Glossary of Plumbing Terms - P - Keidel Bath, Kitchen, Plumbing, Cabinetry, Appliances

Welcome to Keidel's Plumbing Glossary. Every industry and trade has its own standards and terminologies. This glossary is our attempt to help the general public understand some of the terms unique to our industry.

Our database contains over 1000 unique terms, compiled from a variety of public and private sources. To use the glossary efficiently you can click on the letter of the desired term that you would like to find. For example: click on "C" to find out about "Closet Augers" or "P" for "Petcock." Definitions listed here are provided without warranty.

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P Trap	See trap
P & T Relief Valve	Pressure and Temperature Relief Valve - Same as T & P
PB	Polybutylene. A flexible plastic tubing used in water supply systems where allowed by code. Also, polished brass finish on faucets.
PDI	Plumbing and Drainage Institute
PE	Polyethylene plastic material. Also Plain End pipe.
PEX	Cross-linked polyethylene. PEX tubing is commonly used for hydronic radiant floor heat, but increasingly also used for water supply lines. Stronger than PE.
PH	Potential Hydrogen. The hydrogen ion concentration of water to denote acidity or alkalinity, measured on a scale of 0 to 14. Below 7 denotes acidity; above 7 denotes alkalinity.
PHCC	Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association
P O Plug	Lavatory drain with separate removable plug
POS	Porcelain on steel. A finish commonly used on sinks and tubs.
PP	Polypropylene pipe
PPM	Parts per million. A unit of measure for impurities in water.
PR	Pressure regulator. Usually required if water pressure ever exceeds 80 PSI on potable water supplies inside a structure.
PSI	Pounds per square inch
PSIG	Pounds per square inch gauge
PVC	Polyvinyl chloride. A rigid white or cream-colored plastic pipe used in non-pressure systems, such as drainage, waste, and vent systems.
PVD	Physical Vapor Deposition, a modern plating process used mostly with polished brass or gold finishes on faucets. Vaporized zirconium reacts with nitrogen and other gases to form a very durable surface, which will not tarnish or discolor.
Packing	Fibrous material that is used on faucets to prevent leaks.
Packing Nut	Nut that holds the stem of a faucet in position & holds the packing material.
Parallel System	Two or more identical size heaters piped with water connections, that is, cold water travels equal distance into the inlets of the heaters from a "T" connection and hot water travels equal distance from the outlet of the heaters to a "T" connection.
Peak Hour Demand	Time when the largest demand for hot water is needed.
Peak Load Period	The period of the day in which the system has the greatest demand.
Penal Valve	A commercial flush valve, so-named because of its use in penal institutions
Perfect Vacuum	Theoretically, space without matter in it. A perfect vacuum has never been obtained.
Perforated pipe	Pipe designed to discharge water through small, multiple, closely spaced orifices or nozzles, placed in a segment of its circumference for irrigation purposes
Petcock	A small faucet for draining liquids or relieving air pressure
Phase	For ease of production and distribution, A.C. is distributed in what is known as a 3 phase supply using three active wires and one neutral wire.
Phenol	A poisonous and carcinogenic chemical often found in municipal water supplies. Also known as carbolic acid, phenol is a benzene derivative
Pickling	Pipe immersed into acid bath for removal of scale, oil, dirt, etc
Piezo Switch	The electronic switch the bather uses to control the whirlpool and optional heater. This switch, based upon the piezo-electric effect, generates a voltage when pressure is applied to it.
Pilot	A small burner used to ignite the main burner
Pin	External (male) threaded end.
Pipe Dope	Slang for pipe-joint compound. Substance applied to threaded fittings to create a watertight seal.
Pitch	Downward slope of a drain pipe in the direction of the water flow.
Plug	Male threaded fitting which seals the end run of a pipe when fitted into a female threaded fitting.
Pivot Door	A shower door that rotates on two metal pivots at the top and bottom of the door.
Plumb	Precisely vertical. Also to test for, or to make vertical. Also to perform plumbing work.
Plumber's Helper	A plunger
Plumber's Putty	Pliable, popular putty used to seal joints between drain pieces and fixture surfaces.
Plumbing Tree	Prefabricated set of drain waste, vent, and supply lines
Plunger	A rubber suction cup approx 6" in diameter attached to a wooden dowel handle used to free drain clogs
Pneumatic	Pertains to devices using compressed air.
Point of Use	Small water heater used for remote locations
Pop-up Assembly	The drain mechanism of a faucet installed on a lavatory. The drain stopper "pops" up and down,
Pop-up Drain	Type of drain assembly for lavatory and bath. When a lavatory lift rod or bath overflow plate lever is lifted, the pop-up drain closes so the lavatory or tub retains water
Poppet	Valve that rises perpendicularly to or from its seat
Porcelain	White ceramic ware that consists of quartz, kaolin, and feldspar. It is fired at high temperature on steel or cast iron to make the surface of some bathtubs, kitchen sinks, and bathroom lavatories.
Porcelain Enamel	Vitreous enamel. Often refers to pressed steel products with a porcelain glaze.
Porosity	A measure of the volume of internal pores, or voids, in ion exchangers and filter media; sometimes expressed as a ratio to the total volume of the medium.
Port	An opening in a burner head through which gas or an air-gas mixture is discharged for ignition.
Positive displacement pump	Called a PD pump. Gear, sliding vane, progressive cavity, lobe etc. the capacity determined by the pump speed. The maximum head is determined by the horsepower available and the casing strength.
Potable	Water suitable for drinking.
Potentiometer	An adjustable resistor used to vary the sensing distance of the touchless faucet.
Powdercoat	A technique for applying paint to aluminum shower door frames. The aluminum is covered with a powder of dry paint particles and is baked in an oven. This causes the powder to melt and harden into a tough, colorful finish.
Power Venting	Mechanical draft exhaust to outside, usually utilizing room air to support combustion.
Pre-Charged Tank	A water storage tank pre-charged with air at factory featuring a vinyl bag to separate water from air which prevents waterlogging. This tank design provides greater drawdown than standard tanks. Pre-charged tanks do not require air volume control.
Preheated Water	Water that has been tempered (heated) for inlet supply.
Pressure Balance Valve	Shower mixing valve that automatically maintains balance between incoming hot and cold water supplies by immediately regulating fluctuations in pressure. As a result, temperature remains constant, though the outlet pressure may drop. Also known as an anti-scald valve.
Pressure Head	Pressure in a plumbing system. The unit of measure which is the vertical force exerted by water at a depth of one foot.
Pressure Loss	The term given for the loss of pressure that occurs whenever water moves through a pipe or when water moves uphill against the force of gravity. If the total pressure loss in a piping system exceeds the available static water pressure the water will not flow.
Pressure Reducing Valve	A valve that automatically reduces inlet water pressure to a specified value at its outlet under static cold water conditions.
Pressure Regulator	A device for controlling and maintaining a uniform outlet gas pressure.
Pressure Tank	Device used to pump water from a well
Pressure Tubing	Tubing used to conduct fluids under pressure or at elevated temperatures or both, and produced to stricter tolerances than pipe.
Primary Air	Air which is mixed with gas before the gas leaves a burner port to burn. Ideal burning condition generally is 10 cubic feet of air per one cubic foot of gas.
Primary Air Inlet	The opening(s) through which primary air is admitted into a burner.
Priming Jet	Opening in bowl through which tank-supplied water flows, designed to propel waste up into the trapway.
Pull-out Spray	Single-control kitchen faucet which offers a retractable hose and sprayhead to be used for food preparation and cleaning
Public Sewer	A common sewer directly controlled by public authority.
Pumping Level	The lowest water level reached during pumping operation.
Purged Line	A plumbing line in which the faucet has been opened and allowed to run for a specified length of time, usually1-5 minutes

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