If you’re experiencing low water pressure, it could be due to mineral buildup in your pipes or a municipal supply issue. Regular maintenance can help prevent these issues and keep your water flowing smoothly.
Plumbing includes the drain, waste, and vent systems that connect fixtures and appliances to public or private water supply and sewerage services. Proper documentation of all work helps ensure compliance with local codes and prevents costly repairs down the road. Contact Aurora Plumbing for professional help.
The water supply is the portion of a plumbing system that provides a continuous source of potable (drinking) water. It is usually supplied by a water treatment plant, but can also be obtained from a well or spring. The water distribution system is the network of pipes that transports this water from its source to your faucet. It can involve miles of piping and numerous pumps and valves that control the flow and pressure along the way.
The piping is usually constructed of copper, cast iron, galvanized steel or plastic. The water supply lines are normally designed to withstand the maximum probable demand during an emergency. They are normally installed in the floor or walls of a building. In buildings with multiple floors, the water supply may be fed from a city main or from an overhead tank system. The supply lines are typically sized using the water supply fixture unit (WSFU) table to determine the number of fixtures that can be supplied by each pipe. This is an arbitrary value, but it can be helpful in determining the size of the pipes and the amount of water required to serve all of the fixture units in the building.
This sizing also helps in the determination of water storage capacity needed in order to meet peak demand during emergencies. The design and layout of a water-distribution system is an important factor in the installation costs of a building. A properly designed and sized water-distribution system results in piping, water heaters and storage facilities that are of sufficient capacity to meet the probable peak demand of the facility without excessive installation cost.
Water-service piping systems used for the distribution of potable water shall be adequately protected against backflow with a reduced-pressure principle backflow prevention assembly or an atmospheric vacuum breaker conforming to ASSE 1001 or CSA B64.1. All hydrants and corporation stops shall be provided with a double check valve to prevent the flow of water in either direction in the event of a loss of pressure. All piping connecting to the supply pipe shall be equipped with a shut-off valve, and the connections to the supply piping must be protected against infiltration with an effective seal.
Drainage
The drainage system takes water away from plumbing fixtures and appliances when they’re not in use. It carries wastewater to the sewer line or septic tank, where it’s processed for disposal. The drain system also includes the pipes that are positioned outside of the house to whisk away rainwater and other precipitation.
Supply and drain lines aren’t always parallel to each other. They are usually offset to prevent water from flowing into areas where it’s not needed, such as basements and crawl spaces. This helps to reduce the risk of flooding and other damage to interior structures from contaminated water.
Wastewater and other liquids enter the drainage system through drain openings in plumbing fixtures and appliances, such as sinks, toilets, bathtubs, showers, and washing machines. From there, it flows through drainpipes that are angled downward to make the most of gravity as they carry the water away. The drainpipes then connect to a sewer line or septic tank, depending on whether the house is connected to the public sewer system or has its own private sewage treatment and disposal system (septic tank).
In addition to piping that carries wastewater away from fixtures and appliances, the drainage system also includes venting pipes. These pipes are positioned at each fixture drain and protrude through the roof to help with air circulation and minimize the risk of condensation, which can lead to mold growth and other indoor health issues.
The drainage system also includes grates and covers that protect the drain pipes from debris, as well as cleanout plugs that allow for easy access to the drain line when necessary. Most homeowners don’t think about their drainage systems until there’s an issue, but preventing problems with this important part of your home’s plumbing is essential for maintaining your property and protecting your family’s health and safety. Investing in professional plumbing services is the best way to keep your drainage system working properly.
Sewer
The sewer is a network of pipes that carries away sewage and other waste products from residential homes, commercial buildings and industrial structures. Its function is to keep toxins and pathogens from being flushed into water bodies where they would cause pollution.
In most areas, the responsibility for maintaining a municipality’s sewer system falls on the municipal utilities department. As a home inspector, you should have an understanding of how these systems work in order to assess a house’s drainage and waste management infrastructure.
Most residential and commercial buildings have a plumbing system that connects to the city’s sewer line via a lateral pipe. This pipe is owned by the homeowner or business owner, but it connects to the main sewer line through a manhole or other access point on the street.
From there, the sewage drains into the sewer system through another set of pipes. These pipes, known as a force main, are typically much larger than the lateral pipes. They are built to accommodate greater volume, but they still are subject to the same issues as lateral pipes.
After draining into the sanitary sewer, the wastewater passes through several pipes of varying sizes before it reaches a sewage treatment plant. The sanitary sewer system can also be used to convey storm water, which is runoff from streets and other public spaces. As a result, some urban areas have combined sewer systems while others have separate storm and sanitary sewers.
The sanitary sewer typically runs along the middle of streets and can be accessed by maintenance crews through manholes that are placed around the city. From there, it flows to a wastewater treatment plant where it is disinfected and then released into the environment.
As with any type of plumbing infrastructure, the sewer system is susceptible to damage and failure from a variety of sources. These include clogs, leaks, breaks and corrosion. To mitigate these risks, it is essential to conduct regular inspections and routine maintenance on the piping.
In areas where there is a high incidence of blockages due to fats, oils and grease in the drainage system, it may be necessary for the municipal utilities department to run a sewer cleaning program. This process can help reduce the number of sanitary sewer overflows that occur during heavy rainfall periods and allow the municipality to maintain the integrity of its wastewater and stormwater sewer systems.
Venting
Venting is not a plumbing feature most people think about, but it plays a vital role in your home’s drain-waste-vent (DWV) system. Without it, drains could siphon wastewater and allow toxic sewer gases to enter living areas. Venting allows air to balance pressure in the DWV system, ensuring that water and waste flow freely from drains to sewer lines or septic systems.
The primary function of a plumbing vent is to provide an escape route for steam, gas, and odors that form inside drain pipes. It also equalizes air pressure in the DWV system to prevent wastewater from backing up into drains and toilets, causing a potentially dangerous backup known as an airlock. Vents also direct sewer gases above the building occupants, protecting them from breathing in these noxious fumes.
A faulty vent causes the same problems as a clogged drain, but it’s harder to spot. If the ductwork is missing or disconnected, atmospheric pressure builds up in the drain lines and slows or stops drainage. It can also cause a vacuum effect that pulls air into the P-trap and breaks the critical water seal, which allows sewer gases to seep into your home.
If a clogged vent pipe isn’t addressed immediately, it can result in a variety of issues including foul odors, slow draining, and an inability to close drains. A professional plumber will use an auger or snake to clear the clog and restore proper functionality.
While a clogged vent can occur anywhere in the system, there are several common locations where this problem can develop. For example, a vent that runs underneath a sink can get clogged with food scraps and other debris. These clogs typically happen around the flange, where the vent meets the sink’s drainpipe.
Another common location for a clogged vent is between the wall and roof. This type of clog can be caused by tree branches, birds, rodents, and even a chimney that blocks the ductwork. If the ductwork isn’t properly sized or installed, it can also lead to a buildup of odors and low drain flow.