Plumbing is any transportable system which carries liquids for various uses to places. Plumbing utilises pipes, pumps, plumbing fittings, tanks, and many other apparatuses for carrying liquids. It is a primary source of water supply in most homes and most industries.
Plumbing consists of different methods and materials used for its smooth running. Some of the common materials used for plumbing systems include iron, copper, bronze, steel, glass, copper, PVC, tin and brass. The pipes, fixtures and valves used in plumbing can be single-ended or double-ended. Single-ended pipes carry only a single liquid whereas double-ended pipes carry both liquids and gasses. The most common plumbing appliances are hot water cylinder, kitchen sink, lavatory shower, wash basin, toilet, drain, cistern, waste pipe, faucet, bath, taps, water dispenser, water heater, gas fitting and water pump.
There are two systems for carrying water – one is the in-sink plumbing system and the other is the out-sink plumbing system. In-sink system uses a large tank attached directly to the source of water supply. Out-sink system uses small drainage pipes under the ground which carries both waste water supply. Both systems use different number of fixtures.
If you are hiring plumbers to install your house plumbing, then they will need to know all the plumbing basics, which includes the types of connections, water pressure, water flow, water shutoff valves, water tanks and pipes, drain pipe structure, pipe handling equipment, water and sewer line cleaning, etc. The plumbing basics are very important to ensure the smooth running of the plumbing services. Without these basics, the plumbers cannot do their work properly. Plumbers should also be able to estimate the amount of work needed.
Water leaks can be dangerous and must be repaired immediately. Some basic plumbing basics explain that when there is a leak inside a pipe, it can be found by a non-invasive method like checking the water pressure. However, when the leak is inside a larger pipe like under floor slab roofing, then the pipe may require more extensive repairs. For this reason, the plumbers usually recommend performing a complete inspection of the pipe before they decide to repair it. One can find a lot of useful information on water leaks on the internet. There are even videos uploaded by professionals to give better understanding.
Apart from basic plumbing basics, it is also essential to check if there are any damages or corrosion on the pipe. Most of the plumbers suggest using high quality galvanized fittings, copper piping or PVC pipe to avoid corrosion, damages and leaks. Galvanized fittings are made of special material which can resist corrosion for long period of time. Copper piping has the highest durability as compared to other pipes and is also most preferred due to its excellent water flow capabilities.
