PLUMBING N2 SUMMARY NOTES

COLD WATER SUPPLY

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SOFT WATER

Soft water is an acid type that easily corrodes metal pipes, and. in which soap lathers
well
 Corrodes- to have corrosive action
 Lathers-the foam made by rapidly stirring soap and water
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF HARD WATER
Water in which soap does not later well, but gives off a greyish scum instead.
Hard water is health for humans, but reacts negatively to pipes and boiler systems
where hot water is used.
TEMPORARY HARD WATER
Caused by bicarbonates of calcium and/or magnesium held in solution by carbon
dioxide
PERMANENT HARD WATER
Caused by sulphates, chlorides and nitrates of calcium and /or magnesium. These salts
are taken into solution without the presence of carbon dioxide.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF WATER
 Soft – Soft water is water without dissolved salts naturally occurring or treated
water in which soap lathers easily because of low levels of calcium and
magnesium salts.
 Hard – Hard water can be either temporary hard, permanently hard or a
combination of both
 Neutral – The state of neutrality is found with pure water at 25ºC and containing
10 – 7 grams of ions of hydrogen per liter (A pH level of 7)
Neutralization is usually achieved by adding a basic solution (alkali) to an acid
solution, or vice versa
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 Acidic
 Brackish water-Salty or slightly salty, as a mixture of fresh and sea water.

WE NEED SOFT WATER:

 To conserve soap
 To improve quality of water
 To better the taste
 To better the odour of water

TYPES OF CHEMICALS THAT CAN BE USED IN THE CHLORINATION

STAGE.
 Chlorine
 Ozone
 Ammonia(with chlorine)
 Calcium hypochlorite(bleach powder)
 Sodium hypochlorite
TYPES OF CHLORINE CHEMICALS
 Gas
 Powder
 Liquid
 Solid pill form
STAGES OF A HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE
 Radiation
 Evaporation
 Condensation
 Precipitation
STAGES OF THE HYDROLOGICAL (WATER) CYCLE.
 PRECIPITATION (RAIN,HAIL AND SNOW)
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 RUNOFF AND PERCOLATION (GROUNDWATER AND UNDERGROUND

WATER TO SEA)
 EVAPORATION AND TRANSPIRATION
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A SINGLE – DIAGRAMMATIC SKETCH OF THE HYDROLOGICAL (WATER)

CYCLE.
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ADVANTAGES OF A GRAVITY SYSTEM IN WATER

 More economical with regard to installation cost.
 Operating cost and maintenance cost are kept to minimal.
 Reliable and ensures much more constant supply.
 Constant pressure ensured.
COMMON IMURITIES FOUND IN UNTREATED WATER.
 Disease- producing organisms of enteric (intestinal) original.
 Toxic substances most frequently derived from industrial wastes but can also
come from the careless use of insecticides and other substances.
 Biocides, even lead from lead pipes and – containers
 Colouring,usually flushed from the nature of soil strata it passes through
 Turbidity generally carried in suspension by the erosion of clay deposits
 Organic matter that produces odours and bad tastes, such as the odour of
hydrogen sulfide upon decomposition.
 Carbon dioxide that enables water to take up calcium, magnesium and lead into
solution
 Iron and manganese are taken into solution in the absence of dissolved oxygen
 Algae, which release characteristic odours and tastes
 Disinfecting chlorine, which may produce objectionable tastes unless chlorination
is well managed
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THE OBJECT OF FILTRATION DURING PUBLIC WATER PURIFICATION

 To allow the untreated water to
 Pass through layers of material
 While treated chemically
 Remove bacteria and microscopic suspended mater from the water
THE CHEMICAL REACTION THAT TAKES PLACE DURING THE BASE EXCHANGE
WTER SOFTENING PROCESS.
 The hard water has calcium and magnesium ions that are positively charged, and
the zeolite has sodium ions.
 As the hard water filters through the zeolite, an exchange of ions takes place
between the sodium and the calcium and/or magnesium
 Soluble sodium carbonate, sodium sulphate and/or sodium chloride are formed
 These soluble salts have no adverse effects on the degree of hardness of the
water
 It does,however,leave a brackish taste in the water
 The zeolite sodium base will eventually be completely changed to a calcium
and/or magnesium base and will then not be able to soften the water
 The zeolite must then be regenerated
EFFECTS ACIDIC SOFT WATER HAVE ON COPPER PIPES
 Copper is a relative safe because minute amounts of dissolved coper is not
poisonous and soft water usually leaves a green tinge on the tubing which is
quite harmless.
EFFECTS ACIDIC SOFT WATER HAVE ON GALVANIZED PIPES
 The corrosion of metals (galvanized iron) is accelerated if the water passes
through organic soils (peaty areas) and it can be neutralized by the addition of
limestone or chalk.
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TYPES OF GAS THAT CAN BE USED TO STERISE WATE DURING THE PUBLIC
WATER PURIFICATION PROCESS
 CHLORINE
 Calcium hypochlorite (bleach powder)
 Chlorine dioxide
 Ozone
 Sodium hypochlorite
 Ammonia (with chlorine)

PURPOSES OF A BASE EXCHANGEER WITH REGARD TO THE ABOVE

STATEMENT
 It conserves the soap
 It improves the quality of the water
 It improves the taste of the water
 It improves the odour of the water
DEFINITION OF THE TERM WATER HAMMER
 Water hammer is a sound heard from taps

COMMON CAUSES OF HAMMER

 Sudden closure
 Lime deposits formed in the pipe system restricting the flow
 Supply pipes not properly saddled to the wall
 Air valves not installed in the pipe connection
WATER TREATMENT NORMALLY COPRISES SEVERAL STAGES
 Collection from sources e.g. river,vally,mountain peaks
 Sedimentation
 Filtration
 Chlorination
PLUMBING N2 SUMMARY NOTES

REMEDIES THAT COULD BE APPLIED FOR WATER HAMMER

 Failure to fit supply pipes properly to ceiling joists or other fixtures that support
the pipes
 Connecting primary flow pipes and primary return pipes the wrong way round
 Closing a tap or a valve too quickly, produces a shock wave through the pipe and
causes vibrations, if the pipe is not fitted properly
 Lime deposits in the pipe system restrict the water flow especially in gravity type
or combination type hot-water system and faulty washers, especially in a higher
pressure installation

REASON WHY AIR SHOULD BE EXTRACTED FROM A PIPELINE

 Air in the water pipeline can lead to an increase of burst pipes especially FC
pipes
 It causes discomfort to the consumers due to sputtering of the water when a
cold-water tapis opened.
 When the air mixes with the water under pressure, it gives the water a milky
appearance and this can influence the taste

WATER PURIFICATION STAGES:

 Coagulation – Addition of special chemicals (coagulants) to the impure water
 Sedimentation – A stage where coagulants react with the colloidal matter and
cause it to bond to one another and form heavier, larger flocks that settle to the
bottom of the septic tank as a sludge.
 Filtration – A water purification stage that allows the untreated water to pass
through layers of material while being treated chemically to remove bacteria and
microscopic suspended matter from the water
 Chlorination – During this process, harmful disease – carrying micro – organisms
and pathogenic bacteria are destroyed. This disinfecting and sterlisation process
is archived by injecting chlorine into the water at high pressure
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HOT WATER SUPPLY

FUNCTIONS OF A PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE WHEN IT IS INSTALLED WITH A
PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE IN A CLOSED (UNVENTED) HOT-WATER
INSTALLATION
 When the water is heated and the system is not in use, the pressure relief valve
allows a little water escaping to prevent the pressure inside the system from
exceeding the maximum pressure rating.

FUNCTIONS OF A PRESSURE-CONTROL VALVE IN A HOT-WATER

INSTALLATION

 To reduce the incoming main pressure to a pre-set pressure rating

 And to maintain this pressure when the system is not in use
 And to control this pressure when the system is not in use

PRESSURE REDUCING VALVE IS:

 A pressure reducing valve is a valve used to control and to reduce the incoming
water mains supply pressure to a required pressure value.
 It is a valve mechanism that maintains and regulates the incoming supplied water
pressure for a system at a pre-set limit of the specific valve.

OPERATING PRINCIPLES OF EACH OF THE FOLLWING VALVES

VACUUM BREAKERS
 A vacuum breaker has a washer plate with a washer and is held in position with a
thin spring. When in operation in the installation, the water from water pressure
forces the washer against its seat and thus prevent water from out of the fitting.
When the water supply is interrupted and water is drawn from the system.
 When the pressure in the system
PLUMBING N2 SUMMARY NOTES

TYPES OF PRESSURE – REDUCING VALVES

 Direct – acting and pilot – operated
 Direct – acting valves have a direct connection with the opening and closing
armature, whereas pilot – operated valves employ the use of the process fluid to
assist in piloting the operation of valve
LACTO – TYPE PRESSURE ADVANTAGES
 The pressure – reducing valve takes up very little space
 It reduces labor and materials cost
 The valve is easily accessible for repairs
 Pressure at the draw – off points is increased
LACTO – T YPE PRESSURE DISADVANTAGES
 It is costly to replace
 If sand grain filter through the supply system, the pressure – reducing valve
starts to malfunction.
PRESSURE – RELIEF VALVES
 Relief valves are available in various pressure rating to suit the rating of a
particular pressure – reducing valve.
THEY ARE COLOR – CODED ACCORDING TO THE PRESSURE RATING
 50 kpa = yellow
 75 kpa = orange
 100 kpa = blue
 200 kpa = black
 400 kpa = red
PLUMBING N2 SUMMARY NOTES

COMBINATION HOT WATER GEYSERS

 Also known as a cistern type or gravity – fed water geyser) is a water heater
made up of a cold water storage tank and a geyser. It uses gravitational force to
supply its draw – off points with hot water
 We find a supply tank in a combination geyser because I is used to feed the
geyser with water at an acceptable pressure
COMPONENTS OF A COMBINATION GEYSER
 Overflow pipe
 Expansion
 Cold – water feed
 Lid
 Cold – water inlet
 Condensation cap
 Insulation
 Hot – water feed to tap –off points
 Insulation
 Access cover
 Hot – water cylinder
 Thermostat
 Immersion heating element
 Diffuser box
ADVANTAGES OF A COMBINATION GEYSER
 It has a simple design.
 It has low maintenance cost
 It is easier to install than other geysers.
 It does not require an expansion pipe through the roof
 It does not need an extra supply tank
 It is cheaper than other geysers
 It does not take up a lot of space
PLUMBING N2 SUMMARY NOTES

DISADVANTAGES OF A COMBINATION GEYSER

 The water pressure is quite low because of the height limit
 The water flow can be slow, because of the low pressure
 There is very little reserve water in the tank
 Modern mixers cannot be used as the water pressure is too low
 Airlocks can occur in the hot – water pipes

HIGH – PRESSURE HOT WATER GEYSER

 Is a closed (unvented) water heater that operates at a set water pressure. It uses
valves for pressure control and expansion control.

REASON TO INDICATE WHY IT WOULD NOT BE NECESSARY TO INSTALL

A SUPPLY TANK ON A HIGH – PRESSURE GEYSER WHERE A PRESSURE
– CONTROL VALVE IS ALREADY USED.

Both supply tank and pressure – control valve, control the pressure of water to an
acceptable pressure rating to the geyser and therefore they cannot be used at
the same time.
THE ADVANTAGES OF A HIGH – PRESSURE GEYSER
 It can be installed on the floor level as it does not depend on gravity for pressure.
 Horizontal and vertical version are available.
 You can use modern mixer valves with the geyser, as the pressure is high
enough (400 kPa – 600 kPa).
 Both hot and cold water supply is required to have a balanced water pressure.
T HE DISADVANTAGES OF HIGH – PRESSURE GEYSER
 The geyser is heavy and difficult to handle – it is made from solid 3 mm mild
steel.
 It is expensive compared to low – pressure geyser.
 The high pressure of water sometimes causes the geyser to spring a leak, often
because of gasket failure at the element and thermostat control fitting.
PLUMBING N2 SUMMARY NOTES

HIGH – PRESSURE GEYSER INSTALLATION ARE FITTED WITH A PRESSURE –

CONTROLLED VALVE ON THE COLD – WATER INLET PIPE. THE FUNCTION PF
THIS VALVE IS:
 The pressure – control valve reduces the incoming main pressure to a preset
pressure rating and maintains and controls this pressure when the system is not
in use
THE SOLAR HEATING PANEL AND GEYSER
Solar radiation depends on the following:
 Latitude
 Orientation
 Vapour
 The time of day
 The season
 Atmospheric condition
ADVANTAGE OF A SOLAR WATER – HEATING SYSTEM
 Solar energy used to heat water
 Decrease in electricity consumption
DISADVANTAGES OF A SOLAR WATER – HEATING SYSTEM
 Costly installation
 Added weight to the structure
 Unsightly on roof
 Not very effective in the periods of no direct sunlight
 Specialist labour is required to install such system
THE SOLAR PANEL WITHOUT GEYSER BACK
 This method is used outdoors for a small amount of hot water for, say, washing
purposes. When two geysers with a solar panel back – up are interconnected,
both should be on the same level, so that the solar energy could heat water in
the geyser simultaneously.
PLUMBING N2 SUMMARY NOTES

ADVANTAGES OF THE SOLAR PANEL WITHOUT GEYSER BACKUP

 The heating solar panel needs no electrical or mechanical energy to heat water
 It works very well on sunny days
 It saves on electricity or other fuels for heating water daily
DISADVANTAGES OF THE SOLAR PANEL WITHOUT GEYSER BACKUP
 It is a costly investment, in addition to the geyser, in the planning stage
 It cannot be used when there is no sunshine.
 Too much piping could cause the panel to deface the roof
 There will be two more holes through the roof to waterproof
SOLAR GEYSERS
 The solar hot water geyser has a tray attached, with water – filled glass tubes on
the entire length on one side.
ADVANTAGES OF SOLAR GEYSER
 It can be installed anywhere
 It brings about a great saving on the electricity
 Once fitted on the roof or on a stand, the geyser can be coupled to the existing
geyser.
 The geyser can produce 350litter of lukewarm water at 45% to 555, depending
on the heat of the sun.
DISADVANTAGES OF SOLAR GEYSER
 It is a costly investment, in addition to the existing geyser
 Water cannot be heated during rainy periods
 More pipes are needed to couple the solar geyser, which could disfigure the
dwelling
 More holes have to be drilled through the wall of roof top
PLUMBING N2 SUMMARY NOTES

 Hail could damage the glass tubes, although they have withstood a strong hail
force during testing.
INTERCONNECTED GEYSERS
INTERCONNECTED – Means to be connected at multiple points or levels
WHY GEYSERS ARE SOMETIMES INTERCONNECED
 Where a constant supply of water is demanded (hospitals, clinics, hostels,
factories etc.)
 When a current geyser needs to be upgraded in terms of volume capacity the
volume could be augmented by interconnecting it with another geyser
 When different heat sources are being considered as alternative supplies
(electric + solar solid fuel+ect.)
ADVANTAGES OF INTERCONNECTED GEYSER
 Where height from the floor to ceiling space is limited, two geysers could be fitted
to deliver a large amount of water.
 A great volume of hot water can be drawn off from two small geyser in parallel
DISADVANTAGES OF INTERCONNECTED GEYSER
 When a geyser is faulty, it is difficult to detect which one
 Two smaller geyser are more expensive than one large geyser
 More piping is be needed
 More expansion pipes have to be fitted
 More full way valves have to be fitted
PUSH – THROUGH GEYSER
 The push – through geyser, also known as a pressure – type electric geyser, is
usually small
PLUMBING N2 SUMMARY NOTES

ADVANTAGES OF PUSH – THROUGH GEYSER

 Hot water is available almost immediately
 It is small and compact and can be installed in small spaces
 It is simple to install
 No major pipes or valves are required
 The expansion pipe and water draw – off pipe are one common pipe
 No expansion pipes through the roof or eaves are needed
DISADVANTAGES OF PUSH – THROUGH GEYSER
 It can only be used with a wash basin – it is too small for other uses
 It is expensive, even though it is small
 It could consume a lot of electricity to heat up cold water every time the
consumer needs a few liters of hot water
PLUMBING N2 SUMMARY NOTES

DRAINAGE
DRAINAGE INSTALLATION –Is a system of discharging/conveying soil and waste
water from the building to the municipal line/sewage tanks.
BASIC REQUREMENTS OF DRAINAGE INSTALLATION
 A drainage installation is an installation which is vested in the owner
 It is intended for the reception, conveyance, storage of treatment of sewage
 It includes sanitary fixtures, traps, discharge pipes, drains, ventilation pies, septic
tanks, sewage treatment works or mechanical appliances associated therewith.
IMPORTANT DESIGN ASPECTS THAT SHOULD BE KEPT IN MIND WHEN
PLANNING A DRAIGN LAYOUT.
 The shortest most practical route should be used without affecting the
effectiveness of the drain.
 The number of branch pipes must be limited.
 The number of branch pipes must be as short as possible
 Drains should only be allowed to run under building where no other route is
available
 Avoid excessive excavations i.e. follow natural gradient of ground and consider
the installation of ramps where required.
 The underground drain should be at least 1 m from the building if the runs are
parallel to the wall.
 All regulations regarding ventilations, access, gradients, invert depths, etc.
Should be considered and adhered to
GUIDELINES THAT MUST BE COMPLIED WITH WHEN LAYING DRAIN PIPES
 Pipes must be laid according to the specified gradient shown on the plan.
 The pipes must be laid in a straight line between the points illustrates the drawing
 Make sure that the drainpipes and their joints are laid evenly on the bedding
material
 Do not try to leave sections of pipes or joints by putting more bedding material
under them.
PLUMBING N2 SUMMARY NOTES

 When accurate level have been determined, according to the drawing, drainpipes
can be laid down.
 If while you were excavating the trench soil was loosened at the bottom of it,
ensure to compact the bottom of the trench well, before laying bedding material
 After bedding material has been laid to the top, it should be compacted.
 After drainpipes have been laid, fill in the trench covering the pipes
 Before you backfill the trench you may need to cover the pipes with bedding
material
 Drainpipes that are laid underneath building must strictly adhere to regulations
which protect the drainpipes.
 Pipes made from rigid material such as cast iron, should be encased in concrete
 A concrete slab is laid over flexible drainpipes in order to protect it.
 A sleeve is used to protect drainpipes which pass through the structural walls of
buildings.
 Until you have tested the systern, leave section of the installation open to provide
easy access to joints, for testing and necessary repairing purposes.
THE TERM TWO – PIPE SYSTEM AS IT IS USED IN A DRAIN CONNECTION
 A two – pipe system, is a system where there are two distinctly separate
discharge stacks where one soil and vent pipe discharge soil water directly into
the underground drain. One waste and one vent pipe, which first discharge the
waste water into a gully and then into the underground drain.
REASONS THAT MUST INDICATE WHY DRAINAGE WORK SHOULD BE
THOROUGH TESTED AND APPROVED BY THE LOCAL AUTHORITY.
 Human health and hygiene will be compromised by poor sanitation and drainage
works
 Detecting leaks from underground drainage systems may take a while to detect
damaging foundation.
 Years of carefree and effective service should be ensured through high quality
materials and workmanship.
PLUMBING N2 SUMMARY NOTES

PRCEDURAL STEPS (IN SEQUENTIAL ORDER), WHICH WILL MAKE PROVISION

TO CONDUCT AN AIR TES ON DRAINAGE PIPES FOR THE POSSIBLE
PREVENTION AGAINST LEAKS
 Fill all traps with water
 Plug the open ends of the ventilation pipes.
 Fit one of the plugs with a T-piece that has cocks on its other two branches.
 Pass a flexible tube that is connected to a T- piece to a manometer by means of
a flexible pipe.
 Ensure that all the water is removed from the flexible pipe before connecting it to
the manometer.
 Pump air into the system through the remaining branch of the T – piece until a
pressure of 0, 35 kPa (35 mm head of water) is recorded on the manometer.
 Close the air inlet cock
 After three minutes, read the pressure in the installation on the manometer. If the
pressure is not less than 0, 25 kPa (25 mm water head) the installation shall be
deemed to have passed the test.
I
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WATER ORIGINATES IN NATURE IN THE FORM OF RAIN, HAIL, AND

SNOW. THE DAILY HEAT FROM THE SUN CAUSES THE WATER ON THE
SURFACE TO EVAPORATE TO FORM CLOUDS AND WHEN THIS PROCESS
IS REPEATED, IT IS KNOWN AS A RAIN CYCLE.
LINE DIAGRAM.TO SHOW THREE STAGES OF THE HYDROLOGICAL
CYCLE
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PLUMBING N2 SUMMARY NOTES