60 Plumbing Terms Homeowners Should Know

By Apollo Drain & Rooter Service

Our Plumbing GlossaryAn auger is a man-eating giant, right? And, PEX, you can get nice ones if you lift weights a lot. No? Well, no. That’s not right at all. “Auger” and “PEX” are plumbing terms.

Not everyone needs to be fluent in the language of plumbers. But if you know a little of the lingo, the next time you talk pipes with a plumber, you’ll know that ABS is a type of piping and not that area you’re targeting with sit-ups.

AABS: acrylonitrile butadiene styrene is a plastic piping used in drains and vents.

Adapter: joins one type of pipe to another.

Auger: a flexible rod with a cutting device on one end used to clear clogs in drains. An auger is a type of plumber’s snake.

BBackflow: water that backs into part of the main distribution system.

Backflow preventer: a device that stops back flow, used on pullout faucets, handheld showers and sprinkler systems.

Ballcock: toilet tank assembly that releases water into the bowl to start the flush cycle.

Black water: waste water from toilets.

CCIPP: cured in place pipe, a trenchless method to repair pipes without digging.

Cleanout: an opening giving access to a drain line or trap.

Code: legal requirements for plumbing work that prescribe safe practices.

Compression fitting: a fitting for copper or plastic pipe that is placed and tightened by hand.

CPVC: chlorinated poly-vinyl chloride is a plastic pipe used to make hot and cold water pipes.

DDam: a barrier in a toilet trapway that controls water level.

Diverter: a valve fixture that directs water from a tub’s faucet to its shower head.

Dope: lubricant for pipe threads.

Drain-waste-vent (DWV) system: pipes that carry waste from a building to the public sewer or septic tank, also vents sewer gases up through a roof to the outdoors.

EEffluent: liquid waste from a septic system.

Elbow: a curved fitting used on pipes.

FFlapper: part of a flush valve that seals water into a toilet tank when closed and allows water to exit when open.

Flow control valve: valve to reduce the flow of water to a fixture. Used to improve efficiency.

Flow rate: rate of water flow in gallons per minute (GPM) and gallons per hour (GPH).

Float ball: float connected to ballcock inside toilet tank. The float rises and falls with water level during a flush cycle.

GGrease trap: captures grease entering a drainpipe before it reaches the sewer, usually used in restaurants. Requires periodic cleaning.

Gray water: waste water from fixtures other than a toilet.

HHose bibb: an outdoor faucet, also may be used as supply valves for washing machines.

IInside diameter (ID): most pipes are sized by their inside diameter.

Interceptor: separates grease and oil from drainage systems.

MMain: primary passage of a water supply or drain system to which all other pipes connect.

Manifold: a fitting that joins branches of a system to a main.

OOverflow tube: tube inside a toilet tank that prevents overflow by sending water into the bowl if the ballcock fails.

O-ring: a rubber washer used to create a seal between two parts in valve stems.

Outside diameter (OD): measures the outside diameter of a tube or pipe.

PPB: polybutylene, a plastic tubing.

PE: polyethylene, a plastic tubing.

PEX: cross-linked polyethylene, a plastic tubing that is stronger than PE.

Plumber’s putty: dough-like sealer used on fixtures.

Plumbing snake: thin, flexible length of metal used to clear clogged pipes.

Plunger: a rubber cup attached to a handle that uses suction to dislodge clogs from drains.

Potable: water safe for drinking and cooking.

PVC: polyvinyl-chloride, a rigid plastic pipe

RReducer: fitting that joins pipes of different sizes.Riser: any vertical pipe.Rough-in: early stages of a plumbing project where supply and drain-waste-vent line are installed.

SSanitary sewer: underground drainage system that carries waste to a treatment plant.

Septic tank: reservoir that collects liquid and solid waste before diverting liquid waste to a drainage field.

Sewer drain: carries waste from a building to a sanitary sewer or septic tank.

Shutoff valve: valve under a sink or toilet that shuts off water supply.

Soil stack: vertical drainpipe that carries waste toward the sewer drain.

Snake: a flexible rod used to clear clogs in drains. Snakes come in various sizes. Some, such as toilet augers, are designed for a specific type of drain.

Solder: technique that fuses metal pieces in a watertight joint.

TTailpiece: pipe that bridges a drain outlet and a trap.Tee: T-shaped fitting used to connect three sections of pipe.Trap: section of a fixture drain creates a water seal to prevent sewer gases from entering a home or building. Code requires all fixtures have a trap.

VValve: regulates the flow of water in a pipe or fixture.Valve seat: static part of a valve.Vent: vertical or sloped part of a drain pipe that permits sewer gases to exit a building. Required for all fixtures.

WWater hammer: loud noise caused by sudden stop in water flow, causing pipes to hit against a framing member.Water hammer arrestor: device installed near fixtures or appliances to absorb the shock created by a sudden water shutoff.Water supply system: network of pipes and fittings that supplies pressurized water.Wet vent: a pipe for draining wastewater and venting air.

Thanks for checking out our plumbing glossary!

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