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A
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| ABS | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene: A type of rigid, heat-resistant plastic, most often used for drain lines. |
| Aerator | A device at the end of a faucet spout that mixes air into the flowing water. |
| Air Gap | A device mounted at the back of a kitchen sink that connects the drain line between a dishwasher and disposer. Allows the dishwasher to discharge freely onto the disposer while preventing contaminated water from siphoning back into the dishwasher. |
| Angle Stop | A shutoff valve between water pipes and faucet, toilet, or bidet. Connects to water supply at a 90° angle. |
| Apron | The decorative front of a bathtub. Often sold separately from the tub. Also called the 'skirt'. |
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B |
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| Backflow Preventer | A device that prevents water from traveling from one system back into any part of the main distribution system. Usually required for handshowers, pullout faucet spouts, and kitchen sprayers. |
| Backsplash | A raised portion of a wall-mount sink or lavatory located at the rear of the fixture to protect the wall. |
| Basket Strainer | A basket-like sink strainer with holes that allow water to drain while catching solids. Also can be closed to plug the drain. |
| Batch Feed | A type of garbage disposer in which waste is fed into the unit one load at a time and activated by placing a stopper into the drain opening. |
| Bidet | A plumbing fixture used for personal hygiene. Usually floor-mounted next to a toilet, it features a basin, faucet, and sprayer. See Bidets |
| Bushing | A pipe fitting threaded on the inside and out used to join two pipes of different sizes. |
| Bypass Door | Shower door that consists of two or more panels that run in parallel tracks. |
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C |
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| CTS | Copper Tube Size: Refers to the outside diameter of the pipe. |
| Carrier | Structural device used to support a wall mounted fixture such as a sink tub or lavatory. |
| Centers | Designation for the distance between the centers of the handles on a faucet or tub filler. See ‘Center-to-Center’. |
| Center-to-Center | Designation for the distance between the centers of the handles on a faucet or tub filler. See ‘Centers’. |
| Centerset Faucet | A type of bathroom faucet with spout and handles attached by a base; centers of handles are four inches apart. See 4” Centerset Bathroom Faucets |
| Check Stop | A shut-off valve used with tub and shower faucets that is activated by turning a slotted stem with a screwdriver. Also called a 'screwdriver stop' or a 'service stop'. |
| Check Valve | A type of backflow preventer that is installed in a pipe so that water flows in only one direction. |
| Ceramic Disk Valve | A superior type of valve that features two disks that rotate within a sealed cartridge. Each disk has a hole that must be aligned with the other to allow water to pass through. |
| Cock | A faucet or valve that regulates the flow of water. |
| Console | A table-like fixture with an integral lavatory basin. Usually wall mounted in the back, and supported with brackets or legs in the front. See Consoles & Vanities |
| Continuous Feed | A type of garbage disposer in which waste is fed into the unit while it is running. Operated by a wall switch. |
| Coupling | A straight, sleeve-like fitting with female (internal thread) connections at both ends. |
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D |
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| Diverter | Valve used to re-direct water to various outlets, such as between a tub filler and shower head. |
| Double Threshold | A shower base designed for corner applications, in which one threshold is used as an entrance and the other has a glass wall. |
| Drop-In Tub | A tub designed to be built into a raised platform, or dais. Does not include an apron. See Drop-In Tubs |
| DWV | Drainage, Waste, and Vent: The pipes in a plumbing system that remove waste water. |
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E |
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| Elbow | Angled fitting with female connections on both ends. Also known as an 'ell'. |
| Elongated Front Toilet | A toilet with a longer bowl, usually about two inches longer than a standard round-front toilet. |
| Escutcheon | A decorative flange or shield beneath a faucet handle or spout, designed to cover the faucet stem and the hole in the counter or wall. |
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F |
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| Female IPS | Female Iron Pipe: Pipe fittings with standard internal threads. Also called 'FIP'. |
| FIP | Female Iron Pipe: Pipe fittings with standard internal threads. Also called 'Female IPS'. |
| Fireclay | A type of vitreous china that includes higher quantities of quartz and feldspar. Better suited for large, smooth surfaces than standard china. |
| Fitting | A broad term usually used to refer to faucets, shower valves, and tub fillers, as well as various plumbing parts such as tees and elbows. |
| Fixture | A general term for sinks, tubs, toilets, and bidets. Does not include faucets and other fittings. |
| Flow Rate | The rate at which water flows from a faucet or showerhead. |
| Front Connection Spout | Spout designed to accomodate a valve or pipe that extends outward from the wall. The connection between spout and pipe occurs inside the body of the spout. See Rear Connection Spout. |
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G |
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| Gelcoat | A colored polyester resin used on the surface of some fiberglass bathtubs and shower surrounds. |
| GPM | Gallons Per Minute: The rate of water flow by which faucets and showerheads are measured and regulated. |
| GPF | Gallons Per Flush: Water usage measure by which toilets are regulated. Current law requires a maximum GPF of no more than 1.6; older models used 3.5 GPF. |
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H |
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| Handshower | A showerhead that is attached to a flexible hose for added range of motion and reach. See Hand Showers |
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I |
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| ID | Inside Diameter: Standard measure for all pipes. |
| IPS | Iron Pipe Size: Standard pipe size. Female IPS are threaded internally; Male IPS are threaded externally. |
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L |
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| Lavatory | Sink used in the bathroom or washroom. See Bath Basins |
| Ledgeback | Style of sink which includes a deck at the rear for mounting the faucet and other accessories. |
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M |
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| Male IPS (MIP) | Male Iron Pipe: Pipe fittings with standard external threads on pipe and fittings. |
| Metering Faucet | Faucet which delivers a predetermined volume of water and then automatically shuts off. See Metering Faucets |
| Minispread Faucet | A style of lavatory faucet with separated spout and handles, but scaled small enough to fit faucet holes on four inch centers. See 4” Mini-Spread Bathroom Faucets |
| Mixing Valve | Mixes hot and cold water to achieve a specified delivery temperature. |
| Monobloc Faucet | A single-handle, single hole faucet. See Single Hole Bathroom Faucet |
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N |
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| Nipple | A short length of pipe installed between couplings or other fittings. |
| NPT | National Pipe Tapered thread standard. Standard pipe size; see IPS. |
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O |
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| OD | Outside Diameter: The diameter of a pipe measured from the outside edge. |
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P |
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| PSI | Pounds per Square Inch: A unit of measure used to determine pressure within a contained area. |
| Pedestal Lavatory | A lavatory in which the basin is supported predominantly by a pedestal leg. See Pedestal Sinks |
| Pop Up Drain | Remote-control drain assembly for tubs and lavatories. Also known as a 'trip lever drain'. |
| Pressure Balance Valve | A shower mixing valve that automatically maintains balance between incoming hot and cold water supplies to maintain a constant temperature despite a drop in water pressure. Also known as an anti-scald valve. See Pressure Balance Valve Trims |
| Pull-Out Spray | A single-control kitchen faucet that has a retractable hose and sprayhead to be used for food preparation and cleaning. See Pull-Out Spray Faucets |
| PVD | Physical Vapor Deposition: A long-lasting, durable coating of titanium or zirconium usually used on Brass Faucets. Helps prevent scratches. |
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R |
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| Rear Connection Spout | A spout designed to accomodate a valve or pipe that is flush with the wall. Connection between pipe and spout occurs at the back of the spout. See Front Connection Spout. |
| Recessed Tub | A tub that has a decorative finish on one side only, and is surrounded by three walls. Also called an apron-front tub. See Apron-Front Tubs |
| Right Height Toilet | For American Standard Toilets. Designates toilets with a higher than standard seat. ADA compliant. |
| Riser | A vertical metal or plastic tube or assembly that connects a faucet to the water supply stop valve. Usually copper. |
| Rough-In | The rough ends of drain and supply lines that mark the proposed location of fixtures. |
| Rough-In Valve | The functional drain, vent, and supply lines that comprise the functioning part of a faucet or fixture. Usually concealed inside a wall or under a counter with the trim (spouts, handles, etc.) on the outside. |
| Round-Front Toilet | A toilet with a shorter bowl, excellent for smaller rooms. Bowl is usually two inches shorter than an elongated-front toilet. |
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S |
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| Self-Rimming Sink | A style of bathroom or kitchen sink with a rolled or otherwise finished edge. Installs on top of countertop without the need for a metal sink rim. See Self Rimming for Sinkmount Faucets, or Self-Rimming for Deckmount Faucets |
| Semi Encastre Sink | A self-rimming lavatory in which the back of the lavatory is installed into the countertop while the front (or apron) of the sink projects from the countertop. Designed to maximize space efficiency. |
| Shroud | A color-matched component under a wall-mount lavatory that covers the drain outlet for aesthetic purposes. |
| Skirt | The decorative front of a bathtub. Often sold separately from the tub. Also called the 'apron'. |
| Stop | The shut-off valve under a sink or toilet that allows the water to be cut off to the fixture without affecting the water supply to the rest of the building. |
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T |
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| T & P Valve | Temperature and Pressure-Release Valve: A device used to expel excess pressure or heat from inside a tank. |
| Tee | T-shaped fitting with three openings that allow another pipe to be joined at a 90 degree angle. Used to create branch lines. |
| Tempered Glass | Glass that has been annealed or strengthened by a process of gradually heating and cooling. Once glass has been tempered, it cannot be cut, and - if broken - breaks into small rounded pieces. |
| Thermostatic Valve | A shower mixing valve with automatic temperature control. Features a thermal actuator that adjusts water temperature to maintain an initial temperature setting despite temperature fluctuations in the water supply. See Thermostatic Valve Trims |
| Trap | Curved section of drain line that prevents sewer odors from escaping. All fixtures with drains must have a trap installed (toilets use 'S' traps; all other fixtures use 'P' traps). |
| Trim | A term used to designate the outside decorative covering of a faucet rough-in valve. Usually includes items such as a showerhead, handles, tub spout, etc. |
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U |
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| Undercounter Sink | A type of sink that is installed under a cutout in a countertop. |
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V |
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| Vacuum Breaker | An anti-siphon device used to prevent the backflow of waste water into the water supply. |
| Valve | A device that regulates the flow of water. Also the rough-in part of a faucet that is concealed in a wall or undercounter. See Valves |
| Vanity | A cabinet or stand that supports a basin. Often includes a storage cabinet. See Consoles & Vanities |
| Vitreous China | Ceramic materials fired at a high temperature to form a nonporous body. Surfaces are coated with a ceramic glaze that is fused to the body. |
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W |
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| Washdown Toilet | Toilet with a siphon trapway at the front of the bowl, and an integral flushing rim. |
| Whirlpool Tub | A bath tub with water jets that recirculate and mix air into the water to create a spa experience. See Whirlpool Tubs |
| Widespread Faucet | A style of faucet with separate spout and handles usually designed to fit holes on eight inch centers. Can sometimes be set as far as 12" apart. See 8” Widespread Bathroom Faucets |