Plumbing: Basics

A plumbing system performs the simple job of supplying water to the house and removing its waste water. Because a plumbing system ties into a sewer/septic source, it must prevent the possible danger of sewer gases seeping back into the waste pipes. So, we'll talk about how vents and drain traps handle that problem.  Click on each link below to learn about these plumbing basics.

Drain-Waste-Vent System

Water Supply System

For definitions of terms used throughout this project see Plumbing Glossary.
 

The drain-waste-vent system transports all the used water and waste from the house to the septic/sewer system. It's a network of drain pipes that runs to all the sinks, toilets, baths, showers, and washer. Most newer waste systems use rigid plastic PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) pipe that are

However, today's homes may utilize cast iron pipe sealed with neoprene in some places as a way to avoid the noise plastic creates when water is draining through it. The soil stack is the main component of the waste drain. It's a vertical "stack" of pipes that starts in the basement/crawlspace floor or wall

where it's connected to the outbound sewer/septic line. The top end of the stack acts as a vent. It extends vertically out through the roof, allowing gases to escape outside and also helps promote drain flow by drawing air inward.
 

A plugged vent can trap dangerous gases and inhibits drainage; similar to plugging a drinking straw with your thumb to hold liquid. Make sure the vent doesn't terminate in the attic. Trapped sewer gases can be dangerous, stink and cause serious structural problems. And a system without a vent may actually suck water out a sink's trap, or do the reverse and fill the sink with water when another fixture 

drains.  A trap blocks sewer/septic gases.   Without one, sewer gases can flow up the stack, drain pipes and come out wherever there's a drain. A trap looks like an "U" and is installed below the drain. When water drains, the trap's shape causes a small amount of water to remain in the bend. That water blocks any gases from moving up the pipe and entering the room.

NOTE: Traps are needed on all drains. That is, sinks, tubs, showers, washers, floor drains all need to have a trap in their drain lines. In most cases, a toilet has a built-in trap and doesn't require a trap in the drain line.
 

A house's water supply may come from a private well or a service pipe that connects to a city water main. In most cases, either water source is located in the basement/crawlspace. A house with a private well utilizes a pump to push water up into a pressure tank where it is stored for use. When the tank empties, the pump is

reactivated to fill the tank., A house with city water has a "live" water supply line that's connected to a water main and a water meter. The meter is usually the dividing point between the city-owned lines and the homeowner's lines. Both systems usually have a 1/2" or larger copper pipe that enters through the basement floor or wall.
 

The line has a shut-off valve located near the beginning of the incoming line so the water supply can be stopped in case of repairs or an emergency. Water supply lines are made of copper, CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) plastic, or in older homes possibly galvanized steel. Cold water lines branch out from the main pipe, while hot water lines originate from the hot water heater.