A residential plumbing system consists of pipes, fixtures, valves, pumps, and other components installed within the walls and floors of a building. Residential plumbing systems are designed to carry water from its point of supply (typically a faucet) to various fixtures located throughout the house. The main components of a residential plumbing system include:
1. Fixtures - These are the outlets, such as toilets, sinks, tub/showers, etc.
2. Pipes – Water flows through these metal tubes under pressure. There are two lines: hot and cold. Water travels through water lines – i.e pex tubing and copper tubing. All homes have waste drains. Drains collect wastewater flowing from fixtures, toilets, showers, sinks, etc., and transport it outside the house via a drainpipe.
3. Valves (Faucet) – These controls flow of water which goes in the house between sections of pipe. On some systems, there are multiple valves for each fixture.
4. Pumps – They move fluids from place to place. For example, sump pumps transfer water from the basement floor to the exterior drainage system.