Pipes and Fittings

Common terminology

ABS (Acrylonirile Butadiene Styrene) - The rigid black plastic pipe found in drain lines

Access Panel - The covered demarcation point, found within a home that allows for service access to the plumbing or electrical system.

Adaptor Fitting - A conversion fitting that connect two different types of pipe together.

Air Gap - A device that connects a dishwasher to the sink allowing the dishwasher to discharge into the sink without letting contaminated water back to the dishwasher.

Cleanout - A plug that allows access for clearing an obstruction in a trap or a drain pipe.

Closet Auger - A flexible rod designed to maneuver a sink or toilet's built-in trap for obstruction removal

Coupling - A fitting that joins two pieces of pipe.

CPVC (Chlorinated Poly Vinyl Chloride) - Plastic piping like PVC but can withstand higher temperatures.

DWV - Abreviation for drain, waste and vent.

Elbow - A pipe fitting with two openings that makes a direction change in the line. Available in different angles.

Fixture - The device that provides, holds and drains a water supply. Ex: sinks, toilets, etc…

GPH - Gallons Per Hour

GPM - Gallons Per Minute

Potable Liquid - Liquid that is fit for consumption

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) - Rigid plastic pipe for non-pressure systems.

Reducer - A conversion fitting that connects two different sizes of pipe.

Riser - An assembly system that distributes water upward.

Rough-In - The plumbing infrastructure that is built to provide water and drainage to the expected fixture location.

Septic Tank - A buried tank where waste is decomposed and purified.

Service Pipe - The main cold water pipe running to the house.

Siphoning - The drawing of water through a line due to negative water pressure suction.

Snaking - Clearing an obstruction by pushing and twisting a drain-and-trap auger.

Soil Stack - A large vertical drain line to which all waste lines connect and transports waste to the sewer.

Solder - A metal alloy with a low melting point that is used to join metal surfaces.

Stop Valve - An individual fixture's flow valve. This valve does not affect the water supply to other fixtures.

Trap - The curved section of a fixtures drain designed to prevent sewer gases from escaping by holding water within the drain line.

Union - A three-piece fitting that joins two sections of pipe and is removable without cutting the pipe. This is never used in a DWV system.

Vent Stack - The upper portion of a soil stack that allows gasses and odors to escape.

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