How Plumbing Works: A Simple Guide to Your Home Plumbing System

By Benner Plumbing Staff | June 18, 2025

How plumbing works is something most homeowners rarely think about until a leaky faucet or clogged drain demands immediate attention. But having a basic understanding of your home plumbing system can help you prevent issues, handle minor repairs, and know when it’s time to call a professional. This easy-to-follow guide explains how plumbing works, covering key components, how water flows through your home, and simple plumbing maintenance tips to keep everything running smoothly.

What Is Plumbing?


Plumbing is the network of pipes, fixtures, valves, and fittings that deliver clean water into your home and remove wastewater safely. From drinking and cooking to bathing and cleaning, we rely on plumbing every day. Modern plumbing systems are designed for convenience, safety, and hygiene. Whether you live in a small house or a high-rise apartment, your home plumbing system plays a vital role in your everyday comfort and well-being.

 

The Two Main Plumbing Systems in Your Home

To understand how plumbing works, it helps to break it down into two essential systems:

  • Water Supply System

    The water supply system brings fresh, pressurized water into your home from a municipal source or private well. This pressurized system ensures water can travel through pipes to various fixtures throughout your home.


Key components include:

Main shut-off valve – Controls the water flow into your home.

Water meter – Measures your water usage.

Pipes and fittings – Typically made from copper, PEX, or PVC, these distribute water throughout your home.

Fixtures – Faucets, toilets, dishwashers, and washing machines all rely on clean water supply lines.

  • Drain-Waste-Vent (DWV) System

    The DWV system is responsible for removing wastewater and sewage from your home. It also includes venting components that prevent sewer gases from entering your living space and help maintain proper air pressure within the pipes.

     

Key components include:

Drain pipes – Carry waste and used water to the sewer or septic tank.

Traps – U-shaped pipes under sinks that prevent odors from rising.

Vent pipes – Allow sewer gases to escape and keep water flowing smoothly.

Sewer line – Connects your home’s drain system to the city sewer or septic system.

 

Common Plumbing Fixtures and How They Work

Every plumbing fixture in your home is connected to both the supply and drainage systems.

  • Sinks feature hot and cold-water lines with a drain trap below to catch debris and block odors.
  • Toilets fill with clean water and use gravity to flush waste into the drain.
  • Showers and bathtubs mix hot and cold water, and like sinks, drain through the DWV system.

 

Common Plumbing Materials

Different plumbing materials are used depending on the system and location within the home. Knowing what’s behind your walls can help you make informed repair or replacement decisions.

  • Copper – Durable and corrosion-resistant, often used in water supply lines.
  • PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) – Flexible and ideal for modern plumbing installations.
  • PVC (polyvinyl chloride) – Commonly used in drain, waste, and vent pipes.
  • Cast iron – Heavy-duty and long-lasting, frequently found in older homes for drain systems.

Basic Plumbing Maintenance Tips
Learning how plumbing works also means understanding how to care for it. Preventive maintenance can extend the life of your system and save money on costly repairs.

 

Here are a few easy maintenance tips:

  • Locate and test your main water shut-off valve so you’re prepared in case of emergencies.
  • Avoid pouring grease, oil, or food scraps down the drain.
  • Use mesh drain screens to catch hair and debris.
  • Treat slow drains promptly to prevent full blockages.
  • Check for leaks under sinks and around toilets regularly.

 

When to Call a Professional Plumber

While some plumbing tasks can be handled as DIY projects, others require the expertise of a licensed plumber. Issues such as persistent low water pressure, sewage odors, water discoloration, or loss of hot water often indicate a deeper problem within your home plumbing system. If you’re ever in doubt, it’s best to call a trusted local expert.


Understanding how plumbing works helps you become a more confident and proactive homeowner. When it’s time for repairs, maintenance, or full system installations, the team at Benner Plumbing & Heating is here to help. With decades of experience and a commitment to quality service, Benner Plumbing is your go-to source for professional, dependable plumbing solutions.

Posted in Plumbing & Heating, Home Maintenance and tagged ,