Indoor plumbing is often considered one of the most, if not the most important invention brought to us by the industrial revolution. We have the ability to quickly and conveniently remove waste and bring clean drinking water into our homes. This allows us to maintain a standard of living that is unparalleled to places in the world that lack home plumbing systems. These systems can be credited with saving lives and reducing incidents of sickness and disease, such as urinary tract infections and the development of kidney stones.You probably have not given much thought to your home plumbing and the sewer pipes that run underneath your home. If you have however had a passing interest in what happens when waste leaves your home, here is some information about the process.

The Plumbing ProcessYour home plumbing system begins with the connection of your home to the main water supply line of a municipality or other locality where you live. If you live in a location that does not have a main water supply, a well is established in order to provide you with access to fresh or potable water. Your home’s access to the municipal water supply is metered, which helps determine your usage and establish your billing rate.

Once the connection has been established, the line is split with a pipe that is connected to the hot water heater. Areas of your home that require hot water (i.e. bath and shower, sinks, laundry) receive a line for the delivery of hot water from the hot water heater. Fixtures such as toilets only receive cold water. A series of faucets and valves, throughout your home’s plumbing system, control the flow of hot and cold water. Wastewater, which is water that is not consumed and may contain contaminated material (i.e. human waste) is sent to the drain system.

Where Does All The Waste GoWaste exiting the home enters the main waste and vent stack. The vent stack prevents the buildup of methane gas and eliminates any smell that the waste material causes. Once in the main waste and vent stack, it is carried into the sewer line or septic system (in the case of a home that is connected to a main water supply line). This is also known as the Property Service Connection (PSC). PSC is designed to remove any blockages that may occur, such as the buildup of leaves.

The sewer line carries waste to a central treatment facility within your community, in order for it to be processed. The way in which human waste and other wastewater material is handled is based on a series of federal, state and local laws, such as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 and Clean Water Act Amendments of 1977. In many communities, human waste is treated and used as composting material, known as biosolids or organic fertilizer. This material may be offered for free or sold to growing cooperatives and other agricultural businesses for use in the farming process.

Potential Problems that Affect Your Home PlumbingYour home’s plumbing system is engineered to work in balance between potable water entering the home and wastewater exiting through the drain. This balance helps control and prevent crossover between the two systems. This balance may be disrupted however if obstructions occur within the system. One such obstruction is the growth of tree roots on or near your property that may exploit any leaks or cracks in your sewer lines.

Tree roots seek out the nutrients carried through your sewer line. Once they enter, they will quickly grow in the pipes and cause a blockage. This blockage can affect not only your wallet, in terms of the costs associated with repairing a damaged sewer line or any cleanup related to a backed up toilet, but also your health, by returning human waste material to your home. Taking a proactive approach is necessary when identifying any potential problems tree roots may cause and safeguarding your home’s plumbing system.