Understanding home plumbing helps you minimize damage, keep a clean house, and save money when something goes wrong. Every plumbing system has two subsystems: one delivers fresh water, and the other removes wastewater. Fixtures like toilets, sinks, and showers act as bridges between the two systems.
Knowing how these pipes and systems work can help you diagnose and repair problems or know when to call Chatsworth Plumbing.
Whether they are delivering drinking water or draining waste, pipes are one of the fundamental components of every home plumbing system. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes and materials. But how do they work together?
Water supply pipes are the main lines that bring fresh water into your house from the municipal water source or, in rural areas, from a private well. They usually run underground, but can also be found in walls and crawl spaces. The water then travels through hot and cold water lines to reach your faucets, showers and toilets. The pipes are insulated to help keep the water warm or cool.
The water is pumped under pressure through pipes that are typically made of copper, steel, galvanized iron or PVC. In the past, copper was popular, but now it’s often replaced by PVC due to its lower cost and durability. Besides piping, there are fittings that join the pieces of pipe together such as couplings, elbows and tees. For example, a coupling connects two pipes of the same diameter while an elbow changes the direction of the flow. Using the right fittings can ensure that water flows properly through the plumbing system and reduces the risk of leaks or breaks.
The other major type of piping in the plumbing system is the drain-waste-vent (DWV) pipes that connect sinks, showers, toilets and other fixtures to the sewage and stormwater pipes that carry wastewater and debris away from the house. These are the pipes that are most heavily regulated by building codes and housing regulations. Like the supply lines, they are also available in a wide range of materials and sizes.
Behind the walls and under the floors in your home is a system of pipes that carries all of your sinks, toilets, showers, and tubs drainage away to the municipal sewer line or septic tank. The pipe network is referred to as your drain-waste-vent (DWV) system. The DWV system is designed to drain waste water and solids from individual plumbing fixtures, while venting the system to prevent noxious gases from escaping into your home.
The main drain line from your house to the municipal sewer line is usually 4″ in diameter, and is often constructed of a durable material such as ABS or PVC plastic, clay, cast iron or a special ductile iron pipe. In the residential sewer line must be extra heavy duty cast iron due to unstable ground conditions and extreme vibrations.
In modern homes, the drain lines for sinks, toilets, and showers are most likely constructed of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, which is inexpensive, easy to work with (it comes pre-cut and marked with a red label for hot and blue for cold), and has a lifespan of over four decades. Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, or CPVC, has recently gained favor in some parts of the country, but it is more expensive than PVC and requires special tools for installation.
Older homes may still have galvanized iron or steel drain pipes, which can last up to 100 years but are prone to corrosion and can rust through. In some cases, these pipes might require a special corrosion inhibitor or may need to be replaced with a more durable pipe. When a problem occurs, it’s best to consult a professional plumber.
When the water leaves your taps, it needs to go somewhere. It goes down your drains and into the sewer, and the waste pipes carry it away to the sewage treatment plant or septic tank system.
Older properties may have separate soil and waste systems which combine together at the drain but are typically separated from each other inside the property. Newer properties, however, tend to use a single system of pipes that carries all wastewater from toilets, baths, showers, sinks, washing machines and dishwashers down one pipe to the soil stack which then connects with the main sewer line.
The key difference between a soil and waste pipe is the way they are vented. Soil pipes transport the soiled water (blackwater) from toilets, urinals and other fixtures such as bidets. They have a wider diameter to allow solid waste to pass through, and are usually vented high at the top of the roof to reduce unpleasant smells.
Unlike the soiled water carried by soil pipes, wastewater from sinks, baths and showers isn’t producing any harmful gasses. For this reason, waste pipes don’t need to be vented in the same way as soil pipes.
Both types of pipe work can be connected to by various pipes and fittings such as access pipes, flanges, couplings and bends. A good rule of thumb is to install a clean-out (also known as a vent stack) at any location where the pipe has to make a sharp turn. These can help prevent clogs by providing a point of entry for a plumber to clear a blockage. If you have a clogged drain, it’s also a good idea to have a drain trap installed beneath every fixture which uses a drain – these are commonly called P-traps.
Fixtures are the devices and appliances that connect to your home’s plumbing system to provide water for different purposes. They include faucets, sinks, toilets, showers, and bathtubs. Other fixtures include dishwashers that machine-wash dishes and laundry machines that remove dirty clothes from the washer. Fixtures are also available in a variety of styles and colors to complement your home’s decor.
Most residential homes have a few standard plumbing fixtures, such as faucets, toilets, and bathtubs. However, you can upgrade your bathroom and kitchen fixtures to more stylish and energy-efficient models that can reduce your home’s water consumption significantly.
You can even get models with advanced features that allow you to customize your home’s water flow and temperature control. This allows you to save money on your utility bills while enjoying a more comfortable living space.
Besides improving your home’s efficiency, installing new plumbing fixtures can boost its resell value. Potential buyers will be more interested in a house with modern, efficient fixtures that have a sleek look.
Considering the important role they play, you should keep your home’s fixtures in good condition. Performing regular maintenance and upgrading them as necessary will help ensure they last long. In case of a problem, it’s advisable to contact a professional plumber for advice and assistance. They will inspect your current fixtures and recommend the right ones for your home. They will also install them correctly to ensure they perform efficiently for a long time. In addition, they will take into account your lifestyle and budget to find the most suitable model for you. They will also use durable materials that can withstand water and corrosion. This will minimize your repair and replacement costs in the future.
A valve is a type of fitting that stops or allows water flow through a pipe. It comes in a variety of different styles, each designed to target specific plumbing needs. You’ll find valves in your home’s shower and bathtub, sinks, water heater, and outdoor faucets, among other places.
Your home’s main water shut-off valve is one of the most important pieces of plumbing equipment in your house. It’s what you’ll use to turn off your entire water supply in the event of a major plumbing emergency like a burst pipe. Knowing where it is and how to operate it can save you from massive amounts of water damage and a lot of money in repairs and replacement costs.
Ball valve water shut-offs are a popular choice for branch lines’ shut-offs and the main water shut-off because they can be opened and closed with just a quarter turn of the handle. They are designed for quick shut-off and have a round body with a thicker middle section where the control lever sits.
Gate valves are commonly used in older homes and are a good choice for shutting off the water to your toilets and other household fixtures. These valves have a round body with a single hole in the center that can be opened or closed by turning the handle. When the valve is open, the hole is aligned with the direction of the water pipe; when closed, it’s perpendicular to it.
You’ll also see specialty valves in your home, such as check valves that prevent back flow of water and float valves that shut off when the water level gets too high. These types of valves are less common, but they can be a useful addition to your home’s plumbing system.