The plumbing air gap and the fight against water poisoning.I consider the plumbing air gap as one of the most important ideas, a plumber or handy man can understand. Without the use, of a plumbing air gap you run the risk of not only poisoning your own water supply but also your neighbours supply as well. Your going to discover how this basic concept (plumbing air gap)is the main hero that guards against contamination.
Air Gap Seperation. This concept is so simple but to go against is simplicity is to flurt with ill health, sickness or even death. So what is this air gap code that plumbers live by? As the name suggests, it is just that, an air gap. (big suprise:) It's the space between a tap/faucet outlet and a plumbing fixture (tub, sink, bath or basin)
The plumbing air gap is indicated by the purple line. This should be a minumim of 2" or 50mm.This gap removes any possibility of the soiled water from your sink, bath etc from being sucked back up your tap. I know this sound impossible, so let me explain. Imagine your bath tap, set so low that its spout is sitting in the water.Your washing your days dirt and grime away while adding a bit of cold water to the bath.At this moment, someone in the house turns on another cold tap.This rush of water through the second tap can cause a negative pressure. And this causes your dirty bath water to be sucked up into your pure water supply. (plumbing nightmare.) This now contaminated water can now be drunk, used to wash dishes or used in cooking. This same concept also applies on a larger scale and can affect neighbours water supply. (This can lead to sick communities.) The air gap is the safe guard to all our water supply and must be adhered to absolutely. My last word. Over the last four to five years, shower slides with flexible hoses have exploded in numbers. I see about 70 persent poorly installed and breaking the air gap seperation code.I fear it's just a matter of time before we see the public, poisoning their own water supply:( Long live the plumbing air gap.
|