TERM | DESCRIPTION |
---|---|
ABS Pipe |
A black plastic pipe commonly used for drain, waste, and vent lines. |
Aerator |
A device attached to a faucet to reduce water flow while maintaining pressure. |
Angle Stop |
A shutoff valve used to control water flow to individual fixtures. |
Anode Rod |
A sacrificial rod inside a water heater that prevents corrosion. |
Backflow |
The undesirable reversal of water flow, potentially contaminating clean water. |
Backwater Valve |
A valve that prevents sewage from flowing back into a building. |
Ball Valve |
A shutoff valve that uses a rotating ball to control water flow. |
Basin Wrench |
A specialized wrench used to tighten or loosen nuts in tight spaces. |
Bleed Valve |
A valve used to release air or excess pressure from a plumbing system. |
Branch Drain |
A drainpipe that connects multiple fixtures to a main drain line. |
Check Valve |
A one-way valve that prevents backflow in a plumbing system. |
Cleanout |
An access point in a drain or sewer line for clearing blockages. |
Closet Bend |
A curved fitting that connects a toilet to the waste line. |
Compression Fitting |
A fitting that seals pipe connections using a compression ring. |
Dip Tube |
A tube inside a water heater that directs cold water to the bottom of the tank. |
Drain-Waste-Vent (DWV) |
A system of pipes that remove waste and vent sewer gases. |
Effluent |
Partially treated wastewater flowing from a septic system. |
Elbow |
A plumbing fitting that changes the direction of a pipe. |
Faucet Cartridge |
A replaceable component that controls water flow inside a faucet. |
Flapper |
A rubber component in a toilet tank that seals the flush valve. |
Flow Restrictor |
A device that limits water flow to conserve water. |
French Drain |
A trench filled with gravel or a perforated pipe to redirect water. |
GPM (Gallons Per Minute) |
A measurement of water flow rate from a fixture or appliance. |
Greywater |
Gently used wastewater from sinks, showers, and laundry, excluding toilets. |
Hose Bib |
An outdoor faucet connection for garden hoses. |
Main Shutoff Valve |
The primary valve that controls water supply to an entire building. |
Manifold |
A central hub distributing water to multiple fixtures. |
Nipple |
A short piece of pipe with threads on both ends for connections. |
PEX Piping |
A flexible plastic pipe commonly used for water supply lines. |
P-Trap |
A curved pipe under sinks and drains that prevents sewer gas from entering a home. |
Pressure Regulator |
A device that reduces and controls incoming water pressure. |
Relief Valve |
A safety valve that releases excess pressure from a water heater or boiler. |
Riser |
A vertical pipe carrying water to fixtures or appliances. |
Sanitary Tee |
A T-shaped fitting used in drain systems for proper waste flow. |
Septic Tank |
An underground tank for wastewater treatment in homes without sewer connections. |
Sewage Ejector Pump |
A pump that moves wastewater from a lower elevation to a higher sewer line. |
Sillcock |
An outdoor faucet with an anti-freeze function. |
Snaking a Drain |
Using a plumbing auger to clear clogs in pipes. |
Sump Pump |
A pump installed in a basement to prevent flooding by removing excess water. |
Sweating Pipes |
Soldering copper pipes together using heat and solder. |
T&P Valve (Temperature & Pressure Relief Valve) |
A safety valve on a water heater that prevents excessive pressure or temperature buildup. |
Trap Primer |
A device that maintains water in a trap to prevent sewer gases from escaping. |
Vent Stack |
A vertical pipe that releases sewer gases and allows proper drainage flow. |
Water Hammer |
A banging noise caused by a sudden stop in water flow, creating shock waves. |
Water Main |
The primary pipe that supplies water from the municipal system to a building. |
Wax Ring |
A sealing ring used between a toilet and the floor flange to prevent leaks. |
Y-Fitting |
A plumbing fitting that allows two pipes to merge at an angle. |