A Guide for Kitchener Homeowners: Understanding Your Plumbing System

Whether you are building a new home or renovating an existing one, a working plumbing system is crucial. While it might seem overwhelming, the basic setup is not hard to understand, and knowing how it works will help you make better decisions about remodelling. It will also help you realize which problems require calling in a professional. Here is what you need to know about plumbing in Kitchener.

How Water Gets Into Your Home

Your water comes either from a municipal water supply or from a well in your backyard. If you pay for city water, it enters your house through a huge pipe that runs parallel to your street. This pipe attaches to your water meter and informs the city of how much you use. You should report any problems with it to the city and never attempt to repair this main pipe yourself. If you instead rely on a well, then you also have a main water pipe connected to it. However, because you own the well, this pipe is your responsibility if it leaks.

Once inside your home, water flows along progressively narrower pipes until it reaches your faucets. In the same way, blood in your body relies on your heart to push it along with high enough pressure to reach your fingers and toes, you also need high pressure for water to reach your sinks. If you notice that your toilets are struggling to flush or there is not enough pressure to wash your hair in the shower, you probably have a leak along your water supply system and need a plumber.

How Water Gets Out of Your Home

Water leaves through the drain-water vent system. Inside your house, it consists of these four components:

• Fixtures – These are where you get water and also where it initially goes down the drain. Examples include faucets and showerheads.

• Drain pipes –  You can recognize these by their downward slopes. They rely on gravity to transport water away from fixtures.

• Traps – Drain traps have a shape like the letter u to prevent dirty water and odours from coming back into your house. Hair and grease tend to collect inside the curved portion, so most have a clean-out plug that you can unscrew to remove this material.

• Vents – These pipes stick out of your roof. They allow air into the drainpipe to keep the water flowing.

This network of outbound pipes eventually leads to the city sewer or to your septic tank. If any parts of your outflow system suffer damage, you will notice clogged drains and leaky pipes.

How To Maintain Your Kitchen and Bathroom Plumbing

Kitchen and bathroom plumbing both have two separate pipe systems for cold and hot water. Kitchen plumbing is harder to maintain because pipes inside walls and behind dishwashers are harder to access. While professional help is often the best solution, here are some things you can do to keep your kitchen and bathroom pipes in good working condition:

• Unclog drains with enzyme cleaners.

• Check pipes periodically for cracks and leaks.

• Drain and flush your hot water heater every 12 months.

• Insulate your pipes in winter to keep them from bursting.

How Handyman Connection Helps with Plumbing

Any plumbing repair job can turn messy in a hurry, especially when it involves greasy clogs or sewage. There is no reason to try this on your own when our friendly staff offers professional plumbing services in Kitchener. We offerestimates by an expert with at least 10 years of experience, without the obligation to purchase anything. Contact us today to discuss your ideas for bathroom renovations or to let us know about your leaky pipes.