The Basics of House Plumbing:All You Need to Know

Plumbing is the system of pipes, valves, and water. Generally speaking, there are two house plumbing systems.

• Water supply system

• Drain water system

Water Supply System

Supply of fresh water to home is carried out in the water supply system. A major requirement of this system is a pressure that should be enough to transfer water from the main supply line to every supply point of the home like bathrooms, kitchen, washing area either on the ground floor or more than one floor. There are two sources of freshwater, the City water supply service, and wells.

The city water supply service brings water from the main source to the houses through the main pipe in the streets. Your house is connected with this main pipe with another pipe that brings water to your home. Remember, if your connection point with the main pipeline has a problem then this can result in a civil lawsuit.

In case when there is no city water supply then the freshwater source is well. Water from the well to homes is brought through pipes but it requires high pressure to supply water to all areas of the house including the highest areas of the house. The low pressure can be due to leakage or blockage of the pipes. You can repair minor leakage but for major leakage or if there is a need for pipe replacement then a professional plumber or plumbing service provider is needed. 

All the installed pipes are leak-proof but as time passes, they start to disintegrate. This can result in leakage and low pressure. Showers and flush toilets require high pressure to function properly. This leaking should be handled by the proper plumber or plumbing service provider.

Drain Water System

Two water systems like water supply systems and water drainage systems run parallel to each other without overlapping. There are some points called fixtures where these 2 systems meet. For example sink, faucets, washing machines, etc. It is the point where clean water enters while wastewater leaves like sinks. 

The drainage system consists of drain pipes, drain traps and drain vents. Drain pipes are pipes that carry water from fixture to sewer line and are gravity-dependent. The size of these drain pipes is larger than the supply pipe because wastewater also contains wastes. The trap pipes are u shaped pipes that prevent the backward flow of water. They are also called P traps. The U-shape of these pipes helps to hold the water to avoid gases and bad smells because the water drain system of the house is connected to the main sewer. 

Some heavy objects like grease, hairs, etc. are trapped in the p trap. These heavy objects and debris are then removed through cleaning plugs, otherwise, there will be clogging without P traps. The drain vent system releases air into the plumbing system and runs from the roof to the drainpipe. This allows smooth drainage. Your home drainage system can be affected by problems in any of these drainage systems.

The most common problem of the drainage system is clogging. Hairs in the bathrooms and grease in the kitchen are common causes of blockage. Frequent use of cleanout plugs is recommended to avoid blockage. 

Leakage can be another problem. The installation of the drainage pipe is hidden but you can note signs like damp or moist areas on the walls. There should be no compromise on leaking because it can not only damage the walls but is also responsible for the growth of mold that can cause infection in humans. If you are facing any plumbing problem then call a plumbing service provider that can understand your water supply and drainage system very well and will offer the most appropriate solution.