|
The waste removal system in your house, known as the sanitary system, is a critical part of your home’s plumbing. You don’t need to understand in detail how it works but you do need to know some basic terms. Here are seven common expressions you’ll come across when dealing with basic care and maintenance.
Vent System
A vent system is a network of pipes connected to your sanitary system, terminating with a pipe through the roof (called a vent stack). Its purpose is to allow air into and out of your pipes, ensuring that waste flows freely and you are not exposed to dangerous sewer gases.
AAV
An AAV, or Air Admittance Valve, is a device that does the job of your vent system in locations where connection to the main vent is not feasible. It is connected to the drain pipe of a fixture or group of fixtures and ensures that air can enter the pipes but no waste gases can leak into your home.
Grey and Black Water
Waste water from sinks is referred to as grey water and while it is not consumable, you can still make use of it (to wash your driveway for example). Black water is waste from toilets and must be treated in order to be used again.
Auger
When a plunger just isn’t sufficient for that stubborn waste blockage, an auger (also called a plumbing snake) is what you need. Like an actual snake, it’s long and flexible to fit inside piping. This allows it to push through and break up the blockage so your waste can flow freely again.
Backwater Valve
A backwater valve protects your sanitary system from a city sewage backup. It does this by ensuring that waste flows in only one direction: from your house to the city. Some municipalities don’t allow it so if you’d like to have one installed, talk to a professional in your area.
Gasket
Where two pipes are connected, there’s usually a gap between them. A gasket is a compressible ring placed between the pipes to close this space, creating a watertight seal. You’ll find them under your toilet, inside faucets and in locations where fittings are connected to pipes.
P-Trap
If you look under your sink, you’ll notice a curved pipe, shaped a bit like an open “p”. The curved portion of the pipe holds water to create a barrier between your open sink and the sanitary system itself. This prevents sewage gases from entering your home, protecting your family from the dangerous impact of these gases.
Understanding the basic vocabulary of your sanitary system is only the beginning. For all your sanitary and plumbing needs, give us a call.
| 
