How plumbing works in a house

Understanding your homes water systems

House plumbing can seem like a daunting thing to get your head around, but once you break it down, it's actually quite simple. In every home, there is clean water and then the waste product of the used clean water is known as wastewater. The plumbing system in a home is split into two main parts, each dealing with either supplying freshwater or disposing of used water. Understanding how both of these components of your home’s plumbing can be really helpful for any future plumbing issues you may face.

Clean water system supply

In homes, it is important that the supply of water used for intake is clean, instant and to the desired temperature in all places, it is needed. The water is transported under high pressure from the water source through the main valve. Pumps are often used to ensure that the clean water is pressurised enough to run showers and taps.

Shutoff valves are used to turn on and off the water supply to your home. They are located along the perimeter of your house, on the street side as this is where your house initially is supplied with water. They are useful when plumbing work needs to be carried out on your home or if you are leaving your home for an extended period of time.

Your water intake system is what provides your showers and taps with running water. This is a critical part of your home plumbing system and must be constantly working well. Fresh water is supplied through a dedicated pipe to the heater, where it is heated up for when you turn your shower on or require hot water from your tap.

Drain water removal system

Once fresh water has been supplied to your home and used, it becomes wastewater, which must be removed from homes. This type of water is disposed of by utilising the free force of gravity. All wastewater pipes are angled downward, so that wastewater will flow down these pipes once it has been used.

S bend pipes are a type of wastewater pipe used under sinks and for toilets. The shape of these pipes allows waste to be disposed of but causes some water to be retained after wastewater passes through it. This water creates an air seal that prevents sewer gases from being released from the pipes.

Clean-out plugs are a feature of most drainage systems, which allow plumbers to access the inside of pipes and clear difficult clogs in the pipes. Drain water pipes are wider than clean water intake pipes as they have to dispose of waste materials and wastewater.

From the disposal pipes in a home, waste matter is transported to sanitation plants and sewers.

Local Sydney plumbers

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