10 Common Plumbing Terms Every Homeowner Should Know

You do not have to be a plumbing expert. However, understanding a few common plumbing terms can help you explain a problem to your service technician more accurately.

Knowing these basic terms can also make it easier to communicate with the person taking your call or the plumber who arrives at your home. Here are 10 common plumbing terms every homeowner should know.

1. Greywater
   Greywater is used water that drains from showers, bathtubs and bathroom sinks. In contrast, water that contains waste from a toilet is called blackwater.
2. Flapper Valve
   A flapper valve is the rubber flap located at the bottom of your toilet tank. When you flush the toilet, the flapper lifts and allows water to move from the tank into the bowl.
3. Shut-Off Valve and Main Shut-Off Valve
   Local shut-off valves are located under sinks and behind toilets. These valves allow you to stop water from flowing to an individual fixture. Plumbers may also call them angle stops.
   
   Every homeowner should also know where to find the main water shut-off valve and how to operate it. During a major leak or another plumbing emergency, this valve allows you to stop water from entering the entire home. You may find the main shut-off valve in the basement, crawl space, garage or near the point where the main water line enters the house.
4. O-Ring
   An O-ring is a small, circular rubber ring that creates a watertight seal. You can find O-rings inside faucets, valves and many other plumbing components.
5. Pressure-Reducing Valve
   A pressure-reducing valve, also called a PRV, regulates the water pressure entering your home or business. By maintaining safe and consistent pressure, the valve helps protect your pipes, fixtures and plumbing appliances from damage.
6. Hose Bib
   A hose bib is the plumbing term for an outdoor water faucet or hose spigot. It provides a connection for a garden hose and other outdoor watering equipment.
7. P-Trap
   A P-trap is the P-shaped section of pipe located underneath a sink or another plumbing fixture. It holds a small amount of water that creates a seal. As a result, the seal helps prevent sewer gases from entering your home through the drain.
8. Water Hammer
   Water hammer is the banging or knocking sound that can occur when flowing water suddenly stops or changes direction inside a pipe. For example, you may hear this sound when a faucet or appliance valve closes quickly.
9. Auger or Cable Machine
   An auger uses a flexible, coiled cable to break through or remove an obstruction inside a drainpipe. A plumber feeds the cable into the clogged pipe and turns it through the blockage. A cable machine performs a similar job but uses a motor to rotate the cable.
10. Vent Stack
    A vent stack is the main vertical vent pipe that extends through the roof. It allows sewer gases to escape safely and brings air into the plumbing system. This airflow also helps water move through the drainpipes properly.

Need Help With a Plumbing Problem?

Understanding these common plumbing terms can help you describe a problem, but you do not have to diagnose or repair it yourself. If you notice a leak, clogged drain, unusual noise or another plumbing concern, Bono Plumbing can help.

Call 636-294-9110 or contact us through our website to schedule plumbing service in Wentzville, MO, or the surrounding area.