More Plumbing Terms

Here are some more frequently used terms by plumbers that can help you understand what they're talking about.

Fixing toilets occupies a significant amount of a plumber's time. There are many different parts, and your plumber will usually refer to what part they had to replace or fix. A tank stopper is a flapper or rubber device that seals off the tank from the bowl. When you flush a toilet the tank stopper lifts up to allow water to rush into the bowl.

The inlet valve is the part of the toilet that fills the tank with water after it has been emptied due to being flushed. If your plumber refers to a ballcock, he or she is referring to a specific type of inlet valve. The lift arm is connected to the handle of the toilet but is located in the inside of the tank. It lifts the flapper valve whenever the toilet is flushed. The flapper is attached to the lift chain and serves as a rubber plug. It has many different names; you might hear people refer to it as the tank-ball, seal, stopper or disk. The float ball is another critical piece of the toilet. It rests at the top of the water in the tank. When the toilet is flushed and the tank is emptied the float ball falls to the bottom of the tank. As the water rises back in, the float ball rises with it. When the float ball reaches the top the tank shuts off the water flow.

If you call a plumber to come work on a clogged drain or toilet, the plumber will most likely bring a closet auger or a drain auger. A closet auger is a flexible rod that is used to unclog toilets, while a drain auger is built to unclog sink and bathtub pipes. The drain auger, also referred to as a snake, is more commonly used by plumbers.

If your plumber is working on your gas hot water heater and uses the term thermocouple, he or she is referring to a copper wire, which serves as a safety device by preventing gas from reaching the burner if the pilot light has gone out by cooling the wire.

Another common part used in plumbing is an o-ring. This is a small, rubber ring that seals faucets and other plumbing fixtures.

By learning some of the common words associated with the plumbing profession and the plumbing fixtures in your home, you will be better able to communicate with your plumber and understand more of what they are doing and what you can do as a homeowner.