A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | M | N | O | P | R | S | T | U | V | W
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| A (index) | |
| ABS | Acrylonitrile Butadrene Stryene; pipe used extensively for DWV systems. |
| Adaptor | A fitting that joins two different types of pipes together. Or a fitting that joins threaded with none threaded pipe (as in: female adaptor or male adaptor). |
| B (index) | |
| Black Iron | Pipe that has no coating. |
| Bushing | Fitting that is used to make the diameter of a pipe fitting smaller. They differ from reducers in that they make abrupt changes in diameter and take very little space. Bushings have both male and female threads. |
| C (index) | |
| Cap | Fitting used to close the end of a dead end pipe. |
| Check Valves | Valve that lets water flow in one direction only. |
| Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) | Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride is a plastic product designed for drinking water at temperatures up to 180 degrees (where code permits). Comes in straight or rolls, generally off white colored (orange for fire sprinklers). |
| Class | Sizes of PVC pipe that are designed for a specific working pressure (ex. Class 200 = 200 PSI). Common class sizes are 125, 200, and 315. |
| Compression Fitting | An easy-use connector for copper or plastic pipe connection, created by tightening a nut and thereby compressing a washer or gasket to form a water tight seal. |
| Copper Pipe | Rigid form (hard) pipe made of copper and sold in different lengths. DWV (drain, waste, vent) - large size Type K - thick wall Type L - medium wall Type M - thin wall. |
| Copper Tubing | Soft, pipe like material sold in pipe lengths & rolls. |
| Coupling | Fitting that is used to join two straight pieces of pipe of the same diameter |
| D (index) | |
| De-burr | To remove the metal ridge from the inside of pipe after it has been cut. |
| Dielectric | A non-conductive fitting used to connect dissimilar pipes. |
| Drain-Waste-Vent (DWV) | Plumbing system that carries waste and waste water away to a septic system or to a municipal waste treatment center. |
| Drip | Type of sprinkler/irrigation system. |
| E (index) | |
| Elbow | A pipe fitting used to change the direction of the pipe run. The most common elbows come in 90 degree and 45 degree turns. |
| F (index) | |
| Female Threads | Pipe threading on the inside of the pipe. |
| 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. |
| Fixture | Broad term in plumbing/kitchen/bath that could be an entire toilet, sink, tub, etc. Or it could be the devices that provide a supply of water. |
| Flux | A substance that aids, induces, or otherwise actively participates in fusing or flowing, as a substance applied to a surface to be joined by welding, soldering, or brazing to facilitate the flowing of solder and prevent formation of oxides. |
| G (index) | |
| Galvanized | A zinc coating on the outside and inside of pipe to prevent corrosion. |
| Gate Valve | A valve situated between the point of connection and the rest of the plumbing system. It usually remains wide open, but can be shut down in case repairs or additions have to be made to the system. |
| Globe Valve | A valve used when frequent adjustment of the flow rate is necessary. It is a compression-type valve with a disk or washer that is compressed into a seat to form a tight seal. |
| H (index) | |
| Hose Bib | A threaded exterior faucet that allows for the attachment of a garden hose or appliance hose. |
| I (index) | |
| Inside Diameter (ID) | Pipe size is based on the inside diameter and is a nominal size. |
| IPS | Iron Pipe Size. Standard pipe threading, measured by the inside of the pipe |
| M (index) | |
| Male Threads | Pipe threading on the outside of the pipe. |
| Micro Sprinkler | Type of sprinkler/irrigation system |
| N (index) | |
| National Pipe Thread (NPT) | Standard threads used for steel pipe. These threads are tapered (3/4” per foot) to provide an interference fit that is leak proof. |
| Nipple | A short piece of pipe (less than 12”) that is threaded on both ends. |
| Nominal | Approximate size. |
| O (index) | |
| Outside Diameter OD | Outside Diameter. The measurement of a pipe from outside edge to outside edge. |
| P (index) | |
| PE | Polyethylene; Pipe commonly used in landscape drip irrigation. |
| PE-RT | Polyethylene - Raised Temperature; Pipe used in domestic hot and cold water systems. |
| Pipe | Any rigid tube like material |
| Pipe Joint Compound | Material used as lubrication or sealer on threads of pipes & fittings. |
| Plastic Irrigation Pipe (PIP) | Irrigation pipe used in low pressure applications. PIP comes in pressure ratings of 22 psi, 50 psi, 80 psi, 100 psi, and 125 psi and is generally available in diameters of 6", 8", 10", 12", 15", 18", 21", and 24". |
| Plug | Fitting used to close an opening on a pipefitting. Normally used for inspection and cleanout. |
| Plumbing Code | Legal requirement for plumbing installations. |
| Potable | Fit to drink. |
| Primer | Used to prep PVC pipe for gluing. Priming cleans the surface, removes glaze, and starts the softening process to make a proper joint. |
| PVC | Polyvinyl chloride; pipe used primarily for cold water supply and irrigation systems. |
| R (index) | |
| Reducer | Fitting that is used to join pipe of different diameters |
| S (index) | |
| Schedule | A grade of pipe. Refers to the wall thickness of pipe. |
| Slip Fitting | Copper or plastic coupling w/o an interior ridge or shoulder. Used when repairing or extending pipe. |
| Solder | Any of various fusible alloys, usually tin and lead, used to join metallic parts. |
| Solvent Glue | Used to “weld” or “glue” PVC pipe to fittings. |
| Street Elbow | One end of the fitting has male threads and the other end has female threads. Street elbows are common in galvanized steel and copper pipe. They are convenient because they do away with the need for a nipple and work well in tight quarters. |
| Sweat Soldering | Method of connecting copper tubing w/ solder & a propane torch. Also referred to as a sweated connection. |
| T (index) | |
| Tee | Pipe fittings that allow for branch lines. |
| Teflon Tape | A tape used to wrap threaded pipe fittings to create a water-tight seal. |
| Tubing | Any pipe that is flexible enough to bend. |
| U (index) | |
| Union | Fitting used to join pieces of pipe where pipes cannot be turned or when a piece of equipment may have to be removed for maintenance or replacement. |
| V (index) | |
| Valves | Device that controls the flow of liquid or gas through or from a pipe. Types of plumbing valves are: compression valves, ball valves, sleeve-cartridge valves, ceramic disc valves and more. |
| W (index) | |
| Wyes | Pronounced like the letter Y; are used primarily to gain inside access to DWV systems. |