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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.
Anode Rod: A
sacrificial rod installed in a water heater that
protects the tank from corrosion, helping to extend the
life of the tank.
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.
Back
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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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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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Desanco
Fitting: A type of compression adapter that
connects tubular brass fittings to PVC pipe.
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. 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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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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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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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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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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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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Knockout Plug:
PVC test plug.
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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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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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to top 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-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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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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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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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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to top 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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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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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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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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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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