Lexington Plumbing is the system of pipes and fixtures that facilitates the distribution of water and removal of waste in residential and commercial structures. Plumbers install, repair and maintain these systems.

This career requires strong critical thinking skills to assess problems and identify the best course of action. It also demands physical strength to lift heavy equipment and tools.

Drains are an important part of the plumbing system. They take in fresh water and carry wastewater out of our homes. Unfortunately, they’re also susceptible to clogs. A clog can cause some serious problems, including expensive repairs and unpleasant odors. It’s important to address clogs as soon as possible to prevent them from getting worse and causing more damage.

The most common cause of a drain clog is a buildup of waste and debris. Over time, this can lead to a complete blockage. Clogs often appear in the toilets, showers, and sinks, but they can also affect the main sewer line. The best way to prevent drain clogs is to regularly run hot water down the pipes and avoid putting large objects down the drains.

Many people are unaware that they have a drain problem until it’s too late. That’s because the plumbing system is hidden inside the walls and under the floor, making it hard to see problems as they arise. However, there are a few clues that can help you determine if you have a drain problem.

If your sink is gurgling, that’s a sign that there’s an obstruction in the drain pipe. You may also notice that your toilet or bathtub doesn’t flush as easily. In some cases, the obstruction may be as simple as a hair clog. In other cases, it could be more severe and require the services of a professional plumber.

A clogged drain can attract pests and produce unpleasant odors. The stagnant water can also breed bacteria that spread throughout the home. This can lead to illness, such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and headaches.

The main types of drainage systems are passive, active, open, and closed. Passive drainage systems rely on gravity or capillary action to remove fluid, whereas active drains use suction/vacuum forces. Open and closed drains are either external or internal. JP drains (r) and hemovac drains (r) are external, while colostomy drains are internal.

Pipes and tubing are the primary means of transporting water in plumbing systems. In addition, pipes can be used to carry other fluids like gas, sewage and oil, as well as air and electrical signals. There are many different types of pipes, each with its own specific purposes and requirements. Pipes are typically made from metal, though plastics and other materials may also be utilized for specialized applications.

Rigid copper pipes are commonly used for residential plumbing, and can be soldered together to create a water supply line from the main to faucets throughout a home or building. This type of piping is typically installed in-ground, and can be buried underground to facilitate distribution from the water main to the household.

Another common type of pipe is made from steel, which can be used for a wide range of applications, from industrial manufacturing to water transportation. Steel piping is often manufactured from a low-carbon alloy, such as carbon steel or chromium-nickel, to minimize corrosion and maintain strength in high temperatures.

Various other metals and alloys are also used for piping, due to their specific properties and resistance to corrosion or other factors. For example, stainless steel is frequently used for food processing and Heat Transfer equipment, while lead, copper and nickel are used in some plumbing fixtures. These more exotic metals and alloys tend to be more expensive than their carbon-based counterparts.

Once the raw material for a particular type of pipe is forged, metallurgical tests are conducted to determine its composition by % of each element. The results of these tests are then recorded in a material test report (MTR), which can be traced back to the mill that produced the pipe. This provides quality assurance and helps maintain traceability for future users of the piping.

The sizing standards for pipe are regulated by the American National Standard (ANSI). The most common piping sizes use an ID, or internal diameter, system that is based on ten different schedules. These schedules define varying wall thicknesses, but the outside diameter remains the same for each size. Other pipe sizing systems exist, including the older Iron Pipe Size (IPS) and copper plumbing tube for domestic plumbing, which uses an entirely different sizing standard called Copper Tube Size (CTS).

Pipe fittings are used to manipulate the conveyance of water for sanitary and refrigerative purposes, gas, petroleum products, liquid waste, and more in the plumbing system. They’re made of a variety of materials and are available in a multitude of shapes and sizes to serve a wide array of functions, from connecting two pipes to changing their direction or location within the system. Choosing the right ones for your network depends on your needs, pipe material and thickness, environmental conditions, necessary pressure ratings, and more.

Most pipe fittings are made of metal, but some are plastic and meet specific codes and standards to ensure safety and compatibility. They can be joined in a few different ways, including threading and slip fittings. Threaded fittings use sleeves that screw into each other and are often used on steel pipe. Slip fit fittings have no threading and simply slide onto the end of a slightly larger sleeve, which is known as a male slip or female slip fitting.

Other types of pipe fittings include flanges, unions, caps, and plugs. A flange is a round metal disk with circumferential grooves that press against the end of a pipe segment to join it. These are commonly used on large diameter pipe segments in sewer systems and other underground applications. Flanges are typically welded to the pipe or tube to secure them in place, but non-welded flanges have also been developed that install using a mechanical connection. These can save time and money as they don’t require the same labor and equipment to be installed as welded flanges do.

A union is a device that connects the ends of two different pipe segments and can be tightened or loosed with a wrench. These are useful in reducing the size of a pipe run and can help to prevent leaks by creating a seal where the joints are. Unions can be made from a wide variety of materials and are often used in conjunction with swivel couplings, which allow for easier movement and rotation of the segment they connect to.

Unlike drains, sewers carry sewage and other wastes to a treatment plant or disposal site. They are part of a city or town’s public wastewater system and may be buried in the ground or run beneath streets and sidewalks. Some are designed to handle only domestic sewage, while others also handle industrial and stormwater runoff.

Like drains, sewers are susceptible to clogs caused by hair, grease, food scraps and other solids. Fortunately, regular maintenance can help prevent these problems. For example, if you notice that water flows slowly through your home’s drains, it could be a sign of a blockage in the main line. A foul odor coming from a sink or tub can also indicate a problem with your sewer line.

If these symptoms occur, call your local plumber for advice. In many cases, these issues can be resolved with a drain snake or hydro jetting. However, serious problems often require the services of a professional sewer contractor.

The slope of a sewer pipe is important because it helps to maintain a consistent flow velocity and keep solids in suspension. This is important because if solids settle on the bottom of the pipe, they can erode the wall and cause leaks. Ideally, a sewer line’s slope should follow the slope of the ground above as closely as possible. However, this can be difficult to achieve because the soil is usually too thick for excavation.

When a sewer line is clogged, it can cause wastewater and sewage to back up into homes and businesses. This can lead to serious health and safety problems. In addition, it can damage property and pollute the environment.

Sewage systems are essential for cities and towns to function properly. They are responsible for transporting wastewater to sewage treatment plants and reducing the risk of flooding and environmental contamination. The wastewater in a sewer system contains a wide range of bacteria and other organic material. When this material is exposed to air, it can form hydrogen sulfide (H2S), which can cause illness and even death.

The most common causes of a clogged sewer are toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, fats, oils and grease. These items can clog the pipes and lead to costly repairs. To prevent clogs, avoid flushing these items down the drains and only use biodegradable toilet paper. Using a garbage disposal and taking care not to overfill drains can also help reduce the amount of solids that end up in the sewer.