Shower Plumbing 101

What You Should Know About Shower Plumbing

If there is one part of a home that goes unnoticed or ignored until it suddenly stops working the way it should, it’s the bathroom and, more specifically, the shower. In the average four-person household, a shower gets used anywhere from two to eight times a day! Each time someone steps foot in the shower, there is an expectation that it will work as it should - the hot water will mix with cold providing a nice warm stream, the water will flow down and out through the drainage pipe, and the water will all be carried away and out of the home. 

It’s only when the shower starts backing up, or water doesn’t come out of the faucet, or suddenly the shower and the rest of the second story floods that anyone gives their plumbing a second thought.

Every Home’s Plumbing System

When it comes to how their shower works, most homeowners might not have ever given it a single thought. But knowing some basic facts about the home’s plumbing system can help one pinpoint problems and solve issues they regularly face when their plumbing acts up.

When it comes right down to it, every pipe in the home is connected at some point. The pipe that leads from the sink drain, the washer run-off, the kitchen sink, and the dishwasher all connect. So if one of these pipes has a problem - gets a leak, cracks, or is blocked - all the other pipes in the home can experience issues too. Backups are the most significant problem, as a clog in the main drainage line can cause water and waste to back up into the tub, the kitchen sink, and even the washer!

Your Home’s Bathroom Plumbing

The plumbing in the bathroom is just one tiny part of a home’s plumbing system. Each pipe is connected to other pipes in the house. In the bathroom, there is a pipe leading away from the toilet, sink, and shower. Pipes coming into the bathroom include a cold water line for the toilet tank, hot and cold for the sink, and hot and cold for the shower. Each of these pipes must work correctly for the bathroom to function properly.

If any of the clean water pipes get a pinhole or crack, it may cause a serious leak. Not only will there be a significant decrease in water pressure when turning the shower or faucet on, but there will be leaks and potential flooding at the source. If the toilet mainline gets clogged, one may experience backups, toilet overflow, and slow drainage from their sink.

Your Shower Plumbing

The shower has several pipes that connect to both bring water and take water away. When turning the faucet on to get warm water for the shower, two clean water pipes will deliver both hot and cold water. These pipes are most often made of copper and, over time, can be prone to springing pinhole leaks. 

Pipes leading away from the shower are meant to remove greywater from the shower. These can be prone to clogs due to soap residue and hair that gets washed down the drain and stuck to the sides of the pipe. The best prevention for clogs in shower drains is stopping hair from being washed down in the first place.

Trustworthy, Reliable Plumbing Service

Charles Krull and Son, Inc has been providing quality plumbing services in Malverne, NY for over 110 years! They are dedicated to providing expert workmanship, flat-rate pricing, and clear communication to every customer.

• 
  +
• 
  +
• 
  +
• 
  +