Plumbers glossary

Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a plumber provider in Greater Hartford.

What are copper pipe types M, L, and K?: K, L, and M are copper pipe classifications based on wall thickness, with K being the thickest and most durable, L suitable for most residential supply lines, and M the thinnest for light-duty indoor use.
What is a backflow preventer?: A backflow preventer is a one-way valve or device installed in plumbing systems to block contaminated water from flowing backward (siphoning) into the potable water supply.
What is a curb stop / street-side shutoff?: A curb stop is the underground shut-off valve installed near the property line where the municipal water main connects to your home's water supply, operated by the water company or plumber to cut off water from the street side.
What is a gas line pressure test?: A gas line pressure test is a diagnostic procedure in which a plumber pressurizes a gas line with air or nitrogen and monitors the pressure gauge over time to detect leaks before the gas is turned on.
What is a grease trap or interceptor?: A grease trap is a plumbing device installed in a commercial kitchen's drainage system that separates and collects fats, oils, and grease before wastewater flows into municipal sewer lines.
What is a main water shutoff valve?: The main water shutoff valve is a control mechanism that stops the flow of water into an entire house from the municipal water line; it is typically the first point where water enters the home's plumbing system.
What is a P-trap?: A P-trap is a U-shaped or curved section of drain pipe installed under sinks and fixtures that holds standing water to create an airtight seal preventing sewer gas from backing up into a building.
What is a plumbing vent stack?: A plumbing vent stack is a vertical pipe that runs from your drainage system up through the roof, allowing sewer gases to escape and air to enter so drains function properly.
What is a sediment trap (gas line)?: A short capped nipple installed at the gas line inlet of furnaces and water heaters to collect debris and condensation before fuel enters the appliance.
What is a sewer scope inspection?: A sewer scope inspection is a camera-based diagnostic that allows a plumber to visually examine the inside of a sewer line from the house to the main, identifying cracks, root intrusion, bellies, and blockages without excavation.
What is a sump pump?: A sump pump is a submersible electric pump installed in a basement pit that automatically removes groundwater and surface water to prevent flooding and foundation damage.
What is a tankless water heater?: A tankless water heater heats water on demand as it passes through the unit, rather than storing heated water in a tank.
What is a water heater TPR valve?: A temperature and pressure relief (TPR) valve is a safety device on a water heater tank that automatically opens to release hot water when internal pressure or temperature becomes dangerously high.
What is a water pressure regulator (PRV)?: A water pressure regulator (PRV) is a valve that automatically reduces incoming water pressure from the municipal supply to a safe operating level for residential plumbing systems, typically 50-80 PSI.
What is an anode rod?: An anode rod is a magnesium or aluminum metal rod suspended inside a water heater tank that corrodes preferentially to protect the tank steel from rust.
What is an ejector pump?: An ejector pump is a mechanical device that forces sewage and wastewater from below-grade plumbing fixtures upward to the main sewer line or septic system.
What is an expansion tank?: A small tank installed on a closed water heating system that absorbs excess pressure created when water expands as it heats, working in tandem with a pressure relief valve to protect the system from damage.
What is CPVC pipe?: CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) pipe is a rigid plastic piping material engineered to handle hot water temperatures and commonly used for residential water supply lines, especially in older homes in the Greater Hartford area.
What is cured-in-place pipe lining?: Cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining is a trenchless repair method in which a resin-soaked fabric liner is inverted or pulled into a damaged pipe and hardened using heat or UV light to create a new, structural pipe inside the old one.
What is hydro jetting?: Hydro jetting is a drain-cleaning method that uses pressurized water (typically 3,000 to 8,000 PSI) to scour the interior walls of pipes and remove blockages like grease, scale, and roots.
What is PEX piping?: PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) is a flexible plastic tubing used to deliver hot and cold water in residential and light commercial plumbing systems.
What is pipe bursting?: Pipe bursting is a trenchless sewer replacement technique in which a bursting head is pulled through an existing damaged pipe, fracturing it outward while simultaneously drawing new pipe into the space left behind.
What is trenchless sewer repair?: Trenchless sewer repair is a method of fixing or replacing damaged sewer lines without excavating large sections of the yard or road above them, using techniques like pipe lining or pipe bursting.
What is water heater recovery rate?: Recovery rate is the speed at which a water heater reheats a full tank of water, measured in gallons per hour, determining how much hot water a household can use continuously.