ABS
(Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)
Rigid black plastic pipe used only for drain lines.
access panel
An opening in the wall or ceiling near the fixture that allows access
for servicing the plumbing/electrical system.
adaptor
A fitting that unites different types of pipe together, e.g. ABS to
cast iron pipe.
ballcock
One type of inlet valve assembly inside a toilet tank that, when opened
automatically, fills the tank with water.
cleanout
A plug in a trap or drain pipe that provides access for the purpose of
clearing an obstruction.
A Y-shaped fitting with a cap or plug on one of the
arms of the Y that can be removed in the event of a drain clog to snake out
the drain line.
clevis
Part of the assembly
needed to raise and lower a sink or tub pop-up. The clevis is a pin that
connects to a pivot rod.
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 that connects the closet flange to the toilet drain.
-
Closet
Flange
-
An anchoring ring secured to the floor. The base of the toilet is
secured to this ring with bolts.
Coupling
-
A fitting that joins two pieces of pipe.
CPVC
(Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride)
-
Rigid plastic pipe used in water supply systems, where code permits.
drain auger
Also called a snake. A long, coiled-wire tool that you can unwind and push
into a drain line to free a clog.
drainpipe
Part of a
home's plumbing system that carries waste to the sewer or septic
system. Most residential drainpipes are from 1« to 4 inches in
diameter.
DWV
Abbreviation for drain, waste and vent.
elbow
A pipe fitting with two openings that changes the direction of the
line. Also called an ell. It comes in a variety of angles, from 22 1/2°
to 90°.
flapper (also called stopper, tank-ball, seal or disk)
Rubbery
plug attached to the lift chain.
fall/flow
The proper slope or pitch of a pipe for adequate drainage.
float ball
A round or oval ball that floats on top of the water inside the tank of some
toilets. When it reaches its highest position, it shuts off the flow of
water.
flue
-
A chimney, usually made of metal, designed to exhaust unwanted
gasses and byproducts from a combustion appliance such as a
furnace or water heater. A fireplace also has a flue to carry away
smoke.
fixture
-
In plumbing, the devices that provide a supply of water and/or its
disposal, e.g. sinks, tubs, toilets.
flush valve
The passageway
between a toilet tank and bowl. When you flush a toilet, water
rushes through the flush valve into the bowl.
flush valve seat
Brass or plastic sealant ring located at the
bottom of the tank.
flux
The paste that is used in soldering metal joints. Flux aids the
process by preventing oxidation of the joint.
I.D.
Abbreviation for inside diameter. All pipes are sized according to
their inside diameter.
inlet valve
The mechanism inside a toilet tank that automatically fills the tank with
water when the tank empties. The inlet valve is connected to the shutoff
valve under the toilet.
joist
Part of the
framing that provides the structure for a floor. In most homes,
floor joists are made of 2-by-8s or larger lumber set on edge and
spaced 16 inches apart, from center to center.
lift arm
Thin metal rod inside the tank that connects to the flush
handle and raises the flapper valve.
main drain
The slanting pipe in the basement or crawl space that
carries wastes to a sewer or septic tank; also called building drain.
main water valve
Located on the wall near the floor, this is a
knob you twist to turn the water supply on and off.
mechanical
systems
A home's
plumbing, wiring, heating, and cooling systems.
O.D.
Abbreviation for outside diameter.
o-ring
A small rubber
ring that provides a water seal in faucets and other plumbing
fittings.
overflow pipe
Long, hollow tube, fastened to the bottom of the
tank.
overflow
plate
A small plate
that covers an outlet near the rim of a sink or tub. If the water is
left running, this allows it to drain away to prevent overflows.
PB (Polybutylene)
Flexible plastic tubing used in water supply systems where allowed by
code.
pivot rod
On a sink or
tub pop-up assembly, a rod that runs through a rubber pivot ball and
that slopes slightly uphill to the tailpiece of the stopper. Pushing
the knob and the lift rod down causes the pivot rod to push the
stopper up; pulling the knob causes the pivot rod to pull the
stopper down.
plumber's putty
A pliable, popular putty used to seal joints between drain pieces and
fixture surfaces.
PVC
(Polyvinyl Chloride)
A rigid white or cream colored plastic pipe used in non pressure
systems, such as waste and vent systems.
reducer
A fitting that connects pipes of different sizes.
riser
A vertical assembly of fittings and pipes that distributes water
upward.
rough-in
The portion of a plumbing installation that includes running the water
supply lines and drain, waste & vent lines to the proposed location of
each fixture.
run
A complete or secondary
section) of pipe that extend from supply to
fixture or drain to stack.
sanitary fitting
Fitting that joins the assorted pipes in a drain, waste and vent
system; designed to allow solid material to pass through without clogging.
sink trap
The P- or S-shaped section of drainpipe directly beneath a sink. Its shape
is intended to hold a small amount of water so that it blocks sewer gasses
from rising into the house.
shutoff valve
While a shutoff valve may be any water or gas valve, it generally refers to
the small valve under a sink or behind a toilet that controls the water
supply to the plumbing fixture.
soil stack
Largest vertical drain line to which all branch waste lines connect;
carries waste to the sewer line.
solder
A metal alloy that is melted to join or mend metal surfaces; also, the
act of melting solder into the joint.
stop valve
A valve that controls the flow of water to an individual fixture,
allowing water supply to be stopped to one fixture without affecting the
water supply to other fixtures.
tank
Large, oblong ceramic container that's located behind the
toilet bowl.
tank stopper
A rubber plug or flapper that seals the valve seat between a toilet tank and
bowl. Upon flushing a toilet, the tank stopper is lifts to allow water to
rush through the flush valve into the bowl.
Tee
A T-shaped fitting with three openings used to create branch lines.
thermostat
A control that
automatically turns on a heater, furnace, or air conditioner when
room temperature reaches a set level.
thermocouple
A thick copper
wire that acts as a safety device on a gas burner. If the pilot
light for the burner goes out, the sensor on the end of the wire
cools and prevents the flow of gas to the burner.
A safety
device on a pilot light gas ignition system. If the thermocouple
isn't being warmed by the pilot light, it shuts off the flow of gas.
trap
Curved section of a fixture drain line, designed to hold water thus
preventing sewer gases from entering the house.
union
-
Three-piece fitting that joins two sections of pipe, but allows them
to be disconnected without cutting the pipe. Used primarily with steel
pipes, but never in a DWV system.
vent stack
-
The upper portion of the soil stack above the topmost fixture through
which gases and odors escape.
wye
A Y-shaped fitting with three openings used to create branch lines.
