Plumbing Full Course - Part 5

         This is part 5th of the full plumbing course.

Sewer line and water supply line in lined up in a similar channel

Water supply lines are usually installed underground from a city’s water main into your home. This allows them to reach your house without any problems, however, they can sometimes become damaged. When this happens, pipes may break or leak. If they do break then a lot of damage could occur because your entire house would need to be shut down while a pipe was replaced.

                If the sewer line becomes broken, not only does it allow sewage to back up in your home but it can contaminate your property if left untreated. A broken sewer line can cause serious health issues and even result in death.

The sewer lines and water supply lines are usually separate from each other on your property unless they share a common wall. However, there could be times that they can be placed simultaneously in the same trench. This may happen in places where the distance between them is shorter than what is considered normal. If this happens, then you have to make sure that the pipe distances are not too close together. Another thing that you need to pay attention to is the direction of the pipes. You need to ensure that the pipes are facing away from the house. It would be best if you have help in digging out trenches for these projects so that you do not get buried underneath the ground.

The sewer line is usually constructed before the installation of the potable water service line. This allows for proper layout and alignment of the pipe. When the two are installed together, they are typically laid out in series; that is, the sewer line comes first and then the potable water service lines come after. A common mistake is not aligning them correctly and having the lines cross each other. Because the sewer line is a larger diameter, this can lead to problems like infiltration or backup of sewage into the potable water lines. In addition, the drainage area around these types of connections often leads to a buildup of debris and roots. This can cause future issues with drainage in those areas.

Water supply lines should be installed at a distance from any potential storm drains or sanitary sewers. Storm drains are designed to direct excess rainfall away from paved surfaces but also have the ability to collect surface runoff from roads and parking lots. Sanitary sewers are designed to collect human waste and generally drain it into lakes, streams, rivers, or oceans. If the potable water supply line crosses the storm drain system, this may lead to a backup of raw sewage into your home's plumbing.

The minimum separation between the water supply line and drainage line

* The minimum separation between water supply line (pipe) and drainage line (pipe): 1 inch

Water lines are pipes that carry liquids from one place to another. These pipes usually have a diameter of less than four inches. Drainage lines are used to direct any excess water away from the house. When these pipes come into contact with each other, they can cause clogs and eventually lead to flooding.

* Minimum length of pipe per fixture: 6 feet

If your plumbing system has more than three fixtures, the distance between them should be six feet or longer. Otherwise, the distance between fixtures can become too small, which may allow for the formation of “dead spots.” Dead spots occur when cold water sits in the same area for too long. As this happens, bacteria grow along the walls, causing mold and mildew.

                        You should keep your hydroponic system away from cold pipes that may freeze. And avoid direct contact with outdoor pipes. That's why the distance from the drainpipe at the bottom of the tank should be at least 1/4 inch (6mm). Keep in mind that if your drains are not properly designed then they can clog easily and slow down the flow of water.

Granular Bedding in drainage

Granular bedding is used to help control odor in wastewater treatment facilities. The granules are made from polymers that adsorb ammonia (a common by-product) into their matrix. When they reach a certain size, they can be removed from the water and disposed of.

Backflow prevention in drainage

When water flows back into your pipes, this can cause major problems. When a pipe is connected to a building drain, a siphon can form if the system isn't properly designed. A siphon prevents any water flow from going downstream. This may happen because of changes in the flow rates in the system. If there is a sudden decrease of pressure on the upstream side of the piping system, then the water level drops and creates a low point where the water begins to collect. Because of this, a siphon will develop and prevent any water flow in the direction it is flowing from.

A common way to avoid siphons is to use expansion joints between sections of pipe. These are areas that allow the jointed sections of the pipe to expand and contract at different temperatures without creating stress points along the length of the pipe. Expansion joints should always be used whenever possible.

If you have no access to expansion joints at the time of installation, there are some ways to minimize the chances of having a problem. Use larger diameter PVC pipe instead of smaller diameters. Also, make sure the pipe has been flushed thoroughly before connecting it to the drainage system. This helps to keep the water flowing freely throughout the entire system.

Flush valve 

The flush valve is located at the bottom of the drainpipe where water enters the tank. If the flush valve becomes clogged due to debris build-up, the line can become compromised, allowing water to enter your tank from the outside environment. This could cause flooding issues.

To prevent this occurrence, you must have a backflow valve installed on the pipe leading out of your tank. If you do not install one, water will flow backward into your tank through the flush valve line and can ruin your whole setup if left unchecked.

                    The drain pipe should have some type of backflow prevention installed. Some manufacturers include this as a standard but others don't. You want to make sure that either way your system has backflow protection. A good flush valve will keep water from backing up into the unit if something gets clogged. They are typically spring-loaded, so they can always return to normal position once pressure is released. If you try to use a hand pump after flushing there's still a chance that the valve could get stuck closed if the pressure isn't high enough to open it.

You may need to remove the tank lid and check if any debris is blocking the flow path. Try running the hose at lower pressure while working on other parts of the system.

What is Backflow Prevention?

Backflow prevention (BFP) devices are used to prevent the backflow of contaminated water into potable water supply systems. They are located between the incoming supply pipe and the drain outlet pipe.

Flush Valve Backflow Prevention

The Flushing system is a critical element that prevents contamination of potable water with wastewater. This is done by the flushing device installed inside the tank. When the flush water level rises above the top of the float, the flush mechanism activates allowing the air pressure to push the flush fluid through the piping system where the flush water comes out of the drain. The flushing action continues until the flush liquid completely drains from the tank. If not properly designed, this can cause contamination of the drinking water.

How Does backflow occur?

There are two types of BFPs: mechanical and electronic. Mechanical backflow preventers use a spring-biased check valve that opens automatically when the tank fills with flush water. Electronic backflow preventers work by detecting the presence of contaminants. A purge cycle is initiated whenever the flush water level reaches the top of the float switch. In both cases, the water is prevented from flowing backward into the intake line until the flush cycle has been completed.

Water-saving/conservation techniques in plumbing

The different ways to conserve/save water in plumbing are listed below:

1. Low-flow toilets

Low flow toilet systems use less water than standard toilets by using less than 1.6 gallons per flush (GFP). If your bathroom has low water usage, try purchasing a low-flow toilet. This can save approximately $20-$50/month on your water bill. In addition to saving money, low-flow toilets are better for the environment because they do not produce as much wastewater that needs treatment.

                    Low flow rate toilets use less water than traditional toilets. Most conventional toilets have a high-flow rate from 6 gallons per flush (GFP) to 16 GFP. This means that they take about 40 gallons of water each time they are flushed. A low flow rate toilet uses only 2 to 4 gallons of water each time it is flushed. Some models even use as little as 1 gallon!

2. Water-saving showerheads

Showerheads may seem like small things but if you take advantage of them, you could save thousands of gallons of water each year. Use the cold setting when brushing teeth and washing hair as well as putting lotion on your body. Showerheads have multiple settings from high pressure to low pressure. Try experimenting with different ones until you find one that suits your needs.

3. Low-volume faucets

Faucets typically don't use much water, but if you can limit how much water flows through it, you'll cut down your monthly water bills significantly. Some faucets even come with automatic shutoff valves. You can adjust these faucets manually without turning off the water supply. They should be set to deliver at least 2 cups of water per minute.

4. Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth

Turning the water off while you brush your teeth can save up to 400 gallons of water annually. If you don't need to wash your face, turn the water off in the sink too.

5. Wash dishes in cold water

Washing dishes by hand instead of using a dishwasher saves up to 20 gallons of water each time. Fill a bucket halfway with hot water. Place cutlery into the warm water, wait 10 minutes, then place them in a sink full of clean cold water to rinse.

6. Use of Pressure Reducing Valves (PRV) in distribution lines

The pressure-reducing valves are used in the water supply system to reduce pressure and flow rate at different places in the pipe network. These pressure-reducing valves help in controlling water usage in home and office environments. They are mainly used in sprinkler systems and fire extinguishing systems.

            If we are using 1-4 gallons per minute of water from our sink faucet, then we may have a problem. This can cause problems like excessive soap suds, hot water that leaks out of your taps, and running toilets. If this happens, chances are that your home needs a pressure-reducing valve (PRV). A pressure-reducing valve allows you to control how much water comes out of your sink faucets. So, if you want to save on water consumption, buy yourself a pressure-reducing valve.

7. Use of Plumbing fixtures that satisfy minimum flow rate as per Plumbing standards

The diameter of the pipe is the single most important factor determining how much water your home uses. There are three standard sizes that are used for residential plumbing systems. A 2-inch pipe can carry about 1/4 gallons per minute (GPM), while 4-inch pipes typically handle between 1/2 and 3/4 GPM. Larger pipes can handle even higher flows—for example, 6-inch pipes can carry over 1 GPM. As a rule of thumb, the larger the pipe size, the lower the pressure of the water flowing through it. This means that if you have a smaller pipe size, you may need to increase the pressure of the water.

 

8. Leakages

No matter how well you take care of your home's plumbing system, it's still bound to experience problems from time to time. One problem that commonly occurs is leaks. Leaks happen when a pipe inside a wall or under a floor has a defect or breaks, causing water to leak outside. Often, these leaks are caused by tree roots pushing through the ground around pipes. Other common causes include cracked joints and corroded fittings. While most small leaks don't pose much of a threat, large cracks can lead to serious flooding problems -- especially if you live near rivers or lakes.           

                Leaks in water supply systems can cause flooding, mold, and other health problems that could cost you thousands of dollars. To avoid this, check your pipes regularly for leaks. Also, make sure you have enough hot water coming into your home at all times. This means having the right amount of toilets, showers, sinks, and dishwashers, along with proper heating systems.

9. Use of Water Conservation Products

The main purpose of using water conservation products is to save water. Usually, they are used in place of regular old-fashioned washers, toilets, etcetera. They usually have been specially created to conserve water but not increase its use.

                            There are two types of water-conserving products, passive and active. Passive ones require no energy input from the user while active ones do require some effort from the consumer. Active ones can take many forms. One example would be a tankless toilet that uses less water than traditional models. Another would be a low-flow showerhead that saves water from the moment it’s turned on until it’s shut off, rather than letting it run continuously like normal showers.   

                            Most households typically use about 300 gallons of water per day. This includes both indoor and outdoor usage. However, if your household takes advantage of all the water-saving resources out there, you could potentially reduce this amount to 100 gallons!    

                            There are many ways to conserve water in the home. You can begin by changing the faucet aerators to low-flow versions. Then turn off the water at the kitchen sink whenever possible. If the kitchen sink has multiple outlets, plugging them all can help conserve even more water.

            Next, change the way you wash dishes. Use hand washing methods instead of automatic dishwashers. Take advantage of the drying time after rinsing dishes. You can also put down a towel under the dish rack to catch excess moisture.

            Finally, install a leak detection system to find where the leaks are coming from. Once that’s done, you can seal the problem areas before the damage becomes too severe.

some other water conservation products such as Automatic taps, Flushometers, Pint flush urinals, high-efficiency toilets, and water-saving showerheads can also be used. 

10. Water Meters

If we are to think about the use of water in our daily lives, then one thing that comes into mind is the usage of water in the bathroom sink, washing clothes, etc. But did you know that the average household uses 1,000 gallons of water per month? And some people even go higher than this! This can lead to significant savings if you are able to reduce your water consumption. In other words, conserving water has become critical in order to save water resources around the world.

The first step towards making any change is awareness. With regards to conserving water, knowing where your water goes and how much you consume in a given day is the first step to conserving it better. If you have no idea what kind of device exists for measuring the amount of water you use at home, then it would make sense to get a water meter installed in your house. A water meter measures how much water is used at specific times of the day and helps you pinpoint the exact leaks occurring in your home. There are different types of devices that measure various aspects related to water usage. Some examples include:-

• Electronic Meter

Electronic Meters are generally the best option for those who want to monitor their water usage. They often cost more than mechanical meters but they have a variety of advantages over mechanical meters. One of them is the fact that they give accurate readings 24 hours a day, 365 days a year making them suitable for monitoring both domestic and commercial water consumption. Another advantage is that they are equipped with alarms that notify you immediately when there is a leak or excessive loss of water. These meters also provide alerts if you need to adjust your watering schedule. They are additionally extremely simple to introduce and work with. On top of all these features, electronic meters can be very accurate and reliable.

• Mechanical Meters

Mechanical meters are usually less expensive than electronic meters. However, they are not equipped with alarm systems so if you have any leakage in your home, you could not detect it until it gets too large. Also, since they only measure water consumption in certain periods, they can be inaccurate if the time interval selected does not match the actual water usage.

11. Use of Flow Control Devices

Flow control devices in water-saving/conservation in plumbing are used to reduce the amount of water that travels through a particular pipe or channel from its source to an outlet. This allows you to conserve your water usage and save money! They are used to regulate the flow rate of water coming out of a faucet or tap so that the amount of water being used can be controlled. This helps to ensure that you won’t waste water while washing dishes or brushing your teeth. In addition to regulating the flow of water, they can be designed to have other functions like controlling the temperature of the water coming out of a sink faucet.

12. Greywater Reuse

Greywater reuse refers to the use of wastewater from sinks, showers, tubs, and washing machines for non-potable purposes. This practice has been around since ancient times and was widely used in developed countries before the widespread adoption of potable water systems. In recent years, many U.S. municipalities have passed laws that encourage homeowners to recycle their greywater through on-site systems.

                    To keep our water clean, we need to make sure that any waste materials are treated properly. When wastewater comes into contact with organic matter, bacteria start breaking down these substances, and this can cause unpleasant odors and unsightly conditions. Bacteria can produce toxic compounds if they are not removed from the wastewater, therefore, treatment should always be done prior to discharge. A variety of technologies exist for treating greywater. 

The grey-water system has been used in many countries throughout the world. In this system, instead of using a closed-loop system, the wastewater from bathroom sinks, tubs, showers, washing machines, and dishwashers is collected and reused for irrigation purposes. This type of wastewater system can save at least 50% of potable water compared to a normal conventional system.

With the increasing awareness towards the conserving of freshwater resources, there is a need for developing technologies that would recycle the wastewater into useful forms. Greywater recycling is just one of them. There are many other ways to utilize wastewater through various processes and techniques. These methods not only help to conserve water but also reduce pollution.

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

Part 1 -- Click Here!!

Part 2 -- Click Here!!

Part 3 -- Click Here!!

Part 4 -- Click Here!!