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​General Plumbing Terms

A

Access Panel
An opening in the wall or ceiling near the fixture that allows access for servicing the plumbing/electrical system.

B

Backfill
The replacement of excavated earth into a trench around and against a basement foundation.

Back Flow
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures, or substances into the distributing pipes of a potable supply of water, from any sources other than its intended source.
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C

Cast Iron
Very durable and heavy metal made of casting on molds to make fixtures such as sinks, tubs and lavatories, covered with a porcelain enamel coating. Casting is made of a series of alloys primarily of iron, carbon, and silicon.

Cleanout
A plug in a trap or drain pipe that provides access for the purpose of clearing an obstruction.

Conduit, Electrical
A pipe, usually metal, in which wire is installed.

Cooling Tower
A large device mounted on roofs, consisting of many baffles over which water is
pumped in order to reduce its temperature.

Coupling
A fitting that joins two pieces of pipe.

D

Drain
Any pipe that carries wastewater or water-borne waste.
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G​

Grease Trap
A device that captures grease entering a system before it reaches the sewer lines. Usually used in commercial applications such as restaurants or cafeterias
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J

Jetter
A sewer and drain cleaning machine that uses high water pressure directed through a hose and nozzle to thoroughly clean the pipe. Also called a water jetter or hydro-jetter

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​Joint Connections

Piping or tubing are usually (but not always) inserted into fittings to make connections. To avoid confusion, connections are conventionally assigned a gender of male or female, respectively abbreviated as "M" or "F"
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L​

Lateral Sewage Line
A sewage line that connects one sewage pipe with another
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M​

Main
The primary artery of supply of the water supply or drain system in which all the branches connect. In the case of drains, known as the Main Vent.
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P​

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
A rigid white or cream colored plastic pipe used in non pressure systems, such as waste and vent systems.



R

Root Intrusion/Root Damaged Pipes

​A pipe or drain that has been compromised due to root balls or root growth causing a backup and/or stoppage of flow inside the pipe.
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S​

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.

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Storm Drains

A storm drain, storm sewer (US), stormwater drain (Australia and New Zealand) or drainage well system (UK) or simply a drain or drain system is designed to drain excess rain and ground water from paved streets, parking lots, sidewalks, and roofs. Storm drains vary in design from small residential dry wells to large municipal systems.

Sump
A pit or pool for draining, collecting, or storing water. A chamber which provides water to the pump.

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U

Under Slab Pipeline

Any sewer, conduit or drainage system that is contained inside a block of concrete.
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V​

Vent Stack
The upper portion of the soil stack above the topmost fixture through which gases and odors escape.
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W​

Water Jetter
A drain cleaning machine that relies on high water pressure, directed through a hose ans special nozzles to thoroughly clean the inside of a pipe. Sometimes called a jetter or hydro-jetter.