Plumbing

Plumbing is the system of pipes, fixtures, fittings, and appliances designed to supply potable water for use and to remove liquid waste and wastewater from a building. It encompasses water supply, drainage, venting, and stormwater management.

The potable water system brings clean water to taps and appliances under pressure, while the drainage system carries wastewater away by gravity. Vent pipes allow air to enter the system to prevent siphoning and aid flow.

Common components include pipes and fittings, fixtures such as sinks and toilets, valves, traps, cleanouts, pumps, and backflow preventers. Materials vary by application and code; common choices are copper, PVC, CPVC, PEX, cast iron, and steel.

Codes and standards govern design, installation, and inspection to protect public health. In many regions plumbers work to codes such as the International Plumbing Code or Uniform Plumbing Code, and may require licensing and permit checks.

History traces plumbing to ancient civilizations that built public baths and aqueducts. Modern plumbing advanced with standardized pipes, fixtures, and pressurized water systems in the 19th and 20th centuries, along with plastics such as PVC and PEX.

Maintenance involves detecting leaks, clearing blockages, and preventing water hammer. Proper design includes frost protection, cleanouts for access, and backflow prevention to keep contaminants from entering the potable supply.