| Plumbing is the skilled trade of working with | | | | by a variety of fittings designed to couple |
| pipes and tubing for fluids such as water, | | | | lengths in a straight line, turn corners, |
| sewage, steam and natural gas. Plumbing | | | | branch in two directions, reduce or enlarge |
| originated during the ancient civilizations | | | | pipe size, or connect to some type of |
| such as Persian, Chinese, Indian and Roman | | | | fixture. Pipes are made from several |
| civilizations as they developed public baths | | | | different metals and plastics. You often can |
| and needed to provide fresh water and | | | | identify a pipe's purpose by its size and |
| drainage. The piping used to convey the water | | | | makeup: indoor water supply pipes generally |
| and waste was often made of lead. Because | | | | are copper or galvanized iron pipe. |
| lead is very toxic, nearly all modern | | | | |
| manufactured plumbing products and materials | | | | The plumbing system in your home is designed |
| are lead free. | | | | to direct fresh water and wastewater to where |
| | | | you want it to go, without incident. You want |
| | | | wastewater to leave your home down a drain |
| | | | instead of overflow into your home and you |
| A plumber is someone who installs or repairs | | | | want fresh water to come out of a spout |
| piping systems, plumbing fixtures and | | | | rather than leaking somewhere within the |
| equipment such as water heaters and boilers. | | | | walls. The plumbing trade has adopted a |
| | | | number of basic strategies and conventions to |
| A plumbing fixture is a device which is part | | | | keep water controlled and go where we want |
| of a system to deliver and drain away water, | | | | it. It is a good idea to understand how your |
| but which is also configured to enable a | | | | plumbing system works before tackling any |
| particular use. | | | | plumbing project. |
| | | | |
| Your house has several separate plumbing | | | | If your plumbing fixtures drain slowly, the |
| systems: Sinks, toilets, washers, bath tubs, | | | | problem may be a clogged vent. This happens |
| and related fixtures. Plumbing is something | | | | when vents are improperly located and when |
| we use every day and which most of us know | | | | birds or animals deposit debris in the vent |
| little about. Shopping for your own plumbing | | | | where it exits the roof. |
| fixtures rather than getting them through | | | | |
| your plumber allows you choose from a wider | | | | Whatever your intended plumbing projects, the |
| selection and save money. | | | | first step is to familiarize yourself with |
| | | | the water system in your home. At the very |
| Plumbing systems are composed of pipes and | | | | least it is important to know where to switch |
| fittings. Metal or plastic pipes are joined | | | | off the mains in case of an emergency. |