The plumbing system is one of the most important elements of the engineering equipment of the house, which should work stably and efficiently.
For this, the system requires regular maintenance, upgrading or modernization.
More importantly, you have to consider upgrading your plumbing system as well. [source]
In addition to regular maintenance, the plumbing system also needs reconstruction and modernization. At the same time, the earlier such work is done, the better, more reliable and durable your plumbing system works.
Modernization can be caused by both the natural aging equipment and filtering backfill, as well as by changing the chemical composition of water or by increasing the volume of water consumption.
It is very important to understand this and not to bring to an emergency situation — when the repair will be commensurate with the cost of the new system.
Why a plumbing system upgrade is required
Modernization of the pumping equipment system is always caused by one of two reasons: complete deterioration of the previous system or its insufficient capacity.
In the first case, we collect a new system (the same or improved, based on the needs of the homeowner) and simply build into the current infrastructure.
In the second case, for example, due to changes in infrastructure, new buildings on the site, new pumping points, such as a swimming pool, or an increase in irrigation facilities that were not provided for by the original project, the pumping equipment is forced to work for wear.
Therefore, it needs an appropriate modernization, thanks to which the system can cope with all tasks by 100%. A professional service company can easily realize all the needs of homeowners.
That said, here are the 7 essential keys to plumbing system upgrades for your home:
1. Installation of water supply systems
The water supply of a house includes a complex of facilities through which it becomes possible to provide the consumer with water of excellent quality and to the extent that is necessary.
Installation of water supply systems involves the use of these elements:
- Membrane storage tank
- Pipes of different cross-section and configuration
- A submersible pump or pump station
- Cleaning filters
- Fasteners, cranes and so on
More so, additional accessories and adaptations may be required, the specific list of which is determined on the basis of the conditions at a particular facility.
2. Upgrading of the septic tank
Autonomous sewerage completely solves the issue of household waste and wastewater disposal. The system can consist of one septic tank or several energy-dependent stations that process large amounts of waste by biological treatment.
Advantages of modern septic tanks:
- High reliability of work, strong body;
- Cleaning efficiency is up to 99%;
- The design of the selected model allows the installation of the supply pipe at different depths;
- The absence of unpleasant odors, quiet work.
It is important to conduct regular service maintenance, which will ensure the efficiency of the complex.
The installation of an autonomous system consists of the following steps:
- Determination of the installation site.
- Drawing up a plan for stowage equipment.
- Earthwork — excavation.
- Laying of inner and outer pipes.
- Connect the septic tank to the drain using a plastic pipe.
- Start-up of the system and commissioning.
3. Installation of water meters
The installation of smart meters is a step in the right direction when it comes to reducing the impact of these frauds.
The development of connected meters enables water utilities to improve their metering and to achieve a much greater level of transparency in the use of the water network.
All this contributes to reducing the volumes of non-invoiced water, while contributing to the reduction of water waste in general, answering partly to a more global environmental problem.
4. Installation of water treatment systems
The development and modernization of water supply and sanitation systems in your home is the first step in a long-term investment plan for the region. Here’s an illustration of a water treatment system.
This project includes investments in infrastructure to modernize the treatment and distribution of drinking water and the collection and treatment of wastewater.
From the point of view of environmental impact, this will offer considerable benefits in view of the elimination of groundwater and subsoil contamination, achieved through the extension of wastewater management systems and sanitation.
Improving the wastewater collection and treatment system will also generate significant environmental savings by reducing the levels of organic and nutrient pollutants directly discharged into receiving waters.
5. Installation of treatment facilities
Efforts to control sanitary wastewater began when it became necessary to prevent the spread of disease from infected people.
Current methods of collecting and delivering wastewater through underground pipes have virtually eliminated direct exposure of the public to wastewater.
The wastewater treatment system has three main components: collection, treatment and returns to the environment.
The collection system uses water to transport waste to the treatment system through a network of pipes, tunnels and pumping stations.
Once at the treatment plant, the wastewater is subjected to a series of processes that gradually remove the solids and make them suitable for discharge into the environment.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, “our Nation’s water infrastructure is facing challenges, due to aging, maintenance, and efficiency. Maintaining and renewing the pipes and facilities that treat our water and move it from place to place is critical at this point in time.”
Effective plumbing work in the home is really as a result of modern treatment facilities pioneered by the government.
Essentially, the treated wastewater, or “effluent”, is discharged into the environment, usually into a stream, after reaching the desired purification stage, while the solids extracted from the various processes will be further processed before to be recycled in the soil.
6. Installation of sewage and water disposal
The wastewater treatment is the set of processes to clean up wastewater before its return to the natural environment or reuse.
The waste water is water that following their domestic, commercial or industrial are likely to pollute the environment in which they would be discharged. This is why, in order to protect the receiving environment, treatments are carried out on these effluents collected by the urban sanitation network.
The goal of treatments is to reduce the impact of wastewater on the environment. The treated water is sometimes reused.
7. Installation of pumping equipment
The water supply, based on its design and constructive aspects, is divided into external and internal. The first provides the supply of water directly to the place of its subsequent consumption.
The second distributes it between separate water intake units located in the building itself.
The water supply in the private house can be integrated into the central water supply system, and also receive water from the well or well.
The first option is relevant for large cities, characterized by a fairly high stability of work, but requires a monthly payment for the use of the service.
The cost of the arrangement of the well is quite minimal, and the installation time is insignificant, although the water quality often leaves much to be desired.
As for the water from the well, installing it at least will cost a more significant amount, but it will allow the consumer to get clean water without any harmful impurities and additives.
Features of reconstruction
Modernization of treatment facilities allows them to restore their work or improve their functionality.
Reconstruction is carried out in the following cases:
- Increase in the number of volumes of effluents.
- The resource of systems is exhausted.
- The appearance of unpleasant odors.
- Wrong installation of the septic tank.
- Poor-quality work of the station, failure.
Repair is also carried out in case of need to update the sewage system due to the prescription of use.
The order of performance of works
Modernization of sewage is carried out by experienced masters or companies and is accompanied by a number of compulsory actions:
- Having arrived on a place, the company defines the reason of wrong work or breakage.
- Spare parts are selected, the need for replacement of elements, restoration of equipment is determined.
- Installation and all start-up and adjustment works are carried out.
Options for upgrading systems
Modernization of water supply systems and pumping equipment in the well can be carried out for various reasons and include various works. Everything depends on the state of the particular system and its elements.
i). Individual parts can wear out over time, simply by exhausting their resource. A simple option is a replacement, which can easily be carried out through mechanical intervention. During the repair, all necessary parts are assembled.
Also, other places of the system are examined, elements that, if necessary, can also be replaced with new ones before they fail.
ii). The owner of the deep pump, previously using a simple design, can decide to change something on his site, for example, create a watering system or make a pool, which will require more serious power.
In this case, new equipment is installed that will meet all the requirements, as well as adjustment and connection, which is also included in the list of services.
iii). In some cases, it may be necessary to replace one part, a small repair, we also produce on request. When a certain threshold is reached, the parts can break down, but it is usually possible to replace them with new ones, so the pump will continue to work again.
Purposes of modernization of the plumbing system
Often, the modernization of the plumbing system is to replace the pumping equipment. Using modern plumbing facilities also has its health benefits. As an example, when the United Nations declared 2002 – 2015 The International Decade for Action “Water for Life.”
One of the objectives of this initiative is to address common diseases related to water and sanitation which has claimed the lives of about 3.1 million people per year. Worse, 2.1 billion people still do not have access to clean sanitation facilities.
With science-powered facilities, the plumbing system becomes safer and healthier for everyone, especially the 1.6 million people who die as a result of diarrhoeal diseases caused by inadequate sanitation and lack of safe drinking water.
Installation of one pump instead of the other can be connected with the inability to find spare parts for the old model, with an error in selection, replacement of the budget model with a more expensive one with the need to ensure stable operation of the system.
Many are upgrading the system of autonomous plumbing to ensure its year-round operation — changing the summer version of the system to a version with a caisson or a downhole adapter and a pipeline laid below the freezing level of the ground.
Modernization can be carried out with the aim of increasing the level of automation, increasing water-pumping points, connecting household appliances and additional sanitary appliances, providing the possibility of automatic irrigation and for other purposes.
When is it necessary to modernize the plumbing system?
Modernization of the plumbing system is necessary when approaching the end of the service life of water pipelines.
The service life of water pipelines depends on the material from which they are made. For example, steel water pipelines should be effectively used for 20 years, and cast iron pipes — 60 years.
However, the aging of public plumbing networks and the reduction of their capacity can also occur at an earlier time (5-10 years after laying) due to the influence of some or a number of the following factors:
- The mismatch of the pipe material with operating conditions
- Violation of the conditions for laying pipeline systems in the corresponding soils
- Aggressive character of water, corrosion of walls, excessive pressure, sharp seasonal temperature changes, etc.
What causes the aging of underground pipelines?
The aging of underground pipelines for various purposes leads to:
i). Deterioration of physicochemical parameters of transported drinking water (for example, chromaticity) due to corrosion.
ii). The possibility of re-contamination of water (as a result of fistulas, cracks, breach of butt joints in the case of aging drinking water networks).
iii). Pollution of underground and surface waters, soils, atmosphere (in case of aging of oil and gas communications, drainage networks of domestic, rainwater and industrial sewerage).
iv). Leakage of water from pipelines caused by their aging also causes a rise in groundwater levels, which can lead to an intensive destruction of existing buildings and structures.
What are the main causes of accidents on plumbing networks?
The main types of defects that cause accidents on plumbing networks are: For steel pipes — through holes, fistulas (up to 70%); for cast-iron pipes — breach of the tightness of the bell joints (up to 12%) and fracture of pipes (16%).
The prevailing amount of damage falls on pipes of small diameters (up to 200 mm), which is about 75% of their total number.
Installation of water supply systems is a complex procedure involving various types of work. Regardless of the place in which it is held, and what materials and equipment are used during the installation of water supply systems, this should only be done by professionals.
This will avoid problems during the further operation of the system and increase the period of its trouble-free service.
Conclusion
The plumbing system is an integral part of small and large scale plumbing work, both in the home, workplace, or a public area.
If there’s a fault in the plumbing system or routes, an experienced plumbing specialist will be able to correctly locate the pipeline so that it does not interfere with the operation of other life support systems of the building and does not cause you any inconvenience.
Knowledge of the methods of working with different materials and tools will allow professionals to mount the water pipe as reliably as possible and avoid such troubles as the flow of pipes due to poor quality welding, clogging the system due to the improper inclination of the system, etc.
