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Plumbing Glossary

 An "A" Valve - A valve that is used manually to shut off gas.Access Panel - A panel near a fixture that you can open for access when servicing a plumbing system. Adaptor - A fitting that joines different pieces / types of pipe together. Air Lock - A blockage in a liquid flow, usually caused by an air bubble in the line. Ambient Temperature - In plumbing, this refers to the average temperature in the air surrounding an appliance. Angular Discharge Tube - A tube that can change the direction of the flow of water. Usually to approx. 90 degrees. Backflow - This is the flow of water or another liquid or substance into a supply of water, from a source other than the intended source. Backwater Valve - This valve works to prevent sewage coming from the house, from travelling back into the house or property. Ball Check Valve - A valve that employs the use of a ball to stop flow of water in one direction. Ballcock - A valve that controls the water flow from a water supply to a gravity operated toilet tank. Bleed - This is the process used to drain a pipe by opening a valve at the end. Boiler - A tank where water is able to be heated and turned into steam for either power or hot water in a house. Cistern - A water storage tank.Cock - A valve or faucet used to regulate the flow of water. Compression Fitting - A pipe connection which is compressed tightly around the pipe to ensure a secure grip without soldering.Compression Valve - A valve that is opened or closed by moving a horizontal disk.Dip Tube - A tube inside of your water heater that is able to send cold water to the bottom of the tank. Discharge Tube - An outlet tube that connects a device to the drain.Diverter - A valve which can direct water to different outlets. Duo Valve - A twin valve used for both hot and cold water together, with a single on / off lever. DWV - An abbreviation for Drain Waste and Vent. Elbow - A pipe fitting that can change the direction of a line so that it can be adjusted to fit it's surroundings. Expansion Tank - A tank which can absorb excess pressure caused by thermal expansion. Fall / Flow - The pitch or slope of a pipe to allow for proper drainage. Fixture - The devices in plumbing which allow the supply / disposal of water. Floor Flange - This is a type of fitting which connected a floor drain to a toilet. Flux - A type of paste applied to some pipes or fittings to fuse them together. Gray Water - Waste water that comes from your bathtubs, sinks and so on, but not from your toilets. Hydronic - A system used to force hot water. Jet - A toilet feature that is designed to force water into a trapway. Lock Nut - A nut fitted into a piece of pipe and then fixed onto the outside of another to join the two pieces together. Nipple - This is a short piece of pipe fixed between fittings. Pitch - A drain pipe which slopes downwards in the direction of water flow. Pressure Tubing - Used to force fluids through pipes or fixtures / appliances under pressure or at high temperatures. Reducer - A fitting that can be used to connect together pipes of different sizes. Stop Valve - A shutoff valve found underneath sinks and toilets to be used when you want to cut off the water to one fixture without having to turn them all off at once. Sweating - The formation of condensation on the outside of either toilet tanks or pipes. Tank - A reservoir for flush water.Tee - A T-shaped fitting used to create branch lines. Trap Dip - The U-bend in a drainaage trap. Vent - A pipe that allows air into a drain system to balance air pressure. Waste Arm - An extension pipe used for drainage, usually used to extend a sink drain into a wall.