Plumbing systems may not often receive the limelight, however, their significance in maintaining our homes and buildings cannot be over-emphasized. In this blog post, we shall look into the two pipe system of plumbing, which is commonly used in India owing to its effectiveness when many fittings are scattered far apart. Its uniqueness comes from the fact that it prevents the reverse flow of water and allows its recycling for gardening purposes, although it faces some challenges, especially in tall or cramped places.
We will outline different types of it as well as its advantages and disadvantages providing an easy resource for homeowners, builders, and anyone interested in understanding how plumbing works.
Two Pipe System of Plumbing
The two pipe system of plumbing is commonly used in India, especially when fixtures can’t be placed close together. All radiators are designed to have the same flow temperature and temperature difference in a two pipe system. Here are the four main types of two pipe systems:
1. Two Pipe System with Direct Return
In this system, the pipes that carry water to and from each radiator are shorter for radiators close to the pump and longer for those farther away. This means the water pressure is higher near the pump and lower farther away, which needs to be considered when designing the system. The direct return system is simpler to set up than the reverse return system.
2. Two Pipe System of Plumbing with Reverse Return (Tichelmann System)
The length of the pipes from the pump to and from each radiator is the same for all radiators on the same floor. This ensures an even distribution of water, which makes the system more balanced.
3. Two Pipe System with Overhead Piping
In this system, the distribution pipes are placed in the ceiling, with air vents installed in central positions. This type is common in large buildings because it is easy to balance and regulate and can be extended easily.
4. Two Pipe System with Underfloor Piping
This system is common in houses and buildings where ceiling space is limited. The distribution pipes are placed under the floor. In multi-storey buildings, radiators will need air vent screws.
Benefits of the Two Pipe System of Plumbing
- Good Ventilation: The two pipe system of plumbing ensures proper ventilation, preventing pressure buildup and potential blockages.
- Efficiency: It allows waste to be removed quickly and efficiently.
- Hygiene: Separating waste materials from vented air makes the system more hygienic.
- Prevents Backflow: No risk of sewage flowing back into other waste pipes if there’s a blockage.
- Water Reuse: Allows wastewater to be used directly for gardening or irrigation.
Disadvantages of the Two Pipe System of Plumbing
- Installation Difficulty: Hard to install in tall buildings where pipes end on service floors or basement ceilings.
- Long Pipes Needed: Requires long horizontal pipes to reach outer walls or sewers.
- Gully Trap Issues: Installing gully traps in high-rise buildings can be challenging.
- Space Requirements: Needs more space for ducts and shafts.
- Maintenance Problems: Crowded shafts make the system hard to maintain.
- Conservative Use: In India, it’s often used more out of tradition than practical necessity.
Applications of Two Pipe System of Plumbing
In houses built before the late 1950s, a two pipe system of plumbing was commonly used.
Here’s how it works:
- Soil Waste: The waste from the toilet goes into a large-diameter vertical pipe, called soil pipe, which runs directly to the sewage network and often goes down the outside wall of the house.
- Other Wastewater: Wastewater from sinks, baths, and kitchen sinks is collected separately in smaller pipes and flows into a gully just below ground.
- Ventilation: The large soil pipe is vented to the outside above the gutter to prevent bad smells and gas from coming back into the house.
- Traps: Each appliance has a U-bend trap filled with water to stop drain smells from entering the home.
- Combining Waste: The wastewater from the gully combines with the toilet waste a short distance from the house before heading to the sewers.
- Inspection Chamber Point: There’s an inspection chamber with a manhole cover where the waste from the gully meets the soil pipe.
Conclusion
A two pipe system of plumbing can greatly enhance the water efficiency and hygiene of your building. There are some installation challenges, but the advantages of good air ventilation, avoiding backflow, and reusing water make it worth the investment. If you are thinking about upgrading your plumbing system, it is advisable to consider the dual plumbing system for an even more effective and balanced distribution of water throughout the building. Take a step towards a better plumbing solution and talk to an expert plumber today on how a two pipe system could work for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Dual Plumbing System?
A two pipe system is an above-ground drainage setup with two separate pipes: one pipe carries away soil waste from the toilets, and the other pipe handles other wastewater from the kitchen sinks and baths.
What is a One Pipe System in Plumbing?
In one pipe plumbing system, a single soil pipe serves as a conduit for waste from sinks, baths, and toilets directly into the drainage system. It does not rely on different gully traps or waste pipes; furthermore, the vent pipe must be no less than 50 mm in diameter.
What is a One Pipe System and Two Pipe System of Plumbing?
Soil waste and other wastewater are managed by means of a single pipe in one pipe system. A two pipe system of plumbing includes one pipe for toilet waste and another pipe for transporting wastewater from kitchens and bathrooms. The toilet waste pipe is connected directly to the main drain, and the other pipe connects through ventilated gully traps.
What advantages does a two-pipe system offer?
A two pipe system of plumbing keeps toilet waste separate from other wastewater, preventing any backflow of sewage into waste fittings if the soil pipe gets blocked. It also lets you reuse wastewater for irrigation or gardening.
What are the Advantages of the One Pipe System?
This system offers a middle ground between the one pipe and single stack systems. It uses a single soil pipe to handle all waste from the toilets, baths, and sinks.
What are the Difference between One Pipe System and Two Pipe System?
| Parameter | One Pipe System of Plumbing | Two Pipe System of Plumbing |
| Pipe Layout | One main vertical pipe handles all waste from bathrooms, kitchens, and toilets. A separate vent pipe is also included. | Two sets of vertical pipes are used: one for toilet waste and another one for other wastewater. Each pipe has its own vent or anti-siphonage pipe. |
| Preferred Use | Preferred for small houses and buildings. | Highly favored for large and multi-story buildings. |
| Cost and Space | Uses fewer pipes, which makes it cheaper and requires less space. | Uses more pipes, which makes it more expensive and requires more space. |
| Efficiency | Less efficient in conveying waste. | Highly efficient in conveying waste. |
Does a Two Pipe System of Plumbing have any advantage over a One Pipe System?
Yes, a two pipe system of plumbing is more efficient because it makes certain that the water in the flow pipe serves only one radiator before returning back to the return for reheating. Unlike the older one pipe plumbing systems, this system helps achieve a more even heating across all radiators.
