Plumber Language

Aerator:

A device screwed into the end of a faucet spout that mixes air into flowing water, and controls flow to reduce splashing. It sometimes contains a baffle to reduce flow to 2.5 gpm.

Air Lock:

Blockage in the flow of liquid, especially on the suction side of a pump caused by an air bubble in the line.

Angle Stop:

A shutoff valve between the water pipes and a faucet. Its inlet connects to the water supply pipe in a wall, and its outlet angles up 90 degrees toward the faucet. These are usually used to shut off water to a fixture in case of an emergency repair rather than daily usage.

Back Flow Preventer:

A device to prevent water from travelling from one system back into any part of the main distribution system, usually by siphoning, especially. into a potable water supply. This is generally required for sprinkler systems, handheld showers, pullout faucet spouts, kitchen sprayers, etc.

Ball Check Valve:

A valve that uses a ball to seal against a seat to stop flow in one direction.

Ballcock:

The fill valve that controls the flow of water from the water supply line into a gravity-operated toilet tank. It is controlled by a float mechanism that floats in the tank water. When the toilet is flushed, the float drops and opens the ballcock, releasing water into the tank and/or bowl. As the water in the tank is restored, the float rises and shuts off the ballcock when the tank is full.

Basket Strainer – or Plug & Waste:

A basket-shaped strainer with holes and a slot that fits into a sink to allow water to run out but to catch food or other objects before they can enter the sewage system and possibly clog the drain.

Cess Pit:

A pit or pool for draining, collecting, or storing water. A chamber which provides water to the pump.

Cistern:

The storage tank on a toilet.

Diverter:

Valves which direct water to various outlets. They are used in showers, tubs, bidets, and sinks.

Effluent:

Septic system liquid waste.

Faucet:

Usually a wall or bench mounted tap, with separate hot and cold taps connected to a centre spout.

Finish Plumbing:

Installation of plumbing fixtures to make the system usable.

Fixture:

In plumbing, the devices that provide a supply of water and/or its disposal, e.g. sinks, tubs, toilets

Flexi Connector:

One piece stop and riser combination. One-piece supply.

Gray Water:

Waste water from sinks, showers, and bathtubs, but not toilets.

Main:

The primary artery of supply of the water supply or drain system in which all the branches connect. In the case of drains, known as the Water Main.

Mixer:

A single lever tap or shower valve that hot and cold water enters and comes out at a mixed temperature.

Plunger:

An instrument usually with a rubber head, used to create suction in a drain line or a toilet to push a clog through the line.

Pop-Up Waste:

Type of drain assembly for a vanity or bath. When a lift rod lever is lifted or just a manual push of your finger, the pop-up drain closes so the vanity or tub retains water.

Roof Flashing:

Sheet metal installed at any break in a roofline to prevent leaks. Also around sewer vents, fluepipes.

Sanitary Sewer:

House drain that carries wastewater away from the house to a sewer system or septic tank.

Septic Tank:

A tank that catches all foul and waste water from a domestic house.

Stack:

The vertical main in the drain, waste, and vent system, extending one or more stories.

Storm Water Drain:

House drain that carries rainwater away from the house to a storm water system or soak hole.

Tap:

Usually refers to a single tap i.e. a hot tap or a cold tap

Trap:

Curved section of drain line that prevents sewer odors from escaping into the atmosphere. All fixtures that have drains must have a “P” or a “S” trap installed.

Today:

Normal working Hours

Trap Seal:

Height of water in a toilet bowl “at rest.”. It provides the water seal which prevents sewer gases from entering the home..

Vent:

A pipe that allows air into a drain system to balance the air pressure, preventing water in the traps from being siphoned off.

Waste & Overflow:

Drain assembly for a bathtub. The outlet at the top removes the overflow water during tub filling and the drain at the bottom removes wastewater when the tub is drained.