Brookhaven Plumbing is a vital division in construction projects that involves designing and installing water supply systems, drainage lines, and wastewater management. Proper plumbing is essential for building occupants to have access to clean water and to reduce the risk of health hazards like cholera.
When considering noble professions, the term’ plumbing’ may not be in your mind, but it should be. Plumbers save lives by ensuring that we have easy access to clean drinking water and drain waste safely away from our homes.
The water supply system brings fresh water into your home for drinking, washing, and other purposes. It includes the main plumbing valve where you can shut off your water and a meter that tracks your water usage for billing purposes. The water supply system also has piping that transports water to and from your home’s fixtures. Pipes can be made from either copper, iron, or plastic tubing. They are typically insulated to prevent heat loss and the corrosive effect of water on pipes. Leaks in the water supply lines are common.
Leaks in the supply system typically have more serious consequences than leaks in other parts of the plumbing system. Low pressure can make showers unusable because they directly affect the water you use, and toilets flush erratically. Low water pressure can also damage appliances like dishwashers and washing machines, so it’s important to have any problems with your home’s water supply system repaired by a professional plumber as soon as possible.
Most cities use municipal water suppliers that pump water from lakes, rivers, or underground sources to a network of pipes that run throughout the city. The municipal system uses powerful pumps to maintain a constant water flow into homes and businesses. You may have a private water well in a rural area.
Your home’s piping is designed to withstand the pressure your water supply system applies. The water supply piping in your house is usually made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or copper. Copper is more expensive but lasts longer and is less prone to corrosion. PVC piping is relatively inexpensive but is susceptible to discoloration over time.
Your piping may be made from galvanized steel or lead in older houses. Leaking galvanized steel or lead pipes can contaminate your household water. If your piping is old, it’s best to have it checked and replaced. Any leaking piping should be replaced immediately to avoid water contamination and expensive repairs. A professional plumber should inspect your piping to determine the type of material and age.
Drainage is one of the most important parts of your plumbing system. It takes the water and waste from your home’s fixtures and carries it to the sewer system or septic tank. You could face health risks, foul odors, and messy, expensive problems without proper drainage. The good news is that you can easily maintain your plumbing’s drainage by being vigilant about what goes down the drains and taking steps to prevent clogs.
When a drain does get clogged, it can be a real pain (literally) to clear. If your sinks, tubs, or showers are draining slowly or not at all, it’s time to call in the professionals. A plumber will clear your drains and get them back up and running quickly.
Most homes have drainage systems connected to the public sewer or a septic tank. These systems differ from the supply pipes because they don’t use pressure to push water through. Instead, these drain lines all pitch – or angle – downward towards the sewer line, which transports the waste to a treatment plant or septic tank. The house drainage system also includes bends in the pipe called traps, which help to keep waste odors from escaping inside a building. These traps are usually sealed with a P- or S-shaped trap cover that is secured with a screw. Local ventilation pipes, which carry sewage odors out of the house, are sometimes attached to these traps.
Aside from clearing drains, the main function of drainage systems is to ensure that wastewater – which includes everything from used bathwater and kitchen scraps to human feces – doesn’t end up in drinking water or in your home’s drains. The best way to ensure this is by educating household members about what can go down the drains, preventing clogs like hair, grease, and food, and being proactive about maintenance and repairs. Signs of a problem with your plumbing’s drainage include toilets that don’t flush well, mysterious gurgling sounds from the basement, or water backups in your bathtub or shower.
Your water, normally made from galvanized iron or plastic (ideally copper), enters your home from the city supply line. This pipe runs underground to your house and splits into two paths – one for hot water and one for cold water. The hot and cold water pipes travel to different rooms of your house and connect to plumbing fixtures like taps.
Water is heated in vessels known as water heaters, kettles, cauldrons, or pots to a higher temperature, suitable for washing, cooking, and showering. Water heaters are a common household appliance that requires regular maintenance and servicing to ensure peak performance.
The hot and cold water lines are insulated, so they don’t transfer heat to the adjacent walls or the floor. This is an important step in preventing condensation, which can damage your pipes and cause mold growth. The insulation should also be inspected regularly for any holes or gaps that must be repaired.
Hot water is usually delivered to your showers, sinks, and washing machines by a gas or electric water heater. Water heater tanks can be made from stainless steel, galvanized iron, or plastic (ideally copper). The water is pumped through the tank and heated to the desired temperature. The hottest water is located at the top of the tank because it has less density than cold water, and hot water rises naturally.
You can install a hot water re-circulation system to reduce the energy your water heater consumes. This system eliminates water wastage by recirculating hot and cold water in a loop around your bathroom, kitchen, laundry, and outdoor taps. The re-circulation pump is activated when you turn on a hot or cold water tap. The hot and cold water is pumped back to the water heater, where it’s reheated and sent to your taps. An ONICON hot water flow meter can monitor your consumption and detect any leaks or overheating issues with your hot water system.
The marketplace has many choices for shower heads, tub faucets, and even toilet flushing devices. A plumber can help you sort through the options, but the best way to select these important fixtures is to visit a showroom where you can see, touch, and try them out. A professional in a bathroom showroom is well-versed in the latest technologies and will be able to guide you through your selections.
Faucets control water temperature and flow from the sink. They can range in size and design to suit your personal preferences. One-handle faucets are popular and offer optimal temperature and volume control by turning a lever or knob. Two-handle faucets provide a wider variety of styles and functionality, with handles on the left and right of the spout to separate hot and cold water.
Water lines deliver water to each fixture in your plumbing system. They connect to valves and faucets that control the water supply and then to drains that carry away waste and excess water. The pipes used in water lines are made from copper, brass, or galvanized steel. While these materials are durable, newer pipes such as PEX are rapidly gaining popularity due to their flexibility and ease of installation.
PEX pipes can bend around corners and don’t need gluing or soldering to join together. They also resist corrosion and clogs better than older types of pipe. Choosing a plumbing contractor that uses NSF-certified fittings is important to ensure your water’s safety. These meet prescriptive product standards that specify the maximum amount of alloy material that may come into contact with drinking water.
Lavatory and bathtub faucets can be wall or deck-mounted to fit in an alcove, drop-in bathtub, or freestanding. A wall-mounted faucet frees up space on a vanity, while a deck-mounted faucet works with a freestanding tub. Tub fillers are high-flow faucets designed to fill your tub quickly with enough water for a quick shower or bath. A bidet, a device installed in a toilet to direct a stream of water over the genitals and anus, is another type of bathroom plumbing fixture.
