Depending on what kind of Drainage System you have different methods will be used to maintain it. If you are about to purchase a property or start work on a renovation it helps to know what options are available for drainage systems.
To help you get to grips with drainage system terminology the following glossary summarises some common terms used by Plumbers and Drainage Specialists.
- Access Panels are found around drains and allow access to drain fixtures to carry out maintenance.
- Back Pressure is a term used to describe a build up of pressure that restricts the flow of water through a pipe.
- Cisterns are water storage tanks designed to catch rainwater.
- DWV stands for drain, wastes and vents. These systems are designed to remove waste water from a drainage system.
- Effluent is the name given to liquid waste such as sewage. To find out more about Sewage Disposal visit the Sewage Disposal page.
- Flux is a material that is applied to pipes to help welds seal.
- Gates are used to control the flow of water through pipes.
- Hose Bibb is a special tap used for outdoor water supplies and to supply washing machines.
- Interceptors are used to separate and remove grease and oil deposits from a drainage system.
- Joint is another name for a single length of pipe.
- Leach Lines are pipes used to carry effluent from a septic tank.
- Micron is an extremely minute unit of measurement used to rate the effectiveness of filters.
- Non-Potable is the name given to water that is not suitable for drinking.
- Outlet is the name given to the point where water drains out of a pump.
- Petcock is the name for a small tap used to drain water or reduce air pressure in a pipe or drain.
- Reducers are used to join pipes of differing sizes together.
- Solder is a metal alloy used when welding pipes together.
- Test Plugs are used to stem water flow in pipes and drains during testing for leaks.
- Union is the name for a fitting used to connect two pieces of pipe.
- Valve Seat is the name given to the part of a valve which does not move.
- Waste Stack is the name given to the main vertical pipe in a drainage system.
- Yoke Vent is the name given to a pipe that helps to reduce pressure in a waste stack.