TERMS USED IN

PLUMBING DRAWING
 Knowing all the parts that keep your house running can
be challenging. As a new homeowner, or seasoned
veteran, it’s essential to know a few terms and the
accompanying items to keep your house running
smoothly. This plumbing glossary will outline 54 essential
plumbing terms you need to know to keep your plumbing
running smoothly, as well as make you articulate about
any future issues that may arise.
 PLUMBING TERMS
YOU NEED TO KNOW
PLUMBING TERMS YOU NEED TO
KNOW
• ACCESS PANEL - An access panel is an opening in a wall or
ceiling near a fixture. The access panel offers access to work
on plumbing or electrical systems.
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KNOW
• ANGLE STOP - An angle stop is a shutoff valve between the
water supply and plumbing fixture. It is used to shut off water
flow while you repair the connected item.
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KNOW
• ANODE ROD - An anode rod is located inside the water
heater. The anode rod protects the water tank from corrosion
due to magnesium or aluminum.
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KNOW
• BACKWATER VALVE - A backwater valve prevents disposed
sewage from reentering the home.
PLUMBING TERMS YOU NEED TO
KNOW
• BALL CHECK VALVE - A ball check valve is a type of
backflow preventer. The ball check valve is placed on a water
line to direct water flow in one direction.
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KNOW
• BALLCOCK - The ballcock controls the flow of water in a
gravity-operated toilet tank. When the toilet is flushed, the
circular float will drop and open the ballcock. This results in
water being distributed in the tank. As the water rises, the float
rises to the level that shuts of the ballcock.
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KNOW
• BRANCH - A branch is any secondary part of the drain system;
also, referred to as the lateral line.
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KNOW
• BRANCH VENT - A branch vent connects vents with a vent
stack.
• CHECK VALVE - The check valve is a type of backflow prevent.
The check valve is installed on a pipe to allow water flow in one
direction.
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KNOW
• CLEANOUT PLUG - The cleanout plug is in a trap or drain
pipe. The cleanout plug offers access to the drain line for
clearing any blockage in the pipes.
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KNOW
• CLOSET - Synonym for a toilet, also referred to as a “water
closet”
PLUMBING TERMS YOU NEED TO
KNOW
• CLOSET AUGER - A closet auger is a flexible rod that is
used to access a toilet’s trap to remove any clogs.
PLUMBING TERMS YOU NEED TO
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• CLOSE BEND - The closet bend connects the closet flange to the toilets drain.
• CLOSET FLANGE - The closet flange is a ring that anchors the closet bend to
the floor. The closet flange also includes closed bolts that secure the toilet in
place.
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• DIAPHRAGM - The diaphragm is a flexible membrane that
helps regulate water flow and build up within a valve.
PLUMBING TERMS YOU NEED TO
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• DIP TUBE - The dip tube sends cold water to the bottom of the
water heater tank.
PLUMBING TERMS YOU NEED TO
KNOW
• DRIP LEG - The drip leg, also known as the “sediment trap”, is
a pipe installed at the lower segment on a gas line. The capped
off section collects condensation and debris.
PLUMBING TERMS YOU NEED TO
KNOW
• ESCUTCHEON - The escutcheon is a protective cover under
the faucet handle that masks the fixtures hole.
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KNOW
• FALL/FLOW - The fall, also known as flow or pitch, refers to
the slope needed to create proper drainage in pipes.
• FIXTURE - A fixture refers to the plumbing device that
provides water and/or disposal. Common fixtures in plumbing
are toilets, sinks and showers.
• FLAPPER VALVE - The flapper valve connects the water
tank and toilet bowl. When the flapper valve opens, water flows
from the tank into the bowl.
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KNOW
• FLOAT BALL - The float ball is the plastic ball attached to the
ballcock. The rise and fall of water in the tank is determined by
the float ball’s placement.
PLUMBING TERMS YOU NEED TO
KNOW
• FLOOR FLANGE - The floor flange, also known as a closet
flange, connects a toilet to the sewer line.
PLUMBING TERMS YOU NEED TO
KNOW
• GAS COCK - The gas cock on a main gas line allows for the
gas to be shut off.
 PLUMBING TERMS YOU NEED
TO KNOW
• GATE VALVE - The gate valve controls the flow of liquids in
pipes.
PLUMBING TERMS YOU NEED TO
KNOW
• GRAVITY OPERATED TOILET - A gravity operated toilet
relies on downward pressure of water in a toilet tank to flush.
Gravity operate toilets often have ballcocks in their tank.
PLUMBING TERMS YOU NEED TO
KNOW
• GRAY WATER - Gray water is any waste water that comes
from common fixtures, but not toilets.
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KNOW
• HORIZONTAL BRANCH - The horizontal branch runs from
plumbing fixtures to a waste stack.
• HORIZONTAL RUN - Horizontal run is the distance liquid
travels from the entry point and exit of a pipe.
• HOSE BIB - A hose bib is a common outdoor faucet.
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• MAIN LINE - The main line supplies water from the water
company’s meter at street level to the branch pipes around your
home.
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• NIPPLE - A nipple is a short pipe that connects couplings and
other fittings.
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KNOW
• POWER FLUSH SYSTEM - The power flush system
compresses water to provide a pressurize flush. This system is
often found in business and commercial settings.
• PRV OR PRESSURE REDUCING VALVE - PRV, or
pressure reducing valve, is a special valve that is installed
directly on the main water line. The PRV constrains the amount
of water entering from the water companies supply to normalize
water pressure for home use.
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• PVC - PVC pipes are sturdy plastic pipes that are used for
drainage, waste and vent systems.
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• RIM HOLES - Rim holes are a series of small holes around
the toilet bowl. Water flowing from the rim holes washes over
the surface of the bowl to refill the toilet bowl.
PLUMBING TERMS YOU NEED TO
KNOW
• SADDLE VALVE - The saddle valve is a mounted pipe run by
a clamping device. The saddle valve is used to make quick
connections between low-demand devices.
PLUMBING TERMS YOU NEED TO
KNOW
• SEPTIC TANK - A septic tank is a small sewage treatment
system for homes with no connection to local sewage pipes.
Septic refers to the bacteria that decomposes the waste inside
the tank.
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KNOW
• STRAIGHT STOP VALVE - A straight stop valve is a straight
shutoff valve used to close off water supply during repairs.
PLUMBING TERMS YOU NEED TO
KNOW
• SUMP PUMP - A sump pump is used in basements that flood
often. The sump pump sits in a pit that accumulates the water,
where it pushes the water outside the home.
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KNOW
• SUPPLY LINE - A supply line is a metal or plastic line that
carries water directly from the main line into a plumbing fixture.
• T&P VALVE OR TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE
VALVE - The temperate and pressure relief valve is used to
safely release excess heat or pressure in a water tank.
• TAILPIECE - The tailpiece is a pipe that runs between a
fixture and trap.
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KNOW
• TRAP - The trap is a curved section of drain line that prevents
sewer odor from entering your home. All plumbing fixtures have
a “P” trap, except for a toilet that has an “S” trap.
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• TRAPWAY - The trapway connects the toilet bowl to a waste
outlet. The size of the trapway, also known as the passageway,
influences clogging.
• TRIP LEVER - The trip lever is the flush handle and actuating
arm on a toilet tank. The trip lever is attached to the flapper,
which results in the toilet flushing. The trip lever can also refer
to the drain in a tub.
• VENT - The vent is a pipe that allows air into the drain system.
• VENT STACK - The vent stack, also known as a stink pipe,
releases gas and odors outside the home.
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• WATER HAMMER - The water hammer is a loud noise and
vibration associated with pipes being turned on or off. The water
hammer is caused by a sudden surge, or halt, of water in the
pipes.