provided by: HandyHouseholdHints.com
Plumbing can be a tricky for those that have no knowledge of what it takes to make a water system work. This is not uncommon as many people tend to not give their plumbing a thought until there is a problem. So with that in mind, you should consider knowing a fair amount about how water comes in and out of a home to keep tabs on how things are working. This can save you a lot of time and hassle in the future as well as a nice chunk of money that would normally be spent on a plumber. A fair do it yourself type person can usually handle most plumbing problems without having to hire a professional at great expense.
There is one simple fact that many people tend to forget when it comes to plumbing and water in general. Water always flows down hill. There are no exceptions to this rule when it comes to plumbing, especially when one is talking about the drainage.
Water must be able to flow when it is leaving the home through one of the many drains. This is why it is so important to slope the pipes in a downward angle towards the intended destination of the waste water. Strangely enough this is a difficult concept for many people to grasp and think that pipes attached mean pipes that have water flowing. Then their toilets won't flush and the sinks won't drain
Talk to any plumber and you will find that they are skilled at knowing how much a pipe must be slanted in order for the water to flow. This is very important when it comes to major drains, like the toilet. When the water is flushed in a toilet it pushes through the workings of the toilet then down the pipe in the floor. Once in the pipes it will continue down hill to the sewer or the septic tank depending on the system that is being used.
If one or all of the pipes are not slanting in the right direction the water will stop moving and sit level. Water not only flows down hill but it will also make its own level and rest in the pipes. The toilet will flush properly until the water reaches the top of the pipes when all of a sudden it will start to back up.
To prevent this from happening you should ensure that you have at least a ten degree down slope in all pipes leading to the waste destination. Use a triangle to measure the slope and set supports under the pipes to prevent them from falling.
WARNING: Make sure that you read and follow all the instructions and safety precautions on the packaging for fluids, chemicals, glues, and other parts that you are using to repair the plumbing in your home to prevent illnesses and injuries. Also, make sure to wear the proper protective clothing, such as gloves or goggles, to prevent illnesses and injuries.
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