Plumbing, Drains, and Water Systems

An access panel is a removable opening that lets you reach valves or plumbing connections without cutting drywall.

An angle stop is the small shutoff valve under a sink or behind a toilet.

A backwater valve helps prevent sewage from flowing backward into the home during a sewer backup.

A cleanout is an access point in a drain line that lets a plumber clear clogs.

Copper piping is a traditional metal piping used for water supply lines, known for durability and long life.

A drain line carries used water away from sinks, tubs, showers, and toilets.

The DWV system is the network of drain, waste, and vent pipes that removes used water and sewer gases from a building.

An expansion tank is a small tank that gives hot water room to expand when pressure rises.

The first-hour rating measures how many gallons of hot water a tank water heater can deliver in the first hour of heavy use.

Gallons per minute measures the flow rate of water through a fixture or system at a given temperature rise.

Galvanized piping is steel pipe coated with zinc, once common for water supply but now considered outdated.

A grinder pump grinds wastewater and pumps it uphill from a low lot to a higher sewer main or septic system.

Hot water recirculation is a system that keeps hot water circulating in the pipes so it arrives instantly at fixtures without waiting.

A manifold system is a central plumbing hub with individual supply lines running directly to each fixture, like a breaker panel for water.

A P-trap is the curved section of drain pipe under a sink that holds water to block sewer gas.

PEX is a flexible plastic piping commonly used for water supply lines in modern homes.

A fixture is the end-use item like a faucet, toilet, shower valve, or tub.

Plumbing rough-in is the stage where supply lines, drain lines, and vent lines are installed before insulation and drywall.

A pressure reducing valve lowers water pressure coming into the house to a safer, steadier level.

A pressure tank stores pressurized water so the well pump does not need to start every time you open a faucet.

A pump system uses a pump to move effluent when gravity flow is not possible.

A shower valve is the control body inside the wall that mixes hot and cold water and sends it to the shower head or tub spout.

A shutoff valve lets you stop water flow to a fixture, a room, or the whole house.

Slope is the gentle downhill pitch a drain line needs so water and waste flow properly.

A sump pump is a pump in a pit that removes water from under or around the foundation and sends it outside.

A supply line is the pipe that brings clean water to fixtures like sinks, toilets, and showers.

A tank water heater stores and continuously heats a reservoir of hot water, typically 40 to 80 gallons, for immediate use.

A tankless water heater heats water on demand as it flows through the unit, without storing hot water in a tank.

A wax ring is a seal between the toilet base and the drain pipe in the floor.

The trap arm is the section of drain pipe between the P-trap and the vent connection.

Trap seal is the water sitting in a P-trap that blocks sewer gases from coming up.

A vent pipe allows air into the drainage system to maintain proper flow and prevent siphoning of water from traps.

A vent stack is a pipe that lets air into the plumbing system so drains flow smoothly without siphoning traps.

Water hammer is a banging or thumping in pipes when water flow stops suddenly.

A water hammer arrestor is a device that cushions pressure spikes in plumbing.

A water heater is the appliance that heats and stores hot water for showers, sinks, and appliances.