Plumbing is an essential aspect of construction projects. It ensures that building occupants have access to clean water and disposes of wastewater effectively. For more information, click the Learn More to proceed.
It’s a career choice that offers excellent pay and flexibility. Plumbers can work as freelancers or in established plumbing companies. They also have the option to pursue a college degree or take up an apprenticeship to improve their skills and qualifications.
The water supply is the infrastructure for the collection, transmission, treatment and storage of potable (drinking) water. It consists of a network of pipes that transport water from the source to homes and commercial establishments. It also supplies water for public needs, such as firefighting and street washing. It is one of the most important municipal services. Water is vital to life, and the quality and quantity of a supply must satisfy both domestic and commercial needs.
The raw water is normally drawn from surface sources such as rivers, lakes, or even ponds, although groundwater is also used. The water is treated in a water-supply plant prior to delivery to users. The raw water may be treated chemically or biologically. Chemical treatment may include coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation; biological treatment may involve the action of microorganisms. In addition to treatment, a water system requires good quality pipes to convey the water. These pipes must be capable of withstanding corrosion, the action of chemicals and microorganisms, and the aging process. In order to avoid corrosion, the steel pipes are galvanized. Corrosion of metallic pipes results in the formation of tubercles, which resemble barnacles and cause frictional resistance. Microorganisms may produce biofilms, which also contribute to a reduction in pipe flow.
Water is distributed into the distribution system by pressure or pumping. The distribution system consists of a network of various sizes of pipes that are interconnected. This network is normally designed in a grid pattern with loops that avoid dead ends, making it possible to isolate sections of the system for repairs or maintenance.
A system that distributes drinking water to the public usually serves residential, commercial, industrial and thermoelectric, mining, agricultural and fire-fighting users. It is a service that is normally provided by a public water-supplier, which is typically a utility company. A large public water-supplier may serve an entire country, or at least a number of cities and towns.
Data on public water-supply delivery are gathered by State agencies, often in cooperation with a local public water supplier. The information collected is often based on readings from master or main meters and may include the rate of withdrawal by source, the release into the distribution system, deliveries to groups of customers, and estimated unaccounted for use.
A plumbing system does two things: it supplies water and it removes waste. The former is done through features like sinks and drains, while the latter is handled by the sewer system. Sewer systems vary in size and complexity, but they all do the same thing: they take wastewater and sewage (which contains dangerous and unhealthy contaminants) away from homes and businesses to be treated or disposed of properly.
To perform its job effectively, drainage must follow the basic laws of physics: gravity and pressure. Water naturally flows downhill, so gravity helps drainage pipes carry waste matter away from fixtures and into the sewer system. To help this process along, drain lines are plumbed with a slight slope and vent pipes are also used to provide air pressure in the pipe.
The key to a good drainage system is regular maintenance. This is because the more gunk that builds up in a drain line, the more likely it is to become blocked and cause a problem. For example, in a home, if kitchen waste including food scraps and oil is dumped down the drain, it can block the flow of water and even lead to a sewage backup.
This is why a homeowner should never dump grease, cooking fat or oils down the drain. It’s a good idea to store these items in a sealed container for disposal when possible. In businesses, educating staff on the importance of not flushing sanitary products, wipes, paper towels or other items that should be trashed instead can help prevent drains from becoming blocked.
Without proper drainage, a home or business can suffer from serious structural problems. Moisture buildup around a foundation can cause the soil to swell in relation to surrounding areas, lifting up the foundation and potentially damaging it. It can also lead to leaks, mold growth and unpleasant odors. In addition, water that pools around a home can seep through the foundation and into the interior of the structure, creating a dangerous situation. Regular maintenance and inspection of the plumbing system can prevent these problems from occurring.
A home or business needs a constant supply of hot water for showers, sinks, washing machines and dishwashers. It is usually supplied by a water heater that raises the temperature of incoming cold water. Water heaters are sized according to the number of fixtures they are expected to serve at one time and their peak demand requirements. When all the showers and other fixtures are turned on at once, it is referred to as a dump load and this can put quite a strain on the water heater.
Sizing your water heater correctly is important to ensure you get a consistent flow of hot water and to reduce energy costs. Water heaters that are sized too small can struggle to meet demand at peak times and may even run out of hot water. On the other hand, water heaters that are too large can increase your upfront capital and ongoing operating costs. Talk to your trusted plumbing professional for help with sizing your hot water system.
Vents allow air to enter plumbing pipes and relieve pressure inside them. Without them, sewer gas could escape into the home, causing bad smells and even health problems. Plumbing vents also prevent siphoning, which occurs when water in a drain is replaced by air from outside the pipe (like when you dump a soda bottle upside down). Without a vent, this can cause the trap to dry out and lose its seal. The vent system consists of a series of pipes that connect to drain traps and extend outdoors, usually to the roof. The main vent pipe, called a vent stack, helps regulate air pressure and eliminates foul odors from your building.
The most common sign of a plumbing vent problem is a gurgling noise from the toilet, bathtub or sink. If the gurgling continues, or you notice a strong sewage smell, call a plumber right away. An unattended plumbing vent issue can lead to a back-up of waste into the drain pipes and septic tank, which can result in expensive repair or replacement costs.
While most homeowners are aware that their plumbing systems include pipes and faucets, not everyone knows that the plumbing system includes venting. Proper venting is essential for keeping your home or business sanitary and safe, and it’s important to understand how your plumbing vent system works so you can identify problems before they become serious.
A plumber will inspect your home or business’s plumbing and piping for proper ventilation. If necessary, the plumber will add a venting system. Plumbing vents work by balancing air pressure in the plumbing pipes. They prevent siphonage, which happens when atmospheric pressure is lower than the inlet side of a trap, and they protect drain traps from back-pressure.
In addition to preventing siphoning and back-pressure, plumbing vents keep the inside of a drain pipe clean. A properly functioning venting system allows air to replace sewer gas as it leaves a fixture, which keeps the inside of the drain pipe free from debris and sediment.
Most venting systems consist of a vent pipe that connects to each drain trap and then extends outdoors. Individual vents may end in a wall or in open air, depending on local codes and the type of plumbing fixture. Some plumbing codes require an AAV, which is a one-way valve that opens when negative pressure exists in the drain line and closes by gravity when the negative pressure returns to normal.