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A
ABS:
Aristocraft Bristone Styrine, a rigid black plastic pipe
used for drain, waste, and vent lines.
Aerator:
A device screwed into the end of a faucet spout that mixes
air into flowing water, and controls flow to reduce
splashing. It sometimes contains a baffle to reduce flow to
2.5 gpm.
Air Lock:
Blockage in the flow of liquid, esp. on the suction side of
a pump caused by an air bubble in the line.
Angle Stop:
A shutoff valve between the water pipes and a faucet. Its
inlet connects to the water supply pipe in a wall, and its
outlet angles up 90 degrees toward the faucet. These are
usually used to shut off water to a fixture in case of an
emergency repair rather than daily usage.
Anti-Siphon:
Preventive device for the backflow of liquid into a system.
Used on sprinkler systems to prevent water from trickling
back into the supply that is feeding it.
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B
BTU:
British Thermal Unit - A unit of heat energy required to
raise the temperature of 1 lb. of water 1 degree Fahrenheit.
Back Flow Preventer:
A device to prevent water from traveling from one system
back into any part of the main distribution system, usually
by siphoning, esp. into a potable water supply. This is
generally required for sprinkler systems, handheld showers,
pullout faucet spouts, kitchen sprayers, etc.
Back Pressure:
Pressure that resists the flow of fluid in a piping system.
Backwater Valve:
Sewer line valve that prevents sewage from flowing back into
the house.
Ball Check Valve:
A valve that uses a ball to seal against a seat to stop flow
in one direction.
Ballcock:
The fill valve that controls the flow of water from the
water supply line into a gravity-operated toilet tank. It is
controlled by a float mechanism that floats in the tank
water. When the toilet is flushed, the float drops and opens
the ballcock, releasing water into the tank and/or bowl. As
the water in the tank is restored, the float rises and shuts
off the ballcock when the tank is full.
Basin Wrench:
A wrench with a long handle with jaws mounted on a swivel
that allows the jaws to reach and handle nuts to fasten
faucets to a previously installed sink.
Blowbag:
A drain-cleaning device consisting of a rubber bladder with
a hose fitting on one end and a nozzle on the other. The
device attaches to a water hose and is inserted into a
clogged drainpipe. As water is introduced, it expands to
grip the pipe, and releases pulsating bursts of water
through the nozzle, forcing water through the pipe to clear
the obstruction.
Branch:
Any part of a drain system other than the main, riser, or
stack.
Branch Vent:
A vent connecting one or more individual vents with a vent
stack.
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C
Catch Basin:
Large underground container, with a grate on the top, for
collection of storm water run-off. It catches or collects
dirt and other debris and prevents them from polluting
streams and lakes.
Centerset:
Style of bathroom faucet having combined spout and handles,
with handles 4 inches apart, center-to-center. Also a
single-handle faucet installed on 4 inches center-to-center
faucet holes.
Check Valve:
A type of backflow preventer installed in a pipe run that
allows water to flow in only one direction.
Circuit Vent:
Plumbing drainage system vertical vent which is run from the
last two traps on a horizontal drain line to the main vent
stack of a building drainage system.
Cistern:
Rainwater storage tank, often underground.
Cleanout Plug:
A plug in a trap or drain pipe that provides access for the
purpose of clearing an obstruction.
Closet:
Toilet.
Closet Auger:
A flexible rod with a curved end used to access the toilet's
built-in trap and remove clogs.
Closet Bend:
A curved fitting mounted immediately below the toilet that
connects the closet flange to the toilet drain.
Closet Flange:
An anchoring ring that attaches to the closet bend and
secured to the floor. The heads of closet bolts, used to
secure the toilet in place, insert into slots in the closet
flange.
Cock: A
faucet or valve for regulating the flow of water.
Common Vent:
Building drain system vertical vent which connects two or
more fixture branches on the same level.
Compression Fitting:
A kind of tubing or pipe connection where a nut, and then a
sleeve or ferrule is placed over a copper or plastic tube
and is compressed tightly around the tube as the nut is
tightened, forming a positive grip and seal without
soldering. Also a flexible connector that has a nut and
gasket designed to attach directly to an SAE standard
compression thread, without the use of a sleeve or ferrule.
Compression Valve:
A type of valve that is often used for water faucets. It is
opened or closed by raising or lowering a horizontal disk by
a threaded stem.
Coupling:
Vent pipe hood, which protects it from the elements.
Culvert:
A pipe-like construction of concrete that passes under a
road to allow drainage.
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D
Diaphragm:
Flexible membrane in a valve that deflects down onto a rigid
area of the valve body to regulate water flow from the
supply lines. This eliminates the possibility of debris
build-up within the valve.
Dip Tube:
Tube inside the water heater that sends cold water to the
bottom of the tank.
Direct Tap:
Clamping device that allows a branch line to be drilled and
tapped off a main line.
Discharge Tube:
Outlet tube that connects a disposer or sump pump to the
drain line.
Disposal Field:
A series of trenches conveying the effluent from the septic
tank laid in such a manner that the flow will be distributed
with reasonable uniformity into natural soil.
Dishwasher Tailpiece:
A flanged adapter connecting a basket strainer to the
drainpipe with a dishwasher inlet.
Diverter:
Valves which direct water to various outlets. They are used
in showers, tubs, bidets, and sinks.
Drip Leg:
A stub end pipe placed at a low point in the gas piping to
collect condensate and permit its removal.
Drum Trap:
An obsolete, non-vented drain lead or cast iron canister
trap formerly used in sewer lines.
Duo Valve:
A twin valve (hot & cold) with a single on/off lever used
for washing machine boxes.
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E
E. Coli:
The common abbreviation of Escherichia Coli. One of the
members of the coliform groups of bacteria indicating fecal
contamination.
Earthquake Strap:
A metal strap used to secure a water heater to the house
frame or foundation.
Efficiency:
A product's ability to utilize input energy, expressed as a
percentage.
Effluent: Septic system liquid waste.
Escutcheon:
A decorative metal flange or trim shield beneath a faucet
handle that covers the faucet stem and the hole in the
fixture or wall.
Expansion Tank:
A tank designed to absorb excess pressure due to thermal
expansion (e.g. closed system).
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F
Fall/Flow:
The proper slope or pitch of a pipe for adequate drainage.
Female Fitting:
A fitting that receives a pipe or fitting. A fitting into
which another fitting is inserted.
Finish Plumbing:
Installation of plumbing fixtures to make the system usable.
Flapper Valve:
The part on the bottom of the toilet tank that opens to
allow water to flow from the tank into the bowl.
Float Ball:
The floating ball connected to the ballcock inside the tank
that rises or falls with changing water levels in the tank,
and actuates or shuts off the ballcock as needed.
Floor Flange:
A fitting that connects a toilet to a floor drain.
Flushometer:
Toilet valve that automatically shuts off after it meters a
certain amount of water flow.
Flushometer Tank System:
Toilet flushing system that uses supply water pressure to
compress water to provide a pressurized flush as opposed to
a gravity flush.
Flux:
Paste applied to copper pipes and fittings before soldering
to help the fusion process and prevent oxidation.
Footprint:
The area of floor space taken up by a water heater or other
appliance.
French Drain:
A covered ditch containing a layer of fitted or loose stone
or other pervious material.
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G
Gas Cock:
Plug valve installed the main gas line and an appliance.
Gas Control:
Device used to regulate gas pressure on a water heater.
Gate: A
device that controls the flow in a conduit, pipe, or tunnel.
Gate Diverter:
The pop-up lever on a tub faucet that activates the diverter
valve.
Gravity Operated Toilet:
A toilet that relies on the natural downward pressure of
water in a toilet tank to flush the toilet effectively.
Gray Water:
Waste water from sinks, showers, and bathtubs, but not
toilets.
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H
Horizontal Branch:
Lateral drain pipes that run from plumbing fixtures to the
waste stack in a building or in the soil.
Horizontal Run:
The horizontal distance between the point where fluid enters
a pipe and the point at which it leaves.
Hose Bibb:
An outdoor faucet, also used to supply washing machines.
House Trap:
U-shaped fitting with two adjacent cleanout plugs visible at
floor level if main drain runs under floor.
Hubless (No-Hub):
Cast iron drainage pipe with neoprene gaskets and clamps.
Hydronic:
System of forced hot water.
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I
Indirect Wastes:
Waste pipe used to convey gray water by discharging it into
a plumbing fixture such as a floor drain.
Instantaneous Water
Heater:
A type of water heater that heats water as it flows through
a heat exchanger coil.
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J
Jet: An
orifice or other feature of a toilet that is designed to
direct water into the trapway quickly to start the siphon
action.
Johnni-bolts:
Closet bolts, used to mount toilet bowls to the closet
flange.
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K
Knockout Plug:
PVC test plug.
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L
Lavatory (Lav):
A fixed bowl or basin with running water and drainage for
washing. Bathroom sink.
Leach Field:
Porous soil area, through which septic tank leach lines run,
emptying the treated waste.
Leader:
Pipe carrying rainwater to the ground or sewer.
Lock Nut:
Nut fitted into a piece of pipe and screwed onto another
pipe to join the two pieces.
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M
Main: The
primary artery of supply of the water supply or drain system
in which all the branches connect. In the case of drains,
known as the Main Vent.
Male Threads:
Threads on the outside of pipes and fittings.
Malleable Fittings:
Fittings made of metal which is soft and pliable.
Manifold:
A fitting that connects a number of branches to the main;
serves as a distribution point.
Mechanicals:
The wiring, plumbing and heating and cooling systems in a
building; also the components with moving parts such as
furnaces, plumbing fixtures, etc.
Multi-Stage Pump:
A pump that has more than one impeller.
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N
Nipple:
A short length of pipe installed between couplings or other
fittings.
No-Hub Connector:
A connector for no-hub iron pipe consisting of a rubber
sleeve and a stainless steel band secured by hose clamps. A
variation, a neoprene sleeve with two adjustable steel
bands, is used for connecting dissimilar materials, as when
connecting new plastic pipe to an existing cast-iron
drainpipe.
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O
O-Ring:
Round rubber washer used to create a watertight seal,
chiefly around valve stems.
Oakum:
Loosely woven hemp rope that has been treated with oil or
other waterproofing agent; it is used to caulk joints in a
bell and spigot pipe and fittings.
Outlet Sewer:
Pipe section in a septic system which runs between the
septic tank and the drainage field.
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P
PVC:
Polyvinyl chloride. A rigid white or cream-colored plastic
pipe used in non-pressure systems, such as drainage, waste,
and vent systems.
Packing:
Fibrous material that is used on faucets to prevent leaks.
Packing Nut:
Nut that holds the stem of a faucet in position & holds the
packing material.
Peak Hour Demand:
Time when the largest demand for hot water is needed.
Pipe Dope:
Slang for pipe-joint compound. Substance applied to threaded
fittings to create a watertight seal.
Pitch:
Downward slope of a drain pipe in the direction of the water
flow.
Plumb:
Precisely vertical. Also to test for, or to make vertical.
Also to perform plumbing work.
Plumber's Putty:
Pliable, popular putty used to seal joints between drain
pieces and fixture surfaces.
Plumbing Tree:
Prefabricated set of drain waste, vent, and supply lines.
Pop-Up Drain:
Type of drain assembly for lavatory and bath. When a
lavatory lift rod or bath overflow plate lever is lifted,
the pop-up drain closes so the lavatory or tub retains
water.
Port: An
opening in a burner head through which gas or an air-gas
mixture is discharged for ignition.
Positive Displacement
Pump:
Called a PD pump. Gear, sliding vane, progressive cavity,
lobe etc. the capacity determined by the pump speed. The
maximum head is determined by the horsepower available and
the casing strength.
Pressure Balance Valve:
Shower mixing valve that automatically maintains balance
between incoming hot and cold water supplies by immediately
regulating fluctuations in pressure. As a result,
temperature remains constant, though the outlet pressure may
drop. Also known as an anti-scald valve.
Pressure Tank:
Device used to pump water from a well.
Pressure Tubing:
Tubing used to conduct fluids under pressure or at elevated
temperatures or both, and produced to stricter tolerances
than pipe.
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R
Rated Storage Volume:
Quantity of water stored in a tank.
Reamer:
A grinding tool used to level or remove burrs from valve
seats in faucets so that the valve stem will fit properly.
Recovery Capacity:
The amount of water in gallons per hour raised 100 degrees F
at a given thermal efficiency and BTU per hour input.
Reducer:
A fitting that connects pipes of different sizes together.
Return Circulation System:
Tempered water from or near the point of usage which
eliminates waste of hot water used for long runs and adds
storage to the system.
Revent:
Pipe installed specifically to vent a fixture trap. Connects
with the vent system above the fixture.
Reverse Trap Water Closet:
A water closet having a siphonic trapway at the rear of the
bowl, and integral flushing rim and jet.
Rigid Pipe:
Pipe designed to transmit the backfill load to the
foundation beneath the pipe. Rigid pipe must be supported on
the bottom portion of the pipe.
Rim Holes:
A series of small holes in the underside of a toilet rim,
around the circumference of the bowl. Incoming water flows
down into the bowl through these holes, creating a rinse
effect or wash over the entire inner surface of the bowl.
Riser: A
vertical metal or plastic tube or assembly that connects a
faucet to the water supply stop valve. Usually made of
copper. Metal Flex Risers are corrugated to facilitate
bending. Also a supply line that rises from one story to the
next.
Roof Flashing:
Sheet metal installed at any break in a shingled roofline to
prevent leaks. Also around sewer vents, fluepipes.
Rough-In:
Installation of the drain, waste, vent, and supply lines in
a structure to the proposed location of each fixture.
Rough-In Dimensions:
The distance from a finished wall or floor to the center of
the waste or supply opening or mounting holes on a plumbing
fixture.
Run: A
complete or secondary section of pipe that extends from
supply to fixture or drain to stack.
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S
Saddle Valve:
A valve mounted on a pipe run by a clamping device, or
fitting that taps into the side of a pipe, used to make
quick connection to an existing line to provide a water
supply for a low-demand device.
Sanitary Sewer:
House drain that carries wastewater away from the house to a
sewer system or septic tank.
Self-Rimming Sink:
Sink with no metal ring that has a built-in lip of the same
material which supports it in the vanity top.
Service Entrance:
Pipe connecting the water company piping to the water meter.
Setting:
Pumps' vertical distance in feet from the top of the well to
the top of the pump.
Shroud:
Color-matched component under a wall-mount lavatory that
covers the drain outlet for aesthetic purposes.
Siphon-Vortex Water
Closet:
A toilet having a trapway at the rear of the bowl, integral
flushing rim, and a water supply system with or without a
jet, which does not feed directly into the trap.
Sleeve:
Pipe which is passed through a wall for the purpose of
inserting another pipe through it.
Slip Joint:
A connection made with compression fittings.
Soil Stack:
Largest vertical drain line to which all branch waste lines
connect. This line carries waste to the sewer line.
Solder:
Metal alloy that is melted to create a fused joint between
metal pieces. Also the act of melting solder into the joint.
Spud: A
threaded opening on the water heater tank. Also a tool for
digging having characteristics of a shade and chisel.
Stack: The
vertical main in the drain, waste, and vent system,
extending one or more stories.
Stand Pipe:
Open vertical pipe that receives water from a washing
machine. Also the vertical pipe run supplying water to a
fire sprinkler system; also large vertical pipe into which
water is pumped in order to produce a desired pressure; a
high vertical pipe or reservoir that is used to secure a
uniform pressure in a water-supply system.
Static Lift:
The vertical distance between source and discharge water
levels in a pump installation.
Stop Valve:
The shutoff valve under sinks and toilets. Allows water
supply to be cut off to one fixture without affecting the
water supply to other fixtures.
Straight Cross:
Fitting that connects four pipes of the same diameter.
Sump: A
pit or pool for draining, collecting, or storing water. A
chamber which provides water to the pump.
Sweating:
Slang term for soldering. Also formation of condensation on
the outside of pipes or toilet tanks.
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T
T & P Valve:
Temperature & pressure relief valve. A safety device used to
expel excess pressure or heat from inside a tank.
Tailpiece:
Section of pipe that runs between a fixture outlet and the
trap.
Tail Pipe:
The pipe added below the jet assembly, in a weak well
application.
Tank:
Fixture reservoir for flush water. On a conventional toilet,
the ballcock, flush valve, and trip lever are installed in
the tank. A tank lid closes the top tank opening.
Tank Cross:
A double-tee-shaped fitting installed between a shallow well
pump and the bladder tank with integrated valve and gauge
fittings, and an outlet for a pressure-relief valve.
Tap Tee:
Cast iron tee with a threaded female side inlet.
Thermocouple:
Small electric generator. Electron flow between the hot
junction of 1200 degrees F and cold junction of 600 degrees
F creates millivoltage.
Thermostatic Valve:
Pressure-balancing shower mixing valve with automatic
temperature control. When temperature or pressure
fluctuations occur at the water inlets, a thermal actuator
adjusts the hot and cold ratio to maintain the original
temperature setting.
Trap:
Curved section of drain line that prevents sewer odors from
escaping into the atmosphere. All fixtures that have drains
must have a "P" trap installed. A toilet is the only
plumbing fixture with an "S" trap.
Trap Arm:
The waste arm portion of a drainage trap.
Trap Dip:
The U-bend portion of a drainage trap.
Trap Primer:
A small feeder line connecting the cold water line directly
to the drainage trap, which releases a small amount of water
to the trap should it run dry to maintain the water seal.
Trap Seal:
Height of water in a toilet bowl "at rest.". It provides the
water seal which prevents sewer gases from entering the
home. It is measured from the top of the dam down to the
inlet of the trapway. Also referred to as deep seal.
Trapway:
Channel in a toilet that connects the bowl to the waste
outlet. It is where the siphonic action takes place. The
trapway is measured in terms of the largest diameter ball
which can pass through it. Also called the passageway.
Trip Lever:
Flush handle and actuating arm on a toilet tank. Also the
lever that opens and closes the drain on the bathtub waste
and overflow.
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U
Uni-flex:
One piece stop and riser combination. One-piece supply.
Union:
Three piece fitting that joins two sections of pipe, but
allows them to be disconnected without cutting the pipe.
Used primarily with steel pipe; never in a DWV system.
Usable Storage:
Percentage of hot water that can be drawn from a tank before
the temperature drops to a point that it is no longer
considered hot.
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V
Vacuum Breaker:
An anti-siphon device that prevents the backflow of
contaminated water into the water supply system.
Valve Dressing:
Resurfacing a worn valve seat with a special tool. Stops
leaks by providing a smooth sealing surface. Applies only to
older compression style faucets.
Valve Seat:
The non-moving part of a valve. Water flow is stopped when
the moveable portion of the valve comes in contact with the
valve seat.
Vent: A
pipe that allows air into a drain system to balance the air
pressure, preventing water in the traps from being siphoned
off.
Vent Header:
A vent pipe into which several vents connect. The vent pipe
leads to the vent stack and out of the building.
Vent Stack:
Upper portion of the soil stack above the topmost fixture
through which gases and odors escape.
Venturi:
A short tube with a tapered constriction in the middle that
causes an increase in the velocity of flow of a fluid and a
corresponding decrease in fluid pressure and that is used
for creating a suction in a vacuum pump.
Viscosity:
The resistance of fluids to flow, due to internal forces and
friction between molecules, which increases as its
temperature decreases.
Vitreous China:
Ceramic materials fired at high temperature to form a
non-porous body, having exposed surfaces coated with ceramic
glaze fused to the body. This is used to form bathroom
fixtures such as toilets, bidets, and lavs.
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W
Washdown Water Closet:
Water closet having a siphon trapway at the front of the
bowl, and integral flushing rim.
Waste Arm:
Drain extension pipe, usually to extend a sink drain into a
wall.
Waste & Overflow:
Drain assembly for a bathtub. The outlet at the top removes
the overflow water during tub filling and the drain at the
bottom removes wastewater when the tub is drained.
Widespread:
A style of bathroom lavatory faucet having separate spout
and handles, usually 8" from center of handle to handle.
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Y
Yoke:
Usually a brass casting that holds both the hot and cold
valves and the mixing chamber for the water. May also refer
to an assembly of copper or other metal which serves the
same function.
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