Plumbing

A plumber wrench for working on pipes and fittings

Plumbing, from the Latin for lead (plumbum), is the skilled trade of working with pipes, tubing and plumbing fixtures for potable water systems and the drainage of waste. Plumbing originated during the ancient civilizations such as Roman, Persian, Indian, and Chinese civilizations as they developed public baths and needed to provide potable water, and drainage of wastes. A plumber is someone who installs or repairs piping systems, plumbing fixtures and equipment such as water heaters. The plumbing industry is a basic and substantial part of every developed economy due to the need for clean water, and proper collection and transport of wastes.

Plumbing is the system of pipes and fixtures installed in a building for the distribution of potable water and the removal of waterborne wastes. Plumbing is usually distinguished from water and sewage systems, in that a plumbing system serves one building, while water and sewage systems serve a group of buildings or a city. Improvement in plumbing systems was very slow, with virtually no progress made from the time of the Roman system of aqueducts and lead pipes until the 19th century. Eventually the development of separate, underground water and sewage systems eliminated open sewage ditches and cesspools.

Materials

Water systems of ancient times relied on gravity for the supply of water, using pipes or channels usually made of clay, lead or stone. Present-day water-supply systems use a network of high-pressure pumps, and pipes are now made of copper, brass, plastic, steel, PEX, or other nontoxic material. Present-day drain and vent lines are made of plastic, steel, cast-iron, and lead. Lead is not used in modern water-supply piping due to its toxicity.

The 'straight' sections of plumbing systems are of pipe or tube. A pipe is typically formed via casting or welding, where a tube is made through extrusion. Pipe normally has thicker walls and may be threaded or welded, where tubing is thinner-walled and requires special joining techniques such as 'soldering', 'compression fitting', 'crimping', or for plastics, 'solvent welding'.

Fittings and valves

In addition to the straight pipe or tubing, many fittings are required in plumbing systems, such as valves, elbows, tees, and unions. The piping and plumbing fittings and valves articles discuss them further.

Fixtures

Plumbing fixtures are the devices installed for the end-users. Some examples of fixtures include water closets (toilets), urinals, bidets, showers, bathtubs, lavatories, utility and kitchen sinks, drinking fountains, ice makers, humidifiers, air washers, fountains, eyewashes, floor drains, garbage disposers, and hosebibbs.

Equipment

Plumbing equipment, not present in all systems, include, for example, water meters, pumps, expansion tanks, backflow preventers, filters, water softeners, water heaters, heat exchangers, gauges, and control systems.

Systems

The major categories of plumbing systems or subsystems are:

• Potable cold and hot water supply
• Traps, drains, and vents
• Septic systems
• Rainwater, surface, and subsurface water drainage
• Fuel gas piping

Of increasing interest, for ecological reasons, are gray-water recovery and treatment systems.

Plumbing Professions

Plumbing can encompass many specialized professions with many different focuses. The three main focuses are usually Plumbing (Both residential and commercial), Drain Cleaning and Inspection, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning). The Plumbing and Services Industry is primarily related to potable water, sanitation, drainage, gas fitting, roof plumbing, mechanical services and fire protection. The Industry is subject to regulation in all States and although these differ between local governments, they are all focused on the protection of the public and workplace safety. Work undertaken by this industry generally includes the installation, commissioning and maintenance of plumbing and services for residential and commercial building and construction. It includes the installation of sanitary plumbing and drainage, hot and cold water systems, urban irrigation systems, air conditioning and heating, gas fitting, storage, distribution and appliance installation, fire hydrant and sprinkler systems and the installation of roofing and water management systems. Although there are some large enterprises, the industry is predominantly made up of small businesses or owner operators employing tradespeople, skilled labor, apprentices and trainees. Specialists are required in the areas of gas, roofing, mechanical services and fire protection.

See also

• Water pipe
• Heat pipe

External Resources

• the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials
• the International Code Council
• the American Society for Testing and Materials
• United Association -- N.A. Plumbers' Union

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