The WPJ blog

Us plumbers do like to use a bit of industry lingo – but we don’t want to keep you out of the loop.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be releasing a series of glossaries explaining exactly what we’re talking about.

So, let’s start with plumbing jargon beginning with the letter A!

A Valve – a manual gas shut-off valve

ABS – Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene – a stiff, plastic pipe  and fittings used for drain, waste and vent lines

Absolute pressure – the result of atmospheric pressure added to gauge pressure

Absorption field – leech field engineered to receive septic tank sewage

Adjusting link – adjustable strap/bar, which forms a connection between the lift rod of a faucet and the ball lever of the drain

Aerator – a device screwed into a faucet spout, which mixes air into running water to control flow and reduce splashing

Air chamber – vertical, air-filled pipe or spring coil set above the water line to absorb pressure when water is turned off at the faucet

Air gap – air-filled space, which allows contaminated water to discharge freely without coming back into the water supply

Air lock – a blockage in liquid flow

Air volume control – maintains air charge in a standard water tank

Alkalinity – the measure of elements in water, which determine its alkaline conditions

Americast – a patented process, which uses a porcelain surface, an enamelling grade steel material and a structural composite backing bonded together to create a sink that is durable like cast iron but considerably lighter

Angle seat wrench – valve seat wrench with a 90 degree bend

Angle stop – a shut-off valve between water pipes and a faucet, usually used in an emergency repair

Angular discharge tube – discharge tube that changes direction of water flow to 90 degrees

Anode rod – a rod within a heater, which is composed of one or more metals and protects the tank from corrosion

Anti-clog suction – a whirlpool water recirculating system, which prevent clogging but doesn’t restrict water flow

Anti-siphon – prevents backflow of water into a system

Apron – the skirting of a bathtub that covers the rough-in area from the floor to the top of the appliance

Aquastat – thermostat that is submerged in water

Aquifier – a zone below the earth’s surface that is capable of yielding a significant volume of water – its upper level is called the water table

Arrow head – heavy duty auger cable trip

Auger – flexible rod with a curved end used to access a toilet’s built-in trap and remove clogs