plumbing system
In a house, there are four plumbing systems enabling water to circulate: hot and cold water distribution, pipe ventilation and wastewater evacuation.
water service pipe
Pipe connecting a public water supply to the house.
building sewer
Drainpipe carrying wastewater from the waste stack to the sewage system or septic tank.
washer
Household appliance that washes clothes automatically.
cold-water riser
Vertical pipe carrying cold water to a house’s upper floors.
hot-water riser
Vertical pipe carrying hot water to a house’s upper floors.
fixture drain
Pipe carrying waste from a toilet to the branch.
branch
Pipe draining wastewater from the fixtures to the waste stack.
trap
U-shaped pipe beneath a fixture containing a quantity of water to prevent sewage gases from escaping.
overflow
Drainpipe for draining off a fixture’s overflow when the water level reaches a certain level.
shower and tub fixture
Device for mixing hot and cold water for the bath or shower.
bathtub
Sanitary fixture for taking baths; it is shaped like a deep, elongated basin.
sink
Sanitary fixture in the form of a basin; it is used for washing.
toilet
Sanitary fixture for disposing of bodily waste; it comprises a toilet bowl and a tank.
floor drain
Hole at the end of a pipe carrying overflow water to the main drain.
water meter
Device for gauging the amount of water consumed by a household.
shutoff valve
Valve for shutting off the water supply to the entire house.
supply line
Pipe delivering cold drinking water to a house’s plumbing system; it is an extension of the water service pipe.
main cleanout
Metal part screwed to the drain that can be removed if the drain needs to be unplugged.
hot-water heater
Device producing sanitary hot water for washing and bathing; it consumes gas or electricity.
waste stack
Pipe through which wastewater is discharged and carried to the building sewer.
drain
Pipe that uses gravity to carry wastewater from a fixture to a branch.
double sink
Fixture consisting of two basins having a water supply and equipped with a drain; it is used in a kitchen or a laundry room.
circuit vent
Allows air to circulate and maintains constant pressure throughout the entire draining circuit.
main circuit vent
Vertical pipe vented directly outdoors that allows air to circulate throughout the draining circuit; it also vents sewer gas.
roof vent
Point of entry for outside air into the main circuit vent.
hot-water circuit
Set of interconnected pipes distributing hot water from a hot-water heater.
cold-water circuit
Set of interconnected pipes distributing cold drinking water throughout a house.
draining circuit
Set of interconnected pipes allowing wastewater to drain into the building sewer.
ventilating circuit
Set of interconnected pipes allowing air to circulate in the circuit.
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