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Plumbing Terminology
Extensive Online Plumbing Dictionary

Click on any letter of the term you would like to find
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

R & D:
Reamed and Drifted. Pipe commonly used in water wells having a special, heavy-duty coupling and a guaranteed I. D. clearance.


Rail Fittings:
Fittings with setscrews rather than threads, which hold pipes used for hand railings. Available in various sizes and configurations to suit a number of applications. Not used for plumbing or conduit.


Rated Storage Volume:
Quantity of water stored in a tank.


Raw Water:
Water supplied to the plant before any treatment.


Reamer:
A grinding tool used to level or remove burrs from valve seats in faucets so that the valve stem will fit properly.


Receptor:
Shallow basin used to catch and contain water in the bottom of a showering space.


Recessed Tub:
A tub that has a decorative finish on one side only and is surrounded by three walls.


Recirculating Harness:
PVC tubing setup that circulates water throughout a whirlpool system, delivering water to the jets.


Recovery:
The amount of water in gallons that can be heated in one hour (gph).


Recovery Capacity:
The amount of water in gallons per hour raised 100 degrees F at a given thermal efficiency and BTU per hour input.


Red Water:
Water which has a reddish or brownish appearance due to the presence of precipitated iron and/or iron bacteria.


Redox:
Term referring to the reduction-oxidization potential of water. Redox tells how easily chemical reactions are taking place in a tank. A high redox value is better than a low one.


Reducer:
A fitting that connects pipes of different sizes together.


Reed Switch:
A serviceable, magnetic sensing switch that triggers the water flow to stop when the neck jet pillow (with magnet) is removed from the whirlpool.


Refill Tube:
Outlet of water control. It is what the water goes through to fill the tank.


Reflective Glass:
Glass that bounces back at least some of the light that strikes it.


Relief Valve:
A valve that opens to relieve excess temperature.


Repair Clamp:
Sleeve type clamp used to repair a split pipe, held in place by bolt.


Residential:
Water heaters for single family dwellings.


Residual Chlorine:
Chlorine remaining in treated water after a specified period of contact time to provide continued protection throughout a distribution system; the difference between the total chlorine added, and that consumed by the oxidizable matter.


Return Circulation System:
Tempered water from or near the point of usage which eliminates waste of hot water used for long runs and adds storage to the system.


Revent:
Pipe installed specifically to vent a fixture trap. Connects with the vent system above the fixture.


Reverse Osmosis:
A water treatment method whereby water is forced through a semi permeable membrane which filters out impurities.


Reverse Trap Water Closet:
A water closet having a siphonic trapway at the rear of the bowl, and integral flushing rim and jet. Min. dimensions are 9" x 8" water spot and 1-1/2" ball pass.


RF:
Recovery Factor - Rating based on the efficiency of the product which is input required to raise 1 gallon of water 1 degree Fahrenheit.


RH:
Right Hand.


Rich Mixture:
A mixture of gas and air containing too much fuel or too little air for complete combustion of the gas.


Rigid Pipe:
Pipe designed to transmit the backfill load to the foundation beneath the pipe. rigid pipe must be supported on the bottom portion of the pipe.


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.


Rim Holes:
A series of small holes in the underside of a toilet rim, around the circumference of the bowl. Incoming water flows down into the bowl through these holes, creating a rinse effect or wash over the entire inner surface of the bowl.


Riser:
A vertical metal or plastic tube or assembly that connects a faucet to the water supply stop valve. Usually made of copper.


Roller Hanger:
A pipe hanger similar to a clevis hanger except that the yoke bolts to a roller rod instead of a metal strap. The roller rod supports the pipe and permits horizontal movement.


Roman Tub Set:
A roman tub set is a tub set that is mounted on the deck of a tub not on the wall.


Roman Spout:
Term used to describe a faucet that is mounted on the deck of the bathtub enclosure, that than on the rim of the bathtub or on the wall. Also referred to as a deck-mount faucet.


Roof Drain:
A drain installed at the low spot in a roof that channels water into a drainpipe to prevent pooling.


Roof Flashing:
Sheet metal installed at any break in a shingled roofline to prevent leaks. Also around sewer vents, flue pipes.


Root Valve:
A multi-port valve commonly used on gauges or switches in high pressure, high temperature, or under otherwise severe process conditions. Typically built with non-rotating and non-threaded stems.


Rough-In:
Installation of the drain, waste, vent, and supply lines in a structure to the proposed location of each fixture.


Rough-In Dimensions:
The distance from a finished wall or floor to the center of the waste or supply opening or mounting holes on a plumbing fixture.


Round Front Bowl:
Standard shape of the front of a toilet bowl.


Run:
A complete or secondary section of pipe that extends from supply to fixture or drain to stack.


Running Trap:
An in-line trap mounted in a horizontal drainpipe, where the inlet and outlet are parallel.


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