Plumbing Basics Every Homeowner Should Know 

As a homeowner, you rely on your plumbing system for safe, clean water. But there’s more to it than just sinks and toilets. 

You need to understand how your home’s plumbing works so you can make the right maintenance calls when necessary. Here are some plumbing basics every homeowner should know: 

Water Supply 

A water supply line is the pipe that brings fresh, clean drinking water into your property. It connects directly to your public water main and carries the water to your home’s metering device, then branches out to the water taps, showers, toilets, and other appliances. 

Properly sized supply lines ensure efficient water flow and reduce water waste, saving you money on water bills. It also helps you minimize the risk of plumbing problems and damage. 

Assess your current water supply line and calculate the peak demand to determine its size. It’s a good idea to seek professional advice from a licensed plumber in Melbourne, so you get the right measurements and avoid any future issues. Water efficiency and performance can also be improved by installing low-flow fixtures and appliances. Regular maintenance and proper water usage can also help prevent problems and prolong the lifespan of your plumbing systems. Moreover, it’s important to know how to shut off your water supply in case of an emergency. 

Drainage 

Your home’s plumbing drains waste away from your house, into a municipal sewer system or septic tank. It is important that your drainage is properly maintained, or else you will face costly drain pipe repair and replacement. 

You can do some simple maintenance to help prevent clogs and blockages. The simplest thing is to regularly clean your drain traps. The curved or S-shaped piece of pipe under each sink is called a trap, and it serves several purposes. It holds water, forms a seal to prevent backflow, and collects hair and debris to prevent clogs. 

It also releases air to keep the pipes clear. Another crucial element of your home’s plumbing is the drain vent. It is fitted into your roof and releases air into the drain pipes to prevent blockage and backflow. You must ensure that this vent is free from debris and open to allow air flow. 

Appliances 

Your plumbing is all about bringing water into your house, using it, and then getting rid of the wastewater. The system takes care of this in two primary ways: the supply system and the drain-waste-vent, or DWV, system.

To keep your house in tip-top shape, it's important to know what you're dealing with when it comes to your appliances, faucets, and toilets. This includes knowing where the water is coming from and how to shut off the supply. 

To make it easier to do repairs or maintenance, each piece of equipment should have a shut-off valve. These valves can be found in the indented section of the wall attached to the appliance, faucet, or toilet. It is essential to learn where these are located so you can shut off the water in an emergency or before attempting any repairs. This will prevent further damage and save you money. You can also learn how to do simple maintenance on your own, such as replacing washers or cleaning ice-maker trays.

Energy-efficient appliances use less electricity, which lowers your electric bill. This

also reduces your carbon footprint and helps prevent global warming because burning fossil fuels for energy produces greenhouse gases. 

Look for the ENERGY STAR label on appliances and other products to guarantee that they're as efficient as possible. ENERGY STAR certified TVs, refrigerators and light bulbs, for example, use significantly less energy than traditional models. 

Make sure to unplug electronics and appliances when not in use, which can prevent "phantom loads" that consume energy even when they're turned off. This can save a considerable amount of money and prevent CO2 emissions.