Plumbing systems for buildings consist of the drainage system and the system of water supply. Drainage systems include the house sewer, house drain, soil waste and vent stacks, branch fixture connections and fixtures, and in some cases the subsoil drainage.

House Sewer Defined

The house sewer is that portion of the drainage system that extends from the street sewer or other place of sewage disposal to a point not less than five feet outside the foundation wall. It receives the discharge from the house drain, rain leaders, yard and area drains, and in some cases from the subsoil drains.

Tile House Sewers

House sewers are generally made of tile pipe, although cast-iron pipe is sometimes used. When constructed of tile pipe, the pipe should be straight, cylindrical, smooth and perfectly burned and should have a good salt glaze over the entire inner and outer surfaces, except the inside of hubs and the outside of the spigot end, which should be left unglazed, otherwise cement will not adhere to the pipe and an imperfect joint will result.