Our Plumbing Service Expert Explains the ABCs of Your Plumbing System
Are you one of those not familiar with the plumbing industry? Then you understand that some of the common terms utilized to discuss plumbing system topics can be difficult to follow. Where others are fairly basic, some could leave you scratching your head.
In an effort to help our customers understand the field of plumbing, we are at Progress Plumbing would like to provide some of the common terms you must understand to simplify your interactions with your licensed and qualified plumber in Auckland.
The ABCs of a plumbing system:
You don’t need to become a plumber to have a thorough understanding of your household’s plumbing system!
A – Automatic Emergency Water Shut Off Valve
An automatic water shut-off valve monitors either by detecting water on the floor or monitoring flows in the pipe. When moisture is detected, or flow is irregular, the valve will shut off your entire household’s water supply.
Those can stop a substantial amount of the damage that water leaks cause. You can categorize automatic water shut-off valves into two types: Whole house flow-based leak detection systems and moisture sensor systems.
B – Backflow Preventer
A backflow preventer is a device, which is installed on the water pipes of your home. It enables water to flow in one direction but never in the opposite route. Its main role is to stop drinking water from being contaminated because of backflow.
Backflow prevention systems are devices installed into a pipe that enables water to flow in one direction. You can consider it as a one-way gate that enables water from the municipality’s public water supply to flow into the home’s piping but halts water when and if it ever tries to flow backward into the main water supply.
C – Check for Possible Leaks in Your Home’s Plumbing System
One of the ideal ways to tell when you have a leak in your plumbing is to check the water meter. Turn off all the water in the home. Shut off the faucet and ensure the washing machine and dishwasher aren’t running. Water the meter and notice if it starts to change.
D – Drains (Keep Strainers in Your Drains to Prevent Clogs)
A clogged drain can be an annoying and gross problem at the same time. Clogging could cause your drains to back up and not work properly. Make sure you keep the strainers in the drains to prevent any potential clogs.
E – Emergency Sump Pump
A sump pump is an emergency device that utilizes a sensor to monitor and pump rising water levels in the basement. It helps fix problems associated with dampness. The main use of a sump pump is to pump and send water away from your house to a place where it could cause fewer concerns—often a city storm drain or a dry well.
F – Flush Valve
A flush valve is utilized to flush a toilet. The valve and associated hardware are placed within the toilet tank or in the body of the urinal. Many toilets have a push-button activator or level that’s used to run the flush valve.
G – Garbage Disposal
The plumbing’s garbage disposal is nothing but the assembly of the piping of the under sink via a slip joint connection. These connections have threaded ends and raw on opposite ends.
H – Hot Water Heater
The hot water heater in your home is integrated with a check valve, which is installed in the cold-water feed piping for comfort and efficiency. A hot water heater looks like huge metal cylinders, tall drums, which are often consigned to a basement or laundry room.
I – Insulating Pipes in the Winter
An insulating water pipe is a vital element in an effort to winterize the plumbing in your home. Doing so can save money on energy expenses by stopping hot water pipes from losing their heat to the surrounding air.
J- J-Hook Water Pipe Hangers
These are devices utilized to support a group of pipes from a ceiling, beam, slab, or other structural elements. C Clamps are often used to connect beams, channels, and wide flange beams.
K – Kitchen Sink Drain Chemicals
These are chemicals used to unclog the drains, which are composed of foam or liquid formulations that are heavier than water.
L – Lift Station
It’s a vital part of an efficient sewage collection system. Raw sewage makes its way underground in sloped pipelines, which take advantage of gravity to keep the costs down.
M – Magnesium Anode Rods
These rods help to safeguard the water heater tanks’ inside from corroding. They do that by diverting corrosion to themselves. They are also referred to as sacrificial rods like their aluminium counterparts.
N – Needle Valve
A needle valve is a kind of valve that can be utilized to complete or regulate the isolation of the fluid. The unique feature of the valve is the structure of a small plunger with the shape of a needle.
O – Older Appliances
Most of your older appliances waste a huge amount of water and energy. It could cause damage to your plumbing system when they fail.
P – Plunger
A plunger is a tiny cylinder that connects into the bow’s riser above the arrow rest. It houses a spring, and its tip contacts the arrow shaft. It has two main functions: set the centre shot and absorb any imperfections as the arrow takes flight.
Q – Quick Connect Ball Valves
It’s a valve that opens by turning the handle connected to a ball inside the valve. The ball has a hole or port through the center so that there will be flow when the port is in line with both ends of the valve.
R – Relief Valve
These are used in the plumbing system to lessen water pressure to the preferred limit and safeguard equipment or piping systems from potential bursting. The mechanism is composed of a diaphragm and spring adjusted to a certain limit.
S – Septic Tank
A septic tank is a buried, water-tight container often made of polyethylene, fiberglass, or concrete. Its role is to hold the wastewater long enough to let solids settle down to the bottom, forming sludge, while the grease and oil float to the top as scum.
T – Toilet
A toilet has two parts: the bowl and the tank. The former holds water and links to the drain for disposing of wastewater and waste. Meanwhile, the tank contains reserve water for refilling the bowl and the devices for clean flushing water into the bowl and refilling the tank.
U – Under Sink Shut-Off Valve
Also referred to as fixture shut-offs or stop valves, an under-sink shut-off valve enables you to turn off the water to the sink without having to use the main shut-off of your home. These affordable small valves rarely get used. When they do, they oftentimes leak.
V – Vents
The plumbing vent helps regulate or control the air pressure in the plumbing system. The plumbing vent pipe, just as drainpipes remove waste and water from your home, a vent also removes odors and gas.
W – Washing Machine Shut-Off Valve
It’s a shut-off valve that is attached to the hose coupling (for example, into the end piece of the hose). It then sits directly under the tap. A shut-off valve can be recognized as a tiny box on the water hose of a dishwasher or a washing machine.
X – Xtra Care
Taking care of your home’s plumbing is crucial to maintaining the clean water flowing and flushing your household’s waste out. Many people don’t consider their plumbing until an issue arises. However, by then, they’re left with a massive mess and a huge bill as well.
Y – Yard Faucets/Irrigation
Yard faucets are often used in home and industrial settings. They have a non-freeze design and are suitable for every environment. These devices are often seen in campgrounds, rural residences, and farms. A yard faucet features a handle on the head regulating its operation.
Z – Plumbing Zone
A smoothly running, effective plumbing system allows you to have fresh, clean water as close as your faucet and warm water to keep your entire family and home clean. It’s important that you conduct periodic checks of the “plumbing zone” of your home.
Properly functioning plumbing systems have other advantages such as:
Access to clean water is vital to good well-being, hygiene, and health
Water-saving devices boost water efficiency and the energy savings of your home
Modern plumbing can help communities in times of drought and water shortages
Home plumbing systems add convenience to regular modern living
As a homeowner, you should safeguard your investment. That suggests keeping your entire household, which includes the plumbing system you count on regularly, to perform your household tasks and other chores.
There you have it! We hope this helps you better understand some of the terms heard in the plumbing industry. If you’re in dire need of a qualified plumber in Auckland, call in the experts of Progress Plumbing today and let our professionals help you with your plumbing problems!