What does plumbing services include?

What does plumbing mean?

Plumbing, simply put, is the process of installing and maintaining a water system in your home. This includes everything from the installation of hot and cold water lines to the repair and replacement of busted pipes.

Plumbing was invented to make our lives easier and, boy, has it done just that! First ever flushable toilet? Thomas Crapper. Indoor plumbing? That was the Ancient Romans. So, when you think about it, we’ve come a long way!

So if you're ever faced with a burst pipe or backed-up sink, don't despair! Just give your friendly neighbourhood plumber a call, those superheroes can fix just about anything.

Now, let’s take a more in-depth look at what plumbing services include. Read on to learn everything you need to know about modern-day plumbing, from the different types of systems to the services that plumbers provide.

What is included in the plumbing system?

A typical plumbing system in a residential home includes the following:

-Water supply lines:

these bring fresh water into your home. These pipelines are usually made of copper, PVC, or galvanized steel. The water is supplied by the municipality or a private water company.

-Drain lines:

these take used water away from your home to the sewer system or septic tank. Drain lines are usually made of PVC, ABS, or cast-iron. there are a few types of drain systems, including gravity drains and pressure drains. Stormwater also drains away through the roof and gutters for the rainfall. Roof plumbing is a speciality all its own and is beyond the scope of this article.

-Vent lines:

these allow fresh air into the system to equalize the pressure in the drain lines. Vent lines are usually made of PVC or ABS.

-Gas lines:

these supply natural gas to your home for heating and cooking. Gas lines are usually made of copper or polyethylene. In Brisbane, most houses have natural gas, but some use LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), which is delivered by truck.

-Fixtures:

these include sinks, toilets, showers, and tubs

- Traps:

these "trap" water in the P-shape of the fitting to create a water seal that prevents sewer gases from entering your home. All fixtures in your home, such as sinks, tubs, and toilets, have a trap.

-Appliances:

these include dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters

How do I know what kind of plumbing I have?

The type of plumbing in your home depends on when it was built. In Australia, If your home was built  before 1950, it is likely that you have galvanized steel pipes. If your home was built between 1950 and 1970, it is likely that you have copper pipes. If your home was built after 1970, it is likely that you have PVC or ABS pipes.

PVC and ABS are the most common types of pipes used in modern plumbing systems. These materials are durable and resistant to corrosion. Copper is also a popular material for plumbing pipes because it is resistant to corrosion and easy to install. Galvanized steel pipes are no longer used in new construction because they are prone to corrosion.

Home plumbing services

You see the plumbing system involves a lot of different parts working together to make sure everything runs smoothly.

That’s why it’s important to have a professional plumber do a yearly maintenance check of your system to make sure everything is in working order.

The main services a plumber provides are:

-Installing new plumbing fixtures: sinks, toilets, dishwashers, washing machines, water heaters

-Repairing or replacing broken pipes

-Repairing or replacing fixtures: sinks, toilets, showers, tubs, dishwashers, washing machines, water heaters

-Installing or repairing gas lines

-Installing or repairing vent lines  

-Cleaning clogged drains

-Repairing or replacing sewer lines

-Installing or repairing water lines

-Installing hot water systems - solar, gas or electric

-Detecting and repairing leaks

-Providing annual maintenance checks

Plumbers are also trained to do backflow prevention, which is important in keeping your water supply safe from contamination. To learn more; check out our blog on backflow prevention devices.

If you have a plumbing problem in your home, it’s important to call a professional pl

So what does a plumber do on a daily basis?

Let's picture a typical day for a plumber!  

After starting their day with a cup of coffee, the plumber arrives at their first job of the day. We plumbers talk to our customers, and that's important to get an idea of what the problem might be. We also take a look at the job, to see what needs to be done.

They assess the problem and get to work fixing a broken pipe. Next, they head to a job where they install a new dishwasher. After that, they go to a house to do a maintenance check of the plumbing system.

Let's say a different type of adventure on a plumber's day! A customer calls and reports a gas leak. The plumber arrives at the house and finds that the gas line is indeed leaking. They shut off the gas and make the repair. Luckily, everyone stays safe and there won't be any damage to the house.

Another scenario could be a clogged drain. The plumber arrives and finds a clog in the kitchen sink or it could be from deeper in the plumbing system. Oh, that might be a camera inspection job!  this CCTV camera will be sent down the drains to see what is causing the blockage.

Then the snake comes in to break up the clog so water can flow freely again. Snake is a plumber's best friend which is why you'll often hear us say, "if you don't want to see the snake, don't let anything go down the drain!"

So, there you have it! A typical day for a plumber can be quite different each day.

What math do plumbers need to know?

Plumbers use a lot of mathematics in their everyday work. They use basic math skills such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.  They also use more complex mathematics, such as geometry and algebra.

Some of the things that plumbers need to be able to do are:

-Read and interpret blueprints

-Calculate the volume of water in a tank

-Determine the amount of pipe needed for a project

-Calculate the flow rate of water through a pipe

-Find the length of a pipe

As you can see, plumbers need to be good at mathematics! If you're interested in becoming a plumber, make sure you brush up on your math skills.

Professional plumbing services near me

If you need a superhero plumber in the Brisbane area, call our friendly team at Mitchell Plumbing and Gas!

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