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.