Understanding terminology related to plumbing and heating can help save homeowners and domestic tenants time, money and stress when dealing with household issues. Whether you’re calling on a plumbing professional or tackling a DIY project, these 9 common plumbing terms are important to be familiar with:
Commonly located underneath sinks, showers and baths is the p-trap – a curved section of pipework that holds a small amount of water. This small amount of water creates a seal which helps to prevent odours and gases entering our home. If you notice an unpleasant smell coming from your sink or drains, it is often an issue within the p-trap.
Water pressure simply means the force in which water flows through your pipes. Low water pressure can cause difficulty with multiple fixtures supplying water at once, while high pressure can damage your plumbing.
Essential for ensuring a secure and leak-proof flow of water between pipes, pipe threading refers to the purpose made grooves at the end of pipes that can be screwed together.
A faucet is a device used to control the flow of water from a pipe or container to a water system, commonly found in kitchens, utility rooms and bathrooms. A tap is a type of faucet, as water enters it through its supply pipe when turned on.
Inside of a plumbing fixture is a gasket, which is a flat ring or washer that forms a seal between two surfaces. Often made of metal, rubber or silicone, it fills the space between two connected parts to prevent leaks. If you are experiencing a leaking faucet, it could be the gasket which needs replacing.
Simply put, backflow means water that is flowing in the wrong direction. If water is backflowing, it could cause the clean water supply to become contaminated. A backflow preventer can be used to avoid this issue, to ensure water only flows in one direction.
PVC is the most commonly used plastic in plumbing for pipes and drains. This is because it is durable and resistant to corrosion, as well as being inexpensive.
Not to be confused with the ‘softener’ we may use when washing our clothes, a water softener in plumbing terms is a system that removes minerals such as calcium and magnesium from hard water. A water softener’s main function is to reduce scale build-up in appliances and pipes, helping to improve water quality and extend your plumbing system’s lifespan.
A stop valve, also known as a shutoff valve, stop tap or stopcock, is the overriding valve that controls the flow of water to your home. There are often multiple stop valves in a home, including those for the entire home as well as specific fixtures and appliances. Knowing where to find and how to operate your stop valve is crucial to stop the flow of water in the unfortunate event of a leak.
We hope this article has taught you a thing or two about common plumbing terms. Now you’re sure to be well equipped when communicating with plumbing contractors or troubleshooting minor issues yourself. If you have any questions relating to this article or have some plumbing issues of your own which require professional assistance, contact the Carshalton Boilers team today.
