Plumbing systems consist of the water pipes which connect from the water supply (usually the town system or utility provider, or from your own source of water such as rainwater tanks or bore) to where it’s required at taps and toilets. Pressure forces water along the pipes – either pressure from the town system, pressure created by a pump from your bore or tank, or your own raised tank. Water pipes must be able to withstand the pressure of the supply system. Water pipes are available in different grades to withstand various pressures. They are usually 12 to 25 millimetres (half to one inch) in diameter and made from various materials including copper, galvanised steel and various plastics. Because water is forced along the pipes under pressure water pipes don’t have to be installed at a specific level and can go up or down. The amount of water you get out of a tap or fitting in your house will depend on:
The water supply pipes must have at least one shutoff valve so that the water can be turned off when repairs are required or there’s a leak. But it’s good practice to install valves within the house, ensuring they’re easily accessible. In more than one instance we’ve had pipes burst flooding the house, and the sooner you can cut the water supply the less water will flood your house. The other component of the plumbing system are the wastewater pipes (sewer pipes) which take wastewater to the town system or your septic tank. These are gravity pipes and must always flow downhill. Drainpipes vary from 40 to 100 millimetres (one and half to four inches) in diameter. Each waste outlet should have a trap, which is a U-shaped pipe which permanently holds water, preventing smelly sewer gases from entering the room. Waste pipes need air to allow the wastewater to move otherwise an air-lock will be created. At the higher end of the system a vent pipe connects to the atmosphere. Since this will release smelly air these vents are usually placed above the roof, although a non- return valve can be fitted which only allows air to enter, while preventing air from escaping. It’s always advisable to use good quality plumbing pipes and fittings. There have been several cases of imported tap fittings leaching lead into the water supply. Of course lead is poisonous. Also I’ve had flexible hoses feeding taps suddenly burst because they were substandard, flooding the house. Generally there are codes which govern plumbing materials, and plumbing design and installation. This is an extract from 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 1' from the chapter 'Understanding Building Processes' written by Paul Netscher. Please like, share and comment. Learn more about renovating and building housesPaul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home. and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home.
("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****) These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook. © 2020 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.
12 Comments
28/8/2021 05:41:07 am
Thanks for pointing out that wastewater pipes take wastewater to the town system or our septic tank. This is really helpful because my husband and I are planning to build our dream house next month. With this, we are hoping to find contractors on Monday who can provide wastewater design for our property near the beach within two weeks.
Reply
29/9/2021 10:11:44 pm
Not all pipes parts must be made of metal. As a rule, plastic has turned into a better material analyzed than others. Truth be told, plastic pieces will liberate you from stressing over consumption and rust while turning out to be more practical than the metal partners. At whatever point sourcing any new parts, particularly for your administration customers, you can support both future fixes and current bills by just exchanging the channel lines or some other possible parts out of new solid plastic mode.
Reply
1/12/2021 07:01:30 pm
Thanks for putting useful information on the web. It’s hard to get this stuff these days.
Reply
25/1/2022 01:04:05 pm
A good way to think about plumbing when planning a new home or renovation is to plan for the future. Before breaking ground, it's important to know what you might want in your future space. For example, do you live near water? Do you have aging parents who may need assistance with their bathroom needs? Do you worry about flooding or other disasters in your area? These are all things to consider when thinking about your plumbing system in your new home.
Reply
19/8/2022 02:12:56 pm
Prior to building a plumbing system, you must first seek and receive the necessary permissions. While processing everything may take some time, obtaining permits will assist guarantee that your property complies with all safety regulations and code standards. A permit enables experts to evaluate and check any errors in your plumbing design and stop future pipe problems for the safety of you and your family.
Reply
23/8/2022 11:47:19 am
Do you know of any online community or forum where they discuss about this extensively? I'll be very much indebted..
Reply
18/10/2022 05:49:39 am
Will have a lower water pressure than properties at the bottom of the hill. In addition the water pressure of town systems could vary during the course of the day depending on how many people are using water. Thank you, amazing post!
Reply
9/1/2023 04:44:46 pm
Thank you for sharing such an insightful article. Hope to read more content just like this in the future.
Reply
6/11/2023 11:23:01 pm
It was most captivating when you shared that wastewater pipes are parts of the plumbing system. My friend told me that their pipes need repair. I should advise her to hire an expert in residential plumbing to prevent further damage.
Reply
Thanks for helping me understand that drain pipes would be between 40 to 100 millimeters in diameter. I wonder what type or size of plumbing parts we need to get for the property when the house is constructed next year. We have to make sure that we choose the right options for our own peace of mind and security in the future when it comes to our drainage.
Reply
9/12/2023 12:37:27 pm
I love that you said that water pipes and plumbing parts should be understood for the best plumbing system approach. A few days ago, my spouse informed me she wanted our sink checked because of leaks and clogged pipes. She asked if I had thoughts on the best plumbing approach. I'm thankful for the plumbing information you gave for effective planning. I'll consult a trusted residential plumbing service as they can help provide preventative measures to prevent these kinds of problems.
Reply
Larry Blade
4/3/2024 05:19:54 pm
Great article! thanks for sharing.
Reply
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorI’m a construction professional, author of several successful construction management books, and a home owner. I’ve made mistakes in construction management, I’ve seen others make mistakes, but importantly I’ve had multiple successful construction projects and I’ve learned from the mistakes. I want to share these lessons and my knowledge with you. Also available from:
Amazon Au, Amazon DE, Amazon ES, Amazon CA, Amazon IT, Amazon FR, Amazon NL, Amazon India and 'An Introduction to Building Houses - Volume 2 Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home'
Archives
January 2025
CategoriesWe welcome genuine comments, especially comments that add additional information to the subject matter in the article. We however reserve the right to remove inappropriate comments, which includes comments that have nothing to do with the subject, comments that include inappropriate language, and comments that are an advertisement for a product or company, or which include an advertising link. Comments must be in English. We will not enter into discussion on why a particular comment was removed.
|