Glossary

An opening in the wall or ceiling near the fixture that allows access for servicing the plumbing/electrical system.

Americans with Disabilities Act. Government criteria mandating how buildings must be constructed in order to serve the needs of people with disabilities.

Refers to the size of a ball that can pass through the trapway of a toilet. Standards are established based on minimum-sized ball passage. Ball passage also relates to trapway size. Generally speaking, the size of the trap will be 1/8 larger than the maximum-sized ball that can pass through it.

The mechanism that controls the flow of water into a gravity-operated toilet tank. The ballcock is controlled by the float mechanism floating in the water in the tank. When the toilet is flushed, the float drops and opens the ballcock, allowing water to enter the tank and/or bowl. The float rises as the water level in the tank is restored, and shuts off the ballcock when the tank is completely filled. Also referred to as a float valve.

A personal hygiene fixture with hot and cold water supply installed near the toilet, so users can be refreshed after using the toilet.

Unglazed areas of vitreous china fixtures, such as inside the tank or on the bottom of the bowl foot, have a bisque finish.

A water-containing receptor that receives liquid and solid body waste; two general bowl classifications are round-front and elongated.

Cast Stone material has a thick gloss finish that is durable, easy to clean, scratch-resistant and can be simply repaired.

A toilet with a separate tank and bowl secured to each other. A separate tank cover is included. Also referred to as a two-piece toilet.

Two main anchor bolts that attach a toilet to the floor. Also known as toilet bolts or T-bolts. They slide into a channel on a toilet closet flange. After a toilet is moved into position, a nut threaded onto the bolt helps pull the toilet toward the closet flange and seat it into final position.

The height of a toilet bowl (with seat) that stands at the same height as a standard chair for maximum comfort and ease when sitting down or standing up.

An easy-to-use connector for copper or plastic pipe.

This feature provides a clean transition at the back of the toilet base, hiding the trapway for aesthetic and cleanability purposes.

A table with ornamental legs and/or brackets that supports a bathroom countertop and lavatory.

The time it takes from the instant a toilet flush lever is actuated until the instant the water supply shuts off completing the flush cycle.

The barrier built into the trapway of a toilet that controls the water level in the toilet bowl.

Term used to describe a faucet that is mounted on the deck of the bathtub enclosure, rather than on the rim of the bathtub or on the wall. Also referred to as a Roman spout faucet.

Transfers water delivery between shower and bath faucets.

Also known as a 3-way transfer valve. A valve which permits three outlets to be interconnected, allowing the user to redirect the water flow into any one outlet or a combination of two outlets.

Exceptionally powerful flushing technology with two jets for outstanding bulk removal.

A toilet bowl having dimensions of 14" wide x 18 1/2" long (from the center of the seat hinge holes to the front edge of the outside rim).

A powder coating, usually a combination of clay, quartz, feldspar, silica and color pigments, applied to an iron casting. When exposed to high temperatures, the coating melts and fuses to the casting, creating a glass-like surface. The thickness of enamel provides outstanding protection against chipping and scratching while offering deep color integrity.

Any decorative, threaded flange below or behind a faucet handle. Also an ornamental plate used at the base of a faucet to cover additional holes on a lavatory or kitchen sink.

Trim piece found behind a single-control wall-mount faucet handle. Also known as a dial plate.

An anti-siphon device that prevents waste water from being drawn back into supply lines and potentially contaminating the water supply; a type of backflow prevention.

Also known as flush ball, the flapper is the moving part of the flush valve that seals the water into the tank or allows water to exit the tank for the flush cycle. This is the predominant replacement part used on conventional toilets.

Connection between a valve body and T or supply stop that is bendable and makes installation easier. The opposite of a rigid connection.

The float ball is connected to the ballcock inside the tank, which rises or falls with changing water levels in the tank, and actuates or shuts off the ballcock as needed.

A device usually required by code to limit the maximum flow of water from an outlet. On devices with aerators, the aerator may perform the flow-restriction function. Other flow-restriction devices typically are not intended to be accessible or serviceable.

The valve located at the bottom of a gravity-operated toilet flush tank that opens when the trip lever is actuated and closes when the tank has drained to the desired level. It usually contains an overflow tube as well.

The interior surface of the bowl, as well as all other surfaces that may come into contact with the water during flushing.

A glossy, water-resistant, colored finish surface that protects all nonporous vitreous china plumbing fixtures.

An abbreviation for gallons per flush, a term used when discussing water consumption for toilets

Volumetric flow rate in gallons per minute.

A toilet that relies on the natural downward pressure (or head) of water in a toilet tank to flush the toilet effectively.

Now referred to as NPT in most applications. IPS stand for Iron Pipe Size, although most pipe is no longer iron. Both NPT and IPS refer to a typical standard measure for threaded pipe with a tapered thread.

Opening in toilet that directs water into the trapway to start siphon action.

A refined, handcrafted finish which will patina over time, making each piece as unique as the individual that touches it.

A classification of toilet designed to flush using 1.6 or fewer gallons of water, as opposed to the outdated 3.5-gallon toilets and other higher-consumption toilets.

National Pipe Straight Threads Standard. NPS pipes are equipped with IPS threads and are only compatible with other NPS pipes.

National Pipe Tapered Threads Standard. NPT pipes are equipped with FIP and MIP threads, and are only compatible with other NPT pipes.

A toilet in which the tank and bowl are manufactured as a single vitreous china fixture. Typically, one-piece toilets have a lower profile than two-piece toilets, although some feature a Comfort Height bowl.

The vertical tube inside a toilet tank (usually part of the flush valve) that directs water into the bowl in case the ballcock malfunctions. If the ballcock does not shut off properly, water will drain through the overflow tube into the bowl and flow harmlessly over the dam and out the drain. This prevents potential water damage caused by the tank overflowing and indicates to the user that there is a problem by a constant running condition. On most toilets, the overflow tube also has a refill tube flowing into it. The refill line directs water from the ballcock through the overflow tube to the bowl after the siphon break.

A stand-alone fixture with a lavatory resting atop a narrow base.

A compound designed to provide a watertight seal in threaded connections. Also called pipe dope. Plumber's putty should not be used as a thread sealant.

A shower mixing valve that automatically regulates fluctuations in hot and cold incoming water supplies. As a result the outlet temperature remains constant, though the outlet pressure may drop.

P-shaped section of a drain pipe that traps water to prevent odors from escaping.

A small button attached to the shower faucet that switches easily between shower and bath.

Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) is a process that bonds the finish color to the faucet, helping it resist scratches, corrosion and tarnishing.

On most toilets, a refill tube directs water from the ballcock into the overflow tube to refill the bowl after the siphon break.

A series of small holes in the underside of a toilet rim around the circumference of the bowl. Incoming water flows down into the bowl through these holes, creating a rinse effect orrim wash over the entire inner surface of the bowl.

The distance from a finished wall or floor to the center of the waste or supply opening or mounting holes on a plumbing fixture.

A toilet bowl having dimensions of 14" wide x 16 ½" long (from the center of the seat hinge holes to the front edge of the outside rim).

Kitchen sink or lavatory with a finished rim that rests on the countertop.

Single-control faucets provide on/off activation and temperature setting with a single lever.

One-hole drilling positioned in the center of a lavatory faucet ledge that provides for installation of a single-control faucet.

The point in a toilet flush when air is reintroduced into the trapway, breaking the siphonic action. The siphon break is usually heard as a deep gurgling at the conclusion of a flush.

A toilet having a siphonic trapway at the rear of the bowl and an integral flushing rim and jet.

The suction or pulling effect that takes place in the trapway of a toilet as it is filled with outgoing water and waste. An effective siphon is critical to a successful flush for any toilet.

A collection of products that share a similar design theme, usually comprised of the following components: a bath/whirlpool, lavatory and toilet.

The valve that provides on/off toilet water supply control.

The fixture reservoir for flushing water. On a conventional toilet, the ballcock, flush valve and trip lever are installed in the tank. A tank lid closes the top tank opening.

A pressure-balancing shower valve with automatic temperature control. When temperature or pressure fluctuations occur at the water inlets, a thermal actuator adjusts the hot and cold ratio to maintain the original temperature setting; this allows the user to set and maintain a consistent temperature.

Freestanding tub drain with a built-in internal stopper and gravity-activated overflow.

A valve within a showering product that transfers the water from one port to another.

The channel in a toilet that connects the bowl to the waste outlet. The trapway is where siphonic action takes place, and it's measured in terms of the largest diameter ball that can pass through it. Also referred to as passageway.

The height of water in a toilet bowl at rest, it provides a water seal that prevents sewer gases from entering the home. The trapway seal is measured from the top of the dam to the inlet of the trapway. Also referred to as deep seal.

Any non-vitreous china toilet components, with the exception of the seat. Examples include the ballcock, bolt caps and trip lever.

A lever that is rotated to initiate the toilet flush cycle. Factory-installed trip levers have a Polished Chrome finish; optional trim kits offer trip levers in other finishes.

Two-handle faucets feature separate handles to control hot and cold water temperature.

A toilet with a separate tank and bowl. Also referred to as close-coupled.

Transfers water delivery between two shower or bath faucet components.

Ultra-Low Flush (ULF) is a widely used descriptor for low-consumption toilets that use 1.6 gallons of water or fewer per flush.

Style of kitchen sink or lavatory that installs beneath the counter top for a contemporary, clean look.

Universal design should be invisible and, at the same time, accommodate a wide variety of people of all ages and statures. It allows access to a richer life by eliminating disability by design. This thoughtful approach to space and barriers allows the maximum number of people to use the widest variety of products in their homes for the greatest length of time.

An anti-siphon device which prevents the backflow of non-potable water into the water supply system.

Bathroom cabinet that supports a countertop and lavatory.

A term applied to plumbing fixtures that are comprised of ceramic materials, fired at a high temperature to form a nonporous body with exposed surfaces, and coated with ceramic glaze fused to the body.

A toilet having a siphon trapway at the front of the bowl and an integral flushing rim. Minimum dimensions are 8" x 7" water spot and a 1 ½” ball passage.

A plumbing fixture having a water-containing receptor that receives liquid and solid body waste and, upon actuation (flushing), conveys the waste through a trapway into a gravity drainage system.

A flushing technology designed to create extraordinary flushing performance with an industry-leading 3 ½” flush valve. Water saving siphon jet technology provides powerful water flow to maximize the gravity-fed flush and features simplified installation and an eco-friendly 1.4-gallon flush setting option.

A classification of toilet that uses no more than 1.6 gallons per flush.

The water surface in the toilet bowl once the flush is completed. This is established by the height of the integral trapway dam. Usually expressed in inches of width by length. Also referred to as water surface.

A faucet with hot and cold handles separate from the spout, usually in an 8" setting, measured from left handle to right handle.