Put a name to every specialized part

P-trap

Maintains a water seal that blocks sewer gas.

Also called: P bend, sink trap

Trap arm

Section between trap and sanitary wall fitting.

Also called: waste arm, trap outlet arm

Tailpiece

Vertical tube between strainer/pop-up and trap.

Also called: drain tailpiece, waste tailpiece

Basket strainer

Watertight fitting in a kitchen sink outlet.

Also called: sink basket, kitchen sink strainer

Pop-up drain

Operated drain fitting for a basin.

Also called: pop-up waste, click-clack drain depending on type

Slip-joint connection

Removable nut and tapered washer on accessible drainage.

Also called: compression waste joint, slip nut joint

Fixture stop valve

Isolates a faucet, toilet or appliance.

Also called: angle stop, shutoff valve, service stop

Fixture supply hose

Connects stop to fixture; choose exact length and ends.

Also called: braided connector, flex supply line

Toilet flange

Anchors toilet and connects to drainage.

Also called: closet flange, WC flange

Toilet seal ring

Seal between toilet and flange; single-use depending on type.

Also called: wax seal, toilet gasket

Toilet fill valve

Fills tank and controls water level.

Also called: ballcock, inlet valve

Toilet flapper

Holds tank water until flushing.

Also called: flapper valve, flush seal

Air admittance valve

Admits air in permitted configurations; do not improvise.

Also called: AAV, Studor vent (common brand), mechanical vent

Cleanout

Access for drain inspection and clearing.

Also called: cleanout plug, rodding access

Backwater valve

Reduces sewer backup; installation and maintenance are critical.

Also called: backflow valve, sewer backwater valve

Vacuum breaker

Protection against certain contaminated backflow.

Also called: anti-siphon device, backflow preventer

Water-hammer arrestor

Absorbs rapid-closing pressure shocks.

Also called: hammer arrestor, shock absorber

Dielectric union

Separates some dissimilar metals depending on system.

Also called: dielectric fitting, isolating union

Push-to-connect fitting

Approved for specific materials/location; full insertion required.

Also called: push-fit fitting, push-in connector, SharkBite (common brand)

PEX crimp ring

Secures a PEX fitting with correct tool and gauge.

Also called: crimp ring, copper crimp ring

PEX expansion ring

Compatible expansion system only.

Also called: expansion sleeve, Uponor ring (common brand)

Escutcheon

Covers a penetration without replacing waterproofing.

Also called: trim plate, pipe flange, cover plate

Flashing

Directs water at transitions; must be shingle-lapped.

Also called: sheet-metal flashing, weather flashing

Kick-out flashing

Diverts water away from a roof-wall intersection.

Also called: diverter flashing, kick-out

Drip edge

Protects edges and directs water toward gutter.

Also called: eaves flashing, roof edge metal

Weather-resistive barrier

Drainage plane behind cladding.

Also called: WRB, building wrap, Tyvek (common brand)

Rainscreen furring

Creates drained/ventilated space behind cladding.

Weep screed

Bottom termination allowing water drainage.

J-channel

Edge trim for some siding; not a substitute for flashing.

Also called: J trim, J-channel trim

Perforated drain pipe

Collects water in clear stone/geotextile per design.

Also called: weeping tile, perforated drain, French drain pipe

Solid drain pipe

Conveys water without collecting along its path.

Also called: solid storm pipe, non-perforated drain pipe

Catch basin

Collects runoff and allows maintenance.

Also called: yard drain, drain box

Sump pump

Pumps sump water to an authorized outlet.

Also called: sump pump, submersible sump pump

Check valve

Prevents return flow in some pumped lines.

Also called: non-return valve, one-way valve

Plenum

Air supply/return distribution box.

Also called: air plenum, distribution plenum

Balancing damper

Adjusts branch airflow; document position.

Also called: volume damper, balancing valve

Condensate trap

Allows drainage under appropriate pressure; manufacturer configuration.

Refrigerant line set

Insulated copper between units; qualified refrigerant work.

Also called: refrigerant lines, mini-split line set

Disconnect switch

Disconnecting means near equipment; regulated installation.

Also called: service disconnect, AC disconnect

Transfer switch

Prevents grid backfeed; professional installation.

Also called: generator transfer switch, changeover switch

Photovoltaic module

Converts solar radiation to direct current.

Also called: solar panel, PV panel

Microinverter

Converts DC from one/few modules to AC.

String inverter

Converts DC from a module string.

Rapid shutdown equipment

Reduces accessible voltage per applicable requirements.

Solar racking

Transfers wind/snow loads to structure and maintains weatherproofing.

Also called: PV mounting system, solar rails

Production meter

Measures generated energy depending on configuration.

Bidirectional meter

Measures import/export for interconnection.

Also called: net meter, import-export meter

Battery inverter/charger

Manages battery charge, discharge and backup supply.

Slip-joint washer

Creates a removable seal when the nut compresses the washer into the fitting.

Also called: bevelled washer

Slip-joint nut

Compresses the tapered washer without glue so the joint can be removed.

Also called: trap nut

Trap adapter

Joins the removable trap arm to the fixed drainage system.

Also called: DWV trap adapter

Basin drain body

Passes through the basin and provides a sealed connection to the tailpiece.

Also called: pop-up drain

Closet bolts

Fasten the toilet to the flange without replacing floor support.

Also called: toilet bolts

Non-compressible toilet shims

Stabilize the bowl to protect the seal and flange.

Also called: toilet wedges

Dishwasher drain branch

Receives the dishwasher hose at a fitting designed for the connection.

Also called: dishwasher wye

Dishwasher air gap

Creates an atmospheric separation against certain backflow where required.

Also called: countertop air gap

Washing-machine standpipe

Receives the washer drain hose with suitable height, diameter, trap and venting.

Also called: washer standpipe

Water-heater drain pan

Catches an initial leak and directs it to an allowed location where required.

Also called: drain pan

Thermal expansion tank

Absorbs heated-water expansion in a closed system when design requires it.

Also called: expansion tank

Thermostatic mixing valve

Blends hot and cold water to control delivered temperature as designed.

Also called: tempering valve