Home & Real Estate

Understanding Different Types of Home Plumbing

Did you know that the plumbing industry is a $124 billion market?

Your home’s plumbing provides many essential services for your family, including both hot and cold water for drinking, bathing, and washing clothes, as well as a means of flushing the toilet.

But did you know there are different types of home plumbing systems?

Not every house has the same plumbing system, and different homes have different reasons for the need to create different systems. In this post, we’ll go into what the different home plumbing systems are, and why they’re needed.

Keep on reading to learn more!

Contents

Water Supply Plumbing

This kind of plumbing involves putting in pipes that bring water from the city’s water source to the house. There is also a pressure control in this system, which keeps the water pressure from going over a certain limit.

Most plumbing for water supply has two systems: one for cold water and one for hot water. The cold water comes into the house through a main pipe that is above ground. It then goes to each tap through pipes that branch off from the main pipe.

Hot water supply involves two reservoirs for heating and supplying hot water. Water passes through the pipes to a hot water cylinder where it is stored and heated. From here, hot water is delivered to taps and bathrooms.

For homes that utilize a water well, a pressure tank is needed for proper supplies of water. The tank helps to maintain the water pressure in the water supply system and works in tandem with a water pump. 

Pressure tank for water well usually ranges in size from 20 to 80 gallons. Tanks are durable and can last for an extended period of time with proper maintenance and care.

Gravity-Fed Plumbing

Gravity-fed plumbing systems are common in homes and use gravity to move water and waste through the pipes. This type of system relies on the natural force of gravity to move water through the pipes. This means that the pipes are laid out in an inverted ‘V’ shape with the highest pipe being the inlet and the lowest being the outlet.

This system is simple, reliable, and fairly inexpensive to install and maintain. They have been around for centuries and are still used in residential and agricultural settings due to their simplistic and reliable nature.

Specialty Plumbing Systems

These systems are a way for the homeowner to prevent and protect spaces from health hazards. These systems also help conserve water and energy and increase the durability of the structure.

Specialty systems can address areas such as septic, water filtration, gas lines, and special situations such as emergency plumbing needs. Homeowners should always seek the advice of a professional plumber for this system. This is to ensure that the system is installed and functioning correctly and safely. 

Identifying Types of Home Plumbing

Home plumbing is a complex and important part of our homes. Researching the different types, materials, and components that makeup plumbing systems is the key to managing plumbing issues.

By taking the time to understand plumbing systems, homeowners can better identify issues and prepare for any upcoming projects. For homeowners looking for additional plumbing information and advice, contact a local plumbing professional.

If you’d like to know more about how to improve your home and regular maintenance, check out our other articles.