Plumbing, which is an essential aspect of any home, consists of two main systems: the water supply system and the drainage system. The water supply system delivers clean and treated potable water to various fixtures in the house, such as sinks, showers, and toilets. On the other hand, the drainage system is responsible for removing waste and wastewater from the house, ensuring proper sanitation.
Developing a familiarity with plumbing not only empowers individuals to handle minor problems confidently but also helps them communicate effectively with professional plumbers whenever more complex issues arise. Let’s explore the basics of your home plumbing system and increase your knowledge about this vital aspect of your home.
Whether sourced from a city, or county supply or a well, the city or county water supply system involves a main pipeline running alongside your street, responsible for supplying water to your area. From there, or on well systems, a smaller service main supply line connects to your home, serving as the starting point for your plumbing and allowing the water to be used in your home through fixtures, such as faucets, washing machines, and dishwashers.
It's important to keep in mind that although the main water supply falls under the responsibility of the provider, meaning the city or county, the installation and maintenance of everything beyond the main line becomes your responsibility. This means you're in charge of ensuring that the plumbing system within your home is properly installed and maintained. If you rely on a well, it's worth noting that the pipes responsible for pumping water into your home also fall under your plumbing system's purview.
So, whether it's the convenience of a city or county supply or the self-sufficiency of a well, understanding and taking charge of your water supply system is crucial for ensuring the smooth flow of water within your home.
Once water passes through the water supply system and is in use in your home, it is no longer clean water and is considered wastewater, which exits your home through the drainage system. The drainage system is a clever network of pipes, traps, and vents that work together to effortlessly guide the contents out of your home, providing a hygienic and hassle-free experience.
The water supply system and the drainage system remain separate to maintain a hygienic plumbing system, but are indirectly connected through fixtures. Pressure provided either by your utility provider or by well apparatus that use gravity to allow water to flow into your home and then exit through separate gravity flow drainage pipes. An example of this is water that enters your home through a faucet and exits through the sink drain. The faucet is connected to the water supply, where the sink drain is connected to the drainage system.
Having both the water supply system and the drainage system in your home ensures that the flow of water remains distinct, preventing contamination and maintaining the efficiency of the overall plumbing system.
Inside your home, the kitchen and bathroom plumbing is usually cleverly concealed behind walls or tucked beneath cabinets, creating a streamlined aesthetic. It encompasses several vital components. In this well-designed system, incoming cold water lines connect to faucets in sinks and showers, taking advantage of the fresh water supply.
From these lines, auxiliary lines might also connect to ice makers, dishwashers, or washing machines, or they may draw directly from the main line. The main line also connects to your home’s hot water heating system, or hot water heater, to supply a steady flow of warm water to faucets, showers, and other fixtures.
In most cases, toilets also rely on this primary water source for filling their tanks and facilitating proper flushing. However, it's worth noting that certain homes may feature secondary water sources, such as non-drinkable (or non-potable) well water, specifically designated for toilet tank refilling purposes.
The sinks, showers, and appliances in your home empty into the drainage system through a larger pipe that effortlessly feeds into the main drain line.
Due to the interconnected nature of your home's water supply, fixtures, and drainage system, potential blockages or obstructions within the drainage system could potentially lead to issues in multiple locations, affecting the proper functioning of your home’s fixtures. Following regular maintenance and efficient plumbing practices, such as the ones listed below, prevent such inconveniences and maintain uninterrupted bathroom and kitchen functionality.
Sometimes, plumbing problems can arise at the most inconvenient times, with deep-rooted issues causing blockages that result in drainage from toilets flowing back into sinks or showers. It's important to note that these types of complications call for immediate professional attention, as they are not straightforward as a common hair-clogged sink trap.
Contact us at Gieser Plumbing when problems arise to promptly address them and prevent further damage.
