The Parts Of A Plumbing System Installed In Your New Home
When you have a new house built, you'll need a plumbing system installed. A system brings in water from the main line in the street or from your well and then distributes it throughout your house. A complete plumbing system is a complex maze of parts. Here's a look at the components of the plumbing system installed in a new home.
Water Pipes
New water pipes are usually made of copper or plastic. The main pipe brings water right up to your house and connects to a valve before branching out to various locations in your home. The pipes split into a cold water section and a hot water section. They may go under a slab if installed before the house is built or they may route through walls or the attic depending on the climate. The pipes lead to fixtures in the wet rooms of your home. Pipes are tethered to the walls to keep them from shuddering and making noise when water is turned on. A pressure valve may be placed on the main water pipe to help control the pressure in the plumbing system.
Drain Pipes
Drain pipes connect to each sink, tub, and toilet in your house and carry waste to the city sewer line or to your septic tank; this system of pipes includes vents that allow gas to escape through the roof of your house. All the drain pipes empty to the main sewer drain so waste leaving your home flows through a single drain. That's why a clogged sewer line can potentially cause problems with every drain in your home.
Fixtures
Many fixtures in your home connect to the pipe and drain system; this includes a hot water heater, washing machine, dishwasher, sinks, showers, tubs, garbage disposal, and toilets. When your home is being built, these fixtures aren't in place yet, so the plumber places hookups where appliances can be added later. Hookups are usually closed off with a valve so water doesn't leak out and the valves act as a safety measure when there's a plumbing leak and you need to shut off the water to a single fixture.
Gas Lines
Plumbers also install gas lines and these are often considered part of a plumbing system for a new home although the pipes are completely separate from water pipes. The pipes connect your home to the natural gas supply in the street. The main line connects to a meter and after the meter, the pipes branch out to various locations in your home to power a water heater, stove, or fireplace. Gas hookups are closed off with a valve and cap when not in use.
The plumbing system in a home is hidden from view so you may not realize how complex and large it actually is. It may be installed in various phases as the house is being built so when your home is complete, the entire system is in place and ready for use.