Plumbing can seem like a daunting task. The running water in combination with electricity makes a formidable challenge. The risks of getting the work wrong or doing a poor job will be present in the amateur plumbers mind. No one wants to complete a plumbing job only to turn on the water and see a ceiling come crashing down.  However, these are the type of scenes that popular TV shows and films lead us to believe will occur should we try to do the work on our own.

The truth is, plumbing basics are reasonably straightforward to learn and fear should not prevent us from mastering some elementary plumbing techniques. These techniques will not only save you money, they will save you time. Trying to find a plumber these days is usually a long and difficult task, and they are normally too busy to come immediately and quality plumbers are always in demand.

Starting at the Beginning

If you are familiar with the main laws of nature then you have some clue as to what plumbing is about. Gravity and pressure cause water to seek its own natural level. There are no mysteries to plumbing and if scientific principles are followed and logic used solving plumbing problems will not be beyond most people. When we talk about a plumbing system we are really talking about 2 separate systems. One system is responsible for bringing freshwater into the home or office. The other system is responsible for its removal. Water entering your house will arrive under pressure. In most urban areas and cities there is sufficient pressure to allow the water to travel upstairs and fill the required tanks and cisterns.

Once in the various devices such as water heaters then the water can be prepared for its use such heating in a tank. The normal temperature for heating water is between 140F and 160F. Dishwashers also make use of the hot water however the water supplied by the tank is normally not hot enough and a booster in the dishwasher takes the temperature up by another 20F.

More Plumbing Basics

The drainage system exists to carry your waste water or bad water away from the home or office. It does not matter if your home is on a sewer or septic system the drainage system will, on the whole, be the same. Gravity is the key force acting in any drainage system. It moves the water along and downwards carrying the waste with it. Although the principle is simple there are many other components to the system that must be understood to ensure its smooth running.

Vents, traps and pipes are all linked to ensure seamless operation. A vital part of the drainage system is the S-bend. This prevents sewage gas from rising from below the ground and entering the home causing unpalatable aromas. The sewage fumes can also be harmful to human and animal health. The S-bend works by incorporating a water lock that the fumes cannot pest. This also goes some way to stopping vermin and pests from entering the home.