Behind the walls and under the floors of your home is a complex system of pipes that carry water, gas, and allow for the drainage of wastewater. If constructed and installed properly, the average homeowner is unlikely to encounter too many problems with interior gas and water piping. However, depending on the age of your home, the materials used, and piping techniques employed, certain risks exists every homeowner should be aware of.
For example, under the sink in many older homes an “s trap” configuration was used for connecting the sink to the main sewer line. The problem with an s trap is its potential for trapping potentially dangerous sewer gas, allowing it to enter your home. Best practices today recommend that a “p trap” be installed in order to prevent sewer gas from entering your house.
Vents, Pipes, and Plumbing
Understanding the drain-waste-vent system in a home is essential to prevent potential problems with the interior piping of your house. The drain-waste-vent system carries wastewater from your home to the city main, collecting water from your sinks, showers, toilets, and appliances. In order to ensure waste is removed effectively, vent pipes remove sewer gases while allowing air to enter the system to help wastewater flow freely through your pipes. Vent lines and drainpipes are connected to a “soil stack” where sewer gases are vented through the roof of your house.
Preventing Problems – Upgrading Your Interior Piping System
If you have an older home or are installing or replacing bathroom fixtures or appliances, you may want to consider upgrading certain features on your interior piping system. For example, air admittance valves are different from conventional pipe venting systems. Air admittance valves are one way, pressure activated vents that increase venting efficiency and reduce the likelihood of long-term maintenance problems. Similarly, if have older piping you may want to consider replacing as much of it as you can with new materials that won’t rust or degrade.
Interior Piping – Contact Our Area Public Service Plumbers
GPS Plumbers has been in business for over 60 years, serving individuals, families, and businesses throughout the Dallas – Ft. Worth area. Our plumbers are experienced in the repair and installation of all major brand appliances. We use the latest technology to inspect pipes in order to minimize cutting into walls or digging up water and gas lines, saving our customers money in the long run.
If you have questions about your interior gas, water, or drain pipe system, call GPS Plumbers at 321.698.6104 today to speak with one of your plumbing service professionals.
