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Plumbing and construction terms, tips and tricks & more!
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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.
Angle Stop
An angle stop is a shutoff valve between the water supply and plumbing fixture.
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.
Backwater Valve
A backwater valve prevents disposed sewage from reentering the home.
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.
Ballcock
The ballcock controls the flow of water in a gravity-operated toilet tank.
Branch
A branch is any secondary part of the drain system; also, referred to as the lateral line.
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.
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.
Closet
Synonym for a toilet, also referred to as a "water closet"
Closet Auger
A closet auger is a flexible rod that is used to access a toilet's trap to remove any clogs.
Closet 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.
Diaphragm
The diaphragm is a flexible membrane that helps regulate water flow and build up within a valve.
Dip Tube
The dip tube sends cold water to the bottom of the water heater tank.
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.
Escutcheon
The escutcheon is a protective cover under the faucet handle that masks the fixtures hole.
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.
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.
Floor Flange
The floor flange, also known as a closet flange, connects a toilet to the sewer line.
Gas Cock
The gas cock on a main gas line allows for the gas to be shut off.
Gate Valve
The gate valve controls the flow of liquids in pipes.
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.
Gray water
Gray water is any waste water that comes from common fixtures, but not toilets.
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.
Main Line
The main line supplies water from the water company's meter at street level to the branch pipes around your home.
Nipple
A nipple is a short pipe that connects couplings and other fittings.
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.
PVC
PVC pipes are sturdy plastic pipes that are used for drainage, waste and vent systems.
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.
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.
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.
Straight Stop Valve
A straight stop valve is a straight shutoff valve used to close off water supply during repairs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Basement and Foundation Terms
Capillary action
Capillary action causes porous materials to become saturated, as can be demonstrated by placing a sponge on when service. Capillary action forces water upward against the force of gravity.
Drain tile
The drain tile is a subsurface piping system that directs underground water away from the foundation of the home.
Efflorescence
Efflorescence is indicated by a white discoloration that develops on the surface of concrete structures. It indicates the moisture is flowing through the concrete.
Footing
The footing is the concrete base of the foundation that is poured in the foundation trench.
Foundation movement
Foundation movement is the shifting or movement of the foundation walls, especially in the basement.
Hydraulic cement
Hydraulic cement is a powdery substance that can be made of various types of materials.
Hydrostatic pressure
Hydrostatic pressure is the force of water against a solid surface.
Monolithic foundation
A monolithic foundation is a slab and foundation combination that is poured all at one time.
Pilaster
A foundation pilaster is used to support the vertical or axial load of the construction and is used primarily in masonry construction.
Poured concrete foundation
A poured concrete foundation is one in which the foundation is formed with lumber and then filled with concrete, as opposed to a foundation built of concrete blocks.
Stair step crack
Stair step cracks are separations in the mortar joints of the concrete block foundation.
Tie rods
Tie rods are steel rounds, threaded on the ends, which are used to support the plywood pouring forms of a stem wall foundation.
Tuckpoint
Tuckpointing is the process of removing old grout or mortar that has deteriorated or become damaged.
Wall cove
The basement wall cove or wall cove joint is the juncture where the floor and the wall join. The cove joint can be a primary area for leakage from hydrostatic pressure.
Water table
The water table is an underground level below which the soil is saturated with water. It is the upper surface of what is called the zone of saturation.
Weep holes
Weep holes are small openings in the exterior of the block foundation that allow water formed in the interior of the block to drain to the outside.
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Drains
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Toilets
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Fittings
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Kitchen Sinks
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Bathtubs
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Shower Equipment
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Chrome Plating
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Water Heaters
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Leaky Pipes
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Thawing Frozen Pipes
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Noises in the Plumbing System
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Sweating Pipes
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Odors in the Plumbing System
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Where and How to Shut Off Water
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It is used to shut off water flow while you repair the connected item.
It is used to shut off water flow while you repair the connected item.
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.
The PRV constrains the amount of water entering from the water companies supply to normalize water pressure for home use.
Capillary action causes porous materials to become saturated, as can be demonstrated by placing a sponge on when service. Capillary action forces water upward against the force of gravity.
The piping is often a 4-inch diameter plastic tube with rows of holes or slits. The drain tile is installed at or below the footing.

Two to 3 inches of clean gravel is placed at the bottom of the tile trench and the tile is installed with the holes or slits porting downward. Two to 3 feet of gravel is then be placed on top of the tile to allow subsurface water to drain down and into the tile.

Ideally, the tile can be routed to a location away from the home where it will drain onto the ground. The water will need to be directed to a sump pit if this is not possible.

Moisture in the concrete dissolves soluble salts in the mix and forms the discoloration upon evaporation. Even cured concrete can be somewhat porous and moist soil around the foundation will cause this action as well.
This base supports the foundation, either a block foundation or a stem wall. However, the foundation may be poured as an integral part of a slab, as in a monolithic foundation.
Evidence of foundation movement can be seen by bulging walls, shifted concrete blocks in the basement and cracks in the mortar joints.

Cracks in the interior walls of the home can also signal foundation movement. Some of the causes of foundation movement are hydraulic pressure, improper construction practices and freeze/thaw conditions in the soil.

While some types of foundation movement can be seen easily, a plumb line or string line may be necessary to determine the extent of movement.

When exposed to water this powdery mix will solidify, a process called curing. Additionally, hydraulic cement will harden regardless of the amount of water to which it is exposed and will often cure underwater. Cement should not be confused with concrete, which is a mixture of cement, gravel and sand. Some types of cement, such as Portland cement, will shrink slightly during the curing process. Other types will actually expand to some degree.
In the case of foundations and basements, water-saturated backfill around the foundation exerts pressure on the foundation wall.

It's often the result of clogged exterior footing drains. Hydraulic pressure causes leaks and seepage at foundation cracks if not repaired.
It does not have a full footing and foundation wall configuration. The foundation is formed by pouring the slab thicker at the edges. The monolithic foundation is used primarily in locations where the ground does not freeze.
When properly installed, the pilaster will help minimize cracking caused by the weight of the building. The height of the building will determine the construction of the pilaster.
The poured foundation is often strengthened by inserting vertical steel reinforcing rods. It is called a stem wall in some locales.
The separation runs down the vertical joint and across the horizontal joint, forming a crack that looks like a set of stairs. Stair step cracks are usually the result of foundation settling.
They are also called tie-backs or tie reinforcement rods. They are placed every 18 inches along the form near the top and bottom of the form and secure the inner plywood to the outer plywood.

They are left in place as the concrete is poured and allowed to cure. Once the concrete has cured enough to stand on its own, the forms are removed, as are the tie rods. Some contractors will fill the holes with cement and apply a tar coating to resist leakage.

Old mortar is removed to a uniform depth and is then replaced with a new mortar mixture. The mortar damage can be caused for several reasons, the most common of which is the entrance water into hairline cracks that damages the mortar through freezing and thawing.
It is the upper surface of what is called the zone of saturation. The water at this level is at atmospheric pressure. Foundations constructed at or below the water table are subject to damage from soil shifting and foundation settling.
They can be formed by leaving gaps in the mortar of or can be formed using small tubes surrounded by the mortar. Weep holes are generally installed above the grade and can be covered with a netting to prevent invasion from insects.
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