ABS -
(Aristocraft bristone styrine)
Pipe used for waste, vent, and drain lines made of rigid plastic.
"A" Valve -
A valve used to manually shut gas off.
Access Panel -
For servicing purposes, an opening in a wall or ceiling near plumbing/electrical fixtures.
Acid -
Increasess the concentration of hydrogen ions when dissolved in water. Acid dissolves common metals.
Acidity -
The measurement of acid concentration in water.
Acrylic -
For the purpose of waterproofing shower walls, it is a thermoplastic added to the surface of bathtubs and whirlpools.
Adaptor -
A fitting that allows for different pipe types to unite.
Aerator -
A device that adds air into flowing water from the end of a faucet to reduce splashing.
Airbreak -
A separation between the waste receptor and the fixture, appliance, or device that is indirectly connected.
Air Lock -
An air bubble in the line that blocks the flow of liquid on the suction side of the pump.
Alkali/Alkalinity -
The measurement of a water supply’s ability to neutralize acids.
Ambient Temperature -
The average temperature of the air surrounding an appliance.
Angular Discharge Tube -
A tube that changes the direction of water flow by 90 degrees.
Angle Stop -
Used for emergency repair, it is a shutoff mechanism between water pipes and a faucet.
Anode Rod -
For the purpose of extending the life of the tank, it is a rob installed in a water heats that reduces corrosion.
Anti-Siphon -
Prevents water from trickling back into the supply that is feeding into a sprinkler system.
Glossary Items starting with "B"
Backflow -
Flow of water or other substances into the distributing pipes of a potable supply of water from unintended sources.
Back Flow Preventer -
Prevents water or other substances from traveling back into the main distribution system. A backflow preventer is required for sprinkler systems, handheld showers, pullout faucet sprouts, kitchen sprayers, and other various devices.
Back Pressure -
Pressure against the flow of fluid in a piping system.
Back Siphonage -
The reverse flow of liquid due to a partial vacuum in the pipe.
Backup -
A clogged plumbing fixture due to drain stoppage.
Backwater Valve -
A valve within the sewer line that prevents sewage from reversing travel into the building.
Ball Check Valve -
A valve that utilizes a ball to seal an area and stop flow in a certain direction.
Ballcock -
The fill valve that determines the flow of water from the water supply line to the toilet tank.
Basin Wrench -
A long-handled wrench with jaws mounted on a swivel that can reach nuts in a previously installed sink.
Basket Strainer -
A strainer that fits into a sink or shower drain that allows water to run through, but catches food, hair, and other objects to prevent clogging.
Bidet (pronounced Bid-day) -
Consisting of a washing basin, hot/cold faucet, and sprayer, it is mounted near a toilet for the purpose of washing one’s self.
Bleed -
Bleeding is the process of draining a pipe, tube, or hose of excess air.
Blowbag -
Blowbags are devices that clean drains. They are made up of a rubber bladder with a hose fitting on one end and a nozzle on the other. The blowbag is attached to a water hose and the hose is inserted into a clogged drainpipe. Water is expelled in pulses, forcing water through the clog.
Boiler -
A tank that heats water and turns it to steam for power or hot water.
Branch -
Various parts of a drain system, less the main, riser, or stack.
Branch Vent -
A vent that connects 1+ single vents with a vent stack.
BTU (British Thermal Unit) -
A unit of heat energy needed to raise 1 lbs. of water by 1 degree.
Glossary Items starting with "C"
Catch Basin -
A below ground container with a grate that collects storm water run-off. It catches debris, preventing water pollution.
Centerset -
A type of bathroom faucet with a spout and handles that are 4 inches apart.
Cesspool -
A cesspool is an underground excavation in the ground that receives the discharges of a drainage system. It retains the organic, solid matter and permits the liquids to seep through.
Check Valve -
A backflow preventer that only permits water to flow in one direction.
Circuit Vent -
A vertical vent drainage system run from the last two traps on a horizontal drain line to the main vent stack.
Cistern -
An underground rainwater storage container.
Cleanout Plug -
A cleanout plug provides access to a drain pipe to clear out obstructions.
Closet -
Another phrase for toilet.
Closet Auger -
A rod that can access the built-in trap to remove clogs.
Closet Bend -
A fitting mounted below the toilet, connecting the closet flange with the toilet drain.
Closet Flange -
A closet flange is an anchoring ring that attaches to the closet bend, and then is secured to the floor.
Cock -
A faucet or valve that regulates the flow of water; it is also known as a ballcock.
Common Vent -
A drain system within a building that connects 2+ fixture branches on the same level.
Compression Fitting -
A pipe connection where a nut and sleeve is place over a tube, compressing it tightly around the tube as the nut is tightened; this forms a seal without soldering.
Compression Valve -
A valve used for water faucets. It opens and closes by raising and lowering a horizontal disk.
Coupling -
A hood for the vent pipe.
CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride) -
A plastic pipe used in some water supply systems, depending on code requirements.
Culvert -
Similar to a pipe, a construction of concrete that allows drainage underneath a road.
Glossary Items starting with "D"
Desanco Fitting -
A compression adapter that attaches tubular brass fittings to PVC pipes.
Diaphragm -
To prevent debris build-up within the valve, a diaphragm is a flexible membrane within a valve that regulates water flow from the supply lines.
Dip Tube -
A tube with the purpose of bringing cold water to the bottom of the water heater tank.
Direct Tap -
A clamp on a branch line that takes it off of the main line.
Discharge Tube -
A discharge tube is an outlet tube that connects a disposer/sump pump to a drain line.
Disposal Field -
A series of trenches that distribute waste uniformly into the soil.
Dishwasher Tailpiece -
An adapter that unites a basket strainer to a drainpipe with a dishwasher inlet.
Diverter -
Used in showers, tubs, bidets, and sinks, they are valves that direct water to certain outlets.
Drip Leg -
A pipe with one closed end that is placed at a low point in the gas piping to collect and remove condensate.
Drum Trap -
This type of trap is no longer used. It was formerly used as a trap in sewer lines.
Duo Valve -
A hot and cold valve with a single on/off lever used for washing machines.
DWV -
Abbreviation for Drain, Waste and Vent.
Glossary Items starting with "E"
E Coli -
An abbreviation for Escherichia Coli, a bacteria that reveals fecal contamination.
Earthquake Strap -
A metal strap that secures a water heater to a building’s frame or foundation.
Efficiency -
Generally expressed as a percentage, a term that describes the ability to utilize energy.
Effluent -
Liquid waste from a Septic system.
Elbow -
A pipe fitting that changes the direction of the line.
Escutcheon -
A trim beneath a faucet handle that covers the faucet stem and the hole; the escutcheon is used for vanity purposes.
Expansion Tank -
A tank with thermal expansion that has the ability to absorb excess pressure.
Glossary Items starting with "F"
Fall/Flow -
For the purpose of adequate drainage, the accurate slope of a pipe.
Female Fitting -
A fitting in which another fitting or pipe is inserted.
Finish Plumbing -
Plumbing fixture installation to make a system usable.
Fixture -
The device within a plumbing system that provides a supply of water and or its disposal.
Flapper Valve -
A piece of equipment on the bottom of the toilet tank that opens and closes, regulating the flow of water from the tank into the bowl.
Float Ball -
A ball connected to the ballcock that rises and falls with the water within the tank. It regulates the ballcock as needed.
Floor Flange -
A piece of equipment that connects a toilet and floor drain.
Flushometer -
A valve within a toilet that automatically shuts off after it reads a pre-set amount of water.
Flushometer Tank System -
A toilet flushing system that uses water pressure to flush instead of the traditional gravity flushing system.
Flux -
Flux is a paste that assists with the fusion of copper pipes and fittings before soldering. The paste helps the fusion and prevents oxidation.
Footprint -
The amount of floor space taken by an appliance.
French Drain -
A covered ditch with a layer of stones or other material.
Glossary Items starting with "G"
Gas Cock -
A plug valve that is installed and used between a main gas line and an appliance.
Gas Control -
A piece of equipment that controls gas pressure on a water heater.
Gate -
A Gate manages the flow in a conduit, pipe, or tunnel.
Gate Diverter -
A lever on a tub that activates the diverter valve.
Gravity Operated Toilet -
A flushing system that uses the natural downward pressure of water in a tank to effectively flush the toilet.
Gray Water -
Gray water is waste from sinks, showers, and bathtubs.
Glossary Items starting with "H"
Horizontal Branch -
Drain pipes that run laterally. They run from plumbing fixtures to waste stacks in a building or in the soil.
Horizontal Run -
The horizontal length between where the fluid enter a pipe and where it leaves.
Hose Bibb -
An outdoor faucet.
House Trap -
A u-shaped fitting that has two adjacent cleanout plugs.
Hubless (No-Hub) -
A drainage pipe made of cast iron that utilizes neoprene gaskets and clamps.
Hydronic -
A system that transports heat through circulated water.
Glossary Items starting with "I"
I.D. -
The abbreviation for inside diameter.
Indirect Wastes -
A waste pipe that discharges gray water by discharging it into a plumbing fixture.
Instantaneous Water Heater -
A water heater that uses a heat exchanger coil to heat the water.
Glossary Items starting with "J"
Jet -
A toilet feature that directs water into the trapway to begin the siphon action.
Johnni-bolts -
A johnni-bolt or closet bolt is used to mount a toilet bowl to the closet flange.
Glossary Items starting with "K"
Kafer Fitting -
A cast iron drainage pipe that attaches to the existing case iron lines.
Knockout Plug -
PVC test plug.
Glossary Items starting with "L"
Lavatory (Lav) -
Another term for bathroom or restroom.
Leach Field -
For the purpose of emptying treated waste, a porous soil with septic tank lines running through it.
Leader -
A leader is a pipe that carries rainwater to the ground or sewer.
Lock Nut -
A nut that joins two pipes together.
Glossary Items starting with "M"
Main -
All branches connect to this main water supply.
Male Threads -
The threads that are seen on the outside of pipes and fittings.
Malleable Fittings -
A pliable fitting made of metal.
Manifold -
A type of fitting that connects branches to the main.
Mechanicals -
The moving part components of plumbing, heating, and cooling systems in a building.
Multi-Stage Pump -
A pump with multiple impellers.
Glossary Items starting with "N"
Nipple -
A short length of pipe that is installed between fittings.
No-Hub Connector -
Used to connect different materials together. It consists of a rubber sleeve and a stainless steel band with hose clamps.
Glossary Items starting with "O"
O.D. -
Abbreviation for Outside Diameter.
O-Ring -
Used around valve stems, a rubber washer that creates a watertight seal.
Oakum -
Oakum woven hemp rope that has been treated with a waterproofing agent. It caulks bell and spigot pipe and fitting joints.
Outlet Sewer -
An outlet sewer is a pipe section that runs between a septic tank and drainage field in a septic system.
Glossary Items starting with "P"
Packing -
A material used on faucets that prevents leaks.
Packing Nut -
A nut that keeps the faucet in position and holds the packing material.
PB (Polybutylene) -
A type of flexible, plastic tubing used in some water supply systems.
Peak Hour Demand -
The peak hour demand is the time of day when hot water demand is at its climax.
pH -
pH is the amount of hydrogen ion concentration in water. The pH scale measures the alkalinity and acidity.
Pipe Dope -
A nickname for a material that is applied to a threaded fitting to create a watertight seal.
Pitch -
The slope of a drain pipe in the direction of the water flow.
Plumb -
The act of performing plumbing work.
Plumber's Putty -
Pliable putty that seals joints between drains and fixtures,
Plumbing Tree -
A set of drain waste, vent, and supply lines that have been pre-fabricated.
Plunger -
A rubber headed instrument that creates suction in a drain line or toilet and pushes a clog through the line.
Pop-Up Drain -
A type of drain assembly that uses lavatory lift rod or bath overflow plate lever. When it is lifted, the pop-up drain closes for the purpose of retaining water.
Port -
The opening in a burner head that allows gas or air-gas mixture to escape for ignition.
Positive Displacement Pump -
The PD pump makes a fluid motion by containing a fixed amount and moving it into the discharge pipe.
Pressure Balance Valve -
A shower mixing valve that maintains a balance between hot and cold water supplies by automatically regulating fluctuations in pressure. The result is constant temperature.
Pressure Tank -
A pressure tank is used in a well to pump water.
Pressure Tubing -
A pressure tube conducts fluids under pressure or at high temperatures.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) -
A PVC plastic pipe is used in non-pressure systems, such as drainage, waste, and vent systems.
Glossary Items starting with "Q"
Glossary Items starting with "R"
Rated Storage Volume -
The amount of water within a tank.
Reamer -
A grinding tool that levels valve seats in faucets to improve the valve stem fit.
Recovery Capacity -
The amount of water in gallons/hour raised to 100 degrees at a given thermal efficiency.
Reducer -
A reducer connects different sized pipes together.
Return Circulation System -
A system that eliminates the waste of hot water for long runs; this system also adds storage.
Revent -
A pipe that connects with a vent system, used to vent a fixture trap.
Reverse Trap Water Closet -
A water closet that has a siphonic trapway at the back of the bowl.
Rigid Pipe -
A pipe that transmits the backfill load to the foundation beneath the pipe.
Rim Holes -
A number of holes circulated around the toilet rim. The incoming water flows into the bowl through the holes, washing the inner surface of the bowl.
Riser -
An assembly that connects a faucet and water supply stop valve. It is also a name of a supply line that goes from one story to the next.
Roof Flashing -
Installed to prevent leaks, it is a sheet metal at the break of a shingled roofline, sewer vents, and flue pipes.
Rough-In -
Installation into the proposed location of the drain, waste, vent, and supply lines.
Rough-In Dimensions -
The measured length between the center of a waste/supply opening or fixture to a wall or floor.
Run -
A section of pipe that extends from supply to fixture or drain to stack.
Glossary Items starting with "S"
Saddle Valve -
A valve mounted on a pipe run near a clamping device or fitting. It enters the side of the pipe and provides a water supply for a low-demand device.
Sanitary Fitting -
A fitting that is designed to allow solid material to pass without clogging a drain, waste, and/or vent system.
Sanitary Sewer -
A drain that takes wastewater away from the house to a disposal system such as a sewer system or septic tank.
Self-Rimming Sink -
A sink with a built-in lip of the same material that supports the vanity top.
Service Entrance -
A pipe that connects the water company supply to the water meter.
Setting -
The distance from the top of the well to the top of the pump.
Shroud -
A drain outlet cover mounted below a wall-mount lavatory.
Siphon-Vortex Water Closet -
A type of toilet that has a trapway at the back of the bowl, integral flushing rim, and a water supply system that does not go into the trap.
Sleeve -
A pipe that runs through a wall to allow another pipe through it.
Slip Joint -
A connection made with compression fittings.
Soil Stack -
A main drain line that all branch lines connect to carry waste to the sewer.
Solder -
Melted metal alloy that fuses joints of metal together.
Spud -
A spud is a threaded opening on a water heater tank.
Stack -
A vertical main that reaches multiple stories; the main resides in the drain, waste, and vent system.
Stand Pipe -
A stand pipe is the name of several pipe types. A stand pipe is a vertical pipe that receives water from washing machines; a water supply for a fire sprinkler system, or a vertical pipe that has water pumped into it to produce a certain pressure.
Static Lift -
In a pump installation, the vertical length of space between the source and discharge water levels.
Stop Valve -
A valve beneath sinks and toilets that shuts off the water supply to one fixture without affecting the other.
Straight Cross -
A straight cross connects four pipes of the same diameter together.
Sump -
A pit for draining, collecting, or storing water.
Sweating -
Sweating has two definitions. It is slang for soldering and a term for condensation that builds outside of pipes or toilet tanks.
Glossary Items starting with "T"
T & P (temperature and pressure) Valve -
A T&P valve is a piece of safety equipment that expels extra pressure or heat from within the tank.
Tailpiece -
A piece of pipe that is fitted between a fixture outlet and its trap.
Tail Pipe -
The tail pipe is added below the jet assembly in a well system.
Tank -
A tank is part of a toilet system. It is a reservoir for flush water. The tank houses the ballcock, flush valve, and trip lever as well.
Tank Cross -
A fitting installed between a well pump and a bladder tank with valve, gauge, and an outlet for a pressure-relief valve.
Tap Tee -
A tee made of cast iron; this tee has a threaded female inlet.
Tee -
A t-shaped fitting that has three openings for branch lines.
Thermocouple -
A thermocouple is a small electric generator.
Thermostatic Valve -
For showers, this valve balances pressure and temperature control.
Trap -
A curve in a drain line that traps sewer odors, preventing them from escaping into the atmosphere. All drains have “P” traps, but toilets have “S” traps.
Trap Arm -
In a drainage trap, the trap arm acts as a waste arm.
Trap Dip -
In a drainage trap, the trap dip is the u-bend.
Trap Primer -
A line that connects the cold water line to the drainage trap for the purpose of releasing small amounts of water into the trap to maintain the water seal.
Trap Seal -
A trap seal is the height of the water in a toilet bowl while not in use. It acts as a water seal to prevent sewer gases from seeping into the home.
Trapway -
A connection between the bowl and waste outlet in a toilet. Trapways are measured by the largest diameter ball that can pass through it.
Trip Lever -
The handle and actuating arm on a toilet tank or the lever that controls the drain on a bathtub.
Glossary Items starting with "U"
Uni-flex -
A one-piece stop and riser.
Union -
A three piece fitting that joins two pipes together with the ability to disconnect without cutting the pipe.
Usable Storage -
The percentage of hot water that can be taken from a tank without lowering the temperature to the point it is not considered hot.
Glossary Items starting with "V"
Vacuum Breaker -
A device that prevents the backflow of impure water into the water supply system.
Valve Seat -
A part of the valve that is stationary. Water flow halts when the moveable portion of the valve meets the valve seat.
Vent -
For the purpose of preventing siphoning, a pipe that brings air into the drain system to balance air pressure.
Vent Header -
Several vents connect to the vent header, which leads to the vent stack.
Vent Stack -
The top portion of a soil stack, that allows gases and odors to escape.
Vent System -
A vent system provides an airflow to and from the drainage system. The air protects against siphoning and back-pressure.
Venturi -
For the purpose of creating a suction in a vacuum pump, a venturi is a short, narrow tube that increases the speed of the flow of a fluid and decreases the fluid pressure.
Viscosity -
Viscosity is the resistance of fluid flow due to molecular friction.
Vitreous China -
A non-porous ceramic used for bathroom fixtures.
Glossary Items starting with "W"
Washdown Water Closet -
A water closet with a front siphon trapway and integral flushing rim.
Waste Arm -
A waste arm is an extension pipe that extends from a fixture into the wall.
Waste & Overflow -
A waste and overflow is a drain assembly for a bathtub. It has an outlet at the top that removes any overflow of water and a drain at the bottom that removes wastewater.
Wet Vent -
A vent that also acts as a drain.
Widespread -
A type of bathroom faucet with separate spout and handles.
WYE -
For the purpose of making branch lines, a Y-shaped fitting with three openings.
Glossary Items starting with "X"
Item Title - This is a sentence about this item.
Glossary Items starting with "Y"
Yoke -
A casting with hot and cold valves and the mixing chamber for water.
Yoke Vent -
A yoke vent prevents pressure changes in the stacks by connecting upward from a soil or waste stack to the vent stack.