Terminology
ABS - ABS stands for the material Aristocraft Bristone Styrine. It's a black plastic piping that is very firm and is utilized for waste, vent and drain lines.
Access Panel - An access panel is a hole in the ceiling or wall near a fixture that allows one to conveniently reach the electrical and plumbing systems.
Adaptor - An adaptor is a fixture that merges pipes of different sizes or materials.
Aerator - An aerator is a feature located at the end of a faucet that mixes air with the water to help it flow better.
Angle Stop - An angle stop is placed between a faucet or toilet and the water pipes running into the fixture; it is a shutoff valve for the fixture. It is to be shut off during an emergency, and is located next to the fixture at a 90-degree angle from the pipe.
Backflow - Backflow is water flowing in the direction in which it is not intended to flow.
Backflow Preventer - A backflow preventer, as the name suggests, is used to prevent backflow from occurring.
Ballcock - This device regulates flow from the water supply line to the commode. A float in the tank activates this mechanism. When the float drops after the toilet is flushed, this opens the ballcock and allows water to refill the tank. The float comes back up when the tank is refilled, shutting off the ballcock.
Clarity - Clarity is the measure of water clearness.
Closet Auger - A closet auger is employed to remove clogs from the toilet trap; it is rod-shaped and bendable, with a curved top.
Coupling - A coupling is a connector joining together two fittings or pipes.
Diverter - It is a kind of valve installed in showers, bathtubs, bidets and sinks which is used to divert water to multiple openings.
Drain - A drain is the system of pipes or channels for removing liquids.
DWV - DWV stands for Drain, Waste, and Vent; these are the three parts necessary to ensure that a drainage system functions correctly.
Elbow - A pipe connector which is open on both ends and used to change the direction of the flow line.
Female Fitting - A female fitting is used to refer to a fitting into which another fitting is inserted.
Fitting - A general term referring to any of a number of pipe features--commonly faucets, shower valves and the like.
Fixture - Fixtures include sinks, toilets, tubs, and so on. Refers to any appliance requiring a continuous supply of fresh water, and from which waste water is removed.
Flapper Valve - A flapper valve is located at the bottom of the toilet tank, and permits water to drop into the bowl from the tank when opened.
Flushometer - A flushometer is an automatic valve in a toilet that shuts off the water flow after a certain quantity is released.
GPM - GPM stands for gallons per minute. This is the unit in which showerhead and faucet flow rate is measured.
GPF – An abbreviation meaning Gallons Per Flush. The rate of water flow from commodes is measured with this unit.
Hot Water Main - The hot water main is the primary pipe bringing heated water to your household fixtures.
ID - ID stands for inside diameter, defined as the distance across the inside of the pipe.
IPS - An acronym for Iron Pipe Size, the measurement system for pipe threading based on the external pipe diameter.
Lid - Toilet tank cover that is removable.
Main - A main is the plumbing system's largest pipe; every drainpipe and water supply pipe connects to it.
Manifold - A manifold is a fitting that allows one main pipe to divide into multiple branches.
Mixing Valve - Hot and cold water are combined through the mixing value to allow one to obtain the correct water temperature.
Nipple - It is a pipe with short threads used to connect couplings and other pipes.
Pipes can be extended with nipples.
Pipe Wrench – A prominent plumber's tool, this wrench and has two plier-like jaws, one stationary and one adjustable, used to hold and turn pipes or fittings.
Plumber's Putty - A compound useful for sealing pipe and fixture joints.
Plumbing Code - The Plumbing Code's provisions guide the work of any plumber.
Plunger - A plunger uses suction and air pressure to remove clogs from toilet traps and drains.
PVC - PVC stands for Polyvinyl Chloride, a hard and inflexible white plastic from which water supply pipes are made.
Riser - A riser directs water vertically to lead it to a fixture.
Shutoff Valve - The term shutoff valve generally means the angle stop beneath a fixture, but it may also be used for the main valve near the water meter or a branch line valve. In an emergency, make sure to close the shutoff valves.
Sleeve - A sleeve is a pipe serving as a sheath, passing through a wall so that another pipe can go through the sleeve.
Strainer - A strainer is intended to let liquid run through a drain while stopping solids; often located in bathtubs and sinks.
Supply Lines - Supply lines carry water to fixtures.
Trap - Consisting of a curved section of pipe, this keeps odors and sewer gases from entering the air. "P" traps are attached to all fixtures with drains, excluding toilets. Instead, toilets have "S" traps.
Valve - Mechanism which regulates discharge of gas and liquids into and from a pipe.
Vent - Vent protrudes from the roof to allow air into the drainpipes so as to facilitate the smooth flow of wastewater.
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