Shortly after venturing into the world of faucets, sinks, tubs, showers, toilets and more, you’ll probably realize that it’s a bit more complex than you might have thought. Center-set, fireclay, self-rimming, mixing valve – it’s easy to get lost out there. Our glossary of fixture and plumbing-related terms will aid your search for the perfect kitchen or bathroom fixture.

Acrylic: A glassy, thermoplastic material that is vacuum-formed to cast and mold shapes to create fixtures

ADA: (Americans with Disabilities Act) A government criteria mandating how plumbing faucets and fixtures must be constructed in order to serve the need of disabled people

Air Gap: A device mounted at the back of a kitchen sink connecting to the drain line between a dishwasher and a disposer to allow the dishwasher to discharge freely into the disposer while preventing contaminated water from siphoning back into the dishwasher

Alphasan: by American Standard - The patented antimicrobial agent used in StayClean whirlpools that inhibits the growth of bacteria an fungi that cause odors and discoloration, as well as deterioration and decay of whirlpool plumbing

Americast: by American Standard - Patented process that bonds a high-quality porcelain enamel surface with a high quality metal and molded reinforcement material backing. A lighter, more durable alternative to cast iron.

Apron Front: The apron, or skirting, is the decorative portion of a tub that covers the rough in area from the floor to the top rim of the tub.

Backflow: When water traveling from one system backs into any part of the main distribution system, usually by siphoning

Backflow Preventer: A device to prevent backflow, especially into a potable water supply. This is generally required for handheld showers, pullout faucet spouts, kitchen sprayers, etc.

Back Siphonage: The negative pressure that causes backflow

Backsplash: A raised integral portion of a wall mount sink or lavatory located at the rear to protect the wall

Basket Strainer: Basket shaped strainer with holes and a slot that fits into the kitchen sink drain allowing water to run out while catching food or other solids. Can also be closed to fill the sink with water.

Batch Feed: Type of garbage disposer in which garbage is fed into unit one load at a time, then activated by placing the stopper into the drain opening

Bushing: A pipe fitting threaded on the inside and out used to join two pipes of different sizes

CTS: (Copper Tube Size) Refers to outside diameter; used to size certain fittings and hangers

Cast Iron: Heavy metal covered with a porcelain enamel coating formed by casting on molds to make fixtures such as sinks, tubs and lavatories

Centerset: styles of bathroom lavatory that has a combined spout and handles Center of handles are 4" apart. Also a single handle faucet installed on 4" center-to-center faucet holes.

Champion Flushing System: by American Standard - Toilet flushing system designed with 2.375" siphon outlet, 3" self-closing flapper-free valve Flush Tower with an auto shut-off feature minimizing water waste while providing the most powerful flush, low water consumption 1.6 GPF, under rim channel that directs water to sweep under the rim efficiently clearing the inside of the bowl, Right Height toilet bowl, and backed by a 10-year Worry Free warranty

Check Valve: A type of backflow preventer installed in a pipe that allows water to flow in only one direction

Compression Fitting: A kind of tubing or pipe connection where a nut and a sleeve or ferrule is placed over a copper or plastic tube and is compressed tightly around the tube as the nut is tightened forming a positive grip and seal without soldering

Continuous Feed: Wall switch activated type of garbage disposer in which garbage is fed into the unit while running

Corian: by American Standard - Material used for kitchen sinks, bath/shower walls and console table tops that carries the color and pattern completely through the material. Stain, chip and crack resistant, and is a non-porous surface which prevents the growth of mold and bacteria

Corlex Acrylic: by Peachtree Forge - Solid, high strength acrylic used in the construction of kitchen, bath and utility sinks. Stronger and more durable than ordinary acrylics, CorLex acrylic is covered by their lifetime warranty.

Coupling: Straight, sleeve-like fitting with female connections at both ends

DWV: (Drainage, Waste and Vent) - The pipes in a plumbing system that remove waste water.

Diverter: Valves which direct water to various outlets. They are used in showers, tub and shower combinations, bidets, roman tub fillers and kitchen faucet sprayers.

Drainboard Sink: A sink that incorporates a drainboard into its design.

Drop-In Sink: Sinks that are mounted above the countertop where the rim is visible. These sinks are commonly used with a laminate surface.

Elbow: Angled fitting with female connections at both ends. Also known as an "ell".

Elkay Corian: by Elkay - A patented blend of natural mineral and pure acrylic resin. It carries the color completely through the material and can be simply cleaned to renew the surface to its original appearance. Scratch, stain and chip resistant, it is heat resistant up to 500 degrees and it has a 10 year limited warranty.

Euro Brushed Matte Acrylic: by Peachtree Forge - Exclusive, high performance acrylic that has all the richness of solid surface materials without the staining problems. Available in both Classic Collection and Ultimate Collection products, Euro Brushed Matte acrylic is covered by Peachtree Forge's lifetime warranty.

Euro Metallic Acrylic: by Peachtree Forge - Exclusive, high performance acrylic that provides the pizzazz of steel and copper without the problems of oxidation or discoloration. Made from Peachtree Forge exclusive Ultimate Acrylic, Euro Metallic sinks are covered by Peachtree Forge's lifetime warranty.

Female IPS (FIP): (Female Iron Pipe) Standard internal threads on pipe fittings

Fill Valve: The fill valve is located in a commode water tank. It is a liquid level-actuated valve that regulates the amount of water dispersed from the tank to the bowl.

Fireclay: A variation of vitreous china having greater amounts of quartz and feldspar in the clay material beneath the vitreous surface. Fireclay is heavier (30%), denser, and thicker than regular clay. These properties insure smooth, flat surfaces on large fixtures which is not achievable with standard vitreous china.

Fitting: A broad based term usually referring to faucets, shower valves and tub fillers. Also refers to various piping parts such as tees and elbows.

GPM: Gallons per minute; the rate of water flow by which faucets and showerheads are measured and regulated.

Ground Joint: A joint which consists of pressing two smooth mating surfaces together without a gasket or supplemental sealant

Homogenous: Same in composition throughout as opposed to a laminate

Hot Water Dispenser: Product which maintains a quality of near-boiling water for instant use at any time

I.D.: (Inside Diameter) All pipes are sized according to their inside diameter

IPS: (Iron Pipe Size) Standard pipe threads, female IPS is internal pipe threads, male IPS are external pipe threads; also known as "NPT" or "NPS"

Instantaneous Water Heater: Type of water heater which heats supply as it passes through; no storage tank necessary; also known as a tankless heater

Ledgeback (Backsplash): Style of sink or lavatory which includes a deck at the rear for mounting the faucet and other accessories

Male IPS (MIP): (Male Iron Pipe) Standard external threads on pipe and fittings

Microban: Permanent Antimicrobial Protection available exclusively in Peachtree Forge "Ultimate Acrylic" kitchen and bar sinks

Mixing Valve: Mixes hot and cold water to achieve a specified delivery temperature

Moenstone: by Moen - Kitchen sinks made from a high-strength quartz composite material. It carries the color completely through the material for fade proof brilliance that resists cutting, scratching and staining. It is heat resistant up to 446 degrees and it has a 15 year warranty.

Molded Stone: by Fiat - Mixture of resin, fiberglass strands and ground stone. The molding is done in matched metal dyes under heat and pressure, resulting in a one piece homogenous product (weights 80% less than Terrazzo, stronger than stone, stain proof and can withstand boiling water).

Monobloc Faucet: A single handle faucet

Mounting Frame: External mounting means used to install sinks which have no integral provision

Nipple: A short length of pipe installed between couplings or other fittings

Nominal Size: Size used for identification only; not literal dimensions

O.D.: Outside diameter; the diameter of a pipe measured from the outside edge

Offset: A tubular component which permits the offsetting of a drainage run in the same basic direction

"P" Trap: Trap design which routes drainage horizontally back through the wall to connect with drainage waste vent

Potable: Water that is safe to drink

Powder Coat: A technique used for applying paint to metal surfaces. The metal is covered with a powder of dry paint particles and is baked in an oven. This causes the powder to melt and harden into a tough, colorful finish.

Premium Deep Gloss Acrylic: by Peachtree Forge - Exclusive, high performance acrylic that has the classic look of enameled and cast iron sinks without the marking and chipping problems common to both. Available in Ultimate Collection products, Premium Deep Gloss acrylic sinks are backed by Peachtree Forge's lifetime warranty.

PSI: Pounds per square inch; a means of measurement used to determine pressure within contained areas

Pull-Out Spray: Single-control kitchen faucet which offers a retractable hose and sprayhead to be used for food preparation and cleaning

PVD: (Physical Vapor Deposition) A modern plating process used mostly with polished brass or gold finishes on faucets. Vaporized zirconium reacts with nitrogen and another special gas to form a durable plated surface which will not tarnish or discolor.

Quick-Connect Inlets: by Aqua Pure - Inlets directly to tubing; no fittings needed

Reverse Osmosis: A water treatment method whereby water is forced through a semi-membrane which filters out impurities

Riser: A vertical metal or plastic tube or assembly that connects a faucet to the water supply stop valve; usually made of copper

Rough-In: Installation of the drain, waste, vent and supply lines in a structure to the proposed location of each fixture

"S" Trap: Trap design with routes drainage vertically down through the floor to connect with the drainage waste vent (DWV)

Self-Rimming: A style of bathroom lavatory or kitchen sink with a rolled and finished edge or rim; the fixture installs on top of a counter without the need for a metal sink rim

Semi-Encastre: A unique, space-saving, self-rimming lavatory installation in which the back of the lavatory is installed into the countertop while the front, or apron, of the lavatory projects from the countertop

Sillcock: An outdoor faucet furnished with hose threads on the spout; also used to supply washing machines; sometimes known as a "hose bib"

Silgranit: by Blanco - 80% rock hard granite with color all the way through; resistant to scratches, chips, stains and heat. Impervious to acids and alkalis. Easy to clean and maintain and it has a no hassle limited lifetime warranty

Siphon: Move a liquid from one container into another by means of a siphon or a siphoning action.

Slip Joint: A connection made with compression fittings

StayClean: by American Standard - Whirlpool system which features Antimicrobial AlphaSan, a silver-based antimicrobial agent, into the internal plumbing designed to prevent the build-up of mold, mildew and bacteria

Stop: The shutoff valve under sinks and toilets; allows water supply to be cut off to one fixture without affecting the water supply to the entire house or building

Swanstone: by Swan Corporation - A homogenous, nonporous material with color molded throughout. This material is reinforced, modified acrylic filled with natural minerals. It is heat resistant up to 375 degrees and it has a limited lifetime warranty.

T & P Valve: Temperature and pressure relief valve; a safety device used to expel excess pressure or heat from inside a tank

Tankless Heater: Type of water heater which heats water as it passes through, no storage tank necessary; also known as "instantaneous heater"

Tee: T-shaped fitting with three openings that allow another pipe to be joined at a 90-degree angle, used to create branch lines

Tile Edge: A style of sink which mounts flush with the countertop

Trap: Curved section of a drain line that prevents sewer odors from escaping into the atmosphere. All fixtures that have drains must have a "P" trap installed. A toilet is the only plumbing fixture with an "S" trap

Trim Kit: Refers to the outside decorative covering of a faucet rough-in valve. Includes items such as the showerhead, tub spout, handles, etc. The trim is the parts you can see when looking at a faucet

Ultimate Acrylic: by Peachtree Forge - Engineered high performance acrylics that are thicker, stronger and harder, resulting in superior wearability and durability. As tough as they are beautiful, Ultimate Acrylic sinks are also the easiest undermount sinks to install and backed by Peachtree Forge's lifetime warranty

Undermount: A style of sink which is positioned under the cutout of the countertop

Vacuum Breaker: An anti-siphon device that prevents the backflow of contaminated water into the water supply system in the event of a negative pressure condition

Valve: A device that regulates the flow of water; also the rough-in part of a faucet that is concealed in the wall or undercounter

Vitreous China: Found on some plumbing fixtures, consisting of glass. Used as a surface material