Mechanical Aspects Of Plumbing Drains
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by: Adriana Noton
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Word Count: 542
Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2010 Time: 1:20 PM
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The importance of plumbing drains is easily overlooked, until the flood waters start to back up. Every house hold has to deal with a clogged drain eventually. It's never known to be a pleasant experience. Expensive and sometimes difficult to diagnose the location, these problems can be very expensive today.
Most of us never see our plumbing drains. They hide within the walls and under the floors. Doing their Nobel job quietly. In fact the only time there ever on our mind is when there not functioning. Plumbing clogs can be easy to fix or they can seem impossible. Either way is an inconvenience.
Plumbing drains today come in all sizes, colors and materials. Plastic pipe has replaced the traditional copper and cast iron of latter times. The light weight and ease of cutting for installation have helped this along. Metals of all kinds corrode, plastic's resist corrosion for great lengths of time. Plastic pipe also has the benefit of being able to glue the fittings as opposed to soldering joints. The times have changed and with this part of construction the industry has changed with it.
All drains are installed with a pitch to them to create a gravity drainage of liquids, at a rate that will take the solids with it. A quarter inch per foot is standard for pipes installed horizontally three inches and less in diameter. Larger pipes are pitched an eight inch per foot. This is the proper pitch to keep solids from being left behind. Clean outs are placed strategically at points were easy access will allow the use of a snake should a clog occur.
All drains running horizontally are susceptible to clogs occurring if they are improperly hung. Drainage must flow continuously to function uninterrupted. Code standards require hangers be installed at set intervals to prevent sagging. This will cause traps in the pipe and future obstructions as well as expensive service. This can be avoided simply with more hangers.
Plastic pipe is installed using a primer and then a glue. The primer is very important to the installation, as it not only cleans the pipe but also softens the material so the glue can adhere to it. This creates a chemical bond between the pipe and the fitting.
Most commercial drains, are required to be made of cast iron and copper. These installations are more apt to come in contact with adverse conditions. Industrial drains are also commonly designed using cast iron for the larger drains. Copper tubing will take over when pipes are required to be small enough where it is economically efficient. This decision is due to the weight factor of cast iron and the time frame to install these materials. Cast iron drains are now normally connected to each other with stainless steel clamps.
Drainage installed to carry highly corrosive materials and toxic waste products, are commonly made from stainless steel and thicker walled PVC pipe. This prevents material breakdowns from causing leaks that would endanger workers or the environment.
Today's world is full of things that must be drained. A simple process when all is well. A nightmare when the plumbing drain doesn't.
About the Author
Authorized licensed City of Toronto, Mississauga plumbers contractor offers drains Toronto services including repairs, installations and replacements of sinks, toilets faucets and hot water tanks.
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