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Bens' Plumbing Terms
ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)-
Rigid black plastic pipe used only for drain lines.
Access Panel-
An opening in the wall or ceiling near the fixture that allows access for servicing the plumbing/electrical system.
Adaptor-
A fitting that unites different types of pipe together, e.g. ABS to cast iron pipe.
Cleanout-
A plug in a trap or drain pipe that provides access for the purpose of clearing an obstruction.
Closet Auger-
A flexible rod with a curved end used to access the toilet's built-in trap and remove clogs.
Closet Bend-
A curved fitting that connects the closet flange to the toilet drain.
Closet Flange-
An anchoring ring secured to the floor. The base of the toilet is secured to this ring with bolts.
Coupling-
A fitting that joins two pieces of pipe.
CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride)-
Rigid plastic pipe used in water supply systems, where code permits.
DWV-
Abbreviation for drain, waste and vent.
Elbow-
A pipe fitting with two openings that changes the direction of the line. Also called an ell. It comes in a variety of angles, from 22 1/2° to 90°.
Fall/Flow-
The proper slope or pitch of a pipe for adequate drainage.
Fixture-
In plumbing, the devices that provide a supply of water and/or its disposal, e.g. sinks, tubs, toilets.
Flux-
The paste that is used in soldering metal joints. Flux aids the process by preventing oxidation of the joint.
I.D.-
Abbreviation for inside diameter. All pipes are sized according to their inside diameter.
O.D.-
Abbreviation for outside diameter.
PB (Polybutylene)-
Flexible plastic tubing used in water supply systems where allowed by code.
Plumber's Putty-
A pliable, popular putty used to seal joints between drain pieces and fixture surfaces.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)-
A rigid white or cream colored plastic pipe used in non pressure systems, such as waste and vent systems.
Reducer-
A fitting that connects pipes of different sizes.
Riser-
A vertical assembly of fittings and pipes that distributes water upward.
Rough-In-
The portion of a plumbing installation that includes running the water supply lines and drain, waste & vent lines to the proposed location of each fixture.
Run-
A complete or secondary section(s) of pipe that extend from supply to fixture or drain to stack.
Sanitary Fitting-
Fitting that joins the assorted pipes in a drain, waste and vent system; designed to allow solid material to pass through without clogging.
Soil Stack-
Largest vertical drain line to which all branch waste lines connect; carries waste to the sewer line.
Solder-
A metal alloy that is melted to join or mend metal surfaces; also, the act of melting solder into the joint.
Stop Valve-
A valve that controls the flow of water to an individual fixture, allowing water supply to be stopped to one fixture without affecting the water supply to other fixtures.
Tee-
A T-shaped fitting with three openings used to create branch lines.
Trap-
Curved section of a fixture drain line, designed to hold water thus preventing sewer gases from entering the house.
Union-
Three-piece fitting that joins two sections of pipe, but allows them to be disconnected without cutting the pipe. Used primarily with steel pipes, but never in a DWV system.
Vent Stack-
The upper portion of the soil stack above the topmost fixture through which gases and odors escape.
WYE-
A Y-shaped fitting with three openings used to create branch lines.
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