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Plumbing
Plumbing
may
be
defined
as
practice,
materials,
and
fixtures
used
in
the
installation,
maintenance,
and
alteration
of
all
piping,
fixtures,
appliances,
and
appurtenances
in
connection
with
sanitary
or
storm
drainage
facilities,
the
venting
system,
and
the
public
or
private
water
supply
systems.
Plumbing
does
not
include
the
trade
of
drilling
water
wells,
installing
water
softening
equipment,
or
the
business
of
manufacturing
or
selling
plumbing
fixtures,
appliances,
equipment,
or
hardware.
A
plumbing
system
consists
of
three
separate
parts:
an
adequate
potable
water
supply
system,
a
safe,
adequate
drainage
system
and
ample
fixtures
and
equipment.
Background
Factors
 The generalized inspection of a home is concerned with a safe water supply system, an adequate drainage system, and ample and proper fixtures and equipment. This explains features of a residential plumbing system and the basic plumbing terms the inspector must know and understand to identify properly housing code violations involving plumbing and the more complicated defects that he will refer to the appropriate agencies.
Definitions
Air Chambers
Pressure
absorbing
devices
that
eliminate
water
hammer.
They
should
be
installed
as
close
as
possible
to
the
valves
or
faucet
and
at
the
end
of
long
runs
of
pipe.
Air Gap (Drainage System)
The
unobstructed
vertical
distance
through
the
free
atmosphere
between
the
outlet
of a
water
pipe
and
the
flood
level
rim
of
the
receptacle
into
which
it
is
discharging.
Air Gap (Water Distribution System)
The
unobstructed
vertical
distance
through
the
free
atmosphere
between
the
lowest
opening
from
any
pipe
or
faucet
supplying
water
to a
tank,
plumbing
fixture,
or
other
device
and
the
flood
level
rim
of
the
receptacle.
Air Lock
An
air
lock
is a
bubble
of
air
which
restricts
the
flow
of
water
in a
pipe.
Backflow
The
flow
of
water
or
other
liquids,
mixtures,
or
substances
into
the
distributing
pipes
of a
potable
water
supply
from
any
source
or
sources
other
than
the
intended
source.
Back
siphonage
is
one
type
of
backflow.
Back Siphonage
The
flowing
back
of
used,
contaminated,
or
polluted
water
from
a
plumbing
fixture
or
vessel
into
a
potable
water
supply
due
to a
negative
pressure
in
the
pipe.
Branch
Any
part
of
the
piping
system
other
than
the
main,
riser,
or
stack.
Branch Vent
A
vent
connecting
one
or
more
individual
vents
with
a
vent
stack.
Building Drain
The
part
of
the
lowest
piping
of a
drainage
system
that
receives
the
discharge
from
soil,
waste,
or
other
drainage
pipes
inside
the
walls
of
the
building
(house)
and
conveys
it
to
the
building
sewer
beginning
3
feet
outside
the
building
wall.
Cross
Connection
Any
physical
connection
or
arrangement
between
two
otherwise
separate
piping
systems,
one
of
which
contains
potable
water
and
the
other
either
water
of
unknown
or
questionable
safety
or
steam,
gas,
or
chemical
whereby
there
may
be a
flow
from
one
system
to
the
other,
the
direction
of
flow
depending
on
the
pressure
differential
between
the
two
systems.
(See
Backflow
and
Back
siphonage.)
Disposal Field
An
area
containing
a
series
of
one
or
more
trenches
lined
with
coarse
aggregate
and
conveying
the
effluent
from
the
septic
tank
through
vitrified
clay
Pine
or
perforated,
non-metallic
pipe,
laid
in
such
a
manner
that
the
flow
will
be
distributed
with
reasonable
uniformity
into
natural
soil.
Drain
Any
pipe
that
carries
waste
water
or
water-borne
waste
in a
building
(house)
drainage
system.
Flood
Level
Rim
The
top
edge
of a
receptacle
from
which
water
overflows.
Flushometer
Valve
A
device
that
discharges
a
predetermined
quantity
of
water
to
fixtures
for
flushing
purposes
and
is
closed
by
direct
water
pressures.
Flush
Valve
A
device
located
at
the
bottom
of
the
tank
for
flushing
water
closets
and
similar
fixtures.
Grease
Trap
See
Interceptor.
Hot
Water
Potable
water
that
is
heated
to
at
least
120°F
and
used
for
cooking,
cleaning,
washing
dishes,
and
bathing.
Insanitary
Contrary
to
sanitary
principles
injurious
to
health.
Interceptor
A
device
designed
and
installed
so
as
to
separate
and
retain
deleterious,
hazardous,
or
undesirable
matter
from
normal
wastes
and
permit
normal
sewage
or
liquid
wastes
to
discharge
into
the
drainage
system
by
gravity.
Leader
An
exterior
drainage
pipe
for
conveying
storm
water
from
roof
or
gutter
drains
to
the
building
storm
drain,
combined
building
sewer,
or
other
means
of
disposal.
Main
Vent
The
principal
artery
of
the
venting
system,
to
which
vent
branches
may
be
connected.
Main
Sewer
See
Public
Sewer.
Pneumatic
The
word
pertains
to
devices
making
use
of
compressed
air
as
in
pressure
tanks
boosted
by
pumps.
Potable
Water
Water
having
no
impurities
present
in
amounts
sufficient
to
cause
disease
or
harmful
physiological
effects
and
conforming
in
its
bacteriological
and
chemical
quality
to
the
requirements
of
the
Public
Health
Service
drinking
water
standards
or
meeting
the
regulations
of
the
public
health
authority
having
jurisdiction.
P &
T
(Pressure
and
Temperature)
Relief
Valve
A
safety
valve
installed
on a
hot
water
storage
tank
to
limit
temperature
and
pressure
of
the
water.
P
Trap
A
trap
with
a
vertical
inlet
and
a
horizontal
outlet.
Public
Sewer
A
common
sewer
directly
controlled
by
public
authority.
Relief
Vent
An
auxiliary
vent
that
permits
additional
circulation
of
air
in
or
between
drainage
and
vent
systems.
Septic
Tank
A
watertight
receptacle
that
receives
the
discharge
of a
building's
sanitary
drain
system
or
part
thereof
and
is
designed
and
constructed
so
as
to
separate
solid
from
the
liquid,
digest
organic
matter
through
a
period
of
detention,
and
allow
the
liquids
to
discharge
into
the
soil
outside
of
the
tank
through
a
system
of
open-joint
or
perforated
piping,
or
through
a
seepage
pit.
Sewerage
System
A
sewerage
system
comprises
all
piping,
appurtenances,
and
treatment
facilities
used
for
the
collection
and
disposal
of
sewage,
except
plumbing
inside
and
in
connection
with
buildings
served
and
the
building
drain.
Soil
Pipe
The
pipe
that
directs
the
sewage
of a
house
to
the
receiving
sewer,
building
drain,
or
building
sewer.
Soil
Stack
The
vertical
piping
that
terminates
in a
roof
vent
and
carries
off
the
vapors
of a
plumbing
system.
Stack
Vent
An
extension
of a
solid
or
waste
stack
above
the
highest
horizontal
drain
connected
to
the
stack.
Sometimes
called
a
waste
vent
or a
soil
vent.
Storm
Sewer
A
sewer
used
for
conveying
rain
water,
surface
water,
condensate.
cooling
water,
or
similar
liquid
waste.
Trap
A
trap
is a
fitting
or
device
that
provides
a
liquid
seal
to
prevent
the
emission
of
sewer
gases
without
materially
affecting
the
flow
of
sewage
or
waste
water
through
it.
Vacuum
Breaker
A
device
to
prevent
backflow
(back
siphonage)
by
means
of
an
opening
through
which
air
may
be
drawn
to
relieve
negative
pressure
(vacuum).
Vent
Stack
The
vertical
vent
pipe
installed
to
provide
air
circulation
to
and
from
the
drainage
system
and
that
extends
through
one
or
more
stories.
Water
Hammer
The
loud
thump
of
water
in a
pipe
when
a
valve
or
faucet
is
suddenly
closed.
Water
Service
Pipe
The
pipe
from
the
water
main
or
other
sources
of
potable
water
supply
to
the
water-distributing
system
of
the
building
served.
Water
Supply
System
The
water
supply
system
consists
of
the
water
service
pipe,
the
water-distributing
pipes,
the
necessary
connecting
pipes,
fittings,
control
valves,
and
all
appurtenances
in
or
adjacent
to
the
building
or
premises.
Wet
Vent
A
vent
that
receives
the
discharge
of
waste
other
than
from
water
closets.
Yoke
Vent
A
pipe
connecting
upward
from
a
soil
or
waste
stack
to a
vent
stack
for
the
purpose
of
preventing
pressure
changes
in
the
stacks.
Main
Features
of
an
Indoor
Plumbing
System
The primary functions of the plumbing system within the house are as follows:
Elements
of a
Plumbing
System
Water Service: The piping of a house service line should be as short as possible. Elbows and bends should be kept to a minimum since these reduce the pressure and therefore the supply of water to fixtures in the house. The house service line should also be protected from freezing. The burying of the line under 4 feet of soil is a commonly accepted depth to prevent freezing. This depth varies, however, across the country from north to south. The local or state plumbing code should be consulted for the recommended depth in your area of the country. The materials used for a house service may be copper, cast iron, steel or wrought iron. The connections used should be compatible with the type of pipe used. 
The fixture risers start at the basement main and rise vertically to the fixtures on the upper floors. In a one-family dwelling, riser branches will usually proceed from the main riser to each fixture grouping. In any event the fixture risers should not depend on the branch risers for support but should be supported with a pipe bracket. Each fixture is then connected to the branch riser by a separate line. The last fixture on a line is usually connected directly to the branch riser. Hot Water Heaters: Hot water heaters are usually powered by electricity, fuel oil, gas, or in rare cases, coal or wood. They consist of a space for heating the water and a storage tank for providing hot water over a limited period of time. All hot water heaters should be fitted with a temperature-pressure relief valve no matter what fuel is used. This valve will operate when either the temperature or the pressure becomes too high due to an interruption of the water supply or a faulty thermostat. Pipe Sizes: The size of basement mains and risers depends on the number of fixtures supplied. However, a 3/4 inch pipe is usually the minimum size used. This allows for deposits on the pipe due to hardness in the water and will usually give satisfactory volume and pressure.
Drainage
System
The water supply brought into the house and used is discharged through the drainage system. This system is either a sanitary drainage system carrying just interior waste water or a combined system carrying interior waste and roof runoff.
Sanitary
Drainage
System:
The
proper
sizing
of
the
sanitary
drain
or
house
drain
depends
on
the
number
of
fixtures
it
serves.
The
usual
minimum
size
is 6
inches
in
dial
diameter.
The
materials
used
are
usually
cast
iron,
vitrified
clay,
plastic,
and
in
rare
cases,
lead.
For
proper
flow
in
the
drain
the
pipe
should
be
sized
so
that
it
flows
approximately
one-half
full.
This
ensures
proper
scouring
action
so
that
the
solids
contained
in
the
waste
will
not
be
deposited
in
the
pipe.
The
purpose
of a
trap
is
to
seal
out
sewer
gases
from
the
structure.
Since
a
plumbing
system
is
subject
to
wide
variations
in
flow,
and
this
flow
originates
in
many
different
sections
of
the
system,
there
is a
wide
variation
in
pressures
in
the
waste
lines.
These
pressure
differences
tend
to
destroy
the
water
seal
in
the
trap.
To
counteract
this
problem
mechanical
traps
were
introduced.
It
has
been
found,
however,
that
the
corrosive
liquids
flowing
in
the
system
corrode
or
jam
these
mechanical
traps.
It
is
for
this
reason
that
most
plumbing
codes
prohibit
mechanical
traps.
There
are
many
manufacturers
of
traps,
and
all
have
varied
the
design
somewhat.
The
"P"
trap
is
usually
found
in
lavatories,
sinks,
urinals,
drinking
fountains,
showers,
and
other
installations
that
do
not
discharge
a
great
deal
of
water.
Drum trap
The
drum
trap
is
another
water
seal-type
trap.
They
are
usually
used
in
the
4x5-inch
or
4x8-inch
sizes.
These
traps
have
a
greater
sealing
capacity
than
the
"P"
trap
and
pass
large
amounts
of
water
quickly.
Drum
traps
are
commonly
connected
to
bathtubs,
foot
baths,
sitz
baths,
and
modified
shower
baths.
Objectionable traps
The
"S"
1
and
the
3h
"S"
trap
should
not
be
us
in
plumbing
installations.
They
are
almost
impossible
to
ventilate
properly,
and
the
3h
"S"
trap
forms
a
perfect
siphon.
The bag trap, an extreme form of "S" trap, is seldom found. Any trap that depends on a moving part for its effectiveness is usually inadequate and has been prohibited by the local plumbing codes. These traps work, but their design usually results in their being higher priced than the "P" or drum traps. It should be remembered that traps are used only to prevent the escape of sewer gas into the structure. They do not compensate for pressure variations. Only proper venting will eliminate pressure problems.
Ventilation
A
plumbing
system
is
ventilated
to
prevent
trap
seal
loss,
material
deterioration.
and
flow
retardation.
Trap seal loss
The
seal
in a
plumbing
trap
may
be
lost
due
to
siphonage
(direct
and
indirect
or
momentum),
back
pressure,
evaporation,
capillary
attraction,
or
wind
effect.
The
first
two
named
are
probably
the
most
common
causes
of
loss.
If a
waste
pipe
is
placed
vertically
after
the
fixture
trap,
as
in
an
"S"
trap,
the
waste
water
continues
to
flow
after
the
fixture
is
emptied
and
clears
the
trap.
This
is
caused
by
the
pressure
of
air
on
the
fixture
water's
being
greater
than
the
pressure
of
air
in
the
waste
pipe.
The
action
of
the
water
discharging
into
the
waste
pipe
removes
the
air
from
that
pipe
and
thereby
causes
a
negative
pressure
in
the
waste
line.
In
the
case
of
indirect
or
momentum
siphonage,
the
flow
of
water
past
the
entrance
to a
fixture
drain
in
the
waste
pipe
removes
air
from
the
fixture
drain.
This
reduces
the
air
pressure
in
the
fixture
drain,
and
the
entire
assembly
acts
as
an
aspirator
such
as
the
physician
uses
to
spray
an
infected
throat.
Back pressure
The
flow
of
water
in a
soil
pipe
varies
according
to
the
fixtures
being
used.
A
lavatory
gives
a
small
flow
and
a
water
closet
a
large
flow.
Small
flows
tend
to
cling
to
the
sides
of
the
pipe,
but
large
ones
form
a
slug
of
waste
as
they
drop.
As
this
slug
of
water
falls
down
the
pipe
the
air
in
front
of
it
becomes
pressurized.
As
the
pressure
builds
it
seeks
an
escape
point.
This
point
is
either
a
vent
or a
fixture
outlet.
If
the
vent
is
plugged
or
there
is
no
vent,
the
only
escape
for
this
air
is
the
fixture
outlet.
The
air
pressure
forces
the
trap
seal
up
the
pipe
into
the
fixture.
If
the
pressure
is
great
enough
the
seal
is
blown
out
of
the
fixture
entirely.
Figures
6-17
and
6-18
illustrate
this
type
of
problem.
Vent sizing
Vent
pipe
installation
is
similar
to
that
of
soil
and
waste
pipe.
The
same
fixture
unit
criteria
are
used.
Vent
pipes
of
less
than
11
D4
inches
in
diameter
should
not
be
used.
Vents
smaller
than
this
diameter
tend
to
clog
and
do
not
perform
their
function.
Total
drainage
system
Up
to
now
we
have
talked
about
the
drain,
soil
waste,
and
vent
systems
of a
plumbing
system
separately.
For
a
working
system,
however,
they
must
all
be
connected.
For
the
best
inspector
in
your
neighborhood
visit
www.InspectorLocator.com
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George Timmerman CHI - CMIA* 280 Kemp RD * Suwanee GA 30024 * (770) 495-4870 |