Plumbing Terminology Every Homeowner Should Know

Plumbing Terminology

Plumbing is one area the homeowners should learn. Plumbing problems can happen very quickly and cause a lot of property damage. So, understanding the basics is a good way to protect your home or complete a few simple home maintenance projects. First, there is some plumbing terminology every homeowner should know in order to understand DIY tutorials or find parts.

Understanding the right terms can also help you work with your professional plumber and keep you both on the same page when discussing estimates.

 

Common Part Names and Functions

One of the most common and inconvenient problems that many homeowners face is problems with their toilets. Here’s a rundown of common toilet parts and their functions:

Supply valve

This is the connection to your main water supply that fills the toilet tank. You’ll find this valve behind the commode, about a foot from the floor. You can close it to keep water from filling the tank.

Flapper

The flapper is the shutoff valve at the bottom of your toilet tank that opens to release water into the bowl and flush the toilet.

Ballcock

This is the valve in the toilet tank that allows clean water into the toilet tank for the next flush.

Float valve

This is the balloon-type part that floats on the surface of the water in the toilet tank. When the water empties to flush the toilet, this gadget closes the flapper to allow the tank to fill again. Once the float has risen to the fill point, it triggers the ballcock to close.

Trap

This is a bend in the bottom of the toilet that holds a small pool of water. This pool prevents sewer gases from rising from the drains. You will also see these bends in sink drains. Sometimes, this is called the closet bend.

Closet auger

This is a flexible tool that plumbers use to remove blockages from the trap in the toilet.

Closet flange

This is also called a floor flange, and it secures the toilet to the floor with bolts.

Wax ring

This is a ring made of wax that works like a gasket between the toilet and waste drain or soil pipe. You may see newer models made of silicone on the market.

Trip lever

The trip lever is the technical term for the flush handle on your toilet.

GPF

GPF stands for “gallons per flush,” and it indicates how much water is used when flushing the toilet. Modern toilets are regulated to use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush. Highly efficient models use even less water.

Soil pipe

This is the waste pipe that removes the contents of your toilet bowl and carries it to your septic tank or municipal treatment facility.

Bathroom Disasters

If you find yourself facing a major plumbing challenge in your bathroom or anywhere else in your home, make an appointment with the team at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Port St. Lucie. We offer fast and responsive service to solve clogs, leaks, or installations.

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