Glossary

Drain Cleaning & Plumbing Terms

ABS
(Aristocraft bristone styrene) A black plastic piping used for waste, vent, and drain lines.

Access Panel
A removable opening in a wall or ceiling that allows you to access plumbing or electrical without hassle.

Acid
A chemical substance (typically, a corrosive or sour-tasting liquid) that neutralizes alkalis, dissolves some metals, and turns litmus red.

Adaptor
A fittings used to connect different types of pipe together.

Aerator
Aerators are various devices used for aeration, or mixing air with another substance, such as soil or water.

Angle Stop
A shutoff that has a 90 degree angle. These are used to isolate the area where you’re working instead of turning the entire home off.

Backflow Preventer
Is used to protect water supplies from contamination or pollution. Prevents water in one system not to be able to get into another system.

Backup
Overflowing water through a plumbing fixture due to a drainage block.

Backwater Valve
Device in the sewer line that prevents sewage from flowing back into the house.

Ball Valve or Gate Valve
A valve that opens and closes to secure a tight seal to stop the flow of water.

Basin Wrench
A specialized tool designed to take off the nuts that hold the faucet to the sink. They are used for hard to reach areas that regular wrenches can’t reach.

Basket Strainer
A basket that has holes in it that allows water to pass through and holds back any other material before possibly clogging and getting into the sewer system.

Bathroom Sink
A unit in which a person washes their hands. Also, a container for holding water.

Bathtub
A large container for holding water in which a person may bathe. A bathtub is usually placed in a bathroom either as a stand-alone fixture or in conjunction with a shower.

Bidet
Bidets are primarily used to wash and clean the genitalia area. They may also be used to clean any other part of the body such as feet.

Bleed
To open the valve at the end of the pipe to release any pressure of air or water.

Blowbag
A blow bag is a heavy duty rubber bladder that attaches to a hose, is inserted into a drain and uses water pressure to clear a clogged drain. It expands against the pipe and forces the clog to pass through the pipe.

Branch
Any part of a drain system other than the main or stack.

BTU (British Thermal Unit)

CAP
A type of pipe fitting, usually liquid or gas tight, which covers the end of a pipe. A cap is used like a plug, except that the pipe cap screws or attaches on the male thread of a pipe or a nipple. A cap may have a solvent weld socket end or a female threaded end and the other end closed off.

Check Valve
A type of backflow preventer installed in a pipe run that allows water to flow in only one direction.

Cleanout Plug
A plug in a trap or drain pipe that provides access for the purpose of cleaning & stops from leaking water or sewage into your home.

Closet
Another term used for a toilet.

Closet Auger
A tool used to get around the bends inside a toilet to unclog the unit. Also, it is harmless to the toilet.

Common Vent
Building drain system vertical vent which connects two or more fixture branches on the same level.

Copper
Commonly used for water lines. It comes in various sizes and also was used for drain lines years ago.

Coupling
A coupling connects two pipes to each other. If the size of the pipe is not the same, the fitting may be called a reducing coupling or reducer, or an adapter. By convention, the term “expander” is not generally used for a coupler that increases pipe size; instead the term “reducer” is used.

CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride)
Rigid plastic pipe used in water supply systems, where code permits.

Dip Tube
Tube inside the water heater that sends cold water to the bottom of the tank.

Discharge Tube
Outlet tube that connects a disposer or sump pump to the drain line.

Dishwasher Tailpiece
A flanged adapter connecting a basket strainer to the drainpipe with a dishwasher inlet.

Diverter
Directs water to various outlets.

Drain Cleaner
A drain cleaner is a consumer product or device that unblocks sewer pipes or helps to prevent the occurrence of clogged drains; the term may also refer to the individual who performs the activity.

Drum Trap
An obsolete, non-vented lead drain or cast iron trap used originally on bathtubs.

Elbow
An elbow is a pipe fitting installed between two lengths of pipe or tubing to allow a change of direction, usually a 90° or 45° angle, though 22.5° elbows are also made.

Faucet
A tap (also called spigot or faucet in the U.S. and some other regions; see usage variations below) is a valve controlling release of liquids or gas.

Flow
Defines the pitch & slope of a pipe for proper drainage.

Female Fitting
A fitting into which another fitting is inserted.

Finish Plumbing
Installation of plumbing fixtures to make the system usable.

Fitting
Fittings are used in pipe and plumbing systems to connect straight pipe or tubing sections, to adapt to different sizes or shapes, and for other purposes, such as regulating or measuring fluid flow.

Fixture
A device that supplies water. Example: sinks, bathtub & toilets.

Flapper
The part that’s installed at the bottom of the toilet tank. It allows water to go from the tank to flush water down into the bowl.

Float Ball
The part inside the toilet that rises the water and eventually stops the water from running. Also known as a fill-valve or ballcock.

Floor Drain
A floor drain is a plumbing fixture that is installed in the floor of a structure, mainly designed to remove any standing water near it. They are usually round, but can also be square or rectangular. They usually range from 2 inches to 12 inches, most are 4 inches in diameter.

Floor Flange
A fitting on the floor that holds the toilet secure.

Flushometer
Toilet valve that automatically shuts off after a certain amount of water flow.

Flux
Paste applied to copper pipes and fittings before soldering to help the fusion process and prevent oxidation.

Gas
Gas is one of the three classical states of matter (the others being liquid and solid).

Gasket
A gasket is a mechanical seal which fills the space between two or more mating surfaces, generally to prevent leakage from or into the joined objects while under compression.

Glove
A glove is a garment covering the whole hand.

Grinder Pump
Waste from water-using household appliances (toilets, bathtubs, washing machines, etc.) flows through the home’s pipes into the grinder pump’s holding tank. Once the waste water inside the tank reaches a specific level, the pump will turn on, grind the waste into a fine substance, and pump it to the central sewer system or septic tank.

Hose Bib
An outside faucet that provides water.

Hydro-Jet Cleaning
An alternative way of cleaning/polishing a drain line with high pressure streams of water to remove build up and debris in tanks and lines. This method is typically suggested if traditional drain cleaning has failed. This method is great for heavy grease plugs, paper plugs and even cutting out thick heavy tree roots.

Kitchen Sink
A unit used to wash food and dishes. Also, holds and releases water. Has a faucet attached to the sink with all sorts of different items. For example: soap dispenser, sprayer, instant hot water source, cold water tap, and more.

Knockout Plug
PVC test plug.

Laundry Tubs
A deeper sink to wash clothes or have a washing machine discharge hose empty into.

Lavatory (Lav)
A bowl with running water and drainage system. Also, commonly used as another name for a bathroom.

Leader
Pipe carrying rainwater to the ground or sewer.

Lock Nut
A fitting that joins two pieces of pipe together.

Laundry Room
A laundry room (also called a utility room) is a room where clothes are washed.

Male Fitting
Fittings are used in pipe and plumbing systems to connect straight pipe or tubing sections, to adapt to different sizes or shapes, and for other purposes, such as regulating or measuring fluid flow.

Male Threads
Threads on the outside of a pipe.

Manifold
A fitting that connects a number of branches to the main; serves as a distribution point.

Nipple
A short stub of pipe, usually threaded steel, brass, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) or copper; occasionally just bare copper. A nipple is defined as being a short stub of pipe which has external male pipe threads at each end, for connecting two other fittings. Nipples are commonly used for plumbing and hoses, and second as valves for funnels and pipes.

No-Hub Connector
A device that holds two pieces of pipe together whether they’re the same or different. Example: PVC and ABS.

O-Ring
Round rubber washer that makes a watertight seal.

Overflow Tube
A vertical tube inside the tank of the toilet that allows water into your bowl in-case the ballcock or Fill-valve breaks down.

P-Trap
A U-, S-, or J-shaped pipe located under a plumbing fixture. Most commonly found in homes and called a P-trap.

Packing Nut
Holds the stem and packing material of the faucet in place.

Pilot
A flame kept continually burning and used to light burners on household appliances.

Pipe
Pipe is hollow cylinder following certain dimension rules.

Pipe Dope
Used to apply around threads on a pipe to create a watertight seal. Also can use a product called teflon or plumber’s tape.

Pitch
Refers to the slope of the drain in which water runs through.

Plumber
A plumber is a tradesperson who specializes in installing and maintaining systems used for potable (drinking) water, sewage, and drainage in plumbing systems.

Plumber’s Putty
Is a generic term for a plastic material similar in texture to clay or dough typically used in domestic construction and repair as a sealant or filler.

Pop-Up
Used to retain water in a sink or tub.

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
Is the third most widely produced plastic, after polyethylene and polypropylene.[2] PVC is widely used in construction because it is durable, cheap, and easily worked.

Reducer
A reducer allows for a change in pipe size to meet hydraulic flow requirements of the system, or to adapt to existing piping of a different size. Reducers are usually concentric but eccentric reducers are used when required to maintain the same top-or-bottom-of-pipe level.

Public Sewer
A domain where all Sewage is collected into one system and then controlled by the city.

Saddle Valve
A valve mounted on a pipe run by a clamping device, or fitting that taps into the side of a pipe, used to make a quick connection to an existing line to provide a water supply for a low-demand device.

Sanitary Sewer
Is a separate underground carriage system specifically for transporting sewage from houses and commercial buildings to treatment or disposal.

Sewage Ejector Sump Pump
Waste from water-using household appliances (toilets, bathtubs, washing machines, etc.) flows through the home’s pipes into the grinder pump’s holding tank. Once the waste water inside the tank reaches a specific level, the pump will turn on, grind the waste into a fine substance, and pump it to the central sewer system or septic tank.

Shower
A bath in which the water is sprayed on the bather in fine streams from a showerhead, usually secured overhead.

Sillcock
Lines that feed outside water.

Sink
A sink (also sinker, hand basin and wash basin) is a bowl-shaped plumbing fixture used for washing hands, for dishwashing or other purposes.

Sleeve
Pipe which is passed through a wall for the purpose of inserting another pipe through it.

Snake
A plumber’s snake, sometimes known as a “toilet jack” or “electric eel”, is a flexible auger used to remove clogs in plumbing that cannot be loosened with a plunger.

Soldering
To make a solder connection, a chemical flux is applied to the inner sleeve of a sleeve type joint, and the pipe is inserted. The joint is then heated using a propane torch or MAPP gas torch, solder is applied to the heated joint, and the melted solder is drawn into the joint by capillary action as the flux vaporizes.

Stop
A term for a shutoff underneath any fixture that hooks to the supply line (example: toilets, sink & more).

Storm Drain
A drain or drain system is designed to drain excess rain and ground water from paved streets, parking lots, sidewalks, and roofs.

Sump Pump
Remove water that has accumulated (built up) in a water collecting sump basin (or sump basket), commonly found in the basement of homes.

Tank
Fixture that has the ballcock, flapper and overflow tube inside. This is what makes the toilet flush. A lid is placed on top of the chamber to ensure nothing foreign falls inside.

Tee
A tee is the most common pipe fitting. It is available with all female thread sockets, all solvent weld sockets, or with opposed solvent weld sockets and a side outlet with female threads. It is used to either combine or split a fluid flow. It is a type of pipe fitting which is T-shaped having two outlets, at 90° to the connection to the main line. It is a short piece of pipe with a lateral outlet. A tee is used for connecting pipes of different diameters or for changing the direction of pipe runs. They are made of various materials and available in various sizes and finishes.

Teflon or Plumber’s Tape
Used to wrap around threaded pipe to create a watertight seal. Also can use a product called Pipe dope.

Toilet
A bathroom fixture consisting of a bowl, usually with a detachable, hinged seat and lid, and a device for flushing with water, used for defecation and urination.

Trap
Curved section of drain line that prevents sewer odors from escaping into the atmosphere. All fixtures that have drains must have a “P” trap installed. A toilet is the only plumbing fixture with an “S” trap.

Vacuum Breaker
An anti-siphon device that prevents the backflow of contaminated water into the water supply system.

Vent
A pipe that allows air into a drain system to balance the air pressure.

Valve
Valve is equipment designed to stop or regulate flow of any fluid (liquid, gas, condensate, stem, slurry, etc.) in its path.

Washing Machine
A washing machine (laundry machine, clothes washer, or washer) is a machine designed to wash laundry, such as clothing, towels, and sheets.

Water
Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O.

Water-Jetting
An alternative way of cleaning/polishing a drain line with high pressure streams of water to remove build up and debris in tanks and lines. This method is typically suggested if traditional drain cleaning has failed. This method is great for heavy grease plugs, paper plugs and even cutting out thick heavy tree roots.

Waste Arm
A drain pipe that is used to extend a sink drain into a wall.

Waste & Overflow
Used for bathtubs to drain overflowing water and to release water when the tub is draining.

Wye fitting
A fitting with three openings, a wye is used to create branch lines.

*Definitions via Wikipedia