- ABS: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, a type of plastic pipe used in plumbing.
- Air gap: A physical separation between the water outlet and a receiving vessel.
- Backflow: The reverse flow of water in a plumbing system.
- Ball valve: A valve that controls the flow of liquid with a ball-shaped disk.
- Check valve: A valve that allows fluid to flow in one direction only.
- Compression fitting: A type of fitting used to join pipes or tubing.
- CPVC: Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride, a type of plastic pipe used for hot water lines.
- Diaphragm: A flexible membrane used in valves.
- Diverter valve: A valve that directs water flow to different outlets.
- Drain: A pipe or channel that carries wastewater away.
- Effluent: Treated wastewater discharged from a septic system.
- Expansion tank: A tank used to accommodate excess water volume due to thermal expansion.
- Faucet: A device for controlling the flow of water.
- Fixture: A device connected to a plumbing system (e.g., sink, toilet).
- Flange: A projecting rim or edge used to strengthen or attach something.
- Float valve: A valve that controls the level of water in a tank or cistern.
- Gasket: A seal or packing used to prevent leakage.
- Greywater: Wastewater from baths, sinks, and washing machines.
- Heat exchanger: A device used to transfer heat from one fluid to another.
- Hydro jetting: High-pressure water cleaning of pipes.
- Inlet: A pipe or valve through which fluid enters a device.
- Jet pump: A pump that uses high-pressure jets of water to move fluids.
- Lift station: A sewage pumping station.
- Manifold: A pipe or chamber branching into several openings.
- Nipple: A short length of pipe used to connect fittings.
- Overflow pipe: A pipe that prevents flooding by diverting excess water.
- PEX: Cross-linked Polyethylene, a flexible plastic tubing used in plumbing.
- P-trap: A curved section of pipe that traps debris to prevent sewer gases from entering the building.
- Pressure regulator: A valve that controls water pressure.
- Pump: A device that moves fluids.
- Riser: A vertical pipe that supplies water to a fixture.
- Sewer line: A pipe that carries wastewater to the sewer system.
- Shut-off valve: A valve used to stop the flow of water.
- Soldering: Joining metal pipes using a melted filler metal.
- Sprinkler system: A system for distributing water over a large area.
- Stop valve: A valve that controls the flow of water to a fixture.
- Sump pump: A pump used to remove water that has accumulated in a sump basin.
- Tap: A device for drawing water from a pipe.
- Tee fitting: A fitting shaped like the letter “T” used to join three pipes.
- Thermostatic valve: A valve that maintains a constant temperature.
- Thread sealant: Material applied to pipe threads to prevent leakage.
- Trap: A device that prevents gases from entering a building.
- Union: A fitting that allows easy disconnection of pipes.
- Vacuum breaker: A device that prevents backflow into the water supply.
- Valve: A device used to control the flow of fluid.
- Vent pipe: A pipe that allows air to enter a plumbing system.
- Washer: A thin disk used to form a watertight seal.
- Water hammer: The banging noise in pipes due to sudden pressure changes.
- Water meter: A device that measures water usage.
- Water softener: A device that removes minerals from water.
- Y fitting: A fitting shaped like the letter “Y” used to join pipes.
- Auger: A tool used to clear blockages in pipes.
- Baffle: A device used to regulate the flow of fluid.
- Bleed valve: A valve used to release trapped air in a system.
- Boiler: A device used to heat water.
- Brazing: Joining metal pipes using a filler metal with a higher melting point than solder.
- Catch basin: A reservoir for collecting surface water runoff.
- Circuit vent: A vent that serves multiple fixtures.
- Cleanout: A removable plug that allows access to a drain.
- Condensate: Water that collects as droplets on a cold surface.
- Copper pipe: A pipe made from copper, used in plumbing.
- Cross connection: A connection between potable water and a non-potable source.
- Dip tube: A tube inside a water heater that sends cold water to the bottom.
- Drain snake: A flexible auger used to clear blockages in drains.
- Expansion joint: A joint that allows for movement due to thermal expansion.
- Ferrule: A ring or cap used to form a watertight seal.
- Frost-proof faucet: A faucet designed to prevent freezing in cold weather.
- Galvanized pipe: A steel pipe coated with zinc, used in plumbing.
- Hose bib: An outdoor faucet connected to a hose.
- In-line valve: A valve installed directly in a pipe.
- Lead-free: Materials that do not contain lead, used in plumbing fixtures.
- Low-flow fixture: A fixture designed to conserve water.
- Macerator: A device that breaks down waste into smaller pieces.
- Non-return valve: A valve that prevents reverse flow.
- O-ring: A round rubber seal used to prevent leakage.
- Pilot light: A small flame that ignites a larger burner.
- Pipe wrench: A wrench used for gripping and turning pipes.
- Plumber’s tape: A thin white tape used to seal pipe threads.
- Polyethylene: A type of plastic used in plumbing pipes.
- Pressure relief valve: A valve that releases excess pressure.
- Radiator: A device that transfers heat from one medium to another.
- Reducer: A fitting that connects pipes of different sizes.
- Septic tank: A tank used to treat wastewater from a building.
- Shower valve: A valve that controls the flow and temperature of water in a shower.
- Sillcock: An outdoor faucet with a long spout.
- Solder: A metal alloy used to join pipes.
- Stem: The part of a valve that opens and closes.
- Stop and waste valve: A valve used to drain water from a pipe.
- Teflon tape: A type of plumber’s tape made from PTFE.
- Thermostat: A device that regulates temperature.
- Threaded fitting: A fitting with threads for connecting pipes.
- Trap primer: A device that maintains water in a trap.
- Utility sink: A large, deep sink used for heavy-duty tasks.
- Vitreous china: A ceramic material used in plumbing fixtures.
- Wall hydrant: An outdoor faucet with a valve inside the wall.
- Waste pipe: A pipe that carries waste away from a fixture.
- Water closet: A toilet.
- Water hammer arrestor: A device that absorbs the shock caused by water hammer.
- Water main: The primary pipe supplying water to a building.
- Yoke: A part of a faucet or valve assembly.
The Handyman You Deserve