How Does the Drainage System Work in a House?
The Anatomy of a Home Drainage System
By definition, a drainage system is a structural network of pipes and other units that collects and delivers wastewater to a larger public sewer system or a domestic septic tank, and this system relies on the pull of gravity for its primary functions! Below are some of the most vital components of a home drainage network.
House Sewer
A house sewer is a crucial component in your home’s drainage system. It is the main pipe that carries wastewater and dirt out of your home to the larger community’s sewer infrastructure, or to an individual septic tank.
Vent Pipes
Aside from providing ventilation to your house’s drainage system, vent piping helps your drainage system discharge soil and waste. It also prevents these materials from clogging the system. Additionally, through a pressure release, it decontaminates pipes and carries toxic fumes away from your home.
Traps
Traps are fittings or device that stop the unwanted passage of air or gas through the home’s pipes or fixtures. They are designed to trap these elements without affecting the flow of wastewater through the drainage lines.
Main House Trap
In case of major clogging or scheduled cleaning, the main house trap, also known as the sewer line clean-out, is a key component that helps fix the clogging issue right away. You can find it in your home’s basement or a utility area. Drainage specialists access the main house trap and use a motorised auger to unclog the main drain.
Waste Stack and Pipe
Discharges from your interior fixtures go through the waste stack and pipe. It is an indirect waste pipe that is not connected to the main house drain or waste stack. Rather, it can be found above a fixture’s overflow rim.
Soil Stack Pipe
This is a special stack pipe specifically tasked to carry waste released by the toilets. As a stack, the piping runs vertically from the source to its final discharge component.
House Drain
A house drain can be found on the lowest section of a residential drainage system. This collects all the discharge from the waste, soil, and other drainage pipelines from across the home. This component’s mechanism and function are dependent on gravity.
Sub-House Drain
Unlike other home drainage system components, the sub-house drain is an underground network of piping that doesn’t rely on gravity to accomplish its role. Also known as the sub-surface drain, it draws water away from areas that accumulate or collect surface and groundwater.
Having Issues with Drainage?
Now that you have all these details in mind, you’ll have a better understanding of how complicated it can be to manage drainage issues when they come up. However, knowing the basics of each part of the system can give you a first layer of defense against drainage problems, as some of these elements are more easily accessible than others, so you can check them out if you suspect there is an issue hiding somewhere in the system.
That said, if you’re worried about not being able to get a full grasp of your home’s drainage system, or you just want an expert to take a look, the best option is to talk to an professional.
Talk to Our Drainage Experts at Pipeline Plumbing & Drainage!
Our plumbing specialists can help you troubleshoot the drainage system in your home. We also offer a wide array of emergency services that tackle plumbing problems like water leaks, blocked drains, low water pressure levels, and more.
Contact Pipeline Plumbing + Drainage today to learn more!