When you think about plumbing, you probably never stop to consider that there are many different types of plumbing. But as plumbers know, there are in fact many areas of plumbing that differ from one another in many ways. Even though it may all look the same to you, it is always important that you use a plumber who has the specific skills needed for the job at your home, business, or elsewhere. Rather than keep you guessing, here are the four most common types of plumbing.
Sanitary Drainage
One of the most common types of plumbing is related to sanitary drainage. This most commonly includes freshwater, which is typically safe for drinking, greywater, which is used water such as the water you used to wash your hands or produce. One type of sanitary drainage that most people think of is that of your toilet where human waste is drained into either a sewage pipe shared by the community or a septic tank, which is a housing for sewage most often used in off-grid homes.
With sanitary drainage plumbing being among the most common plumbing, it is used in many different scenarios such as residential and commercial situations.
Residential Plumbing
Whenever you have a kitchen sink that has a clogged drain, a garbage disposal that won’t work, or a toilet that keeps running, you call on a residential plumber. Spending most of their time installing, maintaining, and repairing plumbing systems in homes, residential plumbers are very familiar to most people.
Commercial Plumbing
Often working with larger plumbing systems in schools, hospitals, or industrial settings, commercial plumbers differ from residential plumbers in that they usually work with plumbing systems containing numerous outlets and pipes. Commercial plumbing also focuses on plumbing systems on multiple floors within a building and also places great emphasis on an in-depth knowledge of commercial building codes and regulations.
Stormwater Drainage
Stormwater drainage is a little different from the typical plumbing that you may think of when considering a plumbing career. Stormwater drainage is typically viewed as holes in cement or pipes running out from the middle of the mountain. Additionally, they are used on homes to help direct water from on the roof to be away from the home. That way the water from the storm doesn’t damage the home. Gutters, however, require upkeep and maintenance to prevent serious issues. Splits and cracks in a gutter, for example, should be repaired as quickly as possible. Water can run through cracks and splits, which would make it so that the gutter isn’t able to function properly in redirecting water off the house. This is also why it’s important to clear your home’s gutter of any debris, fallen leaves, or even dirt, depending on where you are located. That way the water can run through the drainage system efficiently.
Water Supply Plumbing
Another specialized area of plumbing, water supply plumbing involves installing, maintaining, and repairing water supply systems in residential and commercial settings. Relied on very often in industrial settings, water supply plumbing can find a plumber working on water supply tanks for large-scale sanitation systems, industrial kitchens, manufacturing plants, and many other similar settings. In a residential setting, a water supply plumber would be found installing complex piping systems within multi-story homes, or perhaps working to unclog drains or install specialized types of water heaters in laundry or utility rooms.
When considering the most basic of water supply plumbing, you can consider an off-grid home that has a large water tank. That tank would be pumped to where the water is needed either with an electric pump or by gravity, depending on the use and location of the tank. For example, if the tank is a few feet above the ground, then it is likely that it would use gravity to get the water to a watering hose, for example, for watering a garden.
Water supply plumbing sometimes deals with water purification as well. If the water is going to be used for drinking or for gardens, it is likely that the water needs to be purified of bacteria before being safely consumed. This is often done by placing a purification system between the water tank and where the water is used.
Service and Repair Plumbing
Service and repair plumbing focuses on performing specialized repair and installation jobs. This type of plumbing can be related to sanitation plumbing, drainage pluming or even potable water systems. Depending on where you are located, it is likely that a professional has specific certifications to handle the job you need help with. This could be installing a new sink system or repairing leaks. You can contact Bud’s Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electric about any questions you may have related to service and plumbing repairs. Typically, when you work with a professional, you can expect to have a well-trained and experienced technician perform such jobs as adjusting reduced water pressure, eliminating clogs from various drains, fixing leaks from pipes and fixtures, and installing water heaters of varying sizes.
Since each of these areas of plumbing requires years of training and experience to master, it is always crucial you hire a plumbing professional with the background needed for your specific job. Whether it’s fixing a problem with low water pressure or unclogging a complex maze of drains and pipes, always rely on a plumber you can trust.