Click on any letter from A to Z to see definitions.
Acrylic: A glassy, thermoplastic material that is
vacuum-formed to cast and mold shapes that form the surface of fiberglass
bathtubs, whirlpools, shower bases, and shower stalls.
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.
ADA: (Americans with Disabilities Act) A government
criteria mandating how plumbing faucets & fixtures must be constructed
in order to server the needs of disabled people.
ALPHSAN: Used by American Standard - The patented
antimicrobial agent used in StayClean whirlpools that inhibits the growth
of bacteria & fungi that cause odors & discoloration, as well as
deterioration and decay of whirlpool plumbing.
Americast: by American Standard - Patented process
that bonds a high-quality porcelain enamel surface with a high quality
metal and a molded reinforcement material backing. A lighter, more durable
alternative to cast iron.
Angle Stop: A Shutoff valve between 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, toilet, or bidet.
Backflow: When water traveling from one system
backs into any part of the main distribution system, usually by siphoning.
Backflow Preventer: A device to prevent backflow,
especially into a potable water supply. This is generally required for
handheld showers, pullout faucet spouts, kitchen sprayers, etc.
Backset: The distance from the edge of the door to the center of
the hole drilled for your knob, lever or deadbolt.
Back Siphonage: The negative pressure that causes
backflow.
Backsplash: A raised integral portion of a wall
mount sink or lavatory located at the rear to protect the wall.
Ballcock: The fill valve that controls the flow of
water from the water supply line into a gravity-operated toilet tank. It
is controlled by a float mechanism in the tank water. When the toilet is
flushed, the float drops and opens the ballcock, releasing water into the
bowl. As the water in the tank is restored, the float rises and shuts off
the ballcock when the tank is full.
Barrier-Free: Related to handicap accessibility;
i.e. a shower enclosure system having minimal or no bottom track and
openings that are wheelchair-accessible.
Basket Strainer: Basket shaped strainer with holes
and a slot that fits the kitchen sink drain allowing water to run out
while catching food or other solids. Can also be closed to fill the sink
with water.
Batch Feed: Type of garbage disposer in which
garbage is fed into unit one load at a time, then activated by placing the
stopper into the drain opening.
Bath Waste: Remote control drain for tubs involving
internal plugging mechanisms as opposed to a "pop-up" type drain. Also
known as "trip lever drain".
Bedpan Closet: Toilet-like fixture used for
disposing of bedpan contents. Also known as a "clinic service sink" or
"flushing rim sink".
Bedpan Washer: Faucet used in conjunction with a
conventional toilet for washing bedpans. The most common types are "hose"
and "swing down".
Bidet: A plumbing fixture similar in appearance to
a toilet bowl used for personal hygiene. It is floor mounted, usually next
to a toilet, and consists of a washing basin, faucet and sprayer.
Blowout: A flushing design using a non-siphoning
trapway at the rear of the bowl, and an integral flushing rim, relying
entirely on high water volume.
Bubbler: Drinking faucet with flow-regulated
push-button self-closing valve. Also known as a "water fountain".
Bushing: A pipe fitting threaded on the inside
& out used to join two pipes of different sizes.
Bypass Door: Type of shower door that consists of
two or more panels running in parallel tracks.
CTS: (Copper Tube Size) Refers to outside diameter;
Used to size certain fittings and hangers.
Carrier: Structural device used to support wall
mounted fixtures such as toilets, urinals and lavatories.
Cast Iron: Heavy metal covered with a porcelain
enamel coating formed by casting on molds to make fixtures such as sinks,
tubs and lavatories.
Centerset: A style of bathroom lavatory faucet that
has a combined spout and handles. Center of handles are 4" apart. Also a
single handle faucet installed on 4" center-to-center faucet holes.
Check Stop: Shut-off valve used with tub/shower
faucets that is activated by turning a slotted stem with a screwdriver.
Also known as a "screwdriver stop" or a "service stop".
Check Valve: A type of backflow preventer installed
in a pipe that allows water to flow in only one direction.
Chromatherapy: by Kohler - Lights certain tubs with
a series of healing hues: white, violet, indigo blue, aqua blue, green,
yellow, orange and red.
Clinic Service Sink: Toilet-like fixture used for
disposing of bedpan contents. Also known as a "bedpan closet" or "flushing
rim sink".
Closet Flange: Component used to connect outlet of
water closet to the drainage waste vent (DWV) System and to mount the
fixture to the floor.
Closet Riser: Flexible supply tube with flat end
used to make the final supply connection to ballcock (toilet fill valve).
Compression Fitting: kind of tubing or pope
connection where a nut and a sleeve or ferrule is placed over a copper or
plastic tube and is compressed tightly around the tube as the nut is
tightened forming a positive grip and seal without soldering.
Concealed Arm Carrier: Used to securely mount a
wall mount lavatory. Unlike a hanger which only supports the lavatory
where it meets the wall, the carrier has long arms onto which the lavatory
slides.
Continuous Feed: Wall switch activated type of
garbage disposer in which garbage is fed into the unit while running.
Coupling: Straight, sleeve-like fitting with female
connections at both ends.
Cutout: A hole in a countertop, usually for a sink.
DWV: (Drainage, Waste and Vent) - The pipes in a
plumbing system that remove waste water.
Diverter: Valves which direct water to various
outlets. They are used in showers, tub & shower combinations, bidets
roman tub fillers and kitchen faucet sprayers.
Double Threshold: A shower base used in a corner
application where one threshold is used as an entrance and the other has a
glass wall.
Effervescent Bubbles: By Kohler - Champagne-like
bubbles that gently caress the skin for soothing relaxation. Water surface
"dances" with light "carbonation".
Elbow: Angled fitting with female connections at
both ends. Also known as an "ell".
Elkay Corian: by Elkay - A patented blend of
natural mineral and pure acrylic resin. It carries the color completely
through the material and can be simply cleaned to renew the surface to its
original appearance. Scratch, stain and chip resistant. It is heat
resistant up to 500 degrees and it has a 10 year limited warranty.
Escutcheon: A flange or shield beneath a faucet
handle. This part covers the faucet stem and the hole in the fixture or
wall.
Extension Tube: A straight section of tubing used
to extend a drainage run.
Female IPS (FIP): (Female Iron Pipe) Standard
internal threads on pipe fittings.
Fireclay: A variation of vitreous china having
greater amounts of quartz and feldspar in the clay material beneath the
vitreous surface. Fireclay is heavier (30%), denser, and thicker than
regular clay. These properties insure smooth, flat surfaces on large
fixtures which is not achievable with standard vitreous china.
Fitting: A broad based term usually referring to
faucets, shower valves, and tub fillers. Also refers to various piping
parts such as tees and elbows.
Flush Valve (Tank Type): Toilet flushing system
that uses supply water pressure to compress water to provide a pressurized
flush as opposed to gravity flush.
Flush Valve (Tankless Type): Toilet valve that
automatically shuts off after it meters a certain amount of water flow.
Also known as a "flushometer".
GPM: (Gallons Per Minute) The rate of water flow by
which faucets and showerheads are measured and regulated.
GPF: (Gallons Per Flush) The rate of water flow by
which toilets and flush valves are measured and regulated. Current law
requires maximum of 1.6 GPF. Older styles were usually 3.5 GPF.
Ground Joint: A joint which consists of pressing
two smooth mating surfaces together without a gasket or supplemental
sealant.
Handing:
HP: Horsepower.
Homogenous: Same in composition throughout as
opposed to laminate.
Homespa: by Kohler - A whirlpool program featuring
the "Spa Experience". There are 4 "Experience packages" to choose from
featuring different combinations of effervescent bubbles, chromatherapy,
flexjets, backjets and neckjets.
Hose Bibb: Term used for "sillcock".
Hot Water Dispenser: Product which maintains a
quantity of near-boiling water for instant use at any time.
I.D.: (Inside Diameter) All pipes are sized
according to their inside diameter.
IPS: (Iron Pipe Size) Standard Pipe threads. Female
IPS is internal pipe threads, male IPS is external pipe threads. Also
known as "NPT" or "NPS".
Ingenium: by Kohler - Flushing performance
engineered to deliver performance in 1.6 GPF toilets comparable to the
performance given by previous 3.5 GPF models.
Instantaneous Water Heater: Type of water heater
which heats supply as it passes through; no storage tank necessary. Also
known as a "tankless heater".
Lavatory: Bathroom or washroom sink.
Lavatory Riser: Flexible supply tube with
bullet-shaped end, used to make the final supply connection with external
treaded inlet shanks (MIP).
Ledgeback: Style of sink or lavatory which includes
a deck at the rear for mounting the faucet and other accessories.
Male IPS (MIP): (Male Iron Pipe) Standard external
threads on pipe and fittings.
Metering Faucet: Faucet which delivers a
predetermined volume of water and then automatically shuts off.
Minispread: A special style of bathroom lavatory
having separate spout and handles, but designed small enough that it will
fit 4" center-to-center faucet holes.
Mixing Valve: Mixes hot and cold water to achieve a
specified delivery temperature.
Moenstone: by Moen - Kitchen sinks made from a
high-strength quartz composite material. It carries the color completely
through the material for fade proof brilliance that resists cutting,
scratching and staining. It is heat resistant up to 446 degrees and it has
a 15 year warranty.
Monobloc Faucet: A single handle faucet.
Molded Stone: By Fiat - Mixture of resin,
fiberglass strands and ground stone. The molding is done in matched metal
dyes under heat and pressure, resulting in a one piece homogenous product
weighs 80% less than Terrazzo, stronger than stone, stain proof, and can
withstand boiling water.
Mounting Frame: External mounting means used to
install sinks which have no integral provision.
Neo-Angle: A corner shower base whose door is
usually at a 45-degree angle to the walls.
Nipple: A short length of pipe installed between
couplings or other fittings.
Nominal Size: Size used for identification only;
not literal dimensions.
O.D.: (Outside diameter) The diameter of a pipe
measured from the outside edge.
Obscure Glass: Glass that lets light through but is
not totally transparent.
Offset: A tubular component that permits the
offsetting of a drainage run in the same basic direction.
"P" Trap: Trap design which routes drainage
horizontally backs through the wall to connect with the drainage waste
vent(DWV).
PSI: (Pounds per Square Inch) A means of
measurement used to determine pressure within contained area.
Pedestal Lavatory: A lavatory (sink) in which the
basin is supported primarily by a pedestal leg.
Pivot Door: A shower door that rotates on metal
pivots located at the top and bottom of the door.
Pop-Up Drain: Remote control drain assembly. Also
known as a "Trip Lever Drain" for tubs.
Potable: Water, which is safe to drink.
Powder Coat: A technique for applying paint to
metal surfaces. The metal is covered with a powder of dry paint particles
and is baked in an oven. This causes the powder to melt and harden into a
tough, colorful finish.
Pressure-Assisted: A toilet that uses a sealed tank
to trap air when the tank fills with water; the trapped air gives the
water an extra push when the toilet is flushed.
Pressure Balancing Valve: A shower mixing valve
that automatically maintains balance between incoming hot and cold water
supplies by immediately regulating fluctuations in pressure. As a result
the outlet temperature remains constant, though the outlet pressure may
drop. Also known as an "Anti-Scald" valve.
Pull: A cabinet or drawer handle, as opposed to a
knob.
Pull-Out Spray: Single-control kitchen faucet that
offers a retractable hose and spray head to be used for food preparation
and cleaning.
Pureair: by Jacuzzi - A series of air bubble tubs
that feature air movement from gentle to robust or from wave to pulsating
action through a system called "Thermal Lumbar Comfort" (TLC).
PVD: (Physical Vapor Deposition) A modern plating
process used mostly with polished brass or gold finishes on faucets.
Vaporized zirconium reacts with nitrogen and another special gas to form a
durable plated surface which will not tarnish or discolor.
Recessed Tub: A tub that has a decorative finish on
one side only and is surrounded by three walls.
Reverse Osmosis: A water treatment method whereby
water is forced through a semi permeable membrane that filters out
impurities.
Reverse Trap Flushing: Flushing design in which
trap is located at rear, assisted by jet in trapway.
Riser: A vertical metal or plastic tube or assembly
that connects a faucet to the water supply stop valve. Usually made of
copper.
Rough-In: Installation of the drain, waste, vent
and supply lines in a structure to the proposed location of each fixture.
"S" Trap: Trap design with routes drainage
vertically down through the floor to connect with the drainage waste vent
(DWV).
Screwdriver Stop: Used with tub/shower faucets:
Shut-off valve at the supply inlets that permit the servicing of the basic
mechanism without need to shut off the water supply to the entire house or
building. Furnished with slotted stems which can be turned with a
screwdriver. Also know as a "Service Stop".
Scullery Sink: Type of sink used in commercial or
institutional kitchens.
Self-Rimming: A style of bathroom lavatory or
kitchen sink with a rolled and finished edge, or rim. The fixture installs
on top of a counter without the need for a metal sink rim.
Semi-Encastre: A unique, space-saving, self-rimming
lavatory installation in which the back of the lavatory is installed into
the countertop while the front or apron, of the lavatory projects from the
countertop.
Service Sink: Deep fixed basin, usually supplied
with hot and cold water, which is used for rinsing of mops, disposal of
cleaning water, or washing clothes and other household items.
Service Stop: Used with tub/shower faucets;
Shut-off valve at the supply inlets which permit the servicing of the
basic mechanism without need to shut off the water supply to the entire
house or building. Furnished with slotted stems which can be turned with a
screwdriver. Also known as "Screwdriver Stops".
Shroud: Color matched component under a wall mount
lavatory that covers the drain outlet for aesthetic purposes.
Sillcock: An outdoor faucet furnished with hose
threads on the spout. Also used to supply washing machines. Also known as
a "hose bibb".
Siligranit: by Blanco - 80% rock hard granite.
Color all the way through. Resistant to scratches, chips and stains and
heat. Impervious to acids and alkalis. Easy to clean and maintain and it
has a no hassle limited lifetime warranty.
Siphon Jet Toilet: A toilet having a trapway at the
rear of the bowl and integral flushing rim, and minimum dimensions of 5" x
4" water spot and 1 1/2" ball pass. Similar to reverse trap flushing, but
more efficient.
Single Threshold: Type of shower base used in a
three wall installation with the threshold being the side with the door.
Slip Joint: A connection made with compression
fittings.
Stop: The shutoff valve under sinks and toilets.
Allows water supply to be cut off to one fixture without affecting the
water supply to the entire house or building.
Swanstone: by Swan Corporation - A homogenous,
nonporous material with color molded throughout. This material is
reinforced , modified acrylic filled with natural minerals. It is heat
resistant up to 375 degrees and it has a limited lifetime warranty.
T & P Valve: (Temperature and Pressure Valve) A
safety device used to expel excess pressure of heat from inside a tank.
Tankless Heater: Type of water heater that heats
water as it passes through - no storage tank necessary. Also known as
"instantaneous heater".
Tee: T-shaped fitting with three openings that
allow another pipe to be joined at a 90 degree angle, used to create
branch lines.
Tempered Glass: Glass that has been annealed or
strengthened by a process of gradually heating and cooling. Once a piece
of glass has been tempered, it cannot be cut. If it breaks, it breaks into
many small pieces.
Terazzo: by Fiat-Made of marble chips cast in white
Portland cement to produce a compressive strength of not less than 3000
PSI. Surface is ground and polished with all air holes/pits are grouted
and excess is removed. The marble chips are black and white in color.
Theromstatic Valve: A shower mixing valve with
automatic temperature control. When temperature fluctuations occur at the
water inlets, a thermal actuator adjusts the hot and cold ratio to
maintain the original temperature setting.
Trap: Curved section of drain line that prevents
sewer odors from escaping into the atmosphere. All fixtures that have
drains must have a "P" trap installed. A toilet is the only plumbing
fixture with an "S" trap.
Trim Kit: Refers to the outside decorative covering
of a faucet rough-in valve. Includes items such as the showerhead, tub
spout, handles, etc. The trim is the parts you can see when looking at a
faucet.
Trip Lever: Flush handle and actuating arm on a
toilet tank. Also the lever that opens and closes the drain on the bathtub
waste and overflow.
Tub Filler: Bath-tub spout, may or may not included
handles and diverter. Be sure when ordering.
Undercounter: A style of lavatory that is
positioned under the cutout of the countertop.
Union: A three piece fitting that joins two
sections of pipe, but allows them to be disconnected without cutting the
pipe.
Vacuum Breaker: An anti-siphon device that prevents
the backflow of contaminated water into the water supply system in the
event of a negative pressure condition.
Valve: A device that regulates the flow of water.
Also the rough-in part of a faucet that is concealed in the wall or
undercounter.
Valve Only: Trim not included on this device that
regulates the flow of water. It is the rough-in part only of a faucet that
is concealed in the wall or undercounter.
Vikrell: by Sterling A strong, stable material that
is resistant to chipping, cracking and peeling; easy to clean and simple
to install (often can be done by one person). Its tongue-in-groove
interlocking joints create a tight seal around the enclosure and the tub,
often eliminating the need for caulk or grout.
Vitreous China: Ceramic materials fired at a high
temperature to form a non-porous body, having exposed surfaces coated with
ceramic glaze fused to the body.
Volume Control: Knob or handle that maintains the
flow of water. Rough-in not included.
Wash Fountain: Hand washing fixture providing
lavatory function for two or more persons simultaneously.
Washdown Toilet: Water closet having a siphon
trapway at the front of the bowl, and integral flushing rim.
Waste and Overflow: The drain assembly for a
bathtub. The outlet at the top removes the "overflow" water during tub
filling and the drain at the bottom removes "waste" water when the tub is
drained.
Water Closest: A toilet.
Water Cooler: A fixture that includes a
refrigeration system for chilling drinking water.
Widespread: A style of bathroom lavatory faucet
having separate spout and handles. Usually 8" from center to handle to
handle. Some widespread faucets can be set with handles up to 12" apart.
