Basic Home Plumbing
Every homeowner understands the part of an efficient and smooth plumbing system in making their life comfortable. But most of them consider plumbing to be a complex and confusing system of pipes, and their understanding of it is limited to turning the tap on or pressing a button to expect running water, at the desired pressure and temperature.
As a homeowner, having some basic understanding of the home’s plumbing system helps take better care of the system, avoiding messy plumbing issues, leading to extensive and expensive repairs. Though it can be overwhelming to understand the working of the whole system, some elementary knowledge can come in handy in handling minor issues and understanding when a professional plumber is needed.
Every home plumbing consists of two subsystems- one is the water supply system, through which freshwater comes in, and the other drain water system, from where wastewater goes out.
Water supply system
The freshwater that comes in is pressurized to help it run through pipes and reach the required area like the kitchen and bathroom. Cold water from the water supply system can be used immediately for activities like drinking, washing clothes, or dishes, and cooking. There are two pipes for hot water, one that carries cold water to the heater, and the other that runs from the heater taking hot water to all the fixtures and appliances that need it.
Drainage system
It helps eliminate the wastewater and consists of three main parts-drain pipes, drain vents, and drain traps. This system relies on gravity to carry the sewage out.
These systems do not overlap but meet at fixtures, and work together to ensure that a home plumbing system is operating efficiently.
Common plumbing problems
Any issue with the plumbing system needs immediate attention. Some warning signs of a problem with the home plumbing system include:
Leaks and drippings
Clogged drains
Strange noises from the pipes
Pungent odor from
Lose valves and fittings
Useful plumbing tips for homeowners:
Know the location of the shutoff valve
Every homeowner must know where the main water valve is located in the house. In case of plumbing emergencies, where the water is flooding the house due to a pipe burst or leak, shutting off the main valve will stop water supply to the entire house.
Learn to remove clogs without chemicals
Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing issues every homeowner encounters at some point. Avoid using chemical drain cleaners to clear the clogs as their repeated use can damage the pipes. Use a drain snake to manually unclog the drains, for stubborn clogs, call a professional
Use a plunger
There are different types of plungers like flat, flange, and taze plunger, each designed for a specific use. It is an essential DIY plumbing tool for every household to clear pipe blockages.
Plumber’s tape
Just like a plunger, it is also an essential tool that every homeowner should use. Just like a plunger, it is also an essential tool that every homeowner should use. Wrapping it around pipe threads helps in preventing leaks.
Learning the basics of the home plumbing system helps in preventing problems to keep the system running efficiently. It is advisable to call a professional plumber for significant plumbing issues and routine maintenance and inspection.
No Worries Rooter of Gilbert offers residential and commercial drain cleaning, leak detection and repair. We recommend Bio-Green drain care for customers who have slow drains caused by buildup in their pipes. Call us at (480) 405-4497.
