Plumbing Full Course - Part 2

                In this part, we will know about the basics of plumbing. before getting into advanced topics, we will learn all the terminologies and what they mean. 

Introduction to Drainage/Sewerage

 What is Drainage?

Drainage refers to the flow of water from the land surface into drainage systems (pipes). A proper system of drainage allows all excess rainfall to wash away from your property and prevent erosion. If not properly installed and maintained, however, runoff can cause significant environmental problems.

How does Water get into our Soil?

Water gets into the ground through capillary action, where groundwater comes into contact with soils and rocks. As the water moves through the soil and rock layers, it picks up minerals, salts, and other particles that may be present. Eventually, the water reaches streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, etc., where it is delivered back to the ocean.

Why do we need Drainage?

To keep water out of the soil and ensure minimal erosion, we need to have some type of drainage on our property. This minimizes the risk of having water damage to structures on or near the site. Properly designed drains also help protect against flooding.

Drainage/Sewerage

Drainage refers to the flow of water from high places to low ones. If drainage is not sufficient, then we are left with flooding. When it comes to plumbing, this is the same concept. A drain system should allow water to pass through without becoming stagnant. A good example would be if your sink has a hole at the bottom that allows water to run away when you pour out dirty dishes. This prevents clogs and overflows.

Depending upon your situation, this may mean that you need either a dedicated drainpipe or a sewer line installed outside of your home. If you live in a city where you have a municipal sewer system, you should have no issues finding these services. However, if you live somewhere else, you might want to check into a private septic tank company to help you install a drainpipe.

Black Water

Blackwater is usually wastewater that has been untreated, meaning it may contain human waste, chemicals used in industrial processes, or even raw sewage. This can be dangerous and unhealthy to use for any purpose – including gardening. However, if you don’t have access to safe drinking water and want to make sure your garden stays healthy, you should consider using black water.

You want to avoid putting black water into your garden because it could carry many harmful bacteria and viruses. If you do decide to use it, make sure you properly filter it first. You can buy filtration systems online that work well. Keep in mind that if you do decide to use the wastewater, you must treat it before use.

                    A biosolid or black-water treatment system consists of a digester tank that treats wastewater using a combination of high temperatures and mechanical agitation to break down organic matter into biogas and a sludge that can be used as fertilizer. Biosolids are rich in nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous, magnesium, calcium, iron, and potash. They are also rich in heavy metals, but these levels vary depending on how they were generated (e.g., industrial vs. municipal). While some jurisdictions have laws regarding the use of biosolids, others do not require any special permits or licenses to use them.

Grey Water

Greywater sometimes referred to as “gray” water, is just what its name implies – water from sinks, showers, laundry machines, etc. If greywater isn’t reused, it ends up in the sewer drain. Most municipalities restrict the amount of greywater that can go into sewers because it can cause flooding or backups. However, most cities allow homeowners to reuse their grey water for certain purposes.

Septic Tank

Septic tanks are used in wastewater treatment systems, where solids settle out from wastewater while liquids that contain most of the biodegradable matter pass through. By pumping this liquid into the ground, bacteria break down the remaining waste. A septic tank can handle about 2-5 times its own volume of sewage before becoming saturated.

Septage

A septic system is typically used for wastewater treatment in rural areas. In urban areas, sewers are usually preferred to treat wastewater. Sewage treatment does not remove pathogens or harmful chemicals. They can also cause odor problems and leach out pollutants into the environment if not properly treated. This black water that undergoes treatment in the septic tank is called Septage.

Scum

The septage is generally divided into three parts. The first part that floats on the top of a septic tank, where the bacteria live and which treat the waste, is known as scum.

Effluent

It is the 2nd part of the septage, that comprises the majority of the material in a septic tank and it is a semi-treated liquid.

Sludge

It is the 3rd part of the septage. These are the solids that collect at the bottom.

Plumbing System

        Plumbing Systems can be mainly categorized into two types. One is a water supply system and the other is a Drainage or Sewerage system.

Water supply system (Potable or clean water system) :

Plumbers are not only responsible for fixing leaks but they're needed to install water systems as well. All types of water systems need to have a suitable water supply line to get water from the city's mains into your home. After that, any piping needs to be connected together and then to the faucets inside your house.

Sewerage or Drainage system :

        This is a system of closed pipes that collects drainage water (wastewater) from houses or industries and discharges it either into a septic tank or connects it to a public sewer system. 

Drain

A drain is a tube that allows water from a surface into the ground below. A drain can be located under the surface at different levels, but the topmost portion is called a drainpipe. This pipe connects to other drains in your house through a tramway. If an obstruction occurs inside your drainpipe, this can cause your sink or bathtub to become clogged. A plumber can unclog your pipes and remove any debris that might have caused them to block.

Trap

The trap is where wastewater leaves the plumbing system and enters the sewer line. When sewage comes out of the trap, the toilet bowl is flushed and the waste is separated from clean water. In order to keep the trap clear of obstructions, it needs to stay free of buildup, sediment, and grease. You should replace your traps regularly, depending on how often you use your toilets and sinks.

Sump Pump

Sumps are designed to filter stormwater runoff away from your home’s foundation. After the rain stops, sump pumps slowly force contaminated groundwater back down into your basement. Sump pumps are typically connected to a drainage ditch, where the pump pushes excess water through underground piping. They can also be installed directly into the ground near the foundation. Either way, they require electricity to work. To prevent costly flooding damage, you should always check your sump pump before each heavy rainfall event. Inspect the area around your sump pump and ensure that there are no leaks. Turn off the power if necessary. Locate power outlets to make sure your batteries aren't dead. Finally, test your sump pump by running it until the water level reaches the lowest point in your sump pit. At this time, turn the sump pump on and leave it running until the water level rises above the highest point of your sump pit. Check again after 24 hours to ensure that it still runs properly.

Pipe Size

The size of pipe used in plumbing should have no impact on its function, but it still has some effect on efficiency. Larger pipes are typically slower than smaller ones. However, they may not flow at the same rate. If you want to maximize your water consumption, you might try installing a larger pipe from your faucet. This solution can be effective if you're only watering once a week. But if you're running multiple fixtures, then this approach will prove ineffective. So, to save money and time, opt for smaller diameter tubing.

Pipe Material

PVC is the most common material used for plumbing since it's durable, inexpensive, and flexible. But copper piping is stronger than PVC and lasts longer. Also, copper is considered to be more hygienic than PVC. PVC piping is good for underground installations because it does not require special tools or training to install. PVC piping also requires less maintenance than copper plumbing.

Piping Shape

If you have a corner that needs extra attention, consider using a 90-degree elbow instead of a straight run. You'll need fewer fittings and thus lower materials costs. A 90-degree bend will also allow you to reduce pressure loss. This means less energy wasted through leaks. An elbow will also help keep water flowing smoothly around corners.

Plumbing Fixtures

PVC pipe - PVC pipes are usually 1/2 inch in diameter and have threaded ends that screw into each other. They can be utilized together or exclusively.

- Plastic Pipe - Plastic pipes are usually 1/4 inch (6mm) or 2 inches (51mm). They come in many different diameters and lengths and may be straight with threaded ends or elbow fittings.

- Copper Pipe - Copper tubing comes in various sizes and shapes, but is generally 1/8", 1/4", 1/2", and sometimes even larger.

- Fittings - There are several types of fittings. The two most common ones are compression fittings, also known as union nuts, and tees. Compression fittings are used where threads aren't possible. Tees are used where threads are possible. You can use compression fittings alone or unions along with them.

- Threaded Plumbing Fittings - These include pipes, unions, connectors, and valves. When using threaded plumbing fittings, make sure to tighten them down securely before turning off your water supply!

Types of drainage systems:

        A drainage system can be divided into two systems. One pipe system and two-pipe system.

Trap seal

A trap seal is Connected to every installation, either remotely or inside, which is a fundamental element known as a trap. The trap is essentially the bent part of the drainpipe which keeps up with a water seal between the line and the external that forestalls sewer gases and unsavory scents from saturating the house.

Drainage systems should not be placed too deep into the ground, since they can become clogged easily if they are placed too close to the surface. They can be installed at a depth of between 30-45cm, but any deeper than that could cause problems. If your drain system is placed too deeply it may cause water to pool near the base of your pot. This will create wet areas where mold grows easily. Also, when the plant roots encounter a hard and solid blockage, this can cause stress and damage to the root system.

            You should never use gravel instead of pebbles; this can cause a build-up of debris in your drain system, which can clog the pipes. Instead, opt for clean, smooth, pebbles, like river rock. These materials will allow water to flow freely through your drain system. In addition, they do not require polishing or cleaning after installation, making them easy to maintain.

When installing your trap seal, make sure that you apply enough pressure so that you can still feel the weight of the material against your hands. If it feels heavy, then you know that you have applied the correct amount.

Avoid using a trap seal that has been pre-drilled. This type of product is designed to fit perfectly over the pipe so that no gaps exist. However, if you drill the holes before fitting the trap seal, you will be able to see the gap where the seal fits around the pipe and it won't look professional. 

Once the trap seal is fitted correctly, you should tighten it down with a nut and bolt. Make sure that you put a washer underneath the nut, and ensure that none of the threads touch the side of the pipe.

Ensure that your drainage system is free from obstructions. To check, dig around the area and remove anything that might prevent water from flowing freely. Even small stones or twigs can fall in. Be careful when removing these items, as some of them could be sharp and dangerous.

Gully trap

The gully trap is where the water goes after a rainstorm. It's a critical drainage system that can cause major damage if not maintained properly. The gully trap was designed to catch the water that drains from the roof/ceiling area into the drainage system. This water has nowhere else to go but down through your house. All this water then goes out the drainpipe & down the storm sewer line ultimately ending up in your local lake, stream, river, or ocean. The gully traps are installed at the bottom of the roof where they catch any water before it can get to the drainage system. Gully Traps work by catching rainwater that falls onto the roof. Water runs off the roof into the gully traps. Once inside the gully traps, the water is forced down through a small hole into the drainage pipe. The gully traps keep water out of the drainage system.

Gully traps are usually created from a combination of debris and vegetation that has accumulated over time. If left un-remediated they can create serious problems for your landscape, including erosion, sediment issues, water runoff, and flooding. In addition to this, gully traps often contain organic matter that can degrade into dangerous compounds if exposed to sunlight. For these reasons, we recommend regular maintenance of gully traps to help prevent any negative effects on your lawn and garden.

P traps

P traps are used to help prevent water from entering your greenhouse. They can be placed anywhere that collects water. P traps work best where there is a slope towards the downspout. A good rule of thumb is to place them at least 12 inches away from any area where they may collect water (e.g., roof line). When installing P Traps make sure you do not have any obstructions such as tree branches or vegetation nearby. If you plan on using a rain barrel, you need to create a diversion by placing a bucket or container into the downspout. This diverts the water flow before it enters the potting area, preventing any damage to the plants.

Care to be taken during Plumbing Practices :

Leakage prevention

Leakage prevention can start with the proper installation of pipes. There should always be a way to properly connect each pipe to the next. This prevents unnecessary leakage from occurring. If you are unsure how to install your pipes, please consult with a licensed plumber before beginning this project yourself.

Plugging leaks

After the pipes have been installed correctly, you will need to plug any leaks that may occur. This does not mean just pouring some caulking throughout the entire system; instead, use a specialized sealer specifically designed for piping systems. These special sealers prevent water from leaking through the joints between pipes. You can find these sealers at any home improvement store.

Flushing out drains

Finally, if you want to make sure your pipes stay dry, you will need to flush them regularly. When using commercial products, there is no need to worry about flushing your pipes down the drain. However, if you are doing the flushing yourself, you will need to ensure water does not remain stagnant in your pipes. Otherwise, bacteria could begin to form and cause serious damage down the road.

        Well, here completes the 2nd part of the full Plumbing course. This was an introduction to plumbing. Lots and lots of parts are to be added to this series of full plumbing courses. Hope you guys got to know some basics about plumbing from this past. Until the next part, keep learning... Keep exploring.. keep growing...

Access Previous parts of this course, if you have missed it, by clicking Below..

Part 1 -- Click Here!!