Access Panel
Removable panel that permits entry to an area that is normally sealed.
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
Airbreak
An airbreak is a physical seperation which may be a low inlet into the indirect waste receptor from the fixture appliance or device indirectly connected.
Air Line
An air line is a tube that carries a compressed air supply- e.g. to inflate tyres or power compressed-air tools
Air Lock
An air lock is gas trapped in a high point of a liquid-filled pipe system
ABPA
The American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA) is an organization whose members have a common interest in protecting drinking water from contamination through cross-connections. ABPA is an organization dedicated to education and technical assistance. Through its network of regions and chapters, local needs and interests are supported with the resources of the national organization. ABPA is committed to advancing all aspects of backflow prevention for the continued protection of all water users
Angular Discharge Tube
A tube that changes the direction of water flow
Angle Stop:
A shutoff valve between the water pipes and a faucet
Anode Rod:
The anode rod is usually an magnesium or aluminium rod placed in gas water heater tanks to protect from tanks corroding. Often called a “sacrificial anode” since it dissolves slowly but sacrifices itself to protect the tanks. The anode rod reacts with substances in water and chemically reacts with it to attract corrosion to itself rather than the tank.
Anti-Siphon:
Preventive device for the backflow of liquid into a system.
Auger
A plumber's snake, sometimes known as a "toilet jack" or "electric eel", is a flexible auger used to remove clogs in plumbing that cannot be loosened with a plunger.
Backing Up
A term people may use to describe something that is clogging a pipe for e.g in their upstairs and downstairs bathrooms
Backflow
Backflow is the flow of fluid into pipes of a potable supply of water from any sources other than intended.
Back Ache
An ache localized in the back
Back Flow Prevention
Implementing valves and systems to prevent water from going from one system back into any part of a main distribution system where the potable water could be contaminated
Back Pressure
An opposing pressure that resists the flow of water in a piping system.
Backup:
See Backing up
Backwater Valves
Valves in sewer lines that stop sewage from flowing back into a building
Bag
Or Plumber bag. A bag carried by a plumber
Ball Valve
A valve that is traditionally used to stop flow. The valve can also control flow but it is not the best design for controlling it.
Ballcock
A floating ball that controls the level of water in a tank. In a household toilet it is used as a simple device to fill the water tank and prevent water spilling over .
Basic Plumbing Skills
Skills that are required by a certified or non certified plumber
Basin Wrench
A long wrench with teeth mounted on a swivel that allows the teeth to reach and handle nuts to fasten faucets on a sink.
Basket Strainer
A strainer that fits into a sink or bath/shower drain to allow water to run out but at the same prevent other objects from going into the sewer pipes and clogging them e.g hair, food and solid objects
Bidet
A personal hygiene plumbing fixture which seems to be popular in countries like France. It looks like a toilet bowl but is used for washing private parts of the body. In some asian countries the equivalent might be a small shower hose at the side of a toilet .
Bleed
Removing a pipe of air
Bleed Valve
An air release valve normally used to release air in pipes
Blowbag
A device used to clear drainpipes of something clogging them. High pressure water is sent through a nozzle clearing obstructions by force
Catch Basin
Storm drain/Sewer
Certified Plumber
A licensed Plumber
Cesspool
A pool designed to take sewage and allow liquid to drain away or evaporate.
Check Valve
In the plumbing industry it can be used as a type of backflow preventer installed in a pipe. A check valve does not allow flow to go back but only in the same direction.
Cistern
A tank for storing water, normally rain water that is collected.
Closet Auger
See Auger
Closet Bend
A fitting installed below a toilet that connects the closet flange to the toilet drain
Closet Flange
A stabilizing ring that attaches to the closet bend and secured to the ground. The bolts are installed to fix and secure the toilet in place
Cock
Device used for controlling water flow. Also known as a ballcock.
Cock and Bull Story
A story that is untrue that someone made up
Compress
To make more compact
Compression Fitting
A connector that forms a seal without soldering. Compression fittings are used in plumbing to join two tubes or small diameter pipes together
Compressor
A device that will compress the air or gasses. It provides pressurized air/gas to a system or tool.
Coupling
A clamp holding things together
CPVC
A common plastic pipe used in waterworks
Definition: PLUMBER
He or she is a craftsman who installs and repairs pipes and fixtures and appliances
Dip Tube
A water heater has this installed with the purpose of sending cold water to the lower part of the tank
Discharge
A Term used in Flow Measurement. The pouring forth of a fluid in an open space or conduit
See other articles in Flow Meter Directory for calculating discharge volume
Diverter
Used to control water to another or multiple sections. Diverter Valve
Effluent
Water that has waste matter in it
Elbow
A pipe fitting that when installed will change the direction of the pipe fluid
English Units
English units refers to the historical units of measurement in medieval England.
Flow Meter Directory’s unit converter has conversions between some of these old units and more modern units of measurement.
Expansion Tank
A tank designed to absorb excess pressure because of thermal expansion
Female Fitting
A fitting that receives a pipe or fitting. A fitting into which another fitting is inserted as opposed to a male fitting
Flapper Valve
The part on the bottom of the toilet tank . This opens and allows liquid to flow from the tank into the bowl
Float Ball
The floating ball connected to the ballcock inside the tank that rises or falls with changing water levels in the tank, and actuates or shuts off the ballcock as needed.
Flow Measurement
See Flow Meter
Flushometer
A shut off valve in a toilet that will close when when a certain amount of water has passed through
Flushometer Tank System
This system uses stored pressure instead of gravity head to enable a toilet to flush
Flush Panel
A panel in which the exposed surface is in the same plane as the exposed surfaces of the surrounding frame
Flux
Applied to pipes and fittings before soldering to assist the fusion process and prevent oxidation
Gas Cock
A valve installed the main gas line or to an product that uses domestic gas.
Gas Control Valve
Device used to regulate gas pressure on a water heater.
Gas Meter
Billing meters installed residences or buildings to monitor the consumption of gas by users. This is also a type of Flow Meter
Gate
A device that controls the flow in a pipe
Gray Water
Waste water that originates from kitchen sinks, showers and bathtubs . Not water that comes from toilets
Helix Flow Meter
A type of flow meter that has commonly been used for water billing
There are various types of water meters used for different purposes and designed for specific tasks
Horizontal Branch
Lateral drain pipes that run from plumbing fixtures to the waste stack in a building or in the soil.
Horizontal Run
The horizontal distance between the point where fluid enters a pipe and the point at which it leaves.
House Trap
A U-shaped fitting
Hydronic
A system that implements the use of forced hot water.
I.D.
Pipe Internal Diameter
Abbreviation for inside diameter. All pipes are sized according to their inside diameter.
Instantaneous Water Heater:
A type of water heater that heats water as it flows through a heat exchanger coil
Leach Field
A area of soil that is porous through which septic tank lines run emptying the treated waste
Leader
A common term used for a pipe that carrys rainwater to the ground or sewer
Lock Nut
Nut fitted into a piece of pipe and screwed onto another pipe to join the two pieces
Male Threads
Visible threads on the outside of pipes and fittings which screw into female threads
Malleable Fittings
Metal fittings which are pliable
Manifold
A fitting that connects a number of branches to the main; serves as a distribution point.
Nipple
A short length of tube or pipe installed between couplings or other fittings.
O.D.
Abbreviation for Outside Diameter
See Pipe Properties Calculator in Flow Meter Directory’s calculation software
O-Ring:
A rubber washer which createsa watertight seal
Packing Nut:
Nut that holds the stem of a faucet in position & holds the packing material.
Pipe Dope
Slang for pipe-joint compound. Used in fittings to create a seal
Pitch
Plumber's Putty
A putty used to seal joints between drain pieces and fixture surfaces.
Port
An opening in a burner head through which gas or an air-gas mixture is discharged for ignition
Pressure Balance Valve
Shower mixing valve . Also known as an anti-scald valve.
Pressure Tank:
Device used to pump water from a well
Reducer
A fitting that connects larger and smaller pipes together.
Sanitary Fitting
Fitting that joins pipe in waste and vent system designed to allow solid material to pass through without clogging up the system.
Service Entrance
Pipe connecting the authorities water piping to the water meter
Slip Joint
A connection made with compression fittings.
Stop Valve
The shutoff valve under sinks and toilets. Allows water supply to be cut off to one fixture without affecting the water supply to other fixtures.
Straight Cross:
Fitting that connects four pipes of the same diameter.
Sump:
A pit or pool for draining, collecting, or storing water. A chamber which provides water to the pump.
T & P Valve
Temperature & pressure relief valve
Tap Tee
Cast iron tee with a threaded female side inlet.
Tee
A T-shaped fitting with three openings used to create branch lines.
Thermostatic Valve
Mixing valve with automatic temperature control. When temperature or pressure fluctuations occur at the water inlets a thermal actuator adjusts the hot and cold ratio to maintain the original temperature setting.
Vacuum Breaker:
An anti-siphon device that prevents the backflow of contaminated water into the water supply system
Venturi
A short tube with a tapered constriction in the middle that causes an increase in the velocity of flow of a fluid and a corresponding decrease in fluid pressure and that is used for creating a suction in a vacuum pump.
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