Most people will admit to knowing little about plumbing. At the mention of plumbing systems, what comes to mind is the complex network of fittings, pipes, tanks, and heating systems in buildings. You just need to turn the tap on and water comes out, or flush the toilet and waste water goes away. These seemingly simple tasks are supported by an elaborate system.
The Plumbing System
Plumbers hold the opinion that it is always advisable to engage professionals for residential or commercial plumbing including installation of steel downpipes works because plumbing systems can be complicated and costly. Plumbing systems designed and installed by professionals have fewer problems. Laws of nature like pressure, gravity, and water seeking its own level are some of the basics of plumbing.
London Plumbers hold the opinion that it is always advisable to engage professionals for residential or commercial plumbing works because plumbing systems can be complicated and costly, you can find out more through London Plumbers from this page.
All plumbing systems fall into two broad categories, namely:
- Water supply system
- Drain-water vent system
Action Services Plumbing and other experienced plumbing services in various parts of the United Kingdom are experts in handling water supply and drain-water vent system issues. These professionals can evaluate the extent and cause of plumbing problems using advanced tools, such as water pressure sensors and techniques.
Property owners can seek the services of highly trained and insured plumbers to fix plumbing emergencies. These professionals can help maintain your property’s pipes, water supply, and drain-event systems by removing or replacing faulty parts. With immediate action, you can prevent major plumbing issues in the future, like burst pipes and water damage caused by leaks and flooding that require costly repairs.
Water Supply System
This is also known as the potable water system. It incorporates all the pipes and distribution channels that bring water into a residential or commercial building.
Water Supply System Sources
Community Water
Community water like a town or city water distributes water to clients within a specific area through the main source. The water in the pipes is usually at high pressure. Individual structures use a single pipe to access the water from the main.
Underground Wells
Freshwater pumped at high pressure from underground wells is used by those who cannot access community water.
Water Supply System Components
Water Meter
Water meters are fitted on the pipe that brings water from the main. They keep track of how much water has been used. In most cases, the water meter is owned by the utility company that supplies the water.
Water Main Shut-off Valve
This is a valve on the main that allows a user to shut off their water supply when necessary. It is necessary to know where the water shut off valve is and how to safely shut it off in case of emergencies.
Stop Valves
Individual stop valves are located near plumbing installations like sinks, tubs, or toilets. You can turn these valves off without turning off the water supply for the whole house.
A burst pipe can occur near a stop valve because of old pipes or incorrectly shutting off the valves during winter. This can be a cause of flooding and water damage at home, so it’s really important to keep stop valves in check.
Drain Water Vent System (DWVS)
All wastewater coming from a building is drained by a drain water vent system. Wastewater comes from the kitchen, laundry water, and water flushed in toilets or water from sinks. The drain water vent system does not overlap with the water supply system, and according to All Service Plumbers, the obvious reasons are that one supplies fresh water while the other system evacuates wastewater. The two systems meet on fixtures like sinks and faucets.
The drain water vent system is heavily reliant on gravity to evacuate wastewater. Points of disposal for evacuating waste include private or public sewage treatment plants or a sewer line.
Components of DWVS
Drain Traps
These are portions of plumbing pipes that are U-shaped. The curved part of these pipes usually retains a small amount of water. Drain traps prevent backflow and also trap escaping gases from the drain pipes to prevent them from entering into a building. Additionally, drain traps prevent plumbing problems like debris clogging your drain pipes.
Drain Vent
Drain vents are pipes vertically running from the roof into the drain pipes. They allow air to enter the drainage system for it to operate at atmospheric pressure. Air let into the system ensures drainage runs smoothly.
A drain vent becomes clogged when dust, debris, dried leaves, and other objects block its opening. The blockage won’t permit air to get inside to push the water out of the drainage pipes, which results in the water taking a long time to drain. To resolve the problem, you must remove the blockage that covers the vent. This means climbing onto your roof or hiring a professional to do it for safety.
Drain Pipes
Drain pipes are usually angled downwards to effectively drain wastewater. Gravity is the main factor while laying drain pipes. Correct angles have to be used while laying these pipes for effective drainage. They are also usually bigger than water supply pipes to prevent blocking while draining waste wastewater.
Stormwater Drainage
Modern structures have integrated systems that drain rainwater into disposal points such as sewers. Water is one of the strongest natural destructive forces. Stormwater can have devastating effects on structures if not drained properly.
Components of Stormwater Drainage
Gutters
These are structures fitted along the eave edges of a roof to collect and discharge rainwater. Gutters are commonly made of materials like PVC and aluminum and have downspouts that redirect water away from a structure. Gutters help to prevent structures from damage arising from standing water.
Pipes
Pipes running underground drain the stormwater into community disposal points like sewers.
Drains
These are mostly invisible because they run underground.
When looking for a plumber, engaging the services of a professional plumber will save you from future extra costs to fix leaks. When plumbing systems are installed properly, there is good sanitation, structural damage is minimized and the risk of accidents is also reduced.
