Plumbing Components and Their Uses

by Posted in Plumbing

Plumbing involves the installation of piping systems for water supply, drainage, and sewerage. It also includes the fixtures and appliances that use these pipes.

Plumbing

Plumbers can work in a variety of environments, including commercial and industrial settings. They can install, maintain, and repair plumbing equipment. In this article, we’ll explore the basics of plumbing.

The valve seat performs four important functions: sealing when the valve is closed, allowing air to flow freely when open, resisting carbon buildup and providing proper heat transfer. When the seat is not in good condition, it can cause loss of compression or combustion gases and premature wear on other components such as the valve stem and spring, valvetrain or head and piston seals.

The quality of the valve seat depends on material, machining and casting techniques as well as proper mounting. Using an inappropriate material can compromise the valve seat’s function, resulting in loss of airflow, improper valving and valvetrain wear and possibly even head and valve damage.

When the valve seat is worn or leaking, a number of problems can occur, including poor engine performance, loss of power and overheating. The wear is the result of the high frequency opening-and-closing movement that impacts the back of the valve seat against the face of the valve stem. This impact causes the valve seat to degrade, loosen or completely break.

Many aftermarket valve seats are available in a variety of materials, from virgin PTFE to a variety of metal alloys. Many seat suppliers recommend using a seat material best suited to the application. According to Tom Tucker of Tucker Valve Seats, 440 stainless steel seats or silicone XB (an iron seat with 18 percent chrome) are popular for street and mild-performance applications, while a powdered metal valve seat insert is more appropriate for higher load and higher temperature applications.

A properly formed valve seat is a press-fit of an approximately cylindrical piece of a hardened metal alloy into a cast depression in the cylinder head above each eventual valve stem position. The seat is then machined with a conical-section surface that mates with a matching one on the valve stem. The seat should have a slight interference fit and not require locking fluid, peening or staking.

A misaligned valve seat that is not centered with the guide can cause flexing of the seat when the valve closes. This can cause the seat to crack, which can be very difficult to repair. To recondition the head, the counterbore must be remachined to a new size in order to control the interference fit. This will also allow you to better control runout and concentricity of the seat with the valve guide.

Handle

A handle is a piece of material designed to be gripped or held by the hand. It is usually a part of something bigger and may be used to control or guide that thing. Handles are also used as a clue in a mystery.

A handle can be difficult to turn if its internal parts become damaged or misaligned. This can happen during initial installation or during a previous repair.

The first step is to remove the old handle by unscrewing it with a wrench or screwdriver. A replacement can be purchased at the hardware store, but it is important that the length, angle and style of the arm and handle are identical to the original. If the nut that secures the handle has left-handed threads, spray the nut with penetrating oil like WD-40 to loosen it and make it easier to remove with your wrench. This will help prevent the threads from being stripped.

Disc Cartridge

A cartridge system uses a pair of hardened ceramic discs to control water flow. One disc is fixed in place whilst the other moves with the tap handle. A quarter turn of the handle will rotate the discs, allowing or preventing water to flow. The mechanism is very simple and requires little maintenance. The absence of rubber washers means that there are no leaks or dripping, which saves energy and contributes to water conservation. It also eliminates the need for regular replacements, saving money.

Cartridges are resistant to temperature fluctuations, so they can withstand frequent hot and cold changes without degrading or leaking. This allows them to function smoothly and with precise control. Incorporating this technology into bath taps ensures that the faucet operates reliably for its lifespan, enhancing user experience.

A water tap with a disc cartridge also has an advantage over traditional valves. Unlike compression-based mechanisms, which use metal washers to control water flow, the ceramic discs slide against each other, resulting in frictionless movement. This provides an effortless and smooth operation, and allows the user to control temperature and water flow easily and precisely.

Ceramic disc cartridges are also highly durable and resistant to wear. This minimises the need for regular replacements, extending the lifespan of the cartridge and the entire faucet system. The tight seal of the cartridge also reduces the occurrence of leaks and drips, which can lead to unnecessary water wastage. The ceramic material is also non-corrosive and easy to clean, enabling the cartridge to retain its quality over time.

The metal stem at the top of a cartridge has a series of ridges (or splines) that fit into the grooves in the handle. Each spline is measured in points and is designed to match with the corresponding groove on the handle, which ensures that the cartridge fits securely into place.

The first step in repairing a ceramic disc faucet is to locate the cartridge. This can usually be found underneath the sink for a sink faucet and in the wall for a showerhead. Once the cartridge has been removed, examine it for damage or signs of a water leak. The most common reason for a leak is that the rubber seals at the bottom of the cartridge are damaged or layered with grit and mineral deposits. To repair this, remove the cartridge from the faucet body and clean the sealing rings using a nonmetallic nylon brush. Alternatively, a product such as Lime-A-Way can be used to dissolve deposits.

Seals

When it comes to push-fit fittings, the O-ring is one of the most important components. This simple rubber ring makes a seal, preventing water from leaking out of the fitting and saving homeowners money on costly repairs. But this isn’t the only area where O-rings can play a vital role in plumbing.

The plumbing vent system in homes also relies on O-rings to provide a watertight seal and resist internal and external pressures. This vent system ensures that sewage does not back up into sink drains, where it can cause unpleasant and hazardous smells. Homes with insufficient or clogged vent systems often experience the unpleasant sensation of sewer gas smells, which may be caused by the failure of a water seal in the toilet vent.

To create a reliable and long-lasting plumbing seal, it is essential that plumbers use the right types of materials. These include putty compounds, silicone caulking, and o-rings. These materials are able to withstand high temperatures and can help prevent leaks from occurring.

A common o-ring used in plumbing is made of a material known as Viton, which has good resistance to petroleum oils, acids, and other chemicals. This o-ring is commonly found on a variety of plumbing fixtures, including valves, sink strainers, and pop-up drains. In addition to o-rings, plumbers also use other forms of sealing technology when repairing or replacing pipes and other plumbing fixtures.

For example, plumbers often use pipe repair sleeves to create a watertight seal around broken portions of pipe. These sleeves are designed to fit tightly over the damaged portion of pipe and can be purchased at most hardware stores. The sleeves are easy to install and require no special tools.

Before beginning any plumbing work, it is important to turn off the water supply. Look for the shut-off valve under the sink and turn it clockwise until it stops the flow of water. This will protect you from accidental flooding while you work.

Once the water supply is turned off, clear out the storage space under your sink and clean the surface where you plan to apply the putty or sealant. Remove any dust or dirt that may be present, and ensure that the area is free of rust or corrosion. Once the surface is ready, you can begin applying the sealant. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to get the best results.

What Is a Septic Tank?

by Posted in Plumbing Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Everything that goes down your toilets, sinks, bathtub and washing machine drains into a septic tank. The solid waste sinks to the bottom, forming a layer known as sludge. The lighter waste, such as fats, oils and greases, floats to the top.

Bacteria break down the sludge. The wastewater then leaves the septic tank through a pipe into the absorption field, or drain field. Contact Septic Tank Armadale now!

A septic tank is a buried, water-tight container that collects wastewater from a home. It holds the waste long enough for bacteria to break down solid waste. The resulting liquid wastewater is called effluent. It leaves the septic tank through a drain field or sand mound. If the septic tank is not kept up, sewage can back up into household drains.

As the wastewater travels through the absorption field, soil layers filter and digest it. When the effluent reaches groundwater, it is fully treated. However, if the tank is too full, it can clog the pipes leading to and from the house, and sewage may enter the environment.

When a septic tank is full, it will need to be pumped. Signs of a full tank include slow drains and puddles around the septic tank or house. A septic tank should be pumped every three to five years depending on the size of the household and how many people live in it.

As solids settle to the bottom of the septic tank, they form a layer known as sludge. This layer is dense and is made up of dirt, grit, bones, unconsumed food particles, and other solids. Underwater anaerobic bacteria slowly digest the sludge, producing gases as a byproduct. This creates a dark, slimy substance called sludge that needs to be removed at the same time as the tank is pumped.

Lightweight waste products such as grease and fats float to the top of the septic tank. These are separated from the sludge by an inlet baffle. When the septic tank is emptied, this clarified mixture of sludge and scum flows through the septic tank outlet to the drain field.

An effluent filter is often installed in the line between septic tank and drainfield to prevent solids from entering the septic tank outlet pipe and traveling to the drain field where they can clog pipes and shorten the drain field’s life. These filters can be expensive, but they are a necessary investment for homeowners with septic tanks. Alternatively, solids can be filtered out of the wastewater with a simple, low-cost gravity effluent filter that is cleaned at each tank pumping.

Sludge

A septic tank’s job is to collect waste and separate the solids from the liquids. Heavy solids like soil, grit, bones and unconsumed food particles sink to the bottom of the tank forming a thick layer known as sludge. Lighter wastes like oils and grease float to the top of the wastewater, creating a layer known as scum. Compartments and a T-shaped outlet prevent scum and sludge from leaving the septic tank with the liquid wastewater. The liquid wastewater, called effluent, exits the septic tank and flows into a drain field or leach field.

When the sludge and scum build up, it can cause problems for your home. For example, if the septic tank isn’t pumped often enough, the sludge and scum won’t be given enough time to separate from the water. If this happens, the septic tank will eventually fill up and the liquid wastewater will flow directly from the septic tank into the drain field, causing pathogenic bacteria to enter the environment.

The sludge also can clog pipes in the septic system and reduce the porosity of the drain field, causing it to fail. It can even contaminate drinking water. Finally, sludge can pollute local lakes and rivers with excessive amounts of phosphorus, which can promote prolific plant growth including algal blooms of potentially toxic cyanobacteria.

While it is true that septic tanks in urban areas produce more sewage sludge than rural ones, all septic systems generate some sludge. Since most rural residents use on-lot septic systems, they indirectly contribute to the generation of sewage sludge by having their septic tanks pumped and having their on-lot drainfields serviced.

In addition, if people flush non-biodegradable waste items down the toilet such as cigarette butts, paper towels, condoms, cotton swabs, dental floss and hair, they can also cause the septic tank to clog and fail. Having a professional septic contractor regularly inspect and service your septic system can help extend the amount of time between septic tank pumpings. You can also minimize the need for septic tank pumping by only putting biodegradable waste products like toilet paper, human waste and food down your toilet. Non-biodegradable waste items should be taken to a local hazardous waste facility for disposal.

Scum

Septic systems treat wastewater from the laundry, kitchen and bathrooms of homes where the municipal sewer system isn’t available. Wastewater contains germs and other pollutants that need to be separated from the water before it enters the environment.

When wastewater enters the septic tank, it undergoes a process called settling and flotation. Solid materials such as soil, grit, bones and unconsumed food particles sink to the bottom of the septic tank to form a layer known as sludge. Aerobic bacteria eat away at these solids to turn them into liquid waste. Fats, oils and greases float to the top of the wastewater and form a layer of scum. Bacteria in the septic tank digest these substances to produce a clear liquid that is known as effluent.

The septic tank is lined with concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene and buried underground. It has an inlet and an outlet baffle to prevent sludge from leaving the septic tank and entering the drain field. It also has a vent pipe that allows escaped gases to escape from the septic tank, preventing a buildup of pressure that could block or reverse the flow of wastewater into and out of the septic system.

Once the septic tank is full, the inlet and outlet baffles are closed. The effluent from the house flows through a pipe to the septic tank inlet. The septic tank inlet is usually a screen to filter out large debris from the wastewater.

The inlet baffle and outlet baffle prevent sludge and scum from exiting the septic tank and flowing into the drainfield. The septic tank also has a float that closes the outlet if the tank is full. The float is connected to an alarm that alerts the homeowner when the septic tank is filling or the pump is going out.

A septic system must be regularly inspected, cleaned and drained to avoid problems like leakage and groundwater contamination. Septic tanks are cheaper than municipal sewer costs, but they still require maintenance and can be expensive to repair or replace. The septic tank should be pumped every few years to keep it working properly. Biological additives can be added to the tank to accelerate the breakdown of organic wastes and reduce the frequency of pump outs.

Drain Field

A septic system’s drain field or leach field is designed to treat wastewater and filter contaminants out of groundwater. It is typically a series of perforated pipes in gravel-filled trenches in the soil. Wastewater from your home flows into the drain field through a distribution box. When the effluent enters the drain field, it is further filtered and neutralized as it seeps into the soil. The bacteria in the soil perform a final treatment. The drain field works in conjunction with the septic tank to help reduce pollution to the environment and to your property’s plumbing system.

When a septic tank is overloaded, the sludge layer in the bottom of the septic tank may not have time to separate from the scum layer on top. As a result, sewage may flow out of the septic tank into the drain field and backup the house’s drains. This is a serious health hazard as sewage contains disease-causing organisms that can be spread to people and pets when it comes into contact with them.

You can prevent septic tank and drain field problems by avoiding flushing chemicals, medications, harsh drain cleaners, or garbage disposals that contain large amounts of grease, oil, or cooking fats. You can also install a septic system with a pump, and make sure your septic tank is pumped regularly.

If you suspect a problem with your septic tank or drain field, it is important to call a professional right away for Drain Field Repair. It can be very dangerous to work on a septic system without the proper training and equipment. It is not uncommon for a septic tank or drain field to develop a problem when it has been neglected for too long.

Keeping up with regular maintenance on your septic tank, drain field, and all components of your septic system is critical to maintaining the efficiency and lifespan of your septic system. Contact the experts at Septic Solutions if you need to schedule a routine septic tank cleaning or have questions about the condition of your septic tank, septic tank pumping, or drain fields.