ADA: Abbreviation for Americans with Disabilities Act standards. These standards ensure bathroom and kitchen facilities are accessible to people with disabilities.
Access Panel: A removable door or panel installed in a wall, ceiling, or floor that allows easy access to hidden plumbing components.
Aerator: Mixes air with water to create a softer, aerated stream for a faucet.
Air Gap: A space that physically prevents contaminated drain water from siphoning back into the clean water supply.
Anode Rod: Sacrificial metal rod installed inside the tank of an electric water heater. It protects the steel tank from corrosion through a process called electrolysis.
Atmospheric Venting: This is the simplest and most traditional method. It relies on natural buoyancy, where hot exhaust gases rise up a vertical flue or chimney. They don't require electricity and can still function during power outages. However, they need a dedicated vent pipe and proper airflow to work effectively.
B
Back Flush: The process of reversing the water flow through a pipe, filter, or other component. The main purpose is to clean the water by removing debris.
Ballcock: Used to control the water level in a toilet tank, like a fill valve.
Basin: A bowl-shaped fixture in your kitchen or bathroom, usually in the form or a sink. Alternatively, a floor drain designed to collect and drain wastewater.
Basket Strainer: A detachable device that can be placed in the drain opening of a sink to capture debris and prevent it from going down a drain.
BC (Finish): Abbreviation for brushed chrome finish.
Bidet: A plumbing fixture that sprays water for personal cleaning after using the toilet. Some may also have a drying feature.
Bidet Seat: A self-contained bidet that replaces your toilet seat, adding a spray function for post-toilet hygiene.
Bird Screen (water heater accessory): Mesh screen installed on the vent pipe termination to prevent birds and other animals from getting into the pipe.
BN: Abbreviation for brushed nickel finish.
Boiler: A boiler burns fuel, such as natural gas, oil, or propane, to heat water. This hot water is then circulated through pipes to radiators, baseboard heaters, or underfloor heating systems to warm up a space. Additionally, the hot water can be used for domestic purposes like showers, baths, and dishwashing.
BTU (British Thermal Unit): Used to measure heat, specifically the amount needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
Buchan Trap: Also known as a house trap, it is used to prevent sewer gases and odors from entering a building. While they might still be encountered in older buildings, they are not typically used in new construction.
C
Cast Iron: Material used for drain, waste, and vent (DWV) systems. It can also be used in a variety of pumps.
CeFiONtect: A super-smooth glaze applied to Toto ceramic toilets. It creates a non-stick surface that repels waste and makes cleaning easier.
Centerset: Faucet where two handles are spaced apart by a standard distance, typically 4 inches, around a central spout.
Cleanout (C/O): A location where the interior of a pipe can be accessed to clear out clogs. Cleanouts are generally located on the side of the house.
Closet Flange: A toilet flange, a pipe fitting that allows for securing the toilet and making a drainage connection to the drain system in the house.
Combination Boilers: Also known as a combi boiler, a combination boiler is a single heating unit that functions as both a boiler and a tankless water heater.
Condensing Boiler: An efficient heater that delivers more heat out per fuel by capturing heat from exhaust.
Copper: In plumbing, copper refers to a type of tubing or pipe used for hot and cold water lines due to its durability, resistance to corrosion, and ability to kill bacteria.
Coupling: A connector for pipes.
CP (Finish): Abbreviation for polished chrome finish
CPVC: Abbreviation for "Chlorinated PolyVinyl Chloride." It's a versatile and popular plastic material used for pipes and fittings in both hot and cold water distribution systems.
CW: Abbreviation for cold water.
CWP: Abbreviation for cold water pressure.
CWT: Abbreviation for cold water tube.
CxC: Abbreviation for copper x copper.
Cycle Time: The time it takes for a toilet to complete a flush cycle.
D
Direct Vent: These systems have a sealed combustion chamber. They use two pipes, one to draw fresh air from outside and another to expel exhaust gases. Both pipes typically run through an exterior wall. Because they don't rely on indoor air for combustion, they are more efficient and can be installed in rooms without existing chimneys.
Diverter: A valve that controls the direction of water flow.
Drain: A pipe or system of pipes that carries unwanted water or waste liquids away.
Double Vent: Also known as "common venting." Plumbing technique where a single vent pipe serves two drain pipes.
Dual Flush: A toilet that has two flush options, the first that uses less water for liquid waste and the second that uses more water for solid waste.
DWV: Abbreviation for drainage, waste, and vent.
Dynamic Pressure: Refers to the pressure exerted by moving water within the pipes.
E
Effluent: Liquid waste that has already been processed.
Elbow (ELL): A plumbing fitting that changes the direction of a pipe 90 degrees. Elbows come in various types of materials PVC, Copper, Pex, ect.
Elongated: Oval shape of a toilet bowl that is wider at the front than at the back. Elongated bowls offer more comfort and extra legroom compared to round toilet bowls.
Enamel: Hard, glossy coating applied to metal fixtures, most commonly cast iron sinks and bathtubs
Escutcheon: Decorative cover plate that hides the hole around a pipe where it enters or exits a wall, floor, or ceiling.
Expansion Tank (for water heater): A pressure relief device for closed system water heaters. It absorbs extra pressure caused by hot, expanding water to protect the system from damage.
F
Fenco: Connect pipes of different materials (like PVC to cast iron) or sizes in plumbing systems, particularly for drains, waste, and vents (DWV). They are made of a flexible, rubber-like material that can compress to create a watertight seal around the pipes being joined.
FHT: Abbreviation for "female hose thread." A female hose thread has threads on the inside designed to screw onto a male hose thread, which has threads on the outside.
FIB: Abbreviation for "female iron pipe." Female iron pipe threads have threads on the inside and connect to male iron pipe threads with threads on the outside. It's important to note that while the term "iron" is used, these pipes can also be made from other materials like brass or copper.
Fiberglass: Fiberglass is primarily used in the plumbing industry for piping and tank manufacturing. It is highly resistant to corrosion, making them ideal for handling corrosive chemicals and wastewater.
Fill Valve: A fill valve is a crucial component of a toilet's plumbing system. Its primary function is to regulate the flow of water into the toilet tank. Types of fill valves include ballcock, float cup, and diaphragm.
Fire Stop: Also known as "fire caulk." In event of a fire, this sealant expands to fill gaps and block fire passage.
Fitting: A fitting is a component used to connect, terminate, or change the direction of pipes in a plumbing system.
Fixture: Any device connected to a plumbing system that delivers and drains water. Common examples include sinks, toilets, tubs and showers, faucets, dishwashers, and washing machines.
Flapper: A toilet flapper is a rubber seal located at the bottom of a toilet tank. It's a crucial component that controls the flow of water from the tank to the bowl.
Float Ball: A component often used in sump pits to help turn a pump on.
Flushometer: Valve that uses water pressure from the main supply line to flush tankless toilets and urinals.
Flux: A chemical compound that plays a vital role in the soldering pipes.
FNPT: Abbreviation for "female national pipe thread taper." A female pipe thread has threads on the inside designed to screw onto a male threaded component. NPT threads are tapered, meaning they get wider at the base compared to the top. This create a tighter seal as the fitting is screwed on.
Friction Loss: Reduced pressure or head as water flows through pipe. Resistance created by pipe wall roughness, pipe diameter, flow rate, change of direction.
FSWT: Abbreviation for "female sweat connection." A female pipe thread has threads on the inside designed to screw onto a male threaded component. Sweat refers to the soldering process used to join the copper pipe to the fitting, creating a permanent and watertight seal.
FVIR: Abbreviation for "flammable vapor ignition resistant." It refers to a safety feature incorporated into many modern residential gas water heaters.
G
Gas Valve: A manual shut-off valve specifically designed for controlling the flow of natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas LPG, and propane.
GPF: Abbreviation for "gallons per flush." It measures the amount of water a toilet uses during a single flush. It's significant when considering water conversation and efficiency.
GPH: Abbreviation for "gallons per hour."
GPM: Abbreviation for "gallons per minute." This unit of measurement is used for faucets, showers, dishwashers, washing machines, and more.
H
Hose Bib: Also known as a hose silcock or hose bibb. It controls the flow of water to an outdoor hose.
I
I.D.: Abbreviation for "inner dimension." In plumbing, most pipes are sized by approximate inner diameter.
J
K
L
M
MHT: Abbreviation for "male hose thread." It refers to a type of fitting with threads on the outside designed to screw into a female hose thread (FHT) fitting.
MIP: Abbreviation for "male iron pipe." MIP threads are tapered, meaning they get wider at the base compared to the top.
N
NPSM: Abbreviation for "national pipe straight mechanical." NPSM threads are straight, not tapered. This design provides a strong mechanical connection, but it doesn't create a watertight seal on its own.
NPT: Abbreviation for "national pipe thread."
O
O.D.: Abbreviation for "outer diameter." To find the O.D. of a hollow circular pipe, measure from one of the outside edges of the pipe to the other, passing through its center. The outer diameter of a pipe, together with its wall thickness, are essential to inside diameter calculations.
O.E.M.: Abbreviation for "original equipment manufacturer." This means a repair part is made by the same manufacturer as the original part, fixture, or appliance.
One-Piece Toilet: A one-piece toilet is a type of toilet where the tank and bowl are formed together as a single unit. This creates a sleeker look compared to traditional two-piece toilets and can be easier to clean.
P
PB: Abbreviation for "polybutylene." It is a polymer mainly used in piping.
PB (Finish): Abbreviation for polished brass finish.
PE: Abbreviation for "polyethylene." It is the most commonly produced plastic.
Power Vent: Similar to direct vent systems, power vents have a sealed chamber. But instead of relying on natural buoyancy, they use a powered fan to force exhaust gases out of a horizontal or vertical pipe, This allows for more flexibility in venting placement but requires electricity to operate and won't work during power outages.
PRV: Abbreviation for "pressure reducing valve." A PRV is a device installed in a plumbing system to lower and regulate water pressure. It protects pipes, fixtures, and appliances from damage caused by excessive water pressure. Also known as a water pressure regulator.
Q
R
Reducer: Fitting that connects pipes of different sizes together.
Round Front: Standard shape of the front of a toilet bowl.
Run: Complete or secondary section(s) of pipe that extend from supply to fixture or drain.
S
Silgranit: Exclusively from Blanco, Silgranit is a patented granite composite material made of up to 80% natural granite. This finely ground granite is blended with a high-quality source of acrylic and specially selected pigments which colors the material all the way through.
SN: Abbreviation for satin nickel finish.
SPxS: A non-threaded fitting with a spigot end (male) on one side and a slip (female) connector on the other side.
Street Elbow: An elbow fitting that has a male end on one side and a female end on the other side.
T
Tank: Component of a fixture that holds flush water. Typical toilet tanks include the ballcock, trip valve, and flush lever.
Tempered: Heat treatment technique to strengthen and harden glass for more safety. Also applies to water that has been mixed in order to avoid a temperature extreme.
Through-the-floor: Installation where the bath drain tee outlet points down rather than horizontal.
Thumb Nut: Nut designed to be tightened without tools to prevent over-tightening, and for easier installation
Thumb Screw: Also known as "thumb knobs." Multipurpose fasteners designed to be tightened and loosened by hand. Ideal for parts and components that need to be removed/reinstalled frequently, including panels, wiring, lids, safety covers, and battery compartments.
Tile-In: Installation where the sink is fit flush with the countertop
U
ULF: Abbreviation for "ultra low flow." Only flush rates of 1.5 GPF or less qualify as ULF.
V
Vitreous China: Type of non-porous porcelain used to make toilets and some bathroom sinks
W
Water Closet (closet, commode, toilet): An old-fashioned term for a toilet.
WH: Abbreviation for white finish
Wye: A Y-shaped fitting with three openings used to create branch lines
