Plants in a nursery are shown being watered, followed by a close up of a plumbed irrigation system.
Providing water and removing waste are two of the most basic and important functions in a home, on a farm and in a business.
An aerial view of a large irrigation system in a field.
There are two basic plumbing systems: the water supply system and the drain waste system.
A water supply pool is shown, followed by running water and a series of pipes in a trench.
The water supply system brings fresh water into our homes and farms from underground wells or aboveground reservoirs through a complex system of pipes.
A person is spraying a hose with excellent pressure into a bucket.
The water that comes in from the water supply system is pumped under pressure.
A young woman is watering plants in a nursery with a hose.
Pumps provide enough pressure to allow water to travel upstairs, uphill, around corners, or wherever else it's needed.
A person with a clipboard is inspecting meters against a brick wall. The camera focuses on the meters.
Water from public water supplies pass through a water meter when entering a building. Water will pass through a meter first to register the amount you use.
A shutoff valve is shown.
The main water shut off valve is typically located close to the meter, in case you need to turn water off in an emergency.
A series of PVC plumbing is shown on a ceiling.
Drain waste systems do not depend on pressure like water supply systems.
Interior plumbing is shown in new construction.
Instead, drainage pipes all angle downward and gravity pulls the waste along.
A sewage treatment facility is shown from an aerial view.
The sewer line continues this downward flow to a sewage treatment facility or a septic tank.
A slide labeled Plumbing Tools is shown. Several tools are shown on the slide.
Before you begin any plumbing work, you will need sufficient training on the many tools plumbing requires. Improper tool usage can cause personal injury and damage to the plumbing system. Tools include those for cutting, bending, gluing, and soldering pipes.
A plumber is shown working while wearing a mask, protective glasses, proper coveralls, and gloves.
In addition, you should always wear the proper personal protective equipment or PPE.
A slide labeled Types of Pipe is shown. Several types of pipe are shown on the slide as noted by the narrator.
The three main types of pipe used in a water supply system are copper pipe, steel pipe, and several types of plastic pipe.
Rigid copper piping is shown.
Rigid copper piping is used for indoor plumbing applications.
Spools of flexible copper piping is shown.
Flexible copper piping is most often used for below ground applications.
Galvanized steel pipe is shown.
Galvanized steel pipe is more rigid and stronger than copper piping, but the need for steel pipe has diminished as the use of PVC and copper piping has increased.
PVC piping is shown in multiple applications.
PVC is a type of plastic pipe. It is a versatile type of pipe being used in a wide variety of plumbing applications. It is often easier to use than steel or copper piping. PVC is also less expensive and requires less specialized tools to cut, glue, and work with it, making it a very popular plumbing option.
A slide labeled Ways to Join Pipes is shown. Several items are shown on the slide as noted by the narrator.
There are many different ways to join pipes. Fittings, couplings, bushings, and adapters are all available for specific needs.
The slide transitions to a second slide. A label Fittings appears, followed by two image examples.
Fittings is a general term for an object that joins pipes and installs fixtures. They are available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and angles for your needs.
A label Couplings appears, followed by an image example.
Couplings are used to connect two sections of pipe of equal diameter.
A label Bushing appears, followed by an image example. Then, the same for a label and image example for Adapter.
Bushings are used to join two pieces of pipe with different diameters, and adapters are used to join two sections of pipe made from different materials, such as joining a steel pipe to a PVC pipe.
An image of leaking PVC plumbing is shown.
Regardless of the plumbing application, pipes should not leak.
Piping in a variety of different diameters is shown.
They must also be sized to carry the load of water or waste. Plumbers have to plan and problem solve so that pipes move liquids effectively.