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Terminology

ABS - ABS is the abbreviation for Aristocraft Bristone Styrene. A type of solid black plastic used for vents, drain and waste pipes.

Access Panel - An access panel is an open area in a wall that allows access to the wires and/or pipes of the electrical and plumbing systems, respectively.

Adaptor - An adaptor is a device that joins together pipes of different sizes or types.

Aerator – Located at the end of a faucet, this feature is designed to allow air and water to mix before being dispensed, eliminating splashes and aiding the water's flow.

Angle Stop - The angle stop is a shutoff valve, located between the faucet or toilet and the pipes carrying water. The valve is angled up at its outlet next to the fixtures at 90 degrees and is available to quickly shut water flow off in the case of a plumbing emergency.

Backflow - Backflow is liquid that flows in the wrong way within a plumbing system, such as wastewater running back into the main clean water supply.

Backflow Preventer - A device designed to stop the backflow of liquids.

Ballcock – This mechanism controls the flow of water to the toilet from the water supply pipe. The device is controlled by a rubber or plastic float in the water of the toilet tank. When the toilet is flushed, the float falls, which in turn opens the ballcock, thus allowing the water to flow into the tank. The float rises and turns off the ballcock once the tank is filled.

Clarity – refers to the degree of water clearness.

Closet Auger - A closet auger cleans out clogs within toilet traps; it consists of a bendable bar with a curved peak.

Coupling – Links two pipes or other fittings.

Diverter - A diverter sends water to multiple openings, and is found in sinks, bathtubs, bidets, and showers.

Drain - A drain is a channel or pipe system that directs away unneeded liquids.

DWV - Stands for Drain, Waste, and Vent, which are the drainage system's 3 main components.

Elbow - An elbow pipe changes the direction of the flow, as a result of the angle between its two open ends. These allow pipes to be bent to varying degrees.

Female Fitting - A female fitting is one into which another fitting is inserted.

Fitting – Covers a wide range of plumbing supplies, usually relating to faucets, shower valves, or to different piping features.

Fixture - Any toilet, sink, bathtub, or other water-using appliance is a fixture.
Basically, a fixture is anything that has fresh water lines coming in and wastewater lines coming out.

Flapper Valve - A device located at the bottom of the commode tank, which, when in an open position, allows water to flow into the bowl from the tank.

Flushometer - A flushometer is a valve on a toilet that stops the water flow after a certain amount of water has gone through.

GPM - Stands for Gallons Per Minute. Unit of measurement which describes the rates of water flow through showerheads, faucets, and other fittings.

GPF - GPF is the abbreviation for Gallons Per Flush. It's a unit of measurement for the amount of water consumed by toilets.

Hot Water Main - The main pipe which brings hot water to all parts of the house.

ID - ID stands for inside diameter, the distance between the opposite inner surfaces of a pipe.

IPS - is short for Iron Pipe Size - a system for measuring pipe threading, which is based on the outer diameter of a pipe.

Lid - The lid is the removable cover on the toilet tank.

Main - The main is the plumbing system's largest pipe; every clean and waste water branch will connect to the main.

Manifold - A manifold is a fitting that connects the main water pipe to multiple branches, directing water out to fixtures that need it.

Mixing Valve - A mixing valve is found in a faucet, where it allows hot and cold water to blend, thus allowing you to get water at any temperature you desire.

Nipple - a short pipe with threads, which is fixed between two couplings or other fittings. Used to extend connections.

Pipe Wrench - A pipe wrench has serrated jaws, one movable and one fixed, and allows the plumber to easily turn and grasp pipes.

Plumber's Putty - Compound used to seal the joints between pipe and fixture surfaces.

Plumbing Code - The plumber's job is regulated by these legal requirements.

Plunger - A device, usually a wooden or plastic handle attached to a concave rubber cup, which utilizes air and pressure to clear up clogged drains and toilet traps.

PVC - PVC stands for Polyvinyl Chloride, a hard and inflexible white plastic that main supply lines are made from.

Riser - A riser delivers water to a fixture by running vertically.

Shutoff Valve - The angle stops found under fixtures; also used to refer to the branch line valves and main valve running next to the water meter. Allows for quick stoppage of water flow in the event of an emergency.

Sleeve - A sleeve is a pipe that serves as a guide to another pipe that passes through a wall.

Strainer - A strainer is a device that keeps solids from going through sink and bathtub drains, but which lets water through.

Supply Lines - The supply lines bring water to fixtures.

Trap - Trap is the general term for curved pipes attached to each fixture; traps keep noxious gas from escaping the sewer pipes and entering your home. Except for toilets, all fixtures that include drains also have "P" traps. "S" traps are found in toilets.

Valve - A valve is a simple mechanism which controls the flow of gases and liquids into and out of pipes.

Vent - A vent sticks out from the roof and allows wastewater to flow more freely by letting air into the drainpipes.

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