| Most people think that the plumbing system in | | | | that would stop the free flow of drain water. |
| a home is more complicated than it really is | | | | |
| because of it's network of pipes and valves. | | | | All sewage will eventually reach the waste |
| Once you recognize the major components and | | | | and vent stack. The waste water flows in the |
| the roles they play, home repairs are | | | | sewer line and exits the house via a |
| relatively easy to do. | | | | municipal sewage system or a private septic |
| | | | tank. In the meantime, sewer gas rises |
| Most home plumbing systems are composed of | | | | through the vent and escapes through the roof |
| three things: the water supply system, the | | | | vent, thus rendering it harmless. |
| fixtures and appliances, and the drainage | | | | |
| system. Water enter a home through a main | | | | Most of the pipes in modern homes are made of |
| supply line, either a municipal water company | | | | copper but plastic is becoming more popular. |
| or a private well. If it comes from a | | | | Homes build before the 1950's usually had |
| municipal source, it must first pass through | | | | pipes that were made of galvanized iron. Iron |
| a meter which measures the amount of water | | | | pipes can lead to water that looks rusty when |
| used. | | | | it first comes through the fixtures. |
| | | | |
| Once the water from the main supply enters | | | | Most pipes in the drainage waste system is |
| the house, the branch line splits off and | | | | made of plastic or cast iron. They can be one |
| joins the water heater. From there, the hot | | | | and a quarter inches to four inches in |
| and cold water lines run parallel to each | | | | diameter to allow easy passage of waste water |
| other to all the fixtures and appliances in | | | | through the pipes. Lead pipes are no longer |
| the house. Once the water becomes waste, it | | | | used in home plumbing, though for the waste |
| runs into a trap and then into the drain | | | | drainage system they do not pose a health |
| system which works totally by gravity. Waste | | | | hazard. Slope is an important factor in the |
| water flows downhill through a series of | | | | waste drainage system, and each section must |
| large diameter drain pipes, which are | | | | have the proper degree of slope to allow the |
| attached to a system of vent pipes. Vent | | | | system to function as intended, working with |
| pipes permit air to enter the system through | | | | gravity to remove the wastes. |
| a roof vent. This fresh air prevents suction | | | | |