Understanding Residential Plumbing System
The plumbing system of your house is very important to maintain your standard of living as a comfortable one. If it isn’t working right, you wouldn’t be able to enjoy your shower, use the toilet, wash your hands, run your washing machine or wash utensils. Plumbing systems are the one accountable here. But, most people don’t know what their house plumbing system is. These people just press a button or turn the handle and then expect their water to appear at the pressure that they are pressing.
Being a homeowner, it’s important to have the basic knowledge about how the plumbing system is working so that you’ll take the best care of it that you will prevent that costly breakdown. Since plumbing is really a complicated one and a costliest system to install or repair, it is important that you have an understanding of how its system works.
Residential plumbing system has been a complex network that comprises cold and hot water supply pipes, drain pipes, traps, fixtures, vent pipes, valves, water storage tanks, and a lot more.
The plumbing system served two purposes: for supplying water for the human use, and also to get rid the wastes humans are giving out. It consists of the water store that is being distributed to different outlets.
Objectives of the Good Plumbing System
The good residential plumbing systems will make the home a more liveable and a comfortable place for your family. Ideally, it must:
- Be connected to the fixtures that will meet quality standards
- Consistently supply of safe drinking water
- Don’t have leaks that will waste water and will make further problems
- Efficiently collection and disposal of wastewater
- Prevent foul smells from escaping your system
- Prevent wastewater and clean water from mixing together
The Essential Parts of the Residential Plumbing System
- Drainage System (collections and disposal of the used water)
- Appliances and Fixtures (where the water is being used for taking out different activities)
- Water Supply System (the flow of the water to the house)
a. The Water Supply System
We’re all aware that the Potable water is being supplied by the private underground bore stiff well or by through the municipality. The water enters the house by the major supply line. The water supply in the house is both of the direct water supply systems or the indirect water supply systems.
The indirect water supply systems – The water from the mains is being conveyed to the storage water tank. The underground storage tanks are linked to the overhead tank through the supply line and via a pump; the water that flows from there going to any outlet or tap through gravity. The system is mainly utilized when the water pressure in the main is not sufficient to give the water in every faucet with the adequate pressure.
The direct water supply systems – Every water outlets inside the house receive water straight from the underground tanks with the application of the pump that will supply the water straight from the underground tanks to every outlet. Such the pump must be able to always supply the lines with pressure, and so that whenever a tap opens, water flows out.
b. Appliances and Fixtures
Fixtures, which are normally equipped with faucets, will be needed so that your water supply may be properly used. Examples of these will be bathtubs, toilets, sinks and showers. Electric appliances like geysers, dishwashers, and washing machines are using water and should be linked to the waterline. Your water in the pipe had to exert a little bit of pressure for it can be utilized in appliances and fixtures.
c. Waste Water or Drainage Disposal:
The wastewater system is collecting and disposing wastewater through the utilization of gravity. Those used water went down the drain traps which prevent the foul gases to being released in the house. The wastewater exited the house by the wastewater mainline, and it’s collected in the municipal sewer line or the septic tank.
Areas and the basic components of the plumbing system in the building
a. Kitchen: Basic plumbing apparatus in the kitchen:
- Additional points like washing area tap, dishwasher, etc
- Main valve – for controlling of the water flow
- Sink – cold + hot or only cold inlet point and an outlet point
b. Bathroom: Basic plumbing mechanism in the bathroom:
- Additional points like washing machine, bathtub, etc
- Basin – cold + hot or only cold inlet point and an outlet point
- Geyser – outlet line and an inlet cold line
- Main valve – for controlling of the water flow
- Shower – a head shower, a faucet, shower diverter, and a floor outlet pipe
- Water Closet – cistern flush inlet points, health faucet point, and the outlet soil pipe
c. Open terrace/ Balcony / Roof:
- Basic plumbing components of your open terrace / balcony
- Basic plumbing components of your Roof
- One or even more rainwater outlet pipes
- Water tanks and the pipelines
Types of the Plumbing Pipe lines within the Building
There are generally three kinds of water running within a building:
a. Waste Water: Two unlike pipes are being used for the waste water:
- Soil pipe – being used for the WC outlet pipe
- Floor outlet pipe like kitchen waste water and bathroom water from bath and cleaning
b. Rainwater: The rainwater pipe is being utilized for open terrace and roof rainwater outlet.
Separately, the vent pipe is provided for a ventilation purpose of the system. The vent pipe is unlocked at bottom and top side, to facilitate foul gases exit.
c. Supply Water
Generally, the sole source of water had been used for daily use, like drinking, cleaning, toilet’s flushing and bathing.
In the large complexes with STP plant, the water from the plant is utilized for toilet flushing.
In most areas, the water from our government body is being used for our drinking purposes. The bore well water will then be used for some other purposes.
Kinds of Plumbing Pipes
a. Fresh water pipes
- CPVC or Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride
- Copper pipe
- GI pipe or Galvanized iron pipe
- PPR pipe
- PEX or the Cross-linked Polyethylene Pipings
- Stainless steel Pipes
- UPVC or Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride
b. Rainwater / Waste / Soil pipes
- Cast iron Pipe
- PVC pipe
There are so many different kinds of plumbing pipes that can be use for residential buildings and others. Every pipe has its diverse application and characteristics.
Conclusion
The plumbing system of your home is in a nutshell. It’s much more complex, but with the basics knowledge in mind, you’ll hopefully have the best better understanding about how the plumbing works and also where are the possible problems that may arise.
