drain piping. Toilet systems are self-trapped, but bathtubs usually have drum traps that also collect hair and debris. As a whole, these are called drain-waste-vent (DWV
Hiring a plumbing to fix even a minor problem can be expensive. Below introduces basic skills and information that homeowners should know. Armed with this knowledge, home owners will be empowered to make simple fixes to their home's plumbing system that will save them money, time and trouble.
The Science of Plumbing
The science behind plumbing is actually quite simple because plumbing follows fundamental laws of nature such as gravity, pressure and the fact that water always seeks its own level. Plumbing systems are comprised of pipes, values, drains, fittings and fixtures. Most plumbing pipes are made of plastic PVC piping and sometimes galvanized steel. Plumbing systems are actually comprised of two separate, yet equally important subsystems. The first subsystem brings new water in and the second takes old water out. These systems supply water to fixtures, which are things like tubs, sinks, toilets and washing machines that draw in new water and expel waste water. These systems must be strictly segregated.
Incoming Water
The water in the first subsystem enters the home under pressure so that it is able to move upstairs …show more content…
That is, waste water goes downward and outward to the septic tank or sewer system. There are many traps and vents that allow this process to occur. Vents, which are typically located on the roof, allow air to enter drainpipes that causes waste water to flow out. Traps are the S-shaped pipes underneath sinks that force almost all the water through drainpipe, but leave enough to act as a sealant that prevents sewer water and gas from backing up. Sink traps are usually manufactured with clean-out plugs that enable homeowners to easily clean the trap without having to remove it from the drain piping. Toilet systems are self-trapped, but bathtubs usually have drum traps that also collect hair and debris. As a whole, these are called drain-waste-vent (DWV