If you're not an expert at plumbing, it can be a little intimidating calling a plumber and hoping that you can trust them to fix your plumbing problems at a reasonable price. You can always count on the expert plumbers at United Plumbing to give you great advice. But when you're calling in to get help with a plumbing issue, it can be challenging to describe what you need help with if you don't know any of the basic plumbing terminology.
At United Plumbing, we pride ourselves on always being able to communicate in layman's terms, but knowing some basic plumbing terminology can help alleviate some of the stress for both parties. So let's review some of the basic terminology for plumbing in Springfield Missouri that you should know to be able to describe the plumbing problems you'll most likely need help with.
Auger
Most people know this by the more common term: plumbing snake. This tool snakes into your pipes to remove clogs.
Blackwater
Blackwater is any water used in your toilet that contains feces and urine. This is the dirtiest type of water that goes into your sewer system and is not something that you want leaking out into your home.
Flapper
We're not talking about those dancers from The Roaring 20's who did The Charleston. This is the rubber plug on your toilet that lifts whenever you flush it. It allows water from the tank to go into the toilet. If your toilet is constantly running, it may be because water is leaking through the flapper and not forming a solid seal.
Graywater
Not as dirty as blackwater, graywater is the water that you use in your bath, shower, and washing machine that goes down the drain. It isn't potable (drinking water) but it can be recycled in some homes for irrigation and toilet flushing.
Hose Bib
This is the technical term for the outdoor faucet that you connect a water hose to. Some plumbing professionals also refer to it as a sillcock.
Main Drain Pipe
This pipe carries water out and away from your home. It will typically either travel to your septic tank or tie into a municipal sewer system.
Plumbing Trap
This is a curved pipe you often see beneath a sink that looks sort of like the letter P (hence the nickname P-trap). It keeps sewer gas from rising into your home by trapping it inside the curved part of the pipe.
PRV (Pressure Regulating Valve)
Many people think PRV stands for Pressure Reducing Valve in the hopes that it will reduce pressure. What the PRV actually does is regulate pressure surges to make sure your water pressure remains constant.
Pipe Threads
Threads on the ends of pipes allow them to connect to one another. If overtightened, the threads can warp and allow water through, which causes leaks.
Vent Stack
Ever wonder what that tiny PVC pipe jutting out of your roof is called? That’s the vent stack, which connects to the sewer. It lets in outside air to equalize pressure in your plumbing pipes, helping water flow more easily. It also dispels harmful sewer gases into the atmosphere.
Water Hammer
Ever heard what sounds like clanging pipes when you turn your faucet on or off? A water hammer is the sound you hear when water suddenly changes direction in a pipe. This jarring action can potentially damage your pipes over time.
These are just a few basic plumbing terms that are worth knowing. There are plenty more, but at least knowing these basics can go a long way in making for easier phone calls with your plumber in Springfield, Missouri.
We don’t expect you to know everything about your plumbing. That’s what the professionals at United Plumbing are here for. Whenever you have a plumbing need, day or night, give us a call, and we’ll help solve whatever plumbing problems you’re facing.