How Does Basic Plumbing Work?

Question

How Does Basic Plumbing Work?

3 Answers

Answer Question

Answer 1

Basic plumbing involves water being provided by the local authority or municipal authority after purification. The water is drawn from some remote water source such as a river, lake, reservoir, dam, sea etc. Some residences and offices or industries where the water is provided have their own water tanks at ground level where this water accumulates. It is then pumped to the water tank on the roof. There are valves that control the flow of water at each stage. In cooler climates the basement of a building may also have a boiler which uses gas to provide central heating. Where there is abundant sunshine solar power can be used to heat the water supply as well. Most pipes which provide a route for the water to travel are made of metal. These pipes connect to taps from which we access water.

Answer 2

The plumbing system in your home is composed of two separate subsystems.
One subsystem brings freshwater in, and the other takes wastewater out.
The water that comes into your home is under pressure. It enters your
home under enough pressure to allow it to travel upstairs, around
corners, or wherever else it's needed. As water comes into your home, it
passes through a meter that registers the amount you use. The main
water shutoff, or stop, valve is typically located close to the meter.
In a plumbing emergency, it's vital that you quickly close the main
shutoff valve. Otherwise, when a pipe bursts, it can flood your house in
no time. If the emergency is confined to a sink, tub, or toilet,
however, you may not want to turn off your entire water supply.
Therefore, most fixtures should have individual stop valves.

Answer 3

The plumbing system in your home is designed to direct fresh water and wastewater to where you want them to go, without incident. You want wastewater to leave your home down a drain instead of overflowing into your home and you want fresh water to come out of a spout rather than leaking somewhere within the walls. The plumbing trade has adopted a number of basic strategies and conventions to keep water controlled and go where we want it. It is a good idea to understand how your plumbing system works before tackling any plumbing project.