Plumbing follows the basic laws of nature -- gravity, pressure, water seeking its own level. Knowing this, you can understand its "mysteries" and make dozens of fixes to your home's plumbing system. You can save yourself time, trouble, and money!
In the Sacramento area, plumbing leaks waste 1 trillion gallons of water annually. That’s equivalent to 40 million swimming pools. Most of these leaks don’t even need the attention of a professional.
Armed with a wrench and a few plumbing basics, you can fix some of the most persistent leak problems. Fixing leaks yourself is obviously economical, but you also need to know when to call in the plumbers.
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The Basics of Plumbing
Plumbing follows the basic laws of nature — gravity, pressure, water seeking its own level. Here’s how it works.
The plumbing system in your home is composed of two separate subsystems:
One brings freshwater in.
The other takes wastewater out.
We’ll start with freshwater, then look at wastewater.
Water Main Shut-off Valve
At the meter is the water main shutoff, or stop valve. Many homeowners are unaware of where this valve is located — or they forget because it’s not something they use often.
Note to Homeowners: Learn where the water main is located and how it shuts off. If you are uncertain, the next time you call a plumber for repair, get him to show you not only where it is but what you need to do to shut it off in an emergency. This is important: If a pipe bursts, it can quickly flood your house and cost thousands of dollars in additional expense.
Cold and Hot Water
Water flowing from the main supply is immediately ready for cold water needs — drinking, cooking, washing dishes or clothes.
For hot water, the journey requires another stop. One pipe carries water from the cold water system to your water heater, which may be located in a closet inside your home, in the garage, upstairs, or in an attic.
From the water heater, a hot water line carries heated water to all the fixtures and appliances that require hot water. A thermostat on the water heater maintains the temperature you select by turning the devices heating elements on and off when needed.
Note to Homeowners: The normal temperature for a water heater is between 140 degrees Fahrenheit and 160 degrees F, but 120 degrees F is usually adequate and more economical.
Drainage Systems
It does not matter if your home is on a sewer or septic system. Water and waste drain essentially the same.
Drainage systems do not rely on pressure like supply systems. Waste water leaves the house because drainage pipes all pitch, or angle, downward. Gravity pulls the waste, and the sewer line continues this flow to a sewage treatment facility or it goes to the homeowner’s septic tank.
Drainage systems are not as simple as they appear. Along the way there are vents, traps, and clean outs, and all provide important functions to keep your home’s plumbing system functioning properly. Homeowners usually can take care of traps and clean outs, but they may want to call a plumber or plumbing contractor to inspect and repair, if needed, any issues with the vents.
Vents
Vents stick up from the roof of the house to allow air to enter the drainpipes. If there was no air supply coming from the vents, the wastewater would not flow out properly and the water in the traps would need to be siphoned away — a nasty prospect.
Traps
Every fixture requires a trap.
Toilets are self-trapped and don’t require an additional trap at the drain. Bathtubs often have drum traps that not only form a seal against sewer gas but also to collect hair, dirt, debris, soap scum in order to prevent clogged drains.
Clean-outs
Traps often have clean-out plugs that give homeowners easier access to remove or break up any blockage.
Most of the time homeowners can take care of clogged drains themselves. However, with prolonged neglect, clogs become more difficult to eradicate and may require a visit from the plumber or plumbing contractor.
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