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plumbing glossary

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A

ABS (acrylonitrile-butadine-styrene): rigid black plastic pipe used for drain, waste & vent systems

 

adapter fitting: device connecting pipes of different materials (plastic or metal) or sizes

 

adjustable wrench: wrench w/ one stationary jaw & another that moves up & down on a worm screw image

 

aerator: snap-on or screw-on device for a faucet; fills flowing water w/ air bubbles & controls splashing

 

air chamber: vertical, air-filled pipe or spring coil, set above the water line to absorb pressure when water is turned off at the faucet

 

allen wrench: hexagonal, rod-shaped tool for turning allen screws

 

auger, closet: coiled wire device w/ a crank, housed in a bent tube to protect the toilet surface; used to unclog toilet drains

 

 

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B

backflow: reverse flow of water or other liquids into water supply pipes carrying potable water. Back-syphonage is a type of backflow.

 

backflow preventer: used to prevent backflow

 

ball cock: controls the amount of water supplied to a gravity-operated toilet tank. The ball cock is metered by a plastic or copper float. When the toilet is flushed, the float drops & opens the valve , allowing water to enter the tank &/or bowl. When the tank fills the the float rises & shuts the valve closed. Also referred to as water filling valve.

balloon bag: device that attaches to a garden hose & used to loosen a blockage in a clogged drain

 

basin wrench: tool for removing or installing nuts or bolts in hard-to-reach places, usually under sinks

 

bidet: French for pony, dates back to the 18th century. Today, the bidet is installed near the toilet, so you can be refreshed after using the toilet. Male or female, you straddle it, either facing the faucet handles or away from the wall. You can fill the bowl or wash in the spray. There's the traditional "rim-and-spray," w/ upward spurt in the middle. Or, the simpler "over-the-rim."

 

bleed: to drain a pipe of excess air by opening a valve at the end of the pipe

 

bowl: receptor which contains water & receives liquid & solid body waste; two general bowl classifications are round front & elongated

 

building drain: main horizontal sanitary collection system, inside the building wall line, conveying sewage to the building sewer beginning five feet (more or less in some codes) outside the building wall. Building drain excludes the waste & vent stacks which receive discharge from soil, waste & other drainage pipes, including storm water.

 

building storm drain: drain used to receive & convey rain water, surface water, ground water, subsurface water & other clear water waste & discharge these waste products into a building storm sewer or a combined building sewer beginning five feet outside the building wall.

 

bushing: device used to adapt a pipe, fitting, faucet or valve to a threaded opening of a larger size. Has internal & external threads

 

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C

CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride): plastic pipe for hot water

 

cap: cover used to close off the end of a pipe

 

cast iron pipe: large, heavy pipe (hub & spigot or hubless) used for drain, waste & vent lines & sewer laterals

 

caulking: the sealing of bell-and-spigot drain pipe joints w/ oakum & lead

 

chain wrench: adjustable wrench in which a chain is used for gripping. Best for use w/ large pipes or where other wrenches won't reach

 

channel lock pliers: large pliers w/ adjustable, parallel jaws

 

check valve: valve that lets water flow in one direction only

 

clamp straps: straps used to hold or support pipes

 

cleanout: opening providing access to a drainpipe or trap under a sink; closed w/ a threaded plug

 

close-coupled: describes a toilet w/ a separate tank & bowl, secured to each other, & w/ a separate tank cover. Also referred to as a two-piece toilet.

 

closet bend: pipe connecting the waste exit of the toilet bowl to the soil-stack fitting

 

closet spud wrench: tool used to loosen or tighten closet spud nuts, strainers & trap nuts

 

compression fitting: easy-use connector for copper or plastic pipe

 

copper pipe: rigid form (hard) pipe made of copper and sold in different lengths.

DWV (drain, waste, vent) - large size
Type K - thick wall
Type L - medium wall
Type M - thin wall

 

copper tubing: soft, pipe like material sold in pipe lengths & rolls

 

coupling: fitting used to connect two or more pipes, or a pipe to a fixture

 

crocus cloth: finer than sandpaper grit on a cloth backing

 

cross connection: physical connection or arrangement between two separate piping systems, one containing potable water. The other water of unknown or questionable safety.

 

crescent wrench: or "adjustable wrench" has a simple worm gear that moves the jaw to accommodate any size nut

 

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