For new homeowners, it is recommended to learn and understand the basic components of your plumbing system. Not only can this knowledge protect you from plumbing disasters, it can help save money down the road by using DIY repairs. The plumbing system within a home is not as complicated as it seems.
Continue reading to learn the basics surrounding your home plumbing system.
Two Plumbing Systems in One
A typical home plumbing system is divided into two sub-systems. One system is designed to bring fresh water in, while the other is setup to take waste water out. In the fresh water system, pressure is crucial. The water pressure is what sends the water flowing into a home, up and down levels, and anywhere else it is needed. Every home has a water meter that observes and records the amount of water taken in. All fresh water that is passed into the home is run through this meter and recorded for bill payments.
Near the water meter is another important feature of a home plumbing system; the emergency shut-off valve. Also called the main water shut off or stop, this valve is used to stop water flow into the house during a plumbing emergency. Most home fixtures have their own shutoff valve, so stopping the entire home water flow may be unnecessary in some situations. If a toilet is overflowing, use the toilet shutoff valve to stop the flooding. If a person is experiencing a major plumbing emergency, this is when the main stop should be used.
If a homeowner needs cold water, the supply is ready to go; however, if hot water is required, there is an additional step. When hot water is requested, it is taken from the cold fresh supply and transferred to a hot water heater. From there, the heated water is carried through a series of hot water lines to all areas of the home that use and require hot water.