Glossary

Plumbing Glossary

A

“A” valve – manual valve used to shut off the gas.

Access panel – opening in the wall or ceiling that allows a plumber / serviceman to access fixtures behind it.

Adaptor – fitting that allows pipes of different sizes or materials to be fit together.

Aerator – device screwed onto the end of a faucet that mixes air in with water, helping control the flow and reducing splashing. It can be used with a baffle to reduce water flow down to 2.5 gpm.

B

Backflow – the flow of water backwards into the pipes instead of out where it’s supposed to go. Backflow is often caused by water being siphoned back into a pipe by negative pressure.

Backflow preventer – device used to prevent backflow. It is usually used in things like sprinkler systems, handheld showers, kitchen sprayers and anywhere where dirty water could get into a potable water supply.

Back pressure – pressure that resists the flow of water through a plumbing system.

Back siphonage – negative pressure that results in backflow.

C

Catch basin – large underground container covered by a grate and used to collect stormwater run-off. It also traps dirt and debris to prevent them from polluting lakes and streams.

Check valve – one-way valve installed in a pipe to act as a backflow preventer.

Closet – another name for a toilet.

Closet auger – type of plumbing snake used to remove clogs from the toilet’s trap.

D

Diaphragm – flexible membrane in a valve that deflects downward onto a firm area of the valve body and regulates the flow of water from the supply lines, eliminating debris buildup in and around the valve.

Dip tube – tube inside a water heater that sends cold water down to the bottom of the tank.

Discharge tube – tube that connects a disposer or sump pump to a drain line.

Diverter – valves used in showers, tubs, bidets, sinks, etc. to direct water to the various outlets.

E

Earthquake strap – metal strap designed to secure the water heater to the house’s frame or foundation.

Efficiency – percentage of input energy converted to output.

Effluent – liquid waste in the septic system.

Escutcheon – metal trim shield beneath a faucet handle designed to hide the faucet stem and hole in the sink or wall.

F

Female fitting – fitting end into which another fitting is inserted.

Finish plumbing – installation of the plumbing fixtures that make the system usable.

Flapper valve – valve on the bottom of the toilet tank that opens, allowing water to flow into the bowl.

Float ball – floating ball connected to the ballcock in the toilet tank that rises and falls in response to changing water levels, turning the ballcock on and off as needed.

G

Gas cock – plug valve installed in the main gas line and appliances.

Gas control – device that regulates gas pressure in the water heater.

Gate – device that controls flow in a conduit, pipe or tunnel.

Gate diverter – pop-up lever on a tub that turns on the diverter valve.

H

Horizontal branch – lateral drain pipes running from plumbing fixtures to the water stack, which is located underground or inside a building

Horizontal run – distance between the point where water enters a pipe and the point where it leaves

Hose bibb– outdoor faucet. Sometimes it is used to supply washing machines.

Hydronic – system of forced hot water.

M

Main – primary artery of the water supply or drain system that connects to all the branches.

Male threads – threads on the outside of pipes or fittings.

Manifold – fitting that serves as a distribution point, connecting branches to the main.

Multi-stage pump – pump with more than one impeller.

P

Packing – fibrous material used to prevent faucet leaks.

Polybutylene – once popular piping material;now it commonly needs to be replaced due toe its extremely low durability.

Pitch – downward slope of a drain pipe to direct water.

Pressure tank – device that pumps water from a well.

R

Rated storage volume – amount of water stored in a tank.

Reducer – fitting that connects different sized pipes together.

Riser – vertical metal or plastic – usually copper –  tube or assembly that connects a faucet to the water supply stop valve.

Rough-in – installation of drain line, waste line, vent line and supply lines to the proposed location of a fixture.

S

Sanitary fitting – fitting that joins assorted pipes in a drain, waste or vent system and allows solid waste to pass without clogging.

Service entrance – pipe that connects the water supply to the water meter.

Sleeve – pipe passed through the wall into which another pipe is inserted.

Sump – pit that collects water that gets into the house.

T

Tail pipe – pipe below the jet assembly in a weak well application.

Tank – reservoir in the toilet that holds flush water along with the ballcock, flush valve and trip lever.

Trap – curved drain section that holds water and prevents sewer odors from getting into the house.

Trap arm – waste arm portion of the trap.