The term plumbing comes from the Latin word “plumbum”, which means lead because the pipes used before were made from lead. While the word sewer came from the French word “essouier”, meaning to drain.

It is the system in which pipes, tubes, and other plumbing fixtures are used for different water systems and waste drainage. The person responsible for the maintenance and installation is called a plumber.

The plumbing industry is one of the basic needs of a growing community. It has been around since ancient times. The system was found in Ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt, Babylon, Crete, Jerusalem, and China.

These countries needed adequate water supplies and drainage systems as they developed public baths, fountains, and eventually the water closet or toilet.

Pipes in ancient times were made of lead, clay, bamboo, and stones. Plumbers would rely on the gravity to supply water. Today, we use pipes that are made of copper, brass, and other non toxic materials. We also used high pressurized systems to supply water.

There are different plumbing and sewer systems that plumbing companies used.

PLUMBING SYSTEM
ONE PIPE
Waste water pipes from sinks, bathrooms, and other branches of waste water pipes are connected to one main pipe which is connected to the sewer system. All traps are completely ventilated.

PARTIALLY VENTILATED ONE PIPE
The function is the same with the one pipe system. The difference is that there is a vent that ventilates the foul smell from the water closet.

TWO PIPE
Soil and waste have separate pipes. The waste pipes are connected to a trapped gutter while the soil pipes are connected to the sewers. All traps are completely ventilated.

SINGLE STACK
This system’s function is the same as the one pipe system but there are no traps.

PARTIALLY VENTILATED SINGLE STACK
This system’s function is the same as the partially ventilated one pipe system.

SEWERAGE SYSTEM
COMBINED
Foul and surface water is carried through the same sewers and drains.

SEPARATED
Foul and surface water have different or separate sewers and drains.

PARTIALLY SEPARATED
Part of the surface water is carried through the foul sewers and drains.

The plumbing systems have many usages such as the cold and hot water supply, drainage, rainwater and surface water, septic, fuel gas piping, and other liquid or chemical. Plumbing and sewerage systems are found everywhere.

If you want to improve the plumbing system of your house or building, you should know the different pipe materials that are commonly used.

TYPES OF PLUMBING PIPE MATERIALS

CAST IRON
These are very strong but they are very difficult to cut.

ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)
This is the first rigid plastic that was approved for home drainage system.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
The modern rigid plastic that is resistant to heat and chemical damage. The recommended material for drain, wastes, and vents pipes.

GALVANIZED IRON
This is a very strong material. This is very difficult to cut and fit and they can corrode gradually.

CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride)
It is a rigid plastic that is formulated to withstand pressure and high temperatures. It is also low-priced.

RIGID COPPER
The most recommended material for water supply pipes because it resists corrosion and has a smooth surface.

CHROMED COPPER
It is used in areas where the exterior is significant. It is durable and it has a shiny surface.

FLEXIBLE COPPER TUBING
It is very easy to shape especially around corners. It can withstand ruptures.

BRASS
It is durable and heavy. It is usually used in areas where the exterior is significant because of its shiny surface.
However, we can encounter plumbers who don’t do a good job in installing our plumbing and sewer system. They might use inferior materials that can cause a lot of problems in the long run. Some of these are:

1. Leaking pipes can damage the paint and wooden walls.
2. If we don’t get a proper foul waste disposal, it might surface and the foul odor may arise.
3. Any structure’s life can be reduced because of pipe leakage.
4. Harmful molds and mildews can grow because of the damp areas created by the leaking pipes.
5. Health problems may arise.

We should hire professional plumbing companies that have a good reputation and we should research well for those companies because, in the end, our health would be greatly affected.