How it Works: The Distribution of Pipes in a House

Water is a fundamental element in our daily lives, so it’s essential that the water pipes in our homes function properly. It reaches the pipes in our homes after a collection and storage process and is then distributed throughout the house. Next, we’ll tell you how it works and explain the distribution of pipes in a house.

The distribution of pipes in a house: three pipe fittings

Pipe distribution in a house is divided into three clear and differentiable parts. Each of them is part of a different installation and has a different function to transport a certain type of water. These are:

• Hot water installation. Through this distribution, the hot water reaches the faucet in the kitchen or bathroom from the point where it reaches the desired temperature.
• Cold water installation. This second installation is broader than the hot water installation and is responsible for bringing clean, cold water to all outlets in the home.
• Sanitation installation. This installation is responsible for transporting wastewater and rainwater from the house to the outside. Used or wastewater passes through these pipes and it no longer has any function inside the house. Some examples are water from toilets, shower drains, or sinks.

Other elements of pipe distribution

We’ve already seen that the distribution of pipes is made up of three different installations. Two of them are responsible for transporting clean water and the third for expelling dirty water from the house. Although the pipes are the main element, there are other elements that intervene and that are also fundamental in the distribution.

The water distribution system is much more than just pipes.

• Main stopcock. It allows us to close or open the flow of water that enters the house. It’s usually located at the entrance of the house and just by turning it, you change it from one position to another. In addition, a stopcock is installed in both the bathroom and kitchen. It’s in a hidden place (for aesthetics) but in sight. It allows the water to flow through the entire house and is mostly used when there’s a failure or a leak.
• Meter. Like the stopcock, it’s located at the entrance of the house. Its function is to control the water consumption of the house. Subsequently, it’s from this that data and invoices are issued.
• Siphon. Placed in each of the drains, dirty water that no longer has any function in the home is transported through them. The shape of the siphon is a curve and its other objective is to prevent bad odors from being released inside the home.

All these elements are in the house. In reality, the distribution network is much broader and includes more elements and processes. It must be borne in mind that there’s also a prior acquisition and distribution process. Once the water leaves the house, it runs through the sewer system until it reaches the sewage treatment plant, where it’s cleaned.

Distribution of pipes in a house: type of pipes

Pipes within a house are of different thicknesses and made from different materials. It depends on the area in which they’re located (interior or exterior) and the volume and type of water that they transport. The types of pipes that are commonly present in a home are the following:

• copper: the most used pipes in home construction. Their main advantage is that they’re highly resistant to corrosion and the passage of time.
• Polypropylene: increasingly used in indoor installations, working with this material is much easier. Polypropylene perfectly withstands high temperatures, so they’re also useful for transporting hot water.
• Polyethylene: flexible and provide better resistance to corrosion than polypropylene pipes. Their drawback is that they don’t withstand high temperatures or sunlight. For this reason, they’re recommended for underground outdoor installations.
• PVC: used for the sanitation network since their use in distributions that are destined for human consumption isn’t recommended.