Bathroom Plumbing Tips

Bathroom Plumbing 101 & Preventative Maintenance

Household plumbing is designed to work with gravity and water pressure to naturally cause the water to flow through the pipes. Basic plumbing technology has been around for thousands of years. Early plumbing systems were developed by the Romans and involved aqueducts. Although modern plumbing is significantly more advanced, the same general principles are still at work in your Floridian home.

How Drainage Works

Even though some homes use septic systems or sewers for drainage, the principle between these systems is essentially the same. When a toilet is flushed, the waste matter flows down the drainage pipes because of gravity. The angle of the pipes is made to speed the flow of sewage waste until it reaches a sewer or a septic tank.

While the concept is fairly simple, the actual inner workings of the plumbing system are fairly complex. A medley of traps, vents and cleanouts are designed to ensure a steady flow of water. Vents on the top of the building allow air to enter the drainpipes so that the wastewater can flow out of the home.

Traps are typically placed under sinks and look like an S-shape. When water flows down the basin with force, it goes through the trap and down the drainpipe. At the same time, enough water will remain in the trap to create a type of seal that prevents wastewater from coming back into the home. For a fixture to be effective and work properly, it must have a trap. Bathtubs normally use drum traps to help prevent hair and dirt from clogging the drains. Meanwhile, toilets are self-trapped, so they do not need an extra trap added. As an added measure, many traps use clean-out plugs to make it easier to remove any blockages.

A proper drainage system will normally contain all of the previous components, so it is called a drain-waste-vent system (DMV). For the sink, toilet or tub to work, all of these factors must be in proper working order.

Additional Drainage And Supply Systems

The supply and drainage subsystems rarely overlap. While the supply side brings in water, the drainage subsystem removes waste. The places where these two systems overlap are called fixtures. Toilets, bathtubs and sinks are all fixtures because they connect the supply and drainage systems.

Bathroom Plumbing Tips To Save Money

Some of the best plumbing tips to save money are fairly easy to do. Turning off the taps and fixing leaky faucets can save a significant amount of money. A single leaking tap can waste 15 gallons of water every day and cost hundreds of dollars annually. If the tap cannot be turned off completely, a professional plumber can help to repair it.

Drains must be unclogged for them to work effectively. For an easy fix at home, individuals can pour a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar down the drain every month. Strainers will also help to prevent hair or dirt from clogging the pipes. In the kitchen, cooking grease should never be poured down the drains. Grease becomes a solid as it cools, which causes it to build up in the pipes over time. Instead of pouring grease down the drains, individuals should pour it into a heat-resistant container and throw it away once it has cooled.

Never flush hair or dental floss down the toilet. Dental floss is designed to resist shredding, so it will not break down in the pipes. Instead, it bonds with waste matter to create large blockages. Hair can also clog showers, toilets and drains if it is present, so discarded hair should never be flushed. Any hair in the tub should also be removed.

Think Low-Flow

Low-flow showerheads and toilets can drastically reduce water consumption. During a ten-minute shower, a normal showerhead will use up to 42 gallons of water. Low-flow fixtures are easy to install at home and will reduce the amount of water used.

Is It Necessary To Call A Professional?

It is necessary to call a professional plumber if the water heater stops working or there is low water pressure in the house. A sewer line stoppage, frozen pipes and water line damage are all situations where professional help is needed. If a blockage cannot be fixed with basic techniques, it may indicate a bad clog or roots in the sewer or other damage. If you need help solving a plumbing problem, contact the professionals at Rapid-Rooter today at (877) 202-6874.

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