Plumbing, while often taken for granted, is an intricate system that plays a key role in ensuring our households function smoothly. Its importance is underscored each time we turn on a faucet, flush a toilet, or use our washing machine. Let’s delve into the main components of the residential plumbing system and explore how they work together.
1. Water Supply System
This component is responsible for delivering fresh water to your home. The water supply system starts from a municipal source or well, and the water is then transferred under pressure through a network of pipes. These pipes are typically made from copper, plastic, or galvanized iron. As the water travels, it can be directed to heaters or delivered cold through a faucet. Pressure is a critical aspect of this system, ensuring that water can reach all parts of your home, be it the ground floor or an upstairs bathroom.
2. Drain-Waste-Vent System (DWV)
After water is used, it becomes wastewater. The DWV system takes charge of its removal and disposal. This system relies on gravity, rather than pressure. Pipes, larger in diameter than those in the water supply system, carry wastewater away from your home. Vents play an essential role in this system, releasing sewer gases outside and ensuring air can enter, which maintains the required flow of water and waste. The traps, often U-shaped sections of pipe beneath fixtures, hold a small amount of water to prevent sewer gases from coming up into the home.
3. Plumbing Fixtures
These are the parts of the plumbing system you interact with directly. Fixtures include sinks, bathtubs, showers, and toilets. Every fixture is designed with a way to deliver fresh water and a drain to channel away the used water. They come equipped with faucets or valves to control the water flow and temperature. Moreover, fixtures are integral in ensuring the plumbing system meets the sanitary needs of households, giving residents access to clean water and disposing of waste efficiently and safely.
If you ever have questions or need professional plumbing services in Phoenix, AZ, Tucker Hill is here to assist. Feel free to contact us, and we’ll be more than happy to help!