Whether you want to be a do-it-yourself plumber or communicate better with our plumbers in Ocala, FL, here’s a list of plumbing vocabulary that’ll help simplify repairs.
Auger
This flexible metal rod unclogs toilets, drains, and underground lines. There are several designs of augers, so double check that you have the right tool for the job!
Copper Piping
Copper pipes transport potable (drinkable) water to the taps in your home. The pipes are small in diameter and have a similar color as a penny. Copper pipes are rust-resistant, but the solder joints that connect them can corrode. Checking for corrosion is part of routine plumbing maintenance.
Drain
Clean water enters your home through a faucet or showerhead, but it exits as wastewater through a drain. Drains vary in size, from small drains in sink basins to large ones on the base of enclosed showers, and can be open, sealable, or partially covered by grates.
Energy Star
This international standard of energy efficiency applies to several appliances that connect to your plumbing system, including water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines. The higher Energy Star rating an appliance has, the less it costs to run.
Flapper
A flapper is an adjustable water shut-off valve. The most common example of a flapper is at the bottom of your toilet water tank; it’s opened by the toilet handle and causes the toilet to flush until the float valve (hollow ball) levels off when the tank refills.
Low-Flow
Water fixtures, such as urinals, that use lower volumes of water to operate are low-flow. Our plumbing company in Ocala has seen a trend toward low-flow plumbing as homeowners aim to reduce water consumption and lower utility bills.
Master Plumber
Plumbers earn professional titles based on levels of expertise as demonstrated through apprenticeships and state exams. Master plumbers usually have at least ten years of experience and manage the operations for their plumbing companies.
P-Trap & S-Trap
These drain pipes, named for the letters their shapes resemble, run from the sink base through the floor (p-trap) or the wall (s-trap). The curved shape of the pipes traps small amounts of water to prevent sewer odors and gases from traveling up through the pipe and into the home.
Sewer Jetting
High-pressured water shot out at 1,500 psi to 4,000 psi through a fine nozzle — that’s how hydro jetting makes enough force to clear stubborn clogs from sewer lines for mess-free and efficient sewer cleaning.
Shut-Off Valve
Shut-off valves are typically present near where water exits the plumbing system. Ball valves need a quarter turn to close, while multi-turn valves require several rotations. The righty-tighty, lefty-loosey rule usually applies to valves, but check the handle for arrows or written instructions to be on the safe side. When a pipe bursts or a water tank ruptures, skip the minor valves in the bathrooms or kitchen and head straight for the main water shut-off valve near the water heater — sometimes it’s located elsewhere; ask a plumber if you’re not sure!
Water Softener
Like most Floridians, you probably get water from the Floridan aquifer (unless you have a private well). While this water is high in quality, it can still include trace amounts of minerals, chemicals, and other contaminants. A water softener removes these for cleaner drinking water.
Can’t find the plumbing term you want? Give us a call! From friendly tips to emergency plumbing repairs, Sunshine Plumbing and Gas is here for all your plumbing needs!