START THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH PLUMBING 101
When the back to school rush starts in August, plumbing may not be on everyone’s mind! Buying backpacks, new clothes, and finding out what classes your friends are in is what usually comes to mind. Just a bad haircut can ruin the first day of school, so can a plumbing emergency.
Having a basic knowledge of your plumbing system that includes piping, drainage, and appliances can help you divert some of these emergencies from happening. This is why we have taken the opportunity to give you some education on plumbing, and how to spot problems before they occur!
Be Aware Of Your Piping Layout
The laws of nature and physics play a big role in your piping system. Without things like gravity, pressure, and water levels, your piping system would not be effective. There are two divisions of your piping system, and these two systems can not cross.
Additionally, your pipes are made of copper, cast iron, PVC, or PEX; which is not as important as you think. The first system is the water supply system. This is what brings in the water from the source (whether from the city/town or well). Pressure helps the water move up from your basement and into your faucets and toilets.
Shut off valves are components of your supply system; they allow you to shut off the water to a specific fixture. The second system is the drainage system. This is how dirty water and waste is removed from your home. Gravity and pressure are both used to help the waste travel to its destination; sewer or septic tank. Components of your drainage system are traps and your vent system-which we will cover later.
How Plumbing Works In Your Kitchen
Your kitchen plumbing is a great example of how your piping system works. As we mentioned, the materials that your piping is made of does not play as big a role as you would thing.
Let’s take your kitchen sink;A supply line brings water to your faucet. The water that goes down the drain is now being brought to your sewer via drainage.
If for example, your pipe is not at the correct angle, gravity and pressure may not be enough to force the water to where it needs to be. This will eventually cause an issue with clogs.
Drainage Lines Are Important
So, we have covered how your water comes through the supply line and out of your faucet. Now let’s take a look at the drainage pipes; as they are actually more complicated.
The drainage system in your house (which is also called your drain-waste-vent system) is imperative for your well being and health. From a basic standpoint, your drainage system brings all of the waste and dirty water from your toilets, sinks, and showers to the sewer/septic tank.
Two components aid the drainage system are vent pipes and traps. Traps are the S-shaped pipes you can see under your sinks. They are used to accumulate a level of water that will act as a barrier. The barrier then prevents excess gas from the sewer building up in your home.
Vents work the same way for the most part. They are there to safely release harmful gases from the sewer, but they also work to help build up pressure so the waste will make it to the sewer and septic tank. Both of these components help the overall drainage.
Once the waste has been flushed or gone down the drain, it eventually makes it to your main sewer line. Your main sewer line is usually outside of your home. Keeping trees and other plants away from the area the sewer lines run is important so roots will not cause any damage.
Call Professionals For Help
Knowing how your plumbing system is set up can help you spot problems before they occur. This is especially important if you are remodeling your bathroom or kitchen, or building a new house. It is also important to work with a trusted professional when it’s time to make any changes to your plumbing.
While there is a lot of good information above, there are many other complications your plumbing system can run into that only a licensed plumber can spot. At Epic Plumbing we are a leader in plumbing technology. We are available to answer your questions at (281) 815-2322. Give us a call today.