Plumbing Glossary

This glossary should help you understand the basic terminology related to plumbing systems.

 

1. Drain Pipe:

   • A pipe that carries wastewater from plumbing fixtures to a sewer or other disposal point.

2. Waste Pipe:

   • A pipe that carries waste from plumbing fixtures, excluding human waste.

3. Vent Pipe:

   • A pipe that allows air to enter the plumbing system, preventing siphoning and ensuring proper drainage.

4. Combination Sewer:

   • A sewer that carries both stormwater and sanitary sewage.

5. Public Sewer:

   • A sewer owned and maintained by a public entity or municipality.

6. Building Sewer:

   • The pipe that carries sewage from a building to the public sewer or other disposal point.

7. Building Drain:

   • The part of the drainage system that extends from the base of the building to the building sewer.

8. Private Sewer:

   • A sewer that is not owned or maintained by a public entity but serves private properties.

9. Septic Tank:

   • A tank buried underground that receives and decomposes sewage from a building.

10. Soil Pipe:

    • A pipe that carries human waste from plumbing fixtures to the sewer or septic tank.

11. Trap Weir or Crown Weir:

    • The bottom of the highest point inside a trap where water forms a seal, preventing sewer gases from entering the building.

12. Trap Dip:

    • The curved section at the bottom of a trap that retains water to create a seal against sewer gas.

13. Trap Seal:

    • The water in a trap that prevents the escape of sewer gases.

14. Tail Piece:

    • A short length of pipe connecting a plumbing fixture to a drain or trap.

15. Trap Arm:

    • The horizontal pipe connecting a trap to the drain line.

16. Self-Scouring Trap:

    • A trap designed to prevent the buildup of debris by flushing away waste.

17. Trap Primer:

    • A device that maintains water in a trap by providing a small flow of water.

18. Soil Stack:

    • A vertical pipe that carries waste from upper floors to the building drain.

19. Stack Vent:

    • A vertical vent that connects with the soil or waste stack to vent the plumbing system.

20. Vent Stack:

    • A vertical pipe that provides air circulation to the drainage system and extends above the roof.

21. Branch Vent:

    • A vent pipe connecting to the main vent stack or soil stack.

22. Wet Vent:

    • A vent that also serves as a drain line.

23. Siphoning:

    • The process by which water is drawn or pulled through a pipe, potentially leading to trap seal loss and the release of sewer gases.