Plumbing is a mysterious and useful system. But learning the basics can help you tackle repairs and prevent major issues before they happen.
From drippy faucets to clogged drains, these plumbing tips can save you money and frustration. Plus, you’ll learn when to DIY and when to call a professional.
Plumbing in the Walls
The plumbing system in a home includes the water supply lines, drain, waste, and venting pipes that run throughout the house. The plumbing system also connects all the fixtures in a home, such as toilets, showers, and faucets. It is important for a homeowner to know about the plumbing system in their home so they can maintain it and fix problems when needed.
In many homes, plumbing pipes are hidden inside walls and joists. This is especially true for water supply pipes that lead to fixtures and appliances. For this reason, it is best to route the plumbing in a home so that all of the pipes are located in one area. This is called a wet wall and is commonly seen in multi-story buildings.
Normally, the water pipes in walls and joists are made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride). These pipes are lightweight, easy to work with, and resistant to corrosion. In some cases, however, copper pipes are used for their strength and longevity.
Plumbing in the Bathroom
While the plumbing in bathrooms might not be as complicated as other areas of your home, it is still important to understand how it works. A basic knowledge of bathroom plumbing can help you prevent issues like dripping faucets, running toilets, water leaks, and more.
The main functions of a bathroom’s plumbing system include water supply and drain-waste-vent (DWV). The water supply pipes bring fresh water into the home for use with fixtures. The drain-waste-vent pipes take the used water from each fixture and then discards it outside, where it can be disposed of properly.
Most homes’ drain lines are made from PVC, which is lightweight, durable, and resistant to corrosion. However, older homes may have metal drain lines. Regardless of the material, it is important to understand how each pipe type works to ensure proper function and avoid costly repairs. You should also know how to properly maintain your home’s drains and fixtures to avoid clogs. For example, it is important to regularly clean aerators and keep items like wipes, hair, floss, sanitary products, and other non-flushable items out of drains.
Plumbing in the Kitchen
From a working sink to an efficient dishwasher and garbage disposal, your kitchen relies on plumbing to function. Your kitchen plumbing consists of a drain, which
transports waste water away from the sink; a P-shaped trap, which keeps sewer gases and odors out of your home; and supply lines that bring in hot and cold water.
In most cases, your kitchen sink plumbing is connected to the water supply line for your entire house. This makes it easy to shut off the flow of water if there is an emergency or a repair needs to be made.
Keeping up with regular maintenance tasks, like cleaning drains and inspecting for leaks, will help keep your kitchen plumbing running smoothly. Educating household members on what should and shouldn’t go down the drain will reduce clogs and debris buildup as well. This helps to extend the life of your plumbing system and prevent costly repairs. For more complex problems, professional plumbers should be called in to assess and fix the issue.
Plumbing in the Basement
One of the main rules your plumbing service teaches you is that water and waste flow downhill. This works well enough for drains inside your home, but a basement bathroom adds a twist because the basement is below the level of the sewer line.
Instead of relying on gravity, your plumbing system sends toilet, sink, and shower drain waste through a sewage ejector pump. It takes the waste to a tank and pumps it into the main sewer line.
Your basement might also have a perimeter drainage channel or a sump pump that collects groundwater and water that seeps through the floor of the basement. This prevents flooding and sewage back-up.
If you have a leaky basement pipe, it could lead to mold growth, wall damage, and other problems. It’s important to find and fix the problem before it worsens. A professional plumber can do a pressure test to check for plumbing leaks. This test uses a special gauge and air compressor tube. Sites like https://www.fixitrightplumbing.com.au/plumber-melbourne/ have a lot of resourceful information to help understand plumbing problems.
