ABS

Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. Rigid black plastic pipe used for Drain, waste, and vent lines

Access Panel

Covered opening in a wall or ceiling near a fixture that allows access for servicing a plumbing or electric system.

Acrylic

Thermoplastic used on surface of bathtubs and whirlpools. Usually comes in sheets and backed by fiberglass to form shower walls

Adaptor

A fitting that joins two different types of pipes together, such as ABS to cast-iron, or threaded to non-threaded

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 to 2.5 gpm.

Air Gap

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

Ampere

A unit of measure of current flow.

Angle Stop

A shutoff valve between the water pipes and a faucet. Its inlet connects to the water supply pipe in a wall, and its outlet angles up 90 degrees toward the faucet. These are usually used to shut off water to a fixture in case of an emergency repair rather than daily usage.

Balancing Valve

A water heater valve that controls water flow and balances heat distribution to different locations.

Basin

A circular vessel with sloping or curved sides that holds water for washing. A bathroom lavatory or sink.

Basket Strainer

Basket-shaped strainer with holes and a slot that fits the sink drain to allow water to run out but to catch food or other solids before they can enter the sewage system.

Bidet

A personal hygiene plumbing fixture similar in appearance to a toilet bowl used for washing genitals and posterior areas of the body. It is mounted on the floor next to a toilet and consists of a washing basin, a hot and cold faucet, and sprayer.

Bodyspray

Shower component used in conjunction with a showerhead to deliver flow of water. It is commonly used in multiples to create a custom showering space.

Centerset

Style of bathroom faucet having combined spout and handles, with handles 4 inches apart, center-to-center. Also a single-handle faucet installed on 4 inches center-to-center faucet holes.

Deck Mount

Describes a faucet that is mounted on the deck of the bathtub enclosure, rather than on the rim of the bathtub or on the wall. Also referred to as a Roman spout faucet. Also known as a sunken tub, the deck-mount tub is usually mounted on a platform and has no apron or decorative side.

Dial Plate

Trim piece found behind a single-control wall-mount faucet handle. Also known as a face plate.

Diverter

Valves which direct water to various outlets. They are used in showers, tubs, bidets, and sinks.

Elongated

The shape of a some toilet bowls, where the bowl is about 2 inches longer than the standard round front bowl, usually 14 inches wide by 18 ½ inches long.

Escutcheon

A decorative metal flange or trim shield beneath a faucet handle that covers the faucet stem and the hole in the fixture or wall.

Fitting

Any pipe part used to join together two sections of pipe, such as elbows, couplings, bushings, bends, wyes, etc.

Flow Control Valvue

Device designed to reduce water flow to a plumbing fixture. Often used to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs. Also a check valve that prevents flow reversal when heater is turned off.

Flow Rate

Rating in gallons per minute(GPM) or gallons per hour.(GPH)

Flush-mount Lavatory

Sink that sits flush and even with the countertop and is supported by a metal ring.

Flux

Paste applied to copper pipes and fittings before soldering to help the fusion process and prevent oxidation.

Foam Insulation

Insulation surrounding the surface of a water heater tank.

work in progress.......Stay Tuned!