Essential Components of DWV Plumbing Systems

Drain-waste-vent, or DWV, is a type of plumbing systems in which sewage is taken from a building and noxious gases are vented. Waste enters the DWV from plumbing fixtures such as toilets, sinks, bathtubs and showers. The waste exits the fixtures through a dipped section of pipe called a trap, which maintains a constant supply of water. All plumbing fixtures must have traps to prevent gases backing up into the home or building, with rather unattractive and unhealthy results.

Traps connect plumbing fixtures to a common waste line, which channels waste to what is euphemistically called a soil stack. The waste is then removed from the building through a main drain and taken to a sewage line.

The venting system pipes are an important part of any plumbing system. It is their job to connect fixtures directly to the outdoors, often through the roof. Vents serve several purposes; they allow an outlet for sewer gases, they encourage oxygen circulation which allows sewage to begin to decompose, and they prevent sewer gases from entering the building. With few exceptions, every plumbing fixture is required by building codes to have an attached vent. These vents are sometimes descriptively called stink pipes.

Because gravity is the force powering these plumbing systems, it is critical that all pipes have a downward slope throughout the system. In instances where a downward slope out of a building and into the sewer cannot be created, a collection pit and grinding lift 'sewage ejector' pump are used to deliver waste to the sewage system.

How PEX Fittings Are Used in PEX Plumbing Systems

PEX fittings are used to connect the flexible polyethylene pipes used in PEX water plumbing systems. Flexible PEX tubes are a low cost, problem free alternative to metal or plastic systems. You can avoid the problems of corrosion and scaling when you use a PEX system. Altogether PEX water plumbing systems are a vast improvement over older systems that use copper or rigid plastic pipes.

The flexible pipes are not made brittle by low temperatures. Polyethylene tubes are cheaper than metal pipes and are easier to install because they do not use as many fittings as metal or rigid plastic systems. Since soldering is not used with PEX systems there are no nasty fumes or the risks associated with using a torch.

PEX tubing is wrapped in spools. Because spools weigh less than cut metal or plastic pipes, they are easier to store and cost less to ship. Tubing can be unrolled from the spools with no need for coupling fittings. Installation is much quicker and cheaper when it does not involve the running of pipe.

Connecting the tubes is done by inserting a fitting into or over the tube and then crimping a ring placed over the tube or fitting. There are a few different connection methods. Some use copper crimp rings and others use crimp rings made of plastic. One system uses a stainless steel clamp. Most fittings are brass although some are made of other metals or plastic. Because PEX tubing is flexible and can be turned to a 90 degree angle elbow joints are not needed.

Tubes are cut using a special PEX pipe cutter and come in different sizes to accommodate 1/2" or 3/4" tubes. A main crimping tool is used to pinch the rings over the pipe or fitting. There is a de-crimping tool that is used to remove crimped rings. There are some specialized tools used for the stainless steel clamps and proprietary connection methods.

The most common material used to make fittings is brass. However, you can find fittings made from other metals and even plastic. Fittings have ridges that when crimped make a high-pressure seal.

Using the system of PEX fittings along with PEX tubing has definite advantages over metal and plastic piping. It is less expensive than rigid plastic and copper piping. It can be installed right from the spools. It requires less fittings. It last longer because it is not subject to corrosion.

Don't Get Flushed by Plumbing Problems

There are several plumbing problems that the do-it-yourselfer can fix with little effort and a lot less money than calling a plumber. Remember the DIY motto is to only call for professional help when absolutely necessary. Now there is nothing wrong with hiring a professional because we cannot possibly do every project ourselves but there are many projects that we can do.

Some common plumbing problems include problems with the hot water, problems with the toilet, and problems with drainage in the sink of tubs. With hot water sometimes you may find that there is not enough hot water. This is especially true for larger families. A common cause for this may be that the thermostat on the water heater may be set too low. A fix for this is to adjust the water heater thermostat upwards. This will allow less hot water to be used to still get the temperature that everyone wants.

A common toilet problem is when the toilet does not flush completely. This of course is evidenced by remnants remaining in the bowl after the toilet is flushed. The most common cause is that the ball in the tank is not being lifted high enough. The solution is to adjust the lift mechanism so that it lifts the ball higher in the tank.

A common sink drainage problem is the grease clog. In the case of clogs, the best thing to do is to try to prevent them in the first place. A good way to prevent grease clogs is to pour about a half gallon of boiling water down the drain every other day. However if you already have a grease clog, try pouring some hot vinegar down the drain and letting is set for about 20 minutes and then follow it with boiling water after the 20 minute vinegar soak.

Plumbing problems are one of the top reasons that professional help is sought. However, many of the plumbing problems that you will face can be solved as a DIY project. So make sure that you determine that you are not equipped to solve the problem before you call the plumber.

Safety on the Go - Portable Water Filtration

Portable water filtration devices allow those of us who are not interested in living our lives inside the few walls of our homes a safe option when we go out. No one wants to worry about their health when going on a simple camping trip, or any other outing that is supposed to be fun, but with concerns about water safety on your mind that is exactly what happens. Water borne diseases are prevalent now, and will not abate with the carelessness inherent in so many all over the world. With this in mind, protecting your water supply from contamination is tantamount to protecting yourself.

A portable water filter is exactly what it sounds like, it is a water filter that you can carry with you when you are hiking or camping, to purify the water you plan on using there. It removes lead, chlorine, mercury, bacteria and parasites from the water you pump through it, allowing you to rest easy that you are not going to pick up a disease from these untreated rivers or streams that you so enjoy seeing.

Now I am sure you are asking yourself, why should I filter that water rather than carrying bottled water or chlorine tablets instead? There are bacteria and parasites that chlorine tablets will not kill, so using them will not give you a 'safe' glass of water, nor will it do anything for the bad taste the chloride leaves behind. Bottled water might be fine for a day trip, but staying overnight means carrying a huge supply, which can get quite costly, especially if you enjoy the outdoors and spend as much time as you can there.

What is more, all bottled water is not created equal, some is more healthy than others and some is not healthy at all. There are no real standards set for its purification, and bottled water is put into plastic containers, which are being churned out to destroy the environment while we drink through one bottle and the next.

On the other hand the long term expenditure, portable water filtration, can eliminate the bad taste associated with chlorine tablets, get rid of those heavy metals that can be dangerous, and the rest of the contaminants present in outdoor sources of water. Even better, you won't have to put up with the odor that turns your stomach before the water passes your lips. Whichever way you look at it, there is no replacement for pure natural drinking water and once you put water in your portable filter, you get just that!