Plumbing is the directing of the flow of water. Usually considered in two parts Fresh water supply Pipes, fittings, and fixtures that supply hot and cold water. Waste water and venting Pipes, fittings, and connections that carry used water, and the Systems that make them work. Usually under pressure Usually not under pressure.

Types of pipe, fresh water supply: One of the first civilizations that had massive public water Works was the Roman empire. The material they use to form pipes was lead, because it is found In its pure form naturally, it is easy to form and seal. That is Why Pb is the elemental name for lead. Lead pipes were used in very old plumbing jobs. They are now ILLIGEAL in the United States. Cast iron threaded pipe was also used in very early plumbing in The U.S.

Threaded steel pipe: Most steel pipe used in plumbing is galvanized, black pipe is used for Gas. GALVANIZED PIPE MUST NOT BE USED FOR GAS!!!

Tools used to thread steel pipe

Copper: Soft and hard, heavy and light. Soldered joints, no rust

Plastic: Oil based products, easily joined and will stand some Flexing. Poly ethylene: (PE) black pipe in rolls, 100,200,300,400 feet. Soft, high and low pressure. Barbed connectors with Clamps.

Polyvinyl chloride: (PVC) rigid plastic sold in lengths. Has Different thickness. Glued joints. COLD water Only. Also popular for DWV (drain, waste, vent) Applications.

Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride: (CPVC) rigid plastic sold in lengths with glued joints. Can be Used for HOT water applications as well as cold.

Polybutylene: Specialized soft plastic product usually used for low Pressure applications. It needs special fittings to join.

Drain, Waste, Vent: Pipe, fittings, and connectors to join waste water and venting. Usually low pressure, but can be different thickness (schedule) 40 is thinner than 60. May be solid or perforated depending on application. Different materials will have different ways of joining.

Cast iron: This type of pipe was used for many years as the main Drain for dwellings and small sewer mains. It was hard And lasted a long time. Cast Iron usually had A “bell” end on one End of a pipe and a “spigot” or straight End on the other. Cast was joined by Placing the spigot into the Bell end of another. Then Oakum a rope like material Was packed into the joint And sealed with liquid Solder. Cast can be 2-15 inch in diameter, 5-30 feet in length.

Vitrified clay: Sometimes called drain tile, this was used because it was cheap. It also had bell and spigot connectors inch diameter used as main drains from dwellings. Also as older mains in municipal applications. Maximum length usually 60 inches because of weight.

These special fittings will join cast iron that does not have a bell and Spigot, or steel to plastic, or cast to plastic No hub connectors

Plastic: PVC: 1 ¼ inch diameter to 6 inch or larger for municipal Mains. Large diameter mains may be a bell and spigot Connector with a rubber connector. Solid or perforated usually with glued joints.

Acrylonitrile butadene styrene (ABS) Older product similar to PVC. Solid or perforated, with glued joints. 1 ¼ to 6 inch diameter.

Recommended fresh water supply lines: Mains:1 to3/4 inch into a dwelling. Distribution lines to fixtures:3/8 to ½ inch. Waste lines: Sinks:1 ½ diameter with ¼ inch of slope per foot for drain. Toilets:3 inch lines Main leaving dwelling 3 to 4 inch diameter.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS All sinks and tubs should have a trap. This helps seal the drain so explosive or toxic sewer gases can not Come back through the pipes.

Try to keep all water lines as short as possible to reduce friction Loss in the pipe. Allow for cleanouts any place drains change directions. Allow for a clean out on the main sewer line leaving a dwelling. Each fixture should have a shutoff valve on the freshwater Supply line