| ABS |
Aristocraft bristone styrine, a rigid black plastic pipe used for drain, waste, and vent lines. |
| Aerator |
A device screwed into the end of a faucet spout that mixes air into flowing water, and controls flow to reduce splashing. It sometimes contains a baffle to reduce flow to 2.5 gpm. |
| Air Lock |
Blockage in the flow of liquid, esp. on the suction side of a pump caused by an air bubble in the line. |
| Angle Stop |
A shutoff valve between the water pipes and a faucet. Its inlet connects to the water supply pipe in a wall, and its outlet angles up 90 degrees toward the faucet. These are usually used to shut off water to a fixture in case of an emergency repair rather than daily usage. |
| Anode Rod |
A sacrificial rod installed in a water heater that protects the tank from corrosion, helping to extend the life of the tank. |
| Anti-Siphon |
Preventive device for the backflow of liquid into a system. Used on sprinkler systems to prevent water from trickling back into the supply that is feeding it. |
| Back Flow Preventer |
A device to prevent water from traveling from one system back into any part of the main distribution system, usually by siphoning, esp. into a potable water supply. This is generally required for sprinkler systems, handheld showers, pullout faucet spouts, kitchen sprayers, etc. |
| Back Pressure |
Pressure that resists the flow of fluid in a piping system. |
| Backwater Valve |
Sewer line valve that prevents sewage from flowing back into the house. |
| Ball Check Valve |
A valve that uses a ball to seal against a seat to stop flow in one direction. |
| Ballcock |
The fill valve that controls the flow of water from the water supply line into a gravity-operated toilet tank. It is controlled by a float mechanism that floats in the tank water. When the toilet is flushed, the float drops and opens the ballcock, releasing water into the tank and/or bowl. As the water in the tank is restored, the float rises and shuts off the ballcock when the tank is full. |
| Basin Wrench |
A wrench with a long handle with jaws mounted on a swivel that allows the jaws to reach and handle nuts to fasten faucets to a previously installed sink. |
| Blowbag |
A drain-cleaning device consisting of a rubber bladder with a hose fitting on one end and a nozzle on the other. The device attaches to a water hose and is inserted into a clogged drainpipe. As water is introduced, it expands to grip the pipe, and releases pulsating bursts of water through the nozzle, forcing water through the pipe to clear the obstruction. |
| Branch |
Any part of a drain system other than the main, riser, or stack. |
| Branch Vent |
A vent connecting one or more individual vents with a vent stack. |
| BTU |
British Thermal Unit – A unit of heat energy required to raise the temperature of 1 lb. of water 1 degree Fahrenheit. |
| Catch Basin |
Large underground container, with a grate on the top, for collection of storm water run-off. It catches or collects dirt and other debris and prevents them from polluting streams and lakes. |
