Bathtub Plumbing Know-How
The bathtub is the home of little rubber duckies. For the family dog, it is either their favorite place to be or the place they’re most terrified of. It’s a place to relax and unwind after a stressful day, and it’s a place to freshen up after a good workout. Bathtubs are used nearly every day by most homeowners and their families. But even though people use them often, some people may not know how bathtubs work. In this article, homeowners can learn more about the plumbing system that supports this critical fixture of the home.
Basics of Home Plumbing Systems
While homeowners don’t need to know every detail of their plumbing system, they should have a basic understanding of how it works. This way, if an issue with the plumbing system arises, they’ll understand the severity of it and will be able to communicate more effectively with a plumbing professional to determine a solution.
A home’s plumbing system consists of two main parts: one brings clean freshwater into the house, while the other carries wastewater out of the home. The pipes that bring clean water into the home rely on water pressure to carry water into various rooms in the house and through various plumbing fixtures and appliances such as sinks, toilets, and bathtubs.
The pipes that bring wastewater out of the house rely mostly on gravity to carry the water away. As the wastewater travels down the pipes, it eventually reaches the mainline, which sits at the lowest point of the house to collect all wastewater before transferring it out to the city sewer system.
How Bathroom Plumbing Works
Generally speaking, bathrooms contain the most plumbing fixtures over any other room in the house. All fixtures connect to the main water supply, which comes from either a private well or the city’s water system. When the water comes into the house, it branches off into one of two pipe systems: cold and hot water pipes. The cold water pipes bring water directly to the bathroom plumbing fixtures. But hot water pipes first pass the water through the water heater before sending it to the bathroom fixtures.
Many bathroom plumbing fixtures are prone to problems like leaks and clogs. Staying mindful of what’s washed down the drain or flushed down the toilet helps ensure that the bathroom plumbing keeps running smoothly.
Getting to Know the Bathtub Plumbing System
Bathtubs are one of those products that have endless options for design, materials, and function. The most durable tubs are made of enameled cast iron, which is incredibly heavy. A fiberglass-reinforced acrylic is also a good option for bathtubs since they are lighter than enameled cast iron and easier to mold.
In addition to the materials bathtubs are made out of, they also have many plumbing intricacies that can make them difficult to install or repair if the person doing the work is not a trained professional. There are all types of bathtubs from built-in tubs to freestanding tubs, and the plumbing differs for each type. For instance, tubs that include a shower use a diverter valve that allows the user to alternate the water from the tub spout to the showerhead.
There are additional intricacies in the bathtub plumbing, depending on what type of drain the tub uses. Tubs with a pop-up drain stopper use a rocker arm to force the stopper up or down while bathtubs with a main drain opening use a hollow brass plunger that slides up and down to seal the drain opening if there is overflow.
Understanding the specific type of bathtub in their house can help homeowners be more aware of what kinds of plumbing issues they may run into and take precautions to prevent them from happening.
About A & W Plumbing and Heating, Inc.
A & W Plumbing & Heating, Inc. has strived to serve its customers’ needs, creating customers for life for over 15 years! Their policy has always been to give customers top of the line products at the most competitive pricing and impeccable service during and after the sale. Customers can expect their plumbing service team to be professional and courteous, always answer questions, and perform the highest quality work.
