Plumbing

Objectives:
Students will be able to :

* Describe the types and grades of pipe

*Describe the types and grades of fittings
* Understand how to connect pipes
I. Plumbing in General
A. Plumbing supplies water and returns
waste – 2 part system.
1. Water Supply System – carries water
from source.
2. Drain Waste Vent (DWV) – carries waste
to septic system.
3. Plumbers install and fix plumbing
systems using the Uniform Plumbing
Code.
Plumbing is the system of pipes, drains fittings, valves,
valve assemblies, and devices installed in a building for
the distribution of water for drinking, heating and
washing, and the removal of waterborne wastes, and the
skilled trade of working with pipes, tubing and plumbing
fixtures in such systems
Plumbing is usually distinguished from water supply
and sewage systems, in that a plumbing system serves one
building, while water and sewage systems serve a group of
buildings.
Equipment and tools

Plumbing equipment includes devices often

hidden behind walls or in utility spaces which
are not seen by the general public. It
includes water meters, pumps, expansion
tanks, backflow arrestors, water filters, UV
sterilization lights, water softeners, water
heaters, heat exchangers, gauges, and control
systems.
 Plumbing fixture

A plumbing fixture is an exchangeable device which can be

connected to an existing plumbing system to deliver and drain
away water but which is also configured to enable a particular
use.
Specialized plumbing tools include pipe wrenches, flaring
pliers, pipe vice, pipe bending machine, pipe
cutter, dies and joining tools such as soldering torches and
crimp tools. New tools have been developed to help
plumbers fix problems more efficiently.

. For example, plumbers use video cameras for

inspections of hidden leaks or problems, they
use hydro jets, and high pressure hydraulic
pumps connected to steel cables for trench-less
sewer line replacement.
 Systems
Potable cold and hot tap water supply
Plumbing drainage venting
Septic systems
Rainwater, surface, and subsurface water
drainage
Fuel gas piping
Piping and plumbing fitting
There are 2 Types of Plumbing
Systems
1) Water Supply System

2) Drainage, Waste, and Venting

(DWV)
Water Supply System
 Distributes water under pressure
throughout the structure for drinking,
bathing, cooking, and laundry.

 This is a 2 pipe system.

 One pipe carries cold water, and the

other hot water
What is a plumbing system?
 Plumbing includes all the piping
and fixtures that provide water for
drinking, cooking, bathing, and
laundry; as well as a means of
disposing of wastewater.
II. Plumbing Materials
A. Pipe – rigid tube like material
B. Tubing – pipe flexible enough to
bend.
C. Nipple – short pipe under 12 inches
long.
D. Fitting – connects 2 pieces of pipe or
connects a pipe to a fixture.
III. Measuring Pipe
A. Pipe is measured in 2 ways:
A. Inside Diameter (ID)
B. Outside Diameter (OD)
Plumbers are SMART!!!
 Plumbers rely on math to make
accurate measurements and
calculations so all the pipes and
tanks fit together to work properly.
 In the
plumbing
business,
errors cost
money, so you
better know
your stuff!!!
 The Plumbers Tool Belt
Includes wrenches
and other tools used to:
 Measure
 Align
 Mark
 Cut
 Ream and Thread
A Few Measuring Tools
 Rulers, tapes, and squares.

RULER

T Square
Measuring Tape
A Few Alignment Tools
 These are necessary for determining
when pipes are level and plumb.

Plumb Bob
Level

Plumb – Exactly vertical

A Few Marking Tools

 Pencils, chalk lines, compasses, and

dividers.

Compass

Pencil
A Few Cutting Tools
 Various saws, files, chisels, snips,
and pipe cutters.

Chisel
File
 A Few Reaming and Threading
Tools
 Used for work on metal pipes. Reaming
the end of a pipe removes the burrs
caused by cutting

Adjustable Wrench
Pipe Wrench
IV. Grades of Steel Pipe
A. Standard (sch 40) sch = schedule
B. Extra Strong (sch 80) – used in
commercial & industrial settings
C. Double Extra Strong (sch 120) –
commercial & industrial settings
D. Steel pipe grades have the same OD
– use same die & fitting
E. Wall thickness differs to change ID
V. Types of Steel Pipe
A. Black Iron – gas, steam, no coating,
rusts easily.

B. Galvanized Steel – strong, lasts 30

years underground, no rust.
VI. Steel Pipe Fittings
A. Threaded fittings – time consuming,
must use compound or tape.

B. Dielectric fittings – connecting

dissimilar pipes, minimizes corrosion.
VII. Steel Pipe Information
A. Standard Length – 6m
B. Sized according to ID
C. Best material for resisting mechanical
or fire damage.
VIII. Rigid Copper Tubing
A. Thin walled (Type M – red): used for
home plumbing
B. Medium walled (Type L – blue): used
for commercial plumbing
C. Thick walled (Type K – green): used
for outside or underground
D. DWV (DWV – yellow): used for waste
systems - thinnest
IX. Rigid Copper Tubing Info
A. Measured by ID
B. OD same for all 4 weights
C. Sold in 10 & 20 foot lengths
D. Can be soldered only
X. Flexible Copper Tubing
A. Medium walled (Type L): used in
homes, usually for gas lines
B. Thick walled (Type K): used
underground for water service lines
C. There is no thin walled or DWV type
D. Bends easily – careful not to kink
E. Resistant to most corrosion
XI. Connecting Copper Tubing
A. Solder is used to connect copper
tubing
1. 50/50 solder is no longer used for water
supply systems because it contains lead.
(50% lead, 50% tin)
2. 95/5 is used where 50/50 can’t be used.
(95% tin, 5% antimony)
3. Flux is necessary to remove oxides,
promote wetting, and protect surfaces
during heating. Must clean first also.
XII. Rigid Plastic Pipe
A. PVC (polyvinyl chloride): cold water
supply, DWV, & irrigation
B. ABS (acrylonitrile butadrene
styrene):DWV systems only
C. CPVC (chlorinated PVC): hot & cold
water supply.
D. Available in 3 weights: sch 40, sch
60, & sch 80
XII. Rigid Plastic Pipe cont.
E. OD stays the same while ID varies
F. Sold in 20 foot lengths
G. Recommended for out of ground
work.
XIII. Flexible Plastic Pipe
A. PE (polyethylene): landscape drip
irrigation
B. PB (poly butylene): indoor hot and
cold water supply
C. ID stays the same while OD varies
D. Breaks down when exposed to
sunlight.
E. Low material costs
XIV. Connecting Plastic Pipe
A. Use primer to start softening process
B. Apply solvent cement
C. Time & temperature play an
important role in getting a good seal