Drain plumbing is a system in a home that carries water and wastes away from the house. In this blog, we’ll talk about how the size of the pipe dictates what type of drain is needed for your house.

Identify why you need a drain for your house

Identify why you need a drain for your house

In order to move water and wastes away from your home, you need a drain plumbing system. The size of the pipes installed determines the size of the piping for carrying away sewage or storm water.

Differentiate between the pipes and what they do

Storm water drains are small diameter drains, usually 4 inches or less in size, as they carry away rainwater from roofs and yards. The larger ones are the waste drain lines carrying waste water out of the house to a sewer main. Waste drain lines can be as large as 8 inches in diameter.

Define the most common drain sizes and what they are used for

1″ drains are normally found under kitchen sinks or bathrooms with 1-2 fixtures. They carry grey water, which means the water has been used for cleaning dishes or taking a shower/bath. A 2″ drain carries black water, which is waste water with waste still in it.

2″ drains are typically used for the main drain line coming out of the house. They can be found under most showers and tubs, as well as washing machines (Dryer (vent) stacks use 4″)

3″, 4″ and 6″ are used for larger piping needs, such as more fixtures, or for a sink on an upper floor. They can also be used as the main line coming out of the house.

In what specific areas should people look to find these pipes?

People typically run into drain lines in the basement, where there is some sort of plumbing fixture that needs to drain properly.

What are the top 3 things people should know about drain plumbing?

  1. Proper sizing for the size of your house is important to avoid backups, spills and overflows.
  2. Overflows on sinks are usually hot water supply line related. If you have a double sink, make sure both supply lines are of equal height or one will have a tendency to siphon or overflow.
  3. The vents on your fixtures are important for good drainage, so don’t cover them up.

Drain plumbing is extremely important to have in your home. Without it you would have the threat of basement flooding, sewage backups, and overflows occurring all too often with potentially disastrous results. Please contact a professional if you have any questions about drain plumbing systems.

Final Word

Drain plumbing is an essential aspect of any home. Failure to have this piping in your house can lead to serious consequences such as overflowing basements, drains clogged with sewage, and over-flowing sinks. To avoid all the potential dangers, make sure you speak to a professional if you are not sure about your pipes.

Drain plumbing is a system in a home that carries water and wastes away from the house. In this blog, we’ll talk about how the size of the pipe dictates what type of drain is needed for your house.

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