Understanding your Home Plumbing Systems

Generally knowledge of plumbing and related structures in your home is not necessary until you become a homeowner. Then it becomes important to at least understand the basic fundamentals of plumbing. Many people feel the need to hire a plumber for the small stuff-changing a sink washer, replacing a faucet or toilet parts-while others only search for an emergency plumbing service when there are leaks or flooding. Here are a few tips to help you understand the basics so you can feel less stressed out when you do need that 24 hour plumbing service.

Plumbing Laws of Nature

The ancient Romans were one of the first communities to utilize indoor plumbing and sewage removal. It may seem like a modern convenience, but the principles are fairly basic. Basically, gravity is a major force in how plumbing works. The water that comes into your house is under pressure. This is why it can often lead to plumbing emergencies if there is too much pressure and components fail. This pressure is what allows it to amazingly travel to the upper floors of your home, around corners, or where ever it's required. When water comes into a home, it passes through a meter that registers how much is used. Some older buildings or houses may not have these, but they will certainly be installed during an upgrade. If you live in a city that charges for water usage, this is how it's done.

The Basic Plumbing Map

You can check it out online, but your home's plumbing and drainage structure involves two distinct systems. One is for your fresh water supply to the taps and toilet, while the other takes waste water away from the house. Each is connected to either the city's water or drainage lines, which is why you pay property taxes and utilities fees. They need to maintained and kept in good functioning order. Pipes are present in the walls which deliver water to all sinks, toilets, bathtubs and showers in the home. There will be one pipe that delivers cold water, and one pipe that delivers hot water from your hot water tank or boiler system. Remember that water lines are above, while drainage is below. All drains will connect under the floors, which leads to a large pipe in the wall that has a vent stack above it that keeps sewer gases from backing up in drains and smelling up the premises. The drainage leads to the big city sewer line.

Pressure Leads to Plumbing Emergencies

If there is a plumbing emergency, water can literally go everywhere. It's important to be able to know where your house's main shutoff valve is. Otherwise, the force of the water can flood your home. But if your emergency is confined to sink, tub, or toilet, you can simply turn off the water supply to those instead.

Find an Emergency Plumbing Company Today

If you need further help with your home plumbing emergency, you can search for a plumber through the Perfecthomepros website.