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CAST
IRON |
Metal which is formed by
casting on molds to make some plumbing fixtures such as bathtubs,
lavatories and sinks. The iron form is then coated with enamel. Also DWV
sewer pipe. |
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CENTERSET |
A style of bathroom
lavatory faucet having combined spout and handles. Handles are 4" from
center of handle-to-handle. Also a single handle faucet installed on 4"
center-to-center faucet holes. |
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| CISTERN |
An artificial reservoir
for storing water. A toilet tank. This term is usually used in England. |
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CLOSE-COUPLED (TOILET) |
A modern style two-piece
toilet which is configured of a separate tank and bowl. The tank is
"coupled" "closely" (directly) to the bowl by bolts and a gasket. This
term is to distinguish from old style low-tank toilets where the tank
mounted on the wall, above and behind the bowl and was connected by a
pipe called a flush ell. |
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| COCK |
A faucet or valve for
regulating the flow of water. |
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| COCKHOLE
COVER |
A round cover-plate or
disk installed on a sink to cover an unused faucet hole. |
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| COMMODE |
An archaic style of
toilet. "A boxlike structure holding a chamber pot under an open seat." |
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| CONSOLE
LAV |
A table-like fixture
with an integral lavatory. The back is fixed to a wall and the front is
supported by consoles (brackets) or legs. |
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| COVER |
The top portion of a
toilet seat. Also the top lid on a toilet's tank. |
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DWV |
Drain, Waste and Vent.
The pipes in a plumbing system that remove waste water. |
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DIVERTER: |
Valves which direct
water to various outlets. They are used in showers, tub & shower
combinations, bidets, Roman tub fillers and kitchen faucet sprayers. |
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ELONGATED |
The optional shape of
the front of some toilet bowls. About 2" longer than the standard "round
front" bowl. |
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| ENAMEL |
An opaque vitreous
composition applied by fusion to the surface of metal fixtures such as
cast iron tubs, lavatories and sinks . |
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ESCUTCHEON |
A flange or shield
beneath a faucet handle. This part covers the faucet stem and the hole
in the fixture or wall. |
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FIP |
Female Iron Pipe.
Standard internal threads on pipe fittings. |
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FIBERGLASS |
Glass in a fibrous form
used in making the body of products such as boats and bathtubs. |
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FIRECLAY |
A variation of vitreous
china having greater amounts of quartz and feldspar in the clay material
beneath the vitreous surface. Fireclay is heavier (30%), denser, and
thicker than regular clay. These properties insure smooth, flat surfaces
on large fixtures which is not achievable with standard vitreous china. |
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| FITTING |
A broad based term
usually referring to faucets, shower valves, and tub fillers. Also
refers to various piping parts such as tees and elbows. |
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| FIXTURE |
A broad based term
usually referring to sinks, tubs, toilets, basins, etc. |
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GPM |
Gallons Per Minute. The
rate of water flow by which faucets and showerheads are measured and
regulated. |
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| GELCOAT |
A colored, polyester
resin material used to form the surface of some fiberglass bathtubs or
showers. Don't confuse with acrylic on fiberglass. |
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HANDSHOWER |
A showerhead designed
with a handle that is connected to a water supply via a flexible hose. |
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HIGH-TANK (TOILET) |
An antique style of
toilet configured with a separate tank and bowl in which the tank is
wall mounted above head height and is connected to the bowl by a flush
pipe. (AKA, pull-chain toilet.) |
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IPS |
Iron Pipe Size. Standard
pipe threads. See also "FIP", "MIP". |
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JACUZZI |
The brand name of the
original whirlpool tub. Often misused to mean any "whirlpool tub". See
also, "Whirlpool Tub". |
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LAVATORY, LAVY, LAV |
A fixed bowl or basin
with running water and drainage for washing. |
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| LID |
Toilet tank lid. The
removable top cover on a toilet's tank. AKA: Cover, top. |
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| LOW-BOY
(TOILET) |
A slang term for a
toilet style in which the tank height is lower than normal. Usually a
one piece toilet. Occasionally a two piece toilet. |
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| LOW-TANK
(TOILET) |
An antique style toilet
in which the tank is wall mounted slightly higher than the bowl but
lower than the older style high-tank toilets. Tank water flows from the
tank to the bowl via a flush ell. |
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MIP |
Male Iron Pipe. Standard
external threads on pipe and fittings. |
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MINI-WIDESPREAD |
A special style of
bathroom lavatory faucet having separate spout and handles. But designed
small enough that it will fit 4" center-to-center faucet holes. |
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ONE-PIECE (TOILET) |
An upgraded style of
toilet which is configured of an integral tank and bowl which are formed
as "one piece" during the manufacturing process. |
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| OPEN
FRONT |
A style of toilet seat
rim where there is an open space about three inches wide at the front.
Considered more sanitary in commercial applications where constant usage
exceeds janitorial sanitation. |
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P. O.
PLUG |
Plug Outlet. A style of
drain outlet for lavatories. The drain outlet is closed by a rubber
stopper, or "plug". |
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| PVC |
PolyVinyl Chloride. A
white plastic used in the manufacture of water supply pipe. |
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| PVD |
Physical Vapor
Deposition. A modern plating process used in faucet manufacturing.
Vaporized zirconium reacts with nitrogen and another special gas to form
a durable plated surface. |
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| POP-UP
ASSEMBLY |
The drain mechanism of a
faucet installed on a lavatory. The drain stopper "pops" up and down. |
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PORCELAIN |
A white ceramic ware
that consists of kalin, quartz and feldspar. It is fired at high
temperature on steel to make the surface of some bathtubs, kitchen sinks
and bathroom lavatories. |
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PORCELAIN ENAMEL |
Vitreous enamel. |
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| POT |
Slang for toilet.
Possibly derived from "chamber
pot". |
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| PRESSURE
BALANCE VALVE |
A shower mixing valve
that automatically maintains balance between incoming hot and cold water
supplies by immediately regulating fluctuations in pressure. As a result
the outlet temperature remains constant, though the outlet pressure may
drop. |
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PULL-CHAIN (TOILET) |
An antique style of
toilet configured with a separate tank and bowl in which the tank is
wall mounted above head height and is connected to the bowl by a flush
pipe. Due to the height of the tank location, a chain is necessary to
pull the trip lever to flush the toilet. (AKA, high-tank toilet.) |
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RIM |
The inside edge of the
perimeter of a toilet bowl. The lower portion of a toilet seat. The edge
of a sink or lavatory. |
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| ROUND
FRONT |
The standard shape of
the front of a toilet bowl. About 2" shorter than the optional
"elongated" bowl. |
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SELF
RIMMING |
A style of bathroom
lavatory or kitchen sink with a rolled and finished edge, or rim. The
fixture installs on top of a counter without the need for a metal sink
rim. |
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| SINK |
A stationary basin
connected with a drain and water supply for washing and drainage. |
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THERMOSTATIC VALVE |
A shower mixing valve
with automatic temperature control. When temperature fluctuations occur
at the water inlets, a thermal actuator adjusts the hot and cold ratio
to maintain the original temperature setting. |
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| TRIP
LEVER |
The flush handle and
actuating arm on a toilet tank. Also the lever that opens and closes the
drain on a bathtub waste & overflow. |
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TWO-PIECE (TOILET) |
A standard style of
toilet which is configured of a separate tank and bowl which are
connected. |
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VACUUM
BREAKER |
An anti-siphon device
which prevents the backflow of non potable water into the water supply
system. For example, if a handshower were left extended into a bathtub
of dirty water, and a siphon effect were to occur, a vacuum breaker
would prevent the tub water from traveling back into the water supply
system. |
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| VANITY |
A bathroom storage
cabinet beneath the counter. |
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| VESSEL |
A style of basin that
installs partially into the counter rather than fully into the counter.
The portion of the fixture rising above the counter has a finished
exterior. |
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VITREOUS |
A surface material on
some plumbing fixtures derived from or consisting of glass. It is low in
porosity and is translucent. |
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CHINA |
A clay material with a
vitreous surface used to manufacture some plumbing fixtures such as
toilets and lavys. |
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WASTE &
OVERFLOW |
The drain assembly for a
bathtub. The outlet at the top removes the "overflow" water during tub
filling and the drain at the bottom removes "waste" water when the tub
is drained. |
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| WATER
CLOSET |
Toilet. |
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| WATER
HAMMER |
A destructive,
high-pressure surge in a water supply piping system accompanying the
quick closure of valves or faucets on the system. The surge causes a
shock wave which vibrates the pipes causing them to bang, knock or
"hammer" against the wall or floor. |
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WIDESPREAD |
A style of bathroom
lavatory faucet having separate spout and handles. Usually 8" from
center of handle-to-handle. Some widespread faucets can be set with
handles up to 12" apart. |
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WHIRLPOOL TUB |
A bathtub with a
whirlpool system added. The whirlpool system recirculates the tub water
and mixes in air to create hydro therapy via jet inlets. |
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