Plumbers glossary
Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a plumber provider in Columbia.
- What are copper pipe types K, L, and M?
- Types K, L, and M designate the wall thickness of copper tubing, with K being the thickest, L a mid-range standard, and M the thinnest, each approved for different installation contexts under plumbing code.
- What are shut-off valve types?
- Shut-off valve types are different mechanisms for controlling and stopping water flow to individual fixtures or the entire house, each with distinct designs and operation methods.
- What is a backflow preventer?
- A backflow preventer is a valve installed on water lines to prevent contaminated or non-potable water from flowing backward into the clean drinking water supply.
- What is a backwater valve?
- A one-way valve installed on a sewer lateral that allows wastewater to flow out toward the municipal line but prevents raw sewage from backing up into the home when the public line is overloaded.
- What is a cleanout (sewer cleanout)?
- A sewer cleanout is a capped underground pipe fitting that provides access to the main sewer line for clearing blockages with mechanical snakes or water jets.
- What is a grease trap?
- A grease trap is a plumbing interceptor that captures and separates fats, oils, and grease from wastewater in commercial kitchens before the water enters the municipal sewer.
- What is a main water shutoff valve?
- The main water shutoff valve is a control valve on the water line entering your home that stops all water flow to the building when turned off, located typically in the basement, crawlspace, or outside near the foundation.
- What is a P-trap?
- A P-trap is the U-shaped bend in a drain pipe, usually located directly beneath a sink, that traps water to create a seal blocking sewer gas from entering the home.
- What is a pressure regulator (PRV)?
- A pressure regulator valve (PRV) is a device installed on the main water line that automatically reduces incoming municipal water pressure to a safe range for household pipes and appliances, typically 40-80 PSI.
- What is a sewer camera inspection?
- A sewer camera inspection is a diagnostic method that uses a fiber-optic camera pushed through drain and sewer lines to identify blockages, breaks, root intrusion, and other damage without excavation.
- What is a sump pump?
- A sump pump is a submersible or pedestal pump installed in a pit (sump basin) to automatically remove accumulated groundwater and water intrusion from basements and crawlspaces.
- What is a tankless water heater?
- A tankless water heater heats water directly as it flows through the unit without storing heated water in a tank, delivering hot water on-demand.
- What is a TPR valve (temperature and pressure relief valve)?
- A TPR valve is a safety mechanism on water heater tanks that automatically opens to release excess temperature and pressure, preventing dangerous tank failure.
- What is a water hammer arrestor?
- A water hammer arrestor is a small cylindrical device installed near valves or appliances that absorbs sudden pressure surges in water pipes to eliminate banging and reduce damage risk.
- What is a water softener?
- A water softener is a system that uses ion-exchange resin to remove calcium and magnesium from hard water, preventing mineral buildup in pipes and appliances.
- What is an anode rod?
- A metal rod installed inside a water heater tank that corrodes in place of the tank walls, protecting the tank from rust and deterioration.
- What is an ejector pump?
- An ejector pump is a submersible pump installed in a sump pit below the level of a building's main sewer line that collects and forces wastewater from below-grade fixtures upward to the main drainage system.
- What is an expansion tank?
- An expansion tank is a small sealed vessel that absorbs excess water volume as it heats and expands in a closed plumbing system, protecting the water heater and pipes from pressure damage.
- What is CPVC pipe?
- CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) is a thermoplastic pipe rated to handle temperatures up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, commonly used for hot water distribution lines in homes and buildings.
- What is hydro jetting?
- Hydro jetting is a drain cleaning method that forces pressurized water through pipes to remove stubborn blockages caused by grease, tree roots, and mineral scale.
- What is PEX piping?
- PEX is a flexible plastic tubing made from cross-linked polyethylene, widely used in residential water supply lines as an alternative to copper or PVC pipe.
- What is pipe bursting?
- Pipe bursting is a trenchless repair technique in which an old underground pipe is fractured and displaced while a new pipe is drawn through the same path.
- What is trenchless pipe lining?
- Trenchless pipe lining, or cured-in-place pipe (CIPP), is a method to repair damaged pipes from the inside without excavation by inserting a resin-coated tube that hardens to form a new pipe wall.
- What is water hammer?
- Water hammer is a loud banging or clanging noise in pipes that occurs when water flow stops suddenly, typically when a valve closes or an appliance shuts off.