Plumbing glossary: S
When you call out a local plumber, you want to know exactly what they’re quoting you for.
Use our quick plumbing glossary to get up to speed.
STD – standard
Saddle tee – fitting that taps into the side of a pipe to make a quick connection to an existing line
Saddle valve – a valve mounted on a pipe run by a clamping device or saddle tee to supply water for a low-demand device
Safety shutoff valve – a device on a gas appliance that shuts off the gas supply to prevent a hazardous situation
Sag pipe – a section of a sewer line that is placed deeper in the ground than normal to pass under utility piping, waterways, rail lines, highways or other obstacles
Saponification –the process in which a fatty acid is neutralised with an alkali or base to form a soap
Scale – a thin layer of calcium on the interior of a tank that may prevent heat transfer
Schedule – numbers assigned to different wall thicknesses of pipe (e.g. sch 40)
Scupper drain – a drain on a roof or deck that allows rainwater to drain off
Sediment – the substance that settles on the bottom of a tank, also known as lime
Serial / model – a permanent information plate attached to a major home appliance detailing the product model and serial number, plus information about wattage or industry standard requirements
Siphon – a pipe connecting two canals, through which water flows over a high point of gravity
Sleeve – pipe that is passed through a wall for the purpose of inserting another pipe through it
Slip joint – a connection made with compression fittings
Soft water – water that has a low calcium and magnesium content
Solder – a metal alloy that is melted to create a fused joint between metal pieces
Spark test – a test procedure to evaluate the integrity of the glass lining
Specific gravity – the ratio of the weight of a specific volume of substance compared to the weight of the same volume of pure water at 4 degrees Celsius
Stem – part of the faucet that holds the handle on one end and the washer on the other
Straight cross – fitting that connects four pipes of the same diameter
Street ell – a 90 degree elbow joint with a hub on one end and male threads on the other used to make an angled connection between pipe or tubing and a fitting with a hub
Stud guard – short band of metal attached to wall studs to prevent nails from penetrating and damaging pipes
Supply kit – a kit of all parts needed to fit a faucet or toilet to the pipes coming out of a wall, usually containing stop valves, water connectors and escutcheons
Supply stop – the valve that controls water supply to a toilet
Sweep – a drain ell fitting with a long radius that allows for smooth passage of waste
Swing joint – a flexible sprinkler connection made by connecting three threaded elbow fittings together
Can you squeeze in more plumbing words? Check out our existing plumbing glossaries by clicking on the letters below.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R … more to follow.