From pipes to drains and the water that flows through, every part of your home’s plumbing system is important. If one piece or part is not working correctly, it could negatively affect the entire system.
A lot goes on behind the walls and under your house. Without plumbing, your home would not be functional.
Water
Your plumbing system is flowing water or water waste through the pipes, but where does that water come from?
Most houses get their water from a water main on the street, or their own water well. That is where it all starts.
When the water flows from the street, it passes through the water meter, which is used to tell how much water your household uses.
On or nearby, the meter will be the main shut off valve to your home. This is useful to know so when an unexpected emergency leak happens, you can stop the damage by shutting off your household’s water supply.
When switching it off, it is important to remember the main valve will shut down all water to your entire home.
Once the water travels through your meter, the cold water is immediately delivered for use, but the hot water takes a detour to your water heater.
Once the water is heated, it is then sent through pipes to the fixtures and appliances that require hot water.
Fixtures
Your fixtures are at the forefront of your plumbing system, as you see them every day. Wear and tear are normal for your fixtures and system since they get so much use.
This means maintenance or repairs will often be necessary for their lifetime.
If you notice rust and mold near fixtures, have constant clogs, experience lots of leaks, or your systems are just outdated, it may be time for fixture repairs or replacement.
Remember to call at the first sight of an issue. This will help save you time and money as well as potentially avoiding a plumbing disaster.
Drainage and Sewage
If water flows to a drain, it should also go down it, without hesitation if it is working properly.
Your drainage system in your home is more than the sink drains and toilet you see on a daily basis.
If your house were to not effectively drain water waste, it would give off a strong odor.
Some homes have a sewer and others have a septic system that collects their water waste.
The waste leaves your home through drainage pipes and flows to a sewage facility or into your septic tank.
Your home’s drainage system is not just one sewage line, there is a lot more that goes on behind the scenes, including vents, traps, and cleanouts.
Vents or vent stacks help get the sewer gases out of your system, so the strong odor doesn’t take over your home. If this piece of your system has a blockage, it can cause major issues.
Traps or P traps are located underneath your sink drain. It is crucial to your plumbing. The trap helps keep sewage gases and water waste from traveling up your drain instead of down.
Lastly is the cleanout, every system has one and needs one. This gives plumbers easy access to clean your entire plumbing system.
Knowing a little more about the basic anatomy of your home’s plumbing can help you know when you really need to call a plumber and what the basic problem is.
Dr Rooter of Lexington, are experts within the Lexington, SC, and surrounding areas and can provide top-notch plumbing services. Call us at (803) 398-2090 for all your plumbing needs.