The Beauty and Effortlessness of Working Pipes. The Ugliness and Catastrophe of Non-Working Pipes

TN Plumbing Solutions in Nashville understands pipes. Pipes of all kinds, from sewer pipes to water pipes to pipes made out of every conceivable material, such as PEX pipes, PVC pipes, copper pipes, and ABS pipes. We’ve even seen clay pipes.

When plumbing pipes work, they are amazing creations from humans. Water and waste flow out of your home to waste treatment plants to be cleaned and recycled. Clean water flows into your home to be used for a myriad of purposes, from drinking and cooking to cleaning and washing. The whole system is an ethereal creation.

However, when pipes are broken and need replaced, they don’t work quite so well and the plumbing system and sewer system malfunction, which can lead to serious problems not only in the spot where the malfunction has occurred, but also in spots further down the line.

TN Plumbing Solutions in Nashville will review how our plumbing system works and what happens when there’s a breakdown somewhere along the line (hint: that’s when you call the best plumbing company in Nashville!).

THE BEAUTY OF YOUR PLUMBING SYSTEM

Water Flowing In

There are two parts to your plumbing system; water flowing in, which is your freshwater, and water flowing out, which is your wastewater. The genius of both of these systems is that it uses the laws of nature to work, which includes gravity, pressure, and water’s natural flow tendency.

Your freshwater flows into your home under pressure because, otherwise, the water wouldn’t. In your home, you probably have different levels. To get your water upstairs, it has to be forced. All water coming into your home passes through your water meter, so you can be properly charged by your local water company for this amazing service. But what if you have a plumbing emergency and you need to shut off the water? There is a main water shutoff, which is usually near your water meter, that will shut off water to your entire home. However, let’s say your toilet is overflowing. Most appliances in your home have its own separate shut off valve as well. This is important because water under pressure can quickly flood your home, causing major damage.

All water that enters your home is cold or at the temperature of the air surrounding it. In order to have hot water, this water must pass through your hot water heater to heat it up. This requires a separate water line (called ingeniously the hot water line) that carries heated water to all areas of your home. The temperature of this water is monitored by your hot water heater, which has its own shut off valve as well in case it has a leak. To set the temperature of your hot water, there is usually a temperature gauge on your hot water heater. One hundred twenty degrees Fahrenheit is usually adequate for all your needs in the home; however, you can turn it up. Some appliances, such as your dishwasher, may have a separate hot water heater of its own for certain settings and needs.

Water Flowing Out

Your wastewater system, which is your used water flowing out of your home, is not under pressure. Instead, it employs the laws of gravity to move water. All of your drainage pipes are angled. Gravity then leads the water towards your wastewater treatment plant or to your septic tank. While this piping system sounds simple, it’s actually not. There are air vents on the top of your roof that allow air to enter these drainpipes. This is so the water flows properly and does not get stuck in traps or anywhere else. Traps are the S-shaped pipe you see under most drains in your home, the easiest one to see is under your kitchen sink. If these traps did not exist, sewer gases would flow back up into your home, bringing the smell with them.

Every fixture in your home has a trap, except toilets, which are self-trapped. Fixtures are places where the freshwater pipes and the wastewater pipes bridge. All devices in your home that use both freshwater and wastewater (toilets, sinks, tubs, dishwashers, and washing machines) are fixtures and are designed to keep the freshwater separate from the wastewater. If it didn’t, we’d have serious problems and be sick and could even die. Bathtubs have a special trap designed to catch hair and dirt so your pipes don’t become clogged. There are clean-out plugs on the traps that allow you to empty them and clean them since hair and grease cause the most clogs.

This wastewater system goes by another name as well: the drain-waste-vent (DWV) system, which more aptly describes the components in the process.

Welcome to Plumbing Solutions of Nashville, TN

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#1 Nashville Plumber

We Specialize in All Your Plumbing Needs

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If you are experiencing a plumbing emergency, or if you are just looking for a 24 hour plumbing service, give us a call!

Plumbing Solutions

Plumbing Solutions is a full-service Nashville plumbing company for residential and commercial plumbing.

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Plumbing Costs

Plumbing costs vary by job. Plumbing Solutions offers no-cost parts and labor estimates BEFORE work starts.