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Terminology

ABS: Aristocraft Bristone Styrine. ABS is plastic piping, hard and black; it is used for drain, waste, and vent lines.

Access Panel: An access panel is a hole in the ceiling or wall near a fixture, which allows people to reach and repair wiring and plumbing.

Adaptor: A specialized connector that allows the joining of different styles of pipes.

Aerator: Found at the end of a faucet, the aerator ensures a smooth water flow by allowing air to mix with the flowing water.

Angle Stop: An angle stop is a shutoff valve that is located between a faucet or toilet and the water pipes. The Angle Stop, which allows for quickly stopping water flow during a plumbing emergency, typically is seated at a 90 degree angle in close proximity to the fixtures.

Backflow: Backflow occurs when liquid, instead of moving forward in the desired direction, starts flowing back into the main water supply.

Backflow Preventer: Fixture intended to prevent the occurrence of backflow.

Ballcock: A ballcock controls water flow between the toilet and water supply pipes. A float in the toilet tank activates this mechanism. After you flush the water, the float will drop and open the ballcock, and this will subsequently fill the tank with water. The float rises and shuts off the ballcock when the tank is full again.

Clarity: Clarity is a measure of the clearness of the water. Closet Auger: A tool to eliminate clogs within the toilet trap. The closet auger consists of a bendable bar with a curved top.

Cock: Another name for ballcock (see entry for "Ballcock")

Coupling - Used to join two lengths of pipe or other fittings.

Diverter: A valve that splits up incoming water flow in multiple directions and is used to allow water to enter a fixture such as a sink, bathtub, shower, or bidet from several different openings.

Drain: A drain is a system of pipes that channels water out.

DWV: Abbreviation for the plumbing drainage system, derived from its three main components (drain, waste, vent).

Elbow: A fitting which alters the direction of flow within a pipeline. Elbows are available in a multitude of angles.

Fitting: A general term for faucets, shower valves or other piping features.

Fixture: Generally describes items such as tubs, sinks, toilets, etc. Anything that receives fresh water and puts out wastewater.

Flapper Valve: A mechanism at the bottom of the toilet tank which can open to let water out of the tank and into the toilet bowl.

Flushometer: A valve in the toilet that measures the volume of water flowing through and closes after letting through a specific amount.

GPM: GPM stands for Gallons Per Minute of a liquid. This unit of measure of flow is typically found on faucets and showerheads.

GPF: Gallons Per Flush. Indicates the flow rate of a toilet; a unit of measurement.

Hot Water Main: The hot water main is the single pipe that carries hot water from the heater to all the fixtures that use it.

ID: ID is an abbreviation for the measurement of the Inside Diameter of a particular pipe.

IPS: Abbreviation for Iron Pipe Size - Allows for standardized measurement of standard pipe threading based on the pipe's outside diameter.

Lid: The removable tank cover on a toilet.

Main: The primary channel in a plumbing system, which all the supply and drain systems branch off from.

Manifold: A manifold is a fitting that allows multiple branches to split away from the main.

Mixing Valve: A faucet valve that regulates water temperature by mixing hot and cold water together.

Nipple: Nipples are pipes with short threads that are squeezed between fittings such as couplings. Provides a way to extend an existing connection.

Pipe Wrench: A pipe wrench, which is used for holding and turning pipes, has one adjustable and one stationary jaw.

Plumber's Putty: An oft-used substance for fixing joints between pipes and the surfaces of fixtures.

Plumbing Code: The plumbing code defines the legal requirements and guidelines for plumbers.

Plunger: A plunger is a simple implement that uses air and suction to remove clogs from toilet traps and drains.

PVC: PVC is Polyvinyl Chloride, used to make water supply pipes; it is a hard, white plastic.

Riser: A vertical pipe used to deliver water to a fixture.

Shutoff Valve: The term "shutoff valve" may be used to indicate angle stops under fixtures, but may also refer to branch line valves or main valves right next to the water meter. In an emergency, you should close the shutoff valves.

Sleeve: A sleeve is a pipe that runs through a wall to envelop another pipe inserted inside it.

Strainer: This device is designed to retain solids that may be present in the water, while allowing liquid to pass through, in sinks and bathtubs.

Supply Lines: The pipes that direct water to fixtures are called supply lines.

Trap: A trap is a curved piece of drainpipe which is attached to every fixture. Without it, sewer gasses and unpleasant odors could flow freely into the air. All fixtures with drains have "P" traps except for toilets. Instead, an "S" trap is typically found connected to a commode.

Valve: Mechanism used to control the flow of liquid or gas through a pipe.

Vent: A roof fixture that lets air into the drain pipes to help the waste water flow correctly.

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