Plumbing Basics: 3 Major Components of Plumbing Systems
Do you need help resolving plumbing issues? Call Advantage Plumbing and Sewer Co at (847) 268-3553 and hire a professional plumber to fix your plumbing systems.
Your home’s plumbing system is essential to your daily life and comfort. Without your plumbing system’s water supply and drainage, cooking, cleaning, and bathing would be much more difficult.
Many homeowners choose only to deal with plumbing issues when they come up. However, learning plumbing basics, such as the components of your system, is one of the best ways to avoid problems altogether.
When your home experiences plumbing issues, it’s crucial to have an experienced plumber in St. Charles, IL, on hand to resolve the problem. Call Advantage Plumbing and Sewer Co for the best plumbing services in St. Charles, IL, and the surrounding area.
Three Core Plumbing System Components
Many homeowners accidentally cause problems in their plumbing system because they have yet to learn how each component functions. Understanding these systems and plumbing basics more thoroughly can help you avoid plumbing problems that are both frustrating and costly to resolve. The three major components of plumbing systems below all work together to help maintain the flow of water into and out of your home.
Fixtures
Plumbing fixtures provide a vessel for us to access water carried through the pipes in our plumbing system. As the primary water source in your home, keeping your plumbing fixtures intact is a crucial part of maintaining a healthy plumbing system.
Plumbing fixtures include:
- Toilets
- Sinks
- Showers
- Bathtubs
- Washing machines
- Dishwashers
- Water heaters
These fixtures are a crucial part of your daily life. However, problems and inefficiencies with plumbing fixtures can reduce your comfort and cost you money.
Dripping and leaking faucets waste water and make your water bill more expensive; in some cases, leaking taps can lead to water damage. Issues with your plumbing fixtures must receive attention from a professional plumber.
Pipes and Fittings
Since plumbing systems supply water throughout a home, pipes carry the water from the source to a fixture.
Pipes and fittings usually run through the walls, attics, and ceilings of homes, remaining unseen but able to carry water to various rooms. These vessels come in different sturdy materials like copper, PVC, lead, and brass. Certain pipes are responsible for transporting hot or cold water.
With your pipes functioning as the skeleton for your plumbing system, they are also prone to issues.
Some of the problems pipes can experience include:
- Frozen pipes
- Leaking pipes
- Noisy pipes from water pressure being too high
- Frequent drainage problems
- Loose fittings
Any of these issues can derail your plumbing system for multiple days. Call professional plumbers immediately if you notice any of these problems.
The Drainage System
The drainage system is responsible for adequately sorting the wastewater from your home. It takes contaminated water away from your house and helps separate solids and wastewater. The liquids then go through a sterilization process to make the water reusable.
Drain problems are common. Pipes must remain functional for your drainage system to work correctly, so clogged drains and full septic tanks happen frequently. These problems require attention from a professional plumber or sewage company that can dispose of wastewater responsibly.
The Drainage System Broken Down
Learning more about the drainage system is one of the best ways to avoid plumbing problems in the future. Additionally, the issues a drainage system can experience require attention from certain professionals. Knowing what professionals can best service your drainage system is key to restoring function quickly.
Inlet Pipe
Ever wonder where the water going down your drain ends up? The inlet pipe guides this water into the broader drainage and septic system.
The inlet pipe connects all the plumbing fixtures in your home, acting as the throat of your drainage system. Wastewater and other contaminants travel through the inlet pipe to the underground components of your drainage and septic system. These underground components are responsible for sorting and recycling wastewater.
Septic Tank
After flowing through the inlet pipe, the septic tank sorts untreated sewage and wastewater into two different tanks. It’s from these two tanks that the recycling process of the drainage system begins.
In the liquid tank, untreated sewage, or effluent, funnels into the decontamination process and drain field, where it recycles through the water system. However, the solid tank turns into sludge. This substance is toxic and will require pumping from a professional sewage company to dispose of it properly.
Full septic tanks are a common problem for drainage systems. If your septic tank has no space, water might back up your drainage system and obstruct water flow. Call plumbing professionals immediately if you notice this problem.
Drain Field
The drain field is where wastewater begins the biodegradation and purification process. The water here receives a treatment agent that helps eliminate harmful organic bacteria that could damage the soil. Then, the drain field slowly leaks the water into the ground for biodegradation and repurification.
Anything from rainwater to root interference could disrupt the drain field. Problems with your indoor plumbing and drainage system might stem from issues with the drain field.
Learning Plumbing Basic Helps Avoid Certain Issues
Learning about plumbing basics can help you and your family avoid costly issues. Once you understand the components of plumbing systems, there are ways you can help protect them and avoid problems.
Ensure that you put only biodegradable and organic waste into any drain or pipe. Trash building up in your pipes and septic system will cause clogs and drainage issues.
Remember that professionals are here to help. Professional plumbers can use tools like a water meter to measure restricted flow in parts of your system.
Quality Plumbing Services from Advantage Plumbing and Sewer Co.
Hire our skilled professional plumber to resolve your plumbing or drainage needs. To learn more about standard residential plumbing fixtures and other plumbing basics, call Advantage Plumbing and Sewer Co. at (847) 268-3553 and speak with a professional plumber today!
