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