Within our homes are a number of systems that are essential to daily living, yet we tend to take them for granted.
These include our electrical systems, heating and light, and one that is practically hidden but among the most important of all – the plumbing system.
It’s interesting to consider that the way a home plumbing system works has changed very little since they were first seen in the 1840’s.
However, even 100 years later at least half the homes in the USA did not have running water.
Nowadays the professional plumber like Tyco Plumbing has many customers, each of whom have a full plumbing system in the house.
So, how does it work? That’s what we’re going to look at. Before we begin, it’s important to explain that your plumbing actually consists of two sub-systems: the water supply that comes into the house, and the drainage and wastes system the takes used water away.
We’ll begin by looking at the water supply.
Domestic Water Supply
You will not see a great deal of the plumbing equipment that performs the duty of bringing water into your home. The pipes are buried and usually under the floor for convenience.
Where does the water come from? It is brought to your home from a reservoir by a series of pipes. It will probably pass through at least one filtering station.
It will be under some pressure to come into the home so that it can be piped upwards.
But what if you experience low water pressure or suspect a leak in your main line? These issues can be tricky to tackle on your own. The team at Essendon Plumbers recommends that homeowners facing such problems contact a licensed plumber to diagnose the issue and ensure a safe and proper fix.
They have the expertise and equipment to handle these situations efficiently, minimizing disruption to your home.
Within the home, your domestic cold-water supply is powered entirely by gravity. The tank containing your water is up high – in the attic or roof space – so that when you turn on your faucet it follows nature and flows downwards.
For hot water, your cold-water system supplies water – again by gravity – to a tank with a heater, where the water is heated to a prescribed temperature.
That is it: it really is a case of getting the water into the house, and then letting gravity do the rest!
Of course, all that said, when it comes to troubleshooting leaks, clogs, frozen pipes or any other issues with these systems it’s not always best to tackle them on your own.
We always recommend calling a reputable business or plumber such as Engadine plumbing services to come assess and quote any necessary work that needs to be done.
Now, onto more of the basics…
Where Your Water is Used
Now that we know part of how a plumbing system works we can briefly look at the areas and appliances in the house that use it, and they can be as follows:
- Kitchen sink units – The busiest spot for water usage. From washing dishes and filling pots to running the dishwasher and making ice, your kitchen guzzles a significant amount of water.
- Bathrooms – Sinks, showers, and toilets are the primary water users here. Those long, luxurious showers can really add up!
- Washing machines – This appliance can use a surprising amount of water, depending on their age and efficiency. Older models, especially top-loaders with agitators, can gobble up to 40 gallons per load. In contrast, high-efficiency (HE) washers, which are becoming increasingly common, can use as little as 15 gallons per load.
- Dishwashers – Modern dishwashers are surprisingly water-efficient, especially compared to handwashing dishes. However, running them only when they’re full and scraping dishes instead of rinsing them beforehand can further reduce water usage.
- Shower rooms – While showers generally use less water than baths, there’s still room for savings! Look for showerheads with a low flow rate (around 2.5 gallons per minute) to enjoy an eco-friendly rinse.
Each of these takes a direct supply from your cold-water system. Now let’s have a look at the waste water subsystem.
Waste Water System
Getting waste water out of the home is as important as getting fresh water in. Whether you are on a mains sewer system or a septic tank, the system is similar.
The difference between the fresh water system and the waste water is that the latter does not need to be pressurized.
All the pipes that take waste water away from the house slope downwards. This continues until they reach the mains sewer – which takes the waste to its eventual destination – or the septic tank.
So, when you unplug the bath or flush the toilet, the water flows away naturally. There are vents in the system and filters that help your waste water pipes perform the job, but it is as simple as can be.
Conclusion
That’s all there is to your domestic plumbing system and for simple jobs you can do them yourself if you are competent.
If not, you need to find a local plumbing services provider who can do the jobs you need, and carry out annual maintenance and checks on your home plumbing.