Plumbing terminology can be confusing to most people. These terms may seem foreign and conversations with a plumber can leave homeowners with more questions than answers. Educating yourself on the language of plumbing can be essential in understanding and corresponding with plumbing specialists.
Below is some key vocabulary to help you become fluent in this new language.
Access panel: An access panel is a door, panel or piece of plywood that can be easily removed to provide access to a shut-off valve, drain or other plumbing part to make a repair.
Angle stop: An angle stop is a shutoff valve between the water supply and plumbing fixture. It is used to shut off water flow as you repair the connected item.
Anode rod: An aluminum or magnesium rod set inside a gas or electric water heater tank to help protect against corrosion.
Auger: A drain auger, AKA plumbing snake or drain snake, is designed for removing clogs and obstructions from a drain. Drain augers are a long tool that looks like a snake that can be fed down a drain or toilet to remove a blockage.
Backwater valve: A backwater valve keeps disposed sewage from reentering the home
Ball check valve: A ball check valve is a type of backflow preventer. The ball check valve is placed on a water line so water can only flow in one direction.
Ballcock: The ballcock controls the flow of water in a gravity-operated toilet tank. When a toilet is flushed, the circular float will drop and open the ballcock. This results in water being distributed in the tank. As the water rises, the float rises with it to the level that shuts of the ballcock.
Bleed: The process of releasing excess air from a pipe. Typically accomplished by opening a valve and can also be used to allow excess air to be removed from a hose or another tube.
Check valve: The check valve prevents backflow. A check valve is installed on a pipe to allow water flow in one single direction.
Cleanout plug: The cleanout plug is located in a trap or drain pipe and allows access to the drain line for removing any blockage in the pipes.
Closet auger: See definition above for auger.
CPVC: CPVP stands for chlorinated poly-vinyl chloride pipe- a type of plastic.
Dip tube: The dip tube sends cold water to the bottom of the water heater tank.
Discharge drain: A drain that discharges water into a drain system or into the ground via a channel.
Drain: A drain is the primary vessel or conduit for wastewater or waste liquids to be flumed away, either to a more useful area, funneled into a receptacle, or run into sewers or stormwater mains as waste discharge to be released.
Fall: The fall, AKA flow or pitch, refers to the slope required to create proper drainage in pipes.
Faucet screen: A small metal screen used to collect debris in the water system, located in the faucet arm nozzle. Water hoses for washing machines may also have a screen to help stop debris from damaging the water valves.
Faucet: A sink fixture that controls water flow. Usually, faucets allow the user to change the temperature of the water by changing the proportion of hot and cold. Faucets may come with either two knobs or with a single lever handle that changes the temperature.
Fitting: A device designed to control and guide the flow of water such as faucets, shower heads, shutoff valves and shower valves.
Fixture: A fixture refers to the plumbing device that provides water and/or disposal including toilets, sinks and showers.
Flapper valve: A hinged, movable part of a shut off valve system that shuts off flow. One type of flapper is found at the bottom of a toilet water tank. It is raised to start the flush cycle and closes when the tank is emptied, allowing it to refill
Float ball: The float ball is the plastic ball attached to the ballcock. The amount of water lte into the tank is dictated by the float ball’s placement.
Float valve: A type of control valve that shuts off water at a certain level or capacity. A float valve controls the water level in a toilet tank. One form of system is a hollow ball, mounted via a connecting rod to the valve. The ball rises with the water level, then closes until water flow is completely stopped.
Floor flange: The floor flange, AKA closet flange, connects the toilet to the sewer line.
Gallons per minute (GPM or gpm): A measure of the rate at which water flows through a fixture or fitting at a certain pressure. It is measured by the number of gallons flowing from the device in one minute at a given water supply pressure.
Gallons per flush (GPF or gpf): A measurement of the total amount of water required to flush a toilet properly, measured in gallons.
Galvanized steel (piping): A type of water piping that has been coated with a zinc compound. The zinc slows down the corrosion process.
Garbage disposal: An appliance attached to the drain system, typically found under the kitchen sink, that chops up food waste and allows easier flow through the drain system.
Gas cock: The gas cock on a main gas line turns the gas on or off. In a home.
Gate valve: The gate valve manages the flow of liquids in pipes.
Gravity operated toilet: A gravity operated toilet uses the downward pressure of water in a toilet tank to flush.
Gray water: Gray water is wastewater that comes from common fixtures, excluding toilets.
Horizontal branch: The horizontal branch extends from plumbing fixtures to a waste stack.
Horizontal run: Horizontal run is the measures the distance liquid travels from the and exit point of a pipe.
Hose: A flexible rubber or plastic tube for carrying water.
Hose bibb: A hose bibb is an outdoor faucet.
Low-flow: A water fixture that creates a lower water flow at the outlet.
Main line: The main line supplies water from the water meter to the pipes around your home.
Main drainpipe: The piping where the home’s drain piping system meets the septic system or underground drainpipe.
Nipple: A nipple is a small pipe that connects couplings and various fittings.
Outdoor faucet: A hose bibb located on the outside the home or building. The connection threads are designed for hose fittings.
Overflow: A type of drain used to stop the overfilling of a fixture. You’ll find these as a small hole near the top of the bathroom sink connects to the sink drain, preventing the basin from flooding if left unattended.
P-trap: A sink drainpipe designed in the shape of a “P.” It runs from the sink and down through the floor to the main drain piping. It is designed to trap a small quantity of water in the pipe to keep sewer odors from entering the dwelling. An S-trap is similar but exits the room through the wall instead of the floor.
Pilot light: A small gas flame used to ignite a larger burner when a gas valve is turned on. If the pilot is always lit, it is called a standing pilot. On demand pilots are ignited by a sparking device when needed.
Pipe threads: Pipe threads allow pipes to be coupled to fixture or pipe couplings. Pipe threads should have Teflon pipe tape, pipe thread compound or a combination of both applied to the threads to prevent leakage under pressure.
Plumber: A technician that specializes in plumbing installation and repairs. Plumbers are usually licensed by the state or other governing authority, have been educated in various aspects of the plumbing industry and are qualified to make repairs or handle new installations. Plumbers may work on all types of plumbing or may specialize in certain areas, such as residential, commercial, or industrial plumbing.
Plunger: A cupped, suction device on a handle that is used to clear a clogged drain. Plungers are commonly used for clogged toilets.
Porcelain enamel: A coating used on metal fixtures, such as cast iron sinks and bathtubs. Porcelain enamel gives metal plumbing fixtures their colors and desirable glossy surfaces.
Pressure gauge: A measuring device used to determine the pressure in a piping system.
Pressure tank: A pressure tank is part of a well pump system that reserves water for use. The tank contains a bladder that puts pressurizes water in the tank. When a faucet or spigot is opened, the pressure pushes the water through the piping. The tank starts the pump when pressure lowers to a preset. When the valve is closed, the pump continues until the water has hit the upper pressure limit.
PRV or pressure reducing valve: PRV, or pressure reducing valve, is a valve that is installed directly to the main water line. The pressure reducing valve regulates the amount of water entering your home from the water companies supply to normalize water pressure.
PVC: PVC pipes are plastic pipes used for drainage, waste and vent systems.
Rain barrel: A tank or reservoir used to collect rainwater or roof runoff water.
Reset button (garbage disposal): A button on the bottom of the garbage disposal that is used to reset an overload management device on the disposal. The overload trips when the disposal is locked up, preventing motor damage or potential fire hazards.
Rim holes: Rim holes are small holes located around the toilet bowl. Water flows through the rim holes to refill the toilet bowl.
Septic tank: A septic tank is a sewage system for homes with that don’t have access to local utility sewage pipes. Bacteria decomposes the waste inside the tank.
Sewer connection: The place where a residential sanitary sewer system connects to the city or municipality sewer system.
Shutoff valve: A valve that stops the flow of water in the pipe. Shutoff valves are typically found under the sink or beside the toilet. The valves shut off water to those fixtures and faucets.
Sink basin: The bowl portion of the sink.
Sink plunger: A type of small plunger that fits over a sink drain. Sink plungers are used to unplug clogs.
Solar water heater: A water heating system that uses piping heated through solar energy. Solar water heaters use the sun for all or part of the water heating process and can be tied into a traditional water heater for backup.
Spigot: A popular term for a hose bibb.
Straight stop valve: A straight stop valve is a straight shutoff valve used to close off water supply, typically during repairs.
Sump pump: A sump pump is used in basements that are prone to flooding. The sump pump sits in an area that can accumulate water and then it pumps the water outside the home.
Supply line: A supply line is a line that carries water from the main line into a plumbing fixture.
Temperature and pressure valve: The temperate and pressure relief valve releases excess heat or pressure from inside a water tank.
Tailpiece: A tailpiece is a pipe that runs from a fixture and trap.
Tankless water heater: A water heater that doesn’t contain a holding tank. Water is heated once the unit detects water flow. These units are typically heated by natural gas.
Toilet plunger: A plunger that is inserted into the drain at the bottom of the toilet bowl to unclog it.
Trap: The trap is a curved portion of drain line that prevents sewer odor from entering into the home. All plumbing fixtures have a “P” trap, except for a toile, which has an “S” trap.
Valve: A fitting that opens or closes allowing a liquid flow to be started, stopped, and regulated. Valves are used in faucets and showers and control the mix of hot and cold water to achieve desired water temperatures.
Vent: A vent is a pipe that channels air into the drain system.
Vent stack: The vent stack, AKA a stink pipe, releases gas and odors outside the home.
Water hammer: A water hammer is a loud noise and vibration made by a sudden surge or halt of water in the pipes.
Water heater gauge: Gauges used to measure either the temperature or the pressure of water in a water heater
Water meter: A gauge used to measure the amount of water flowed through a system.
Water pressure: The amount of force that a water system produces, measured in pounds per square inch.
Water softener: An appliance designed to remove water hardness chemicals, such as calcium, from the water homes supply.
Modern Blu-Austin is available to help with any plumbing issues you might have, whether or not you speak the language of plumbing!Need plumbing help? Whether you’re looking to upgrade some fixtures or completely remodel your bathroom, Modern Blu-Austin is here to help. Call Modern Blu-Austin, at 469-546-7636, or contact us online to schedule an appointment if you are in the Leander, Cedar Park, or Lago Vista areas!
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