104 Plumbing Terms and Definitions You Need to Know

Ever heard plumbers talking but can’t figure out what terms they are using to describe the problem in your residential or commercial property? You need to be aware of their definitions. That can be a great asset. Why? Well, plumbers would know they are not dealing with someone who can’t understand their stuff. This gives you some respect. So, let’s get on with it! 

A

• Absorption Field: Beneath the surface area where wastewater is scattered so that soil can filter and absorb wastewater.
• ABS: A black plastic pipe commonly used for DWV lines.
• Access Panel: It’s an opening in a wall near toilets, sinks, or other fixtures that help provide access to work on plumbing. 
• Adapter: It’s a simple fitting that joins two pipes of different materials.
• Aerator: A small piece of equipment attached to the end of a faucet to lower splashing and water usage by mixing air with water.
• Air Gap: It’s a space between the water supply to the fixture and its flood level. It stops water from returning to the main supply. 
• Air Check Valve: A device through which water can pass but stops air from bleeding out of the tank. 
• Angle Stop: A shutoff valve between faucet and water pipes to turn off the main supply.
• Auger: A flexible drain snake in the shape of a rod used to get rid of clogs from a toilet’s trap.

B

• Backflow: Water flowing in reverse and causing different plumbing issues.
• Backup: Overflow of fixtures because of blockages. 
• Backwater Valve: A unique valve that stops wastewater from making its way back into your property.
• Ballcock: It’s also a valve in a toilet tank that controls its filling after you flush.
• Balancing Valve: A water heater valve to maintain the circulation of heat flow in the system.
• Ball Valve: It’s round in shape and controls liquids or gases flow.
• Basin Wrench: A simple tool to install or remove faucets.
• Beehive strainer: A strainer installed in a urinal to stop debris from entering the drain.
• Black Water: Referred to wastewater from toilets.
• Bleed: A process that rid of excess air in a plumbing pipe by opening a valve at one end.
• Branch Drain: It’s a pipe that links to the main line to take wastewater from one or more fixtures.
• Brine: A salt solution that restores ion exchange in water softeners.
• Burst Pressure: It’s the total pressure that a pipe can handle before it can burst. 

C

• Cesspool: A capped pit for the sewage water to seep into the ground.
• Cleanout: An entry where plumbers can access the system for repairs. 
• Cold Water Supply: Pipes moving cold water to different fixtures and appliances.
• Compression Fitting: A coupling with a nut and ferrule for a watertight seal.
• Coupling: It’s another fitting to join two pipes. 
• Cross-Connection: A link between potable and non-potable water.

D

• Dielectric Union: An adopter to ward off corrosion between two types of pipes.
• Dip Tube: A tube in water heater tank to shift cold water to the bottom of it.
• Diverter Valve: It’s a fitting that moves water from one plumbing fixture to other.
• Downspout: A pipe taking rainwater from roof and then dumping it to the ground for drainage.
• Drainage System: The network of pipes that carries wastewater and sewage away from a building.
• Drip Leg: A pipe at a low point in a gas line to collect condensation or debris.

E

• Elbow: A fitting in different sizes to change the direction of the pipe.  
• Ejector Pump: This is a device that moves wastewater (with force) from a lower elevation to a higher one.
• Escutcheon: It’s a decorative plate. It covers the hole where a pipe enters a structure.
• Expansion Tank: It’s a storage. It can handle massive pressure in a closed water heating system.

F

• Faucet: A plumbing fixture on top of sinks from where water comes out.
• Ferrule: It’s a metal ring/cap. It is used to create a better seal between pipes and fittings.
• Fixture: Plumbing devices like toilets, showers, sinks, etc.
• Flange: A flat and projecting rim to strengthen or attach a pipe, fitting, or fixture.
• Fittings: These are elbows, tees, or couplings. They connect, terminate, or change the direction of pipes.
• Flapper Valve: A rubber or plastic valve in a toilet tank. It opens to let water in and closes to refill it.
• Floor Drain: A drain pipe in a floor to get rid of water.
• Flux: This material is applied to pipes and fittings before soldering to strengthen the connection.

G

• Gallons per minute: A unit in GPM to measure water flow.
• Gate Valve: It’s a type of valve that opens and closes to isolate sections of water supply.
• Gasket: A seal that fills the space between two or more joining surfaces to stop leaks.
• Globe Valve: A valve used for regulating flow in a pipeline, with a movable disk-type element. 
• Garbage Disposal: A device installed under a kitchen sink. It grinds food waste into small particles for easy disposal.
• Gray Water: It’s Wastewater from sinks, showers, and laundry, but not referred to as toilet waste.
• Grommet: A ring or edge strip inserted into a hole to protect or insulate a pipe or cable passing through it.

H

• Hose Bib: An outdoor faucet for attaching a garden hose.
• Hot Water Supply: Pipes delivering hot water to fixtures and appliances.
• Hub: The enlarged end of a pipe or fitting to push another pipe or fitting in.

I

• Inline Valve: A valve in the middle of a pipeline to govern flow.
• Isolation Valve: Another valve to shut off water to a part of the plumbing for maintenance or repair.

J

• Joint: The point at which two pipes meet.
• Joint Compound: A paste-like material applied to threaded pipe connections for a good seal.

L

• Lateral: A secondary pipe that branches off from the main line.
• Leach Field: Same as the absorption field.
• Lead Pipe: A pipe used in the past for water supply but obsolete now. 
• Lint Trap: It’s a filter. It catches lint and other debris from laundry machines to stop drains from clogging.

M

• Main Line: The main pipe in plumbing to carry water or sewage.
• Manifold: A device with multiple outlets for transferring water to different fixtures.
• Mixing Valve: It’s a valve that mixes hot and cold water for tolerable temperatures.
• Meter: A device that measures total water usage or gas concentration used in a space.

N

• Nipple: A short pipe to connect two fittings or pipes.

O

• Offset: This term refers to a change in the direction of a pipe when using elbows.
• Overflow: An opening in a fixture to stop water from overflowing.

P

• P-Trap: A curved section of pipe. It can trap water to stop sewer gases from entering your property.
• Pipe Dope: A sealant applied on threaded pipe connections.
• Pitch: It’s the slope of a pipe for better drainage.
• Plumber’s Putty: A soft, elastic material used by plumbers to seal fixtures and drains.
• Pressure gauge: It’s a pretty common device that measures the water pressure in a plumbing system.
• Pressure Regulator: Another device that lessens and controls water pressure.
• PVC: A type of plastic for pipes and fittings.

R

• Reducer: It’s a fitting that connects pipes of different diameters.
• Riser: A pipe that carries water or gas upward.

S

• Saddle Valve: A valve installed in a way to avoid cutting the existing pipe. 
• Septic Tank: An underground tank that treats wastewater from a building.
• Sewer Line: The main pipe that carries sewage away from a building to a treatment facility or septic system.
• Showerhead: The part of a shower that sprays water over you.
• Shutoff Valve: A valve used to stop the water from reaching a fixture or appliance.
• Solder: It’s a metal alloy. It can join pipes and fittings by melting and cooling for a firm bond.
• Storm Drain: Network of pipes for rainwater and surface runoff to prevent flooding.
• Supply Line: A pipe that carries water to fixtures and appliances.

T

• Tailpiece: The section of pipe between a fixture drain and the P-trap.
• Tankless Water Heater: A device that heats water on demand rather than storing it in a tank.
• Tee Fitting: A pipe fitting with three openings, allowing for the connection of three pipes.
• Thermostatic Mixing Valve: A valve that mixes hot and cold water to a set temperature.
• Trap seal: The depth of water in a p-trap that prevents sewer gases from entering a building.

U

• Union: A fitting that allows for easy disconnection and reconnection of pipes.
• Utility Sink: A deep sink used for cleaning and other utility purposes.

V

• Vent: A pipe that lets air into a plumbing system to maintain proper pressure and prevent siphoning of traps.
• Valve: A device in a pipe that controls the flow of water.
• Vent Stack: It’s a pipe in an outlet that releases gas and odors coming out of it outside the structure.

W

• Water Hammer: Its kind of a knocking noise in pipes, which can be due to a change in water pressure. 
• Water Softener: A device to trea hard water.
• Wax Ring: This is a seal used between a toilet base and the floor flange to stop the leak.
• Wye: A fitting that connects three sections of pipe at a 45-degree angle.

Y

• Yoke: A brass, copper or other metal casting (shaped like a Y) that holds cold & hot valves and the mixing chamber for the water.
• Yoke Vent: It refers to a pipe connecting a waste stack to a vent stack to regulate pressure.

Z

• Zone Valve: A valve used in a heating system to control the flow of water or steam to different zones or areas.

Conclusion

So there you have it. You now know the common plumbing terms and definitions which will greatly help you when you are in talks with a professional plumber for repairs or just want to brag showoff around your friends and family members. 

You know what they say! Knowledge is power and it doesn’t matter where it comes from as long as it is based on facts. And that, we got it right. 

We really hope you’ll keep visiting this article to familiarize yourself with this plumbing glossary.