Understanding Your Plumbing System: A Homeowner’s Guide

Having a basic understanding of your home’s plumbing system is essential for making informed decisions about repairs, upgrades, and maintenance. A well-functioning plumbing system ensures clean water for drinking, cooking, and bathing while effectively removing wastewater. Here’s a breakdown of the key components of your Colorado home’s plumbing system.

Water Supply System

This system brings fresh, clean water into your home, sourced from either a municipal water supply or a well. It travels under pressure to your faucets, toilets, showers, and other fixtures. Key components of the water supply system include:

• Main Water Shutoff Valve

  This valve is the primary control for water entering the home. It can be turned off in case of leaks or repairs to prevent water from flowing into the system.

• Water Meter

  A water meter tracks your water usage for billing purposes. It measures the amount of water used throughout the month.

• Valves and Fittings

  These fixtures are attached to the main pipeline to control water flow throughout different parts of the home, regulating the speed and direction of water distribution.

• Pipes

  Pipes carry water to different areas of the home. The material and size of the pipes can impact the flow and pressure of the water. Common materials include copper, PEX, and PVC.

Drain-Waste-Vent System

This system is responsible for removing wastewater and venting sewer gases. It includes:

• Drains and Waste Pipes

  These pipes are sloped to ensure that wastewater and solid waste flow away from the home through gravity.

• Vent Pipes

  Vent pipes allow air to enter the plumbing system, ensuring smooth water flow and allowing sewer gases to escape from the home.

• Traps

  Located under sinks and other fixtures, traps are designed to hold water, preventing sewer gases from entering the living space.

The Fixture System

This system includes all fixtures that use water, such as sinks, bathtubs, dishwashers, water heaters, and washing machines. Each fixture requires its own plumbing setup, which can vary depending on the type of installation.

Understanding the materials that make up your plumbing system is key to maintaining it. Common materials used in plumbing include:

• PVC Pipes (Polyvinyl Chloride)

  Lightweight, anti-corrosive, and easy to use, PVC pipes are often found in water supply lines and waste drainage systems.

• Copper Pipes

  Because of their durability and corrosion resistance, copper pipes are often used for water supply lines. They are more expensive than PVC and require soldering to join.

• Cast Iron Pipes

  Found in older homes, cast iron pipes are durable and quiet, but they are prone to rust over time.

• PEX Pipes (Cross-Linked Polyethylene)

  PEX pipes are flexible, corrosion-resistant, and freeze-resistant, making them an ideal choice for water supply lines. They are easy to install and highly durable.

Valves control the flow of water in your plumbing system. Here are the main types:

• Gate Valves

  Gate valves are reliable but can be hard to turn. They’re often used as shut-off valves for the main water supply.

• Ball Valves

  Ball valves are easy to operate and provide a reliable seal. They tend to be more expensive than gate valves.

• Check Valves

  These valves prevent water from flowing backward, which helps keep contaminants out of your clean water supply.

• Pressure Relief Valves

  Pressure relief valves help regulate the pressure within the plumbing system, particularly for water heaters, preventing leaks and damage from excessive pressure.

Schedule a Maintenance Check Today with Adam’s Plumbing & Heating

Understanding the basics of your plumbing system helps you identify potential issues early. However, regular maintenance is key to keeping everything running smoothly. We recommend scheduling regular checks with a licensed plumber to ensure that your system is functioning efficiently. At Adam’s Plumbing & Heating, we’re here to help with all your plumbing needs. Contact us today to schedule your maintenance check for plumbing in Black Hawk/Central City.