Education
Education
Clear Answers, Honest Solutions
Accent Plumbing is a service company, not a sales company. We work with our customers to help them understand their problems and provide reasonable solutions to address those issues.
Code & Licenses
Plumbing Code
The World Health Organization recognizes that “sustainable health, especially for children, is not possible without access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation facilities”. Plumbing codes are designed to keep us healthy and safe.
There are two main plumbing code books that the country follows, the International Plumbing Code (IPC) and the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC). The state of Arizona tests on the knowledge of the IPC. The IPC consists of several hundred pages detailing the correct standards allowed for plumbing systems. This includes all supply piping, fixtures, and drain piping.
Licensing
Accent Plumbing is licensed for both residential and commercial work. We have held our license continuously since 1971. We follow the codes to ensure your house is built or repaired properly. You can view our licenses at the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
How Plumbing Works
The Basics of Plumbing
We use pressure and gravity to help water flow. Plumbing is roughly broken down into two systems, the supply system and the drainage system. The supply system mostly utilizes pressure, and the drainage system mostly utilizes gravity. These two systems must be separated to prevent the drain system from contaminating the supply system.
Supply System
The supply system typically starts at the city meter and runs to the house. The line from the meter to the house is called a “service line”. Where the pipe rises from the ground is known as a “riser” and typically has a shut-off to stop all pressurized water from entering the house. You can test the pressure at your house at that riser. You want your pressure to be somewhere between 40 – 80 psi. Once the supply water has entered the house, the water then splits to the water heater and all of the fixtures throughout the house.
Drain System
Once water has been used by a fixture, it hopefully goes down the drain. Drains use a p-trap to prevent sewer odors from coming back into the house. Each fixture has a different-sized drain line associated with it. These drain lines join together underneath the house to run out to the city sewer or septic tank. This single line going out is called the “main line” and should have cleanouts installed to help recover from any blockages in the pipes. The drain system includes three parts: drain, waste, and vent (DWV). All three of these are important to keep everything moving out of your house.
Types of Pipes
There are many different materials that have been used over the years. Every pipe has its pros and cons, but as a general rule, plastic pipe should not be exposed to UV rays, as they can break down very quickly. Below is a chart that gives a high-level breakdown of where the pipe can be found in a plumbing system.
Types of Pipes
There are many different materials that have been used over the years. Every pipe has its pros and cons, but as a general rule, plastic pipe should not be exposed to UV rays, as they can break down very quickly. Below is a chart that gives a high-level breakdown of where the pipe can be found in a plumbing system.
ABS
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene is used for drainage piping. It is a very cost-effective material and does not have a heavy weight. It holds up well for drain systems and can have very solid connections, keeping roots out.
Black Steel
It is used for gas piping and fire sprinklers. It is the cheapest steel pipe option, but it is not allowed to be installed outside.
Brass
It may be used for both supply and drain piping. It is a great transition material to use to connect galvanized steel and copper. Brass is the most expensive pipe to run water and is best only used in small lengths.
Cast Iron
A drain line that has been around for decades. It was used for all residential drain lines until plastic piping became the standard. Commercial properties continue to use cast iron for drain lines due to fire codes (the pipe does not burn or melt in a fire). Most houses that have cast iron piping are starting to develop issues.
Copper
It may be used for both supply and drain piping. It comes in different thicknesses and is available in both rigid and flexible tubing. Copper is not compatible with galvanized steel and must have at least a dielectric union between the two metals.
CSST
Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing is used for gas lines. It is a flexible style pipe that allows for quick runs in the attic and down the walls with minimal fittings.
CPVC
Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride is similar to standard PVC but can withstand a much higher temperature. It may be utilized inside the house. It can become very brittle and crack over time.
Galvanized Steel
It is used for supply, drainage, and gas lines. It requires a thread at each end to be screwed into every fitting. Galvanized steel is not compatible with copper and must have at least a dielectric union between the two metals.
Pex
Cross linked Polyethylene pipe is used for supply piping. It has been the standard supply pipe for new homes since the early 2000s. There are three types of pipe: A, B, and C. These differences are in how the pipe is produced. We carry type A, which can expand onto fittings.
Polybetylene
No longer legal within the state of Arizona. It was installed in new homes throughout the 80s and 90s, but there were several issues with the pipes and fittings that caused harm to many people. If you have this pipe, we would strongly encourage a repipe.
Polyethylene
Used for gas piping. It may not be used for inside piping and is only for exterior underground use.
PVC
Polyvinyl Chloride is a very durable and cost-effective material. It may be used for drain lines and any supply lines that are outside. It is commonly used for outside sprinkler lines. It may not be used for interior supply.
Shute-Off Valves
A shut-off valve is very important for managing the flow of water in your house. Shut-off valves come in several different styles, but the two most popular are gate valves and ball valves. Gate valves move a “gate” up and down inside the pipe as the handle is turned. These valves typically lock up inside the valve and should be replaced whenever they malfunction. Ball valves utilize a ball inside the valve that rotates 90 degrees to turn on and off. These valves are much more reliable, but they should be cycled periodically to prevent calcium buildup.
Angle Stop
Angle stops are the localized shut-off valves. They are located below almost all fixtures in the house. Every faucet and toilet should have an angle stop installed as the water comes out of the wall. Shower valves may have integral stops integrated into the valve. This allows the homeowner to shut off the water to a specific faucet without needing to shut off and drain the entire house. It is a good idea to cycle the valves at least once a year to break up all of the calcium buildup that can occur.
Code & Licenses
Plumbing Code
The World Health Organization recognizes that “sustainable health, especially for children, is not possible without access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation facilities”. Plumbing codes are designed to keep us healthy and safe.
There are two main plumbing code books that the country follows, the International Plumbing Code (IPC) and the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC). The state of Arizona tests on the knowledge of the IPC. The IPC consists of several hundred pages detailing the correct standards allowed for plumbing systems. This includes all supply piping, fixtures, and drain piping.
Licensing
Accent Plumbing is licensed for both residential and commercial work. We have held our license continuously since 1971. We follow the codes to ensure your house is built or repaired properly. You can view our licenses at the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
How Plumbing Works
The Basics of Plumbing
We use pressure and gravity to help water flow. Plumbing is roughly broken down into two systems, the supply system and the drainage system. The supply system mostly utilizes pressure, and the drainage system mostly utilizes gravity. These two systems must be separated to prevent the drain system from contaminating the supply system.
Supply System
The supply system typically starts at the city meter and runs to the house. The line from the meter to the house is called a “service line”. Where the pipe rises from the ground is known as a “riser” and typically has a shut-off to stop all pressurized water from entering the house. You can test the pressure at your house at that riser. You want your pressure to be somewhere between 40 – 80 psi. Once the supply water has entered the house, the water then splits to the water heater and all of the fixtures throughout the house.
Drain System
Once water has been used by a fixture, it hopefully goes down the drain. Drains use a p-trap to prevent sewer odors from coming back into the house. Each fixture has a different-sized drain line associated with it. These drain lines join together underneath the house to run out to the city sewer or septic tank. This single line going out is called the “main line” and should have cleanouts installed to help recover from any blockages in the pipes. The drain system includes three parts: drain, waste, and vent (DWV). All three of these are important to keep everything moving out of your house.
Types of Pipes
There are many different materials that have been used over the years. Every pipe has its pros and cons, but as a general rule, plastic pipe should not be exposed to UV rays, as they can break down very quickly. Below is a chart that gives a high-level breakdown of where the pipe can be found in a plumbing system.
ABS
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene is used for drainage piping. It is a very cost-effective material and does not have a heavy weight. It holds up well for drain systems and can have very solid connections, keeping roots out.
Black Steel
It is used for gas piping and fire sprinklers. It is the cheapest steel pipe option, but it is not allowed to be installed outside.
Brass
It may be used for both supply and drain piping. It is a great transition material to use to connect galvanized steel and copper. Brass is the most expensive pipe to run water and is best only used in small lengths.
Cast Iron
A drain line that has been around for decades. It was used for all residential drain lines until plastic piping became the standard. Commercial properties continue to use cast iron for drain lines due to fire codes (the pipe does not burn or melt in a fire). Most houses that have cast iron piping are starting to develop issues.
Copper
It may be used for both supply and drain piping. It comes in different thicknesses and is available in both rigid and flexible tubing. Copper is not compatible with galvanized steel and must have at least a dielectric union between the two metals.
CSST
Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing is used for gas lines. It is a flexible style pipe that allows for quick runs in the attic and down the walls with minimal fittings.
CPVC
Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride is similar to standard PVC but can withstand a much higher temperature. It may be utilized inside the house. It can become very brittle and crack over time.
Galvanized Steel
It is used for supply, drainage, and gas lines. It requires a thread at each end to be screwed into every fitting. Galvanized steel is not compatible with copper and must have at least a dielectric union between the two metals.
Pex
Cross linked Polyethylene pipe is used for supply piping. It has been the standard supply pipe for new homes since the early 2000s. There are three types of pipe: A, B, and C. These differences are in how the pipe is produced. We carry type A, which can expand onto fittings.
Polybetylene
No longer legal within the state of Arizona. It was installed in new homes throughout the 80s and 90s, but there were several issues with the pipes and fittings that caused harm to many people. If you have this pipe, we would strongly encourage a repipe.
Polyethylene
Used for gas piping. It may not be used for inside piping and is only for exterior underground use.
PVC
Polyvinyl Chloride is a very durable and cost-effective material. It may be used for drain lines and any supply lines that are outside. It is commonly used for outside sprinkler lines. It may not be used for interior supply.