Month: November 2019

If you’re a victim of flooded basement, we’ve got the help you need. If your basement is flooding you’re probably asking yourself a bunch of questions. How do I fix basement flooding? How do I repair my basement so it doesn’t flood? Why do I have wet basement walls? What can I do to water proof my basement walls? What shoes do I wear when I’m trying to fix the water damage? Why does my basement flood, I’m on a lot that’s higher than my neighbor’s? These questions and many more will be answered in this article.

We Haven’t done a Good Job Explaining the Details

It’s surprising how little people what causes basement flooding. What’s even more surprising is the fact that no one seems to explain it correctly or in a way that is easily understood by the homeowner.

Let’s first start by saying that your foundation is akin to a big concrete boat. When the ground is fairly dry your foundation sits comfortably in its resting place. However, when the ground is saturated, your foundation is actually being forced out of the ground. If it didn’t weigh many tons it would pop right out of the ground. The weight keeps it from coming out of the ground, preventing further damage.

Hopefully, that gives you an idea of how water affects a foundation hydraulically, in fact, it is aptly named hydraulic pressure or hydrostatic pressure. When water is present in a basement or crawlspace both the home and business owner immediately panic. What are the causes of this? What’s the best way to fix it? This is completely understandable especially when most people keep valuables, records or collectables in their basement and if you’ve spent your hard-earned dollars on finishing your basement, forget it, you call a plumber for help.

If you’ve had flooding issues in the past the alarm bell automatically goes off in your head when it starts to rain. You’re thinking “what’s gonna get damaged?” “how am I gonna clean this up?” “how can I keep the mold out of the basement?”. The pictures above might scare you, but trust me this is pretty common. Cleaning isn’t the only thing though, you are probably concerned about what actually broke or caused the flood. In this case, you usually stop and consider your options. Who can help? What should I do next? You’re probably concerned about the cost of the damage too since homeowners insurance doesn’t cover all flood damages.

Any flooded basement insurance claim for water getting into the basement from outside is best taken care of by a Public Adjuster, since a lot of the times an insurance company will deny the claim. As a side note, if your basement is flooding because water is entering from outside, you should reconsider your landscaping to prevent basement flooding. The land around the basement area can act as a protector of floods. Cities like Toronto will subsidize your basement flood-proofing. So there are options depending on the location you’re in. Now let’s jump into the basics of basement flooding.

(Here’s a quick flood fun fact: The Great Flood of 1937 drastically affected the Cincinnati and Louisville areas. It left behind 14.88 inches of water in Fernbank, which is west of Cincinnati. And it left an even bigger flood in Louisville with 19.17 inches. Now that would be a disaster flood to clean up. This meme represents how I would feel about it.)

Basement Flooding Basics

If you know some basics regarding what is going on outside the foundation walls, under your foundation floor and you know some basics about your sewer you can intelligently explain to a plumbing professional what seems to be your problem or you could very well attempt to fix the problem yourself.

Let’s explain some of the characteristics of water with reference to your foundation. First water is not very susceptible to being compressed. Which means it’s going to find its way to every nook and cranny whether it be in air pocket in the ground or a crack in your basement floor or foundation walls. Water also finds its own level, meaning it could be leaking at the bottom of your foundation but find a seam in your wall and wick up 8 ft to the top of your foundation making it pretty difficult to put your finger on the problem.

So now that we know that water pressure is the root of almost all flooding and moisture problems let’s look and the different scenarios that occur to cause flooding. If a homeowner called and said “my basement is flooding” the first question should be is “is the water coming from the foundation or a floor drain?” The water is generally coming from one of those locations; a flood isn’t going to occur if you leave a window open. If it is coming from a basement floor drain the next question to be asked is “do you have an ejector pit and pump in your basement?” If the homeowner says no it tells you several things. Number one they have a gravity sewer.

Actually all sewers are gravity however this particular one is unique in the fact that all waste water, even water collected in the basement, flows under the basement floor and out to the city sewer. If water is coming up from their floor drain and they don’t have an obstruction in their sewer then the city main is backing up.

When sewers were first installed in metropolitan areas around the country they were combined sewers in that they took away both rainwater and wastewater. This comes as a surprise to some because storm and wastewater are always separated in buildings but yes in quite a few municipalities they combine together in the sewer main. Quite a few cities in the US, like Chicago or Atlanta, still use combined sewers however they are slowly being phased out. Having a combined sewer lends itself to some unique problems especially to a homeowner that is connected to it.

Basement Floods During Heavy Rain

So we bring ourselves back to flooding occurring in a home in the basement through a floor drain with no sewer obstruction. Think of a sewer in the middle of the street taking sewage from each home or business connected to it and then add to it torrential rains in the spring and fall. These combined sewers were never designed to evacuate that volume of water, in fact, typically during rainy seasons a combined sewer runs at 100% capacity. The technical term for this phenomenon is “surcharged”

When there is nowhere else for the water to go it finds its way back to each home or business connected to it and floods the homes/businesses, backing up through the floor drain and if there is enough flooding it will find its way to any crack in a foundation or wall. There are several fixes for basement floods during heavy rain, two band aids and three real solutions.

Basement Flooding Fix #1

Basement Flooding Fix #2

Divorce your floor drain in your house from the house sewer. Basically you just disconnect the sewer from that floor drain tying the house sewer back in after the floor drain. This makes the whole sanitary system in the home or business a stand pipe. Advantages of doing this, again as in the above “fix” it works and the disadvantages are also price.

Basement Flooding Fix #3

Basement Flooding Fix #4

This is a little different angle. This fix has everything to do with the outside of the house. I’m going to give you an example that I myself have experienced first hand. I lived in a home where my back yard back up against the street behind me. There were no houses in back of mine. The street was probably 2 1/2 ft higher than the top of my foundation. When it rained heavily the run off from the street would drain into my backyard. There was nothing stopping the water from accumulating around my foundation and we had flooding issues from day 1. There are many different ways to tackle this issue but the one that would work the best is to change the grade of the backyard to take the water away from the house. The first step is to build a berm at the back of the property to shield the backyard to some degree. The next step is to have a landscaper come in and grade the backyard sloping the grade away from the house to the berm. Where the berm and grading meet you install a french drain 24″ down with perforated drain tile and a bed of pea gravel. This will allow the water to collect under the grass so you don’t end up with a pond in your backyard. Understand that if you have a situation like this there is no inexpensive fix. You can also install drain tile next to the foundation in lieu of building a berm and regrading but this fix will not keep the water from running info the backyard it will only partially protect your basement from flooding. If the drain tile becomes overwhelmed you’ll still flood. Regrading is a permanent fix to a complex problem.

Basement Flooding Fix #5 This One Needs A Story

Bottom Line, Basement Flooding Sucks

If you’ve read this site over the years you’ll notice there are many articles about basement flooding. Never did I think I’d be writing an article about my own flooded basement. It’s a bit embarrassing actually made more so by the fact that it’s been a real bear to figure it out. What I hope to convey to my readers is that basement flooding can be difficult to figure out no matter how seasoned you are.

Because of the age of the house and the proximity of several large trees I suspected I had a tree root issue. There were several lingering issues that had to be addressed before the flooding could be resolved. I had an accessible clean-out that dropped straight down into the house sewer however, the fitting used was not a long sweep fitting so the only head I could use to unblock the line was a spade head. Had a long sweep fitting been used we could have gradually opened up the sewer with a tree root cutting head. Would it have fixed the problem for good? No, however it would have bought us some time.

Installing a Forced Main Is the Cadillac of Flood Control

The most extensive and expensive option would be to install a forced main flood control system. The first option gives you access to the sewer for tree root maintenance and for a possible blockage but does nothing to stop the water in the case of a surcharged city sewer. The second option gives you ease of access for maintenance purposes and a heavy-duty backwater valve to stop any water from backing up into your house. However, what happens when the check valve engages for an extended period of time during a long downpour? You can’t use the plumbing in your house. If you flush a toilet the wastewater is hitting a closed check valve, if you try washing clothes, using a dishwasher, etc. you will back up at the lowest fixture in the house. If you have a basement shower with a gravity sewer it’s coming up at that fixture. A forced main sewer is the answer. Some call this a sewer lift station but it’s really not. Let me explain the system:

Now we knew we had not one but two leaks that were independent of one another but the water from each ended up in the same place. When doing work at another person’s home it’s usually pretty fun to tear things apart however, when it’s your own house not so much but demolition had to be done.

First we tore out the drywall covering the foundation wall to reveal as expected a pretty sizeable crack that was patched however the epoxy covering the crack began to peel. I brought in a foundation-sealing expert and after he removed all of the epoxy patching he determined that the sealant probably didn’t go all the way through the crack. We set up a time to do it right.

On to that pain in the butt shower. After taking off the base board trim I could see that floor was open underneath the shower and the base was built on 2x4s to raise it off the ground a bit. I could see the shower drain piped into the ground but I couldn’t see beyond that. I turned the shower on and within seconds water began backing up from around the shower drain piping and it began running under the shower base and along the wall. Although I wasn’t sure why it was backing up yet at least I knew for sure there was a leak.

The next step was to uncover the connection and luckily for me that wasn’t too difficult. After breaking up some of the concrete right outside the shower and digging a bit I found an old floor drain. The plumber that piped the shower drain, piped it into the old floor drain with epoxy. (Code approved? NOT!) Although that is pretty shoddy plumbing what’s worse is that the waste piping serving the floor drain wasn’t taking any water.

Excavation to Uncover the Waste Piping

I had to do quite a bit of excavation to finally uncover the waste line servicing the floor drain. Once excavated I cut out a section of piping to find that it was 100% blocked with 20 years of black sediment. This floor drain hadn’t been functional in decades. I ended up cutting out all of the 2” piping until it became 4”. I ran our garden hose into the line to make sure it was clear and I visually inspected it as well. I subsequently re-piped the shower correctly with PVC, tested it, back filled it with pea gravel and some spoils and cemented over. We brought in a contractor to do the drywall, tile, painting and carpentry.

Would I call this endeavor a success? I suppose, one that took me 9 months to truly figure out. The reason I wanted to share this story with you especially in such detail is because I wanted you to know how difficult it is at times to track down basement flooding issues. I think of myself as an expert in this area of plumbing and it was still very difficult to pin down. I literally had three separate water issues manifesting in the same spot for three separate reasons. I’m lucky I still have hair because I pulled out some of it while trying to figure it out. If you bring a plumbing or basement leak professional out to your home give them the time to go over all the possibilities because as you’ve read above there are quite a few of them.

How to Deal with a High Water Table

Emergency Flooded Basement, What To Do First

Here are the steps you should take if you come home or walk downstairs to a flooded basement. We have several acquaintances that sleep with one eye and one ear open during thunderstorms. Although waking up to a wet basement is never very fun. Having a plan of attack in the event it happens can mean the difference between minor damage and a major restoration.

First Step to Take

Sometimes it’s easy to figure out why the basement flooded if your power has been out for several hours. The water table is super high and you’re sump pump isn’t pumping so the basement floods. This one is easy, if you don’t have a battery back sump pump or a standby generator you grab a cocktail and wait till the power comes back on. If you’ve got some sandbags ready or you have a family the size of the Duggars and a garage full of buckets you can get to work but most of us don’t.

If the power is on you have to determine the cause of the basement flooding. Go outside and take a peek at the discharge piping from your sump pump. It should be piped independently outside to a retention area or to the municipal storm sewer. You should be able to see water pumping out right away. If the pump is removing water your existing pump is being overwhelmed.

Get the Water Out As Quickly As Possible

The first thing you need to do is get the water out as quickly as possible. The longer the water sits in your basement the greater the chance you have of developing mold. So if you have power and your sump pump is actually pumping water you need to get other temporary pumps with discharge piping helping the cause. You want to make sure the flooding has completely stopped so you can move on to the next step.

**Caution** as with any situation where you are dealing with water and the possible contact with electricity please take special care. We would recommend calling a professional if the water is over 2″ in depth across the entire basement.

The Water is Out, What’s Next?

What if The Basement Was Finished?

Delve into our list of plumbing terminology to make your way in this complex yet necessary market. This article will make it easy for you to understand the core concepts that stand at the foundation of the plumbing world. Let’s begin!

ABS – Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. Rigid black plastic pipe used for Drain, waste, and vent lines. Please check your local codes to see if this material is code approved. In most major metropolitan areas it is not a code approved material.

Absorbent – A material that is used to hold gases, liquids or solids or suspended solids on it’s surface or inside pores. The most common absorbent used in the plumbing world is activated carbon.

Absorption Field – This is a seeping field designed to disperse the liquid waste from a septic tank through a filter bed. The septic tank fills with liquid and solid waste and the liquid waste drains off to the absorption field leaving the solid waste behind.

Absorption Pit – A pit specifically designed to disperse liquid waste from a septic tank through a filter bed.

Access Panel -A covered opening in wall made near a plumbing or electrical fixture to allow access for maintenance. In plumbing an access panel would hide control or shut off valves or cleaouts for rodding plumbing fixtures.

Acid Dilution Basin – A plumbing appurtenance connected to waste piping servicing a part of a building receiving corrosive or acid waste. Most acid neutralizing basins use limestone as the neutralizing media. Here are some applications where an acid dilution should be used, school labs, hospitals, research facilities, pharmaceutical manufacturing, printing facilities, automotive service centers, film processing, etc.

Acid Waste – Any waste water containing corrosives or acidic liquids that must be neutralized before entering the municipal sewer system. Most often fixtures receiving acid waste are connected to an acid dilution basin which neutralizes acid before the waste water enters the sewer.

Adaptor – A fitting used to join dissimilar piping methods i.e. sweat copper to threaded fittings, PVC to cast iron.

Adjusting Linkage – An adjustable rod or strap that forms the connection between the lift rod and the ball lever assembly of the drain.

Aeration – a method to introduce air with water to help in releasing dissolved gasses that contribute to foul odors or unpleasant taste. Aeration can be done in several different ways, air can be bubbled up through the liquid, liquid can be sprayed into the air or the liquid can be agitated oxygenating it by bringing the surface water in to contact with the air. The best example we can give for the use and effects of aeration is the cleansing of the Calumet Sag River in Illinois. Large parks where created along the Calumet Sag River pumping millions of gallons of water through attractively created waterfalls. The results have been staggering.

Aerator Fittings – a type of fitting installed on a plumbing fixture that mixes water with air. These fittings help with water conservation and reduce splashing.

Aerobic Bacteria – Bacteria living, active and occurring in the presence of oxygen.

AGA – (American Gas Association)

A.I.A -(American Institute of Architects) This is basically a self policing regulating body that promotes excellence in architecture. They are heavily involved in all facets of education for their members from internship, to mentoring to licensing and support. A.I.A. is also the preferred method by which sub contractors invoice their customers. Chances are if you’ve been a subcontractor for awhile you know exactly what G701, G702 and a G703 form is for. If you are familiar with all of the AIA forms are you probably have a head ache, they can be tedious but they are ultimately there to protect the Owner.

Air Admittance Valve – The most common of these is called a STUDOR vent, these valves are designed to allow air into a drainage system with out using a vent. It opens to allow air to equalize pressure in the drainage system but closes to stop sewer odors and gases into the living space.

Air Chamber -A vertical air filled pipe or manufactured spring coil installed above the waterline in a potable water system that absorbs pressure fluctuations when valves are turned off i.e. a shower is turned off or a fill valve in a toilet slams shut. The pressure absorbing devices reduce water hammer. Having air chambers on plumbing fixtures with water connections is code for most municipalities.

Air Gap –   The unobstructed physical distance between the outlet end of a  plumbing apparatus or piping delivering potable water to a plumbing fixture to the flood rim level of the receptacle (sink, dishwasher, clothes washer or tank) Think of a kitchen sink faucet with a pullout spray if you pulled it out and laid it in the sink you would have no air gap. The air gap protects the potable water system from cross contamination. Please see Backflow Prevention Device, Vacuum breaker, double detector check valves.

All Thread Rod – a connecting rod used in almost every construction trade. In the mechanical trades it is mostly used to hang piping materials from the underside of a the structure of the building.. Threads are in one direction and standard hex nuts can easily be screwed on to secure a multitude of different hangers. Come in a variety of sizes and finishes. Most common sizes in the piping trades are 1/4″, 3/8″,1/2″,  5/8 & 3/4″ it’s most common finishes are black and galvanized, stainless steel is also a common material.

Anaerobic Bacteria – Bacteria that lives and grows in the absence of free oxygen. These bacteria get their oxygen by decomposing substances that contain oxygen.

Angle Stop or Angle Valve – Angle stops are named because they are manufactured at a 90degree angle, they are used as shut off valves at the water intake of plumbing fixtures or appliances. They usually have an oval handle or can have a removable handle when vandalism or theft is an issue. They are not meant to be used in high pressure situations.

Angle of Repose – This is one of the first things we learned about excavating in plumbing school. The lesson was followed by a video of a man caught in a cave in. He broke most of the bones in his body amongst other gruesome things. This is the greatest angle above ground level at which backfill or debris will lie without sliding. Please use shoring figure out the angle of repose if you’re digging below 4ft.

ANSI – (American National Standards Institute) The American National Standards Institute was founded in 1918 and they are the U.S. voice for conformity and regulation. ANSI is compromised of government agencies, academic institutions, manufacturers and contractors and their purpose is to enhance the US global position and to create regulations, norms and guidelines. Those regulations affect almost all businesses from every sector.

Anti Microbial (plumbing definition) – Any plumbing fixture or plumbing accessory that is manufactured with anti-microbial characteristics integral to the product. An anti-microbial plumbing product is one that kills or hinders the growth of bacteria, mold, etc. Vitreous china is naturally anti-microbial when glazed because of it’s glazing and non porous surface. Recently toilet seats are a common plumbing accessory manufactured with anti-microbial  properties.

Anti-scald Valve – (please see pressure balanced and thermostatic mixing valve)

Americast – A patented process from American Standard that uses a porcelain surface, an enameling grade steel material and a structural composite backing bonded together to create a sink that is similar to cast iron in durability, heat retention and sound deadening but weighs considerably less therefore it is cheaper to install.

Annealing – In plumbing the process by which rigid copper is made soft and pliable. The process consists of heating the metal to a certain temperature and holding that temperature for a set amount of time then allowing the metal to cool slowly to room temperature.

Anode Rod –  These sacrificial anode rods are installed at the top of a water heater tank and are generally made of magnesium or aluminum with a steel core. Simply put, through electrolysis the anode rods will corrode before the exposed metal in the tank. If the anode rod has been corroded the water begins to attack the exposed metals in your water heater which will eventually cause it to fail.

Anti-Siphon Valve (Vacuum Breaker) – The simple definition is an anti-siphon valve is a device installed on a water supply line that prevents water from backing up into the potable water system. Vacuum breakers are an example of an anti-siphon valve. Anti-siphon valve are most commonly spring loaded one way valves. When the direction of flow is going in desired direction all works well, if the direction of liquid changes the valve slams shut prevent back siphonage.

Apron (or Skirt) – The decorative portion of a bathtub that covers the rough-in area of the tub. It is most easily recognized on a whirlpool tub, the apron is most often removable to be able to service the tubs plumbing and or motor.

ASA – (American Supply Association) Formally founded in December of 1969 the ASA is an organization that represents wholesale distributor and their supplier in the plumbing, heating, cooling, industrial and mechanical pipe, valve and fittings industries.

ASME – (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) A professional member ship group founded in 1890, this group originally came together to test steam vessels because of the numerous failures. Now it is the premiere standards development organization. Setting codes and standards throughout the mechanical trades.

ASSE- (American Society of Sanitary Engineering) Founded in 1906 by Henry Davis Chief Plumbing Inspector for the District of Columbia. This group consisted of plumbing engineers, plumbing inspectors and installers all with the common idea of making plumbing safer and more universal though out the United States. They also have quite a bit of influence as to the adoption of plumbing code and the vital testing of plumbing product and theory.

ASTM International – (formerly know as American Society for Testing Materials) Formed in 1898 by chemists and engineers from the Pennsylvania Railroad they organized the railroad’s new chemistry department, where they investigated the technical properties of oil, paint, steel, and other materials the Pennsylvania Railroad bought in large quantities. Organized a new set of standard that they expected their suppliers to follow. At the present they are “globally recognized leaders in the development and delivery of international voluntary consensus standards” Please visit their web site for a more detailed history.

Back Flow – The circumstance of water traveling from one system back into any part of the main distribution system, usually by siphoning.

Back Flow Preventer – The two most common types of back flow prevention devices are a double detector check assembly and an RPZ. A double detector check assembly is one device that houses two check valve assemblies in the line of flow. The check valves are spring actuated and are designed to open with 1 pound of pressure.

The double detector check assembly is installed with one (1) gate valve on the inlet of the valve and one (1) gate valve on the outlet side of the valve. These assemblies prevent back flow or back pressure in nonhazardous situations and are most used to protect the potable water system of a building from the water in a fire prevention system.

A detector check is made with a by-pass assembly and meter to detect any unauthorized or illegal taps, test cocks are also present so that required yearly testing can take place. Each check valve can be isolated and tested independently to see if they are leaking and operating properly.

An RPZ – is very similar to the double detector check in that it houses two testable check valves. It has two gate valves one (1) on the inlet and one (1) on the outlet. Here is where things change, an RPZ is used in high hazard situations, where contamination of the water supply would pose a significant health hazard.RPZ (reduced pressure zone backflow preventer) and Double Detector Check Valve

Backpressure in a Plumbing System – Pressure that is less than atmospheric pressure. If a sewer drain line is running at 100% capacity and with greater than intended velocity if the waste water passes another drain outlet it could cause a negative pressure. This negative pressure can pull a water seal from a trap causing sewer gas or vermin into the living space. Extremely high winds can also pull the air from the plumbing vent pulling the trap seals with it.

Backup (Sewer) – The overflow of water usually combined with waste from a plumbing fixture caused by a blockage in the fixture drain or waste line servicing the aforementioned plumbing fixture.

Back-up Sump Pumps – Literally any pumping device that acts to back-up the primary sump in case of power failure or primary pump failure. Most  back-up sump devices include some sort of marine battery either wet cell or maintenance free gel battery. There are back-up sump pumps that use no electricity and function on incoming water pressure.

Backwash Cycle – No this isn’t what you’re sibling leaves in the bottom of the Gatorade bottle. The Backwash cycle is a process a water softener or water filter goes into, usually pre-programmed for off hours, whereby the water flow is reversed cleaning the filter media. The waste water is sent to an open site drain.

Backwater Valve – A valve that is installed on the house sewer that prevents water from backing up into the house. The most common use for a backwater valve is in situations where the city sewer is combined waste and storm. In these cases during torrential rain the city sewer runs full with only one place to go, back into the house or businesses connected to it, a backwater valve is installed in this situation.

Baffle – An object or screen placed in a plumbing fixture or appurtenance to change the direction of or retard the flow of water or flue gasses. The most common baffles used in plumbing are the ones found in a grease separator. The baffles are used to slow down the incoming waste water, allowed the suspended grease and solids to cool and rise to the top for easy removal.

Balancing Cocks or Valves – A valve with an adjustable partition or gate which can be used to increase or decrease flow. They also have self sealing ports in which thermometers can be inserted to check the temperatures of the liquids.

Ball Cock – The valve by which the water enters a tank type toilet (water closet), fills the tank and shuts the flow of water off when the water reaches a predetermined height in the tank.

Barrier Free – This relates to ADA and handicap access, the easiest to understand is the barrier free shower base. A barrier free shower base has little or no threshold to encumber a wheelchair from entering or exiting.

Basin Wrench – Is a tool that only has one real use , it’s inexpensive and pretty easy to use. A basin wrench actually looks like a steel bar with a curved head with teeth on one end. The other end ends with a T handle. Obviously turn the water off before using. Go under the sink and position the head at a 90 angle catching the nut, turn in the appropriate direction to remove and your all set. If the sink faucet is too high to reach you may have to pull out the extended handle.

Basket Strainer – A device shaped like a cup or a basket with holes or slots that fits inside a drain that allows water to drain out but catches debris before it enters the waste piping.

Beam Clamps – A clamping device used when beams are the only thing used for support. They are used in conjunction with pipe hangers to ensure proper support and pitch. The beam can be c-clamp type or can span the entire beam.

Bench Mark – It is a known elevation set throughout a building or job site that all trades can use to locate proper elevations for doors, windows, plumbing fixtures etc. An elevation will be set usually by the general contractor in accordance with the engineer and all trades can measure from that elevation.  It can also be a mark on a permanent flat service whereby it is used to lay out walls, columns, stairwells, etc.

Bends – A generic term given to all elbows made from all types of piping material.

Bidets– A plumbing fixture about the same height as a seat of a chair that is most often used for the bathing of the external genitals and the posterior parts of the body.

Biodegradable – Any material subject to degradation to simpler substances by way of biological action i.e. aerobic and anaerobic decomposition. Substances that are considered biodegradable are detergents, human waste, organic matter.

Black Water – Waste water from toilet, urinals, bidets or food prep receptacles or waste water from drains receiving chemical waste.

Bleed (Water System) – To drain a pipe or piping system of excess air by opening plumbing valves or appurtenances exposed to the atmosphere i.e. shower valves, faucets and drain down valve.

Blind Plug – A plug or cap used on no-hub piping to end a drain line. It is affixed to the end of the pipe by a no-hub coupling.

BOCA CODE – (Building Officials Code Administrators International)

Body Sprays – For all practical purposes these are shower heads.  Some are hand held, some are on a sliding bar so that the can be moved up or down and some are positioned throughout a shower to spray on different parts of your body while showering.

CAD (Computer Aided Design) – A method of designing building mechanical systems using a well known computer software. Prior to CAD, engineers and architects had to design and layout all of the different piping trades by hand and with the aid of the subcontractors “shop drawings”. Now most of it’s done via computer. There are still changes in the field but those changes are always relayed to the engineer and are updated on the master CAD files.

Cast Iron Pipe and Fittings – Plumbing sewer and vent pipe and fittings that are made from cast iron.  It is manufactured in two (2) types–hub and spigot, and no-hub.  The hub and spigot pipe and fittings are manufactured as either service weight or extra heavy.  This relates to the wall thickness of the pipe and fittings, the extra heavy having a thicker wall thickness.  The extra heavy pipe and fittings are rarely used today and availability of various fittings is limited.

The hub and spigot type pipe is manufacture in three (3) lengths–five (5) and ten (10) foot single hub, five (5) double hub and thirty (30) inch double hub.  Single hub means the pipe has one (1) end that is plain and the other has a hub and double hub means there are hubs on both ends.  The no-hub pipe and fittings are manufactured in service weight and the pipe only comes in (10) foot lengths. The hub and spigot pipe and fittings are joined by using either neoprene gaskets or lead and oakum.  The no-hub pipe and fittings are joined by using a stainless steel band with neoprene gasket that is manufactured specifically for the no-hub pipe.

Ceramic Discs – similar to brass seating material, ceramic is the hardest material you can use in seating material. One ceramic disc rotates and slides against the other. As the holes or notches in the discs align the water passes through. Ceramic discs are completely unaffected by water temperature so the neither expand nor contract, they are not damaged by debris in the water line.

Chair Carrier – (Please see Fixture Carrier)

Check Valves – A check valve is a one way valve in that is has one inlet and one outlet that allows the a liquid to travel in one direction. It is used to halt the flow of the aforementioned liquid in case of a drop in pressure or reverse in directional flow. The majority of check valves used in the plumbing industry work automatically meaning when the pressure or direction changes the valve slams shut.

Circuit Setter -A circuit setter is a balancing type valve used in an HVAC or plumbing system to regulate pressure in the whole system or within part of the system. In a plumbing system it is used to regulated pressure between hot and cold water inside the potable water system. Many years ago a check valve and a ball valve where used, the check valve would shut down a hot or cold water supply if there was a sudden drop in pressure and the ball valve with a memory stop was used to regulate flow. This prevented cold or hot water bleed over if the pressure was increased or decreased in either supply piping.

Circuit Vent – A branch vent that serves two or more fixtures with integral traps like a water closet or fixtures with p-traps installed in a battery (fixtures grouped together). The vent extends from the top of the horizontal waste branch in front of the last fixture waste to the main vent stack of a building drainage system.

Cleanout – An accessible opening that is placed in a drainage line  at a convenient location to accommodate drain cleaning equipment in the event of a line blockage.

Cleanout Cover – An esthetically pleasing cover (usually chrome plated) that hides a cleanout. The cleanout cover is usually furnishing with a chrome center screw that threads into the cleanout plug.

Clevis Hangers – A piece of metal bent in the shape of a “U” that is used to support pipe or conduit from a structure. The “U” has holes through both ends through which a rod is inserted and attached to the rod is a yoke with a hole in it through which a threaded rod is inserted and the threaded rod is attached to the structure.

Closet Flanges – A flanged fitting that is connected to the sanitary drainage system that is used to bolt a water closet (toilet) to the floor. They are made of different materials, i.e., cast iron, copper and PVC.

Cock Hole Cover – We know it’s a silly word but it is an actual plumbing term. It is simply this, a metal cover that is inserted onto an empty hole in your kitchen sink or counter top. They come in different finishes like chrome, brass, white and stainless steel. Say you replace your old kitchen sink faucet that has a side spray with an updated model that has a pull out spout. The faucet with the side spray used a four hole sink.  The one with a pull spout uses three holes or one if you don’t use a cover plate, you’ll have one extra hole. You’ll need the ever famous cock hole cover.

Coffee Station – In a commercial tenant space, a place for employees to get coffee, ice, or have lunch or take a break. Coffee stations typically consist of a kitchen sink, faucet, coffee maker, and refrigerator. Depending on the municipality the coffee station may require a grease interceptor and a floor drain. The coffee maker and the refrigerator will require a backflow preventer.

Cold Chisel – A steel hardened tool that is manufactured in various lengths and diameters with a beveled end that is used for chipping and breaking concrete, cast iron, steel and other hard material.

Combined or Combination Sewer – piping that is designed to carry both rain water with sewage. This method of evacuating waste water is being phased out around the country in favor separating the storm sewer from waste.

Composite Material – A material used to manufacture counter tops and and sinks. Composite materials usually have an acrylic base that is colored and different aggregate materials are introduced to give the surface a unique look and in some instances adds strength. Quartz composite sinks are a great example of composite material were quartz is added to give it a unique look and adds strength and resists corroding and chipping.

Compression Fittings – A kind of tubing or pipe connection where a nut, and then a sleeve or ferrule is placed over a copper or plastic tube and is compressed tightly around the tube as the nut is tightened, forming a positive grip and seal without soldering. Also a flexible connector that has a nut and gasket designed to attach directly to an SAE standard compression thread, without the use of a sleeve or ferrule.

Copper Pipe and Fittings – Copper pipe and fittings are material used in drainage, waste and vent pipe as well as potable water piping. Copper is fairly easy to work with, has excellent thermal conductive properties and it is very durable. Copper comes in a wide variety of pipe sizes and can handle water, oil and gas.

Core Toilet Rooms – A group of centrally located toilet rooms in a commercial, industrial or institutional building. These toilet rooms are usually designed to accommodate a certain number of workers or guests per floor or per area of a building. If core toilet rooms are in a multi-level building they are usually stacked on top of one another using a common wet column.

CPVC – (Chlorinated Polyethylene) – This is PVC plastic piping infused with chlorine to increase it’s temperature rating. It also improves its fire rating as well.

Cross Connection – Any connection in plumbing that allows potable water to be connected to a non potable water source. Cross connections can be a potentially serious health hazard. Here is an example of a cross connection : a good number of utility sink faucets come with a threaded hose connection at the end of the spout. This is used to attach a hose so a floor or room can be washed down. If the spout or faucet is not installed with a vacuum breaker and the hose is dropped into the utility sink filled with water and a cleaning chemical you have a cross connection.

Dip Tubes – Usually a plastic tube that is inserted into the inlet side of a domestic water heater.  The tube forces the incoming water to the bottom of the heater, (closest to the heating elements) whereby the water is more evenly heated throughout the tank.

Dishwasher Air Gap – An apparatus that is usually mounted next to your faucet, either on the counter or in a knockout on the kitchen sink. This device connects from the waste outlet of the dishwasher to the airgap and from there it connects to a waste opening in the p-trap of the kitchen sink. It allows waste water to flow into the waste piping however of the waste piping should ever back up, the waste water will not back up into the dishwasher because of the aforementioned air gap.  Please see our diagram for further clarification.

Drop-in Anchor – These are anchors that are inserted into a pre-drilled hole in concrete. The anchor has a metal cam inside that when hit or “set” flares the bottom out to secure it in the concrete. Drop-in anchors are threaded on the inside to accept all thread rod or bolts and they are commonly used in conjunction with a clevis hanger to hang piping from the underside of a deck.

Drum Traps – Very rarely used, a drum trap is a circular metal canister with the inlet near the bottom of the trap and the waste outlet is at the top with a removable cover. Ideally the drum trap is installed in a place with easy access so you can remove the cover to clean. Unfortunately many drum traps we’ve encountered are buried behind a wall or the cover is unable to be removed, fused together by time. So when drum trap stop they are extremely difficult to clear by rodding because of their inlet and outlet configuration. Drum traps were installed so people could find jewelry or valuables if lost down the drain. The trap would catch the ring or earring by sinking to the bottom, the likely hood that a valuable would flow into the waste opening at the top of the trap is highly unlikely.

Duplex Pumps (Ejector or House Pumps) – This is simply a pumping system that uses two pumps instead of one. These pumps are usually equipped with an alternator that alternates pumping cycles to minimize wear on one particular pump. The alternator can be set to alternate the pumps in a variety of ways i.e. every other cycle, every ten cycles or it can be set by usage parameters if equipped with the right controls.

Effluent – Waste material – the waste and/or waste water outflowing from a septic tank.

Ejector Pits – A round, square or rectangular pit (collection vessel) that can be made from cast iron, steel, PVC, fiberglass, concrete or clay tile.  They are used in applications where the sanitary waste that flows into them is lower that the main sewer and by mean of an ejector pump(s) the waste is pumped up and out to the main sewer.  They must always have a gas tight cover and be properly vented.

Ejector Pumps – A device manufactured to elevate water, sewage (suspended solids) or liquid waste from a lower level to a point of discharge where it can be drained away by gravity into a sewer or drain.

Elevated Vacuum Breaker – A vacuum breaker that is elevated off the floor at 7ft-6″. There is a very good reason it is elevated at 7ft-6″ it is above the average height of a man with his arms stretched over his head. Huh? Yep, the reason for this is a person cannot take a hose and stretch to place it above the vacuum breaker rendering the vacuum breaker useless. I know how about we just step on a chair? Whatever…that’s the reason for 7ft-6″. Elevated vacuum breakers are slowly dying.

Epoxy Pipe Lining – Epoxy lining of plumbing pipes is used when the cost of digging and or tearing walls and ceilings apart proves to be too cost prohibitive. There are several different types of epoxy pipe lining and they are used based on application type.

• Air Inversion – Air inversion pipe lining is used in waste, vent, storm and water main to repair broken piping due to ground settling, pipe deterioration, tree roots etc. It is most commonly used in pipe sizing from 4″ to 48″ in diameter. The piping is prepared by video camera inspection, then <the pipe is cleaned and scoured. The pipe is then lined using an air inversion machine. Think of tube sock with epoxy lining on the inside. It is glued on one end and air pressure pushes the sock through the pipe turning it inside out thereby placing the epoxy inside the piping. Please check out this Youtube video that shows you in detail how the process works.
• Pipe Bursting – The pipe bursting method is used in underground piping i.e. concrete or clay tile where the piping is too deteriorated to repair by other methods. A very strong cable is pulled through deteriorated piping and attached to a conical pipe bursting head, attached behind the head is the new piping. As the pipe bursting head is pulled through the old piping it is being broken up and the new piping is being pulled through the old pipe bed.
• Epoxy Pipe Restoration – This method is used mostly in water piping and it is most effective in pipe sizes from 1/2″ through 4″. Although some companies have different techniques most have these steps that are common for all. Drain down of water piping being restored, heated and compressed are introduced to the piping to dry pipe thoroughly. A sand slurry mixture is blown into the pipe to scour the inside of the pipe walls, knocking off any scale or oxidation. Finally the epoxy coating is blown in coating the inside of the pipe. Check out the video of CuraFlo explaining the process.

Expansion Tank – A tank usually installed on a closed hot water line used to absorb excess pressure due to thermal expansion. Because water expands when heated, the water needs a place to expand to hence the expansion tank.

Express Riser – A domestic water riser is used to distribute potable water to floor levels that require potable water to function in both commercial or residential applications. For a high rise building maintaining water pressure suitable to proper fixture function is critical. An express riser is a water riser thats sole purpose is to bypass lower floors and service upper floors so adequate water pressure is maintained.

Extension Tailpiece – A length of tubular brass or PVC piping used to extend the waste on a kitchen, lavatory or service sink. Connections or usually Slip Joint or threaded.

Extra Heavy Soil Pipe – Cast iron soil has been used for drainage, waste and vent piping for hundreds of years. Extra heavy soil pipe is specified for extreme conditions and has a very high crush strength. It’s popularity has declined sharply over the last 30 years. It was not uncommon to see extra heavy soil pipe used in schools, hospitals and prisons.

Faucet Types – A faucet is any device that controls the flow of water. The most common types of faucets used in plumbing are kitchen, lavatory, bar, service sink, hose bibbs, shower valve, tub filler and yard hydrants.

Federal Plumbing Code – (Please see National Plumbing Code, BOCA, & IAPMO Uniform Plumbing Code)

Fill Valve – Most commonly referred to as a Ball Cock, the fill valve controls water to the tank of a tank type toilet. The fill valves is operated by means of a float. Most fill valves also have an anti siphon device  or vacuum breaker to ensure there is no cross contamination from the water in the tank to the potable water supply.

Filtration – The process of the flow of water running through a filter medium.

Fixture Carriers – A device that is installed behind a finished wall and anchored to the floor to mount and off the floor plumbing fixtures i.e., lavatories, wall hung toilets, urinals and slop sinks. It is most commonly used in commercial and institutional applications due to increases wear and tear.

Fixture Units (Drainage) – The quantity of load producing effects a plumbing fixture has on a plumbing drainage system. The number is based on the probable discharge of waste water into the plumbing drainage system by different fixtures for a single operation and on the average time between operations. The rate of discharge through a plumbing fixture of 7.5 GPM is termed one fixture unit.

Fixture Units (Supply) – The measure of how much water a plumbing fixture needs for proper function. The plumbing valve used by a particular fixture and its function is based on the volume of water it uses on a single occasion and on the average time between operations.

Floor Cleanouts – A readily accessible opening installed in the floor off of a horizontal waste line to accommodate drain cleaning equipment to remove potential blockages.

Floor Drains – An opening in the floor used to drain potential liquid waste from the floors into the drainage system. Floor drains are most commonly seen in basements, core toilet rooms, janitor’s closets and mechanical rooms.

Floor Sinks – A receptor installed in a floor that receives drainage from indirect waste lines. Floor sinks are often glazed with porcelain or epoxy to inhibit bacterial growth and to make it easier to clean and maintain.

Flushometer Valve –  There are several different type of flushometer valves on the market the diaphragm type valve invented by William Sloan and the Sloan Valve Company in 1906 is the undisputed leader in Flush valve production and market use. However all flushometers are designed to do the same thing and that is to deliver a measured amount of water to a fixture to flush out waste, i.e. a water closet or urinal. Both a diaphragm and a piston type flush valve operate by using water pressure to actuate the valve.

Flux
(Plumbing) – Plumbers flux comes in the form of paste and it is brushed on copper or brass pipe and fittings to remove oxides and other coatings for the metals before joining. Oxides make soldering difficult. Upon heating the pipe/fittings and flux, the flux will clean and float away any oxides or particulates.

Friction (Water Piping) – It is the resistance between to objects in contact with one another. In a water piping system it is the friction that occurs between water and the walls of the piping. Water that comes in contact with the walls of the pipe actually moves slower than water in the center of the piping. We call that friction loss in the piping trades.

Friction Clamps/Riser Clamps – A friction or riser clamp is used in the plumbing and mechanical trades to support vertical piping at each floor. The hanger device is place around the piping and tightened with bolts which prevents the piping from slipping. Riser clamps have wings or ears that extend out from the pipe to span the opening in the floor to accommodate the piping being braced.

Frost Proof Hose Bibbs or Sillcocks – A faucet that delivers water to locations (usually outside) for watering landscaping or grass, washing vehicles or general cleaning. When the hose bibb is designated as “Frost Proof” it is usually has an apparatus which allows ice to expand without damaging the unit or connected supply piping.

Futures (Vent, water and waste) – Futures in plumbing are fittings and or piping installed and capped to accommodate “future” plumbing expansions. i.e. an office building is being built and the owner is taking the entire space. However, at some point the owner may want to divide the building to accommodate possible tenants or expansion of existing office space. Futures would minimize the contruction to rehab, expand or reconfigure the existing plumbing systems.

Garabage Disposals – An electrically powered plumbing appliance installed on the outlet of a kitchen sink that is used to grind up leftover organic waste so it is easily rinsed away by LOTS OF WATER. Garbage disposal are manufactured in several different price points which include better build quality, sound deadening materials and features. Commercial versions are also available.

Gas Piping – The piping used to deliver propane or natural gas to a home and it’s gas powered appliances in the home i.e. stove, oven, and clothes dryer.

Gate Valves – The gate valve is typically operated by a wheel handle and that handle lifts and lowers a metal disc or wedge cutting off or opening the flow of water. A gate valve should not be used to throttle or regulate the flow of water. Gate valves are usually described as rising stem sometimes called an OS&Y (Outside Screw and Yoke) or non-rising stem.

OS&Y valves are used in situations were it is beneficial and sometimes safer to be able to see if the valve is in the open or closed position by seeing whether the stem is visible or fully seated.

General Liability Insurance (GL Insurance) – A standard insurance policy issued to businesses but in this case plumbing and mechanical businesses to protect against liability claims generating from the operations the business performs this includes employee negligence. This is usually coupled with Workers Compensation Insurance to form a firms commercial insurance package.

G.P.M. – (Gallons Per Minute) A unit of measurement used by plumbing material manufacturers to convey performance or measure capacities of a fixture, water piping and or waste piping.

Gravity Sewers – All sewers work by by gravity. However this term is used by plumbers to describe a house drain which runs under the basement floor and receives the discharge from soil, waste and other drainage from pipes within the building. It is almost always used to describe a sewer when a home is affected by sewage backing up from the city sewer during extreme rain fall. The solution to a gravity sewer would be to run the sewer over head. (See Over Head Sewers)

Gray Water – is defined as water generated by sinks, showers, bathtubs and clothes washers. It does not contain waste water from water closets, urinals, kitchen sinks or waste from dishwashers.

Gray Water Waste Pipe System – Is the piping and storage system that collects waste water generated from hand sinks, showers, bathtubs and clothes washers. Because over 60% of all household water usage can be labelled as gray water systems have been developed to recycle this water and reuse. Graywater piping is purple in color so it will standout amongst other piping systems.

There are three separate steps in the graywater recycling process and they are as follows:

Grease Traps or Grease Separator – A device designed to cause separation and retention of oil and/or grease from liquid wastes. Grease separators are most commonly used in commercial kitchens, restaurants or apartment buildings. Periodic grease removal maintenance needs to be done in order to maintain performance levels.

Green Plumbing – Is any type of plumbing that promotes conservation of water and or electricity.

Re-circulating Pump

Repair Flanges

Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration

Roll Groove

Roman Tub Filler
Roof Drain – a roof drain is a plumbing appurtenance installed on a building roof, inside a gutter or in a parapet wall to receive rain water. The water is routed to the building or structures downspout piping and discharged to a storm sewer or is allowed to splash on the ground. Please check your local plumbing codes to find out acceptable methods for the discharge of rain water.

Rough-in

RPZ (Reduced Pressure Zone)

Sand and Sediment Separators

Syphonic roof drains

Sanitary Sewer – A house drain or a house sewer designed and used to remove only sewage. Storm water need not apply. Believe it or not there are places around the country that separate the storm and sewage systems in a building only to let them combine outside the building to a combined sewer.

Septic Tank – A tank designed to receive raw sewage. Through aerobic and anaerobic bacterial action and sedimentation the sewage is allowed to break down. After a period of detention the remaining liquid is allowed to discharge into the soil.

Sewage – A combination of water carried wastes from a residence, business buildings, institutional and industrial buildings together with ground surface and storm water.

Sewer Camera and Locator

Shower Head

Slip Joint

Sloan Flush Mate

Sludge

Soaker Tub

Soft Water

Soil Pipe – Any piping which transports the discharges of one of more water closets or bedpan washers with or without the discharge from other fixtures to the house drain.

Solder

Solder Joints – types, uses (How To)

Spanner Flanges

Stand Pipe –

Steam Generators

Steel Pipe and Fittings

Storm Piping

S-Traps

Sub-Soil Drain – The part of the drainage system which transports subsoil ground or seepage water to the house drain or house sewer. (Most times it’s called drain tile.)

Suds Zone

Sump Check Valves

Sump Pits

Sump Pumps

Sump Silent Check Valves

Suspended Solids – The solid waste material held afloat or suspended in the transport medium in this case it’s water.

Sustaining Hinge Check

Syphonic roof drains –

T&P Valves – A relief valve used on tanks or vessels that is activated by too much temperature(T) or too much pressure (P)

Tempering Valves – A valve used to control temperature to a constant temperature. These valves are mechanical in nature meaning a temperature can be set with a set and locked in and won’t allow any more hot water through the valve. Hot and cold water flow is controlled by the internal ports.

Thermal Expansion – The expansion of water or material from heat

Thermostatic Mixing Valves – A pressure balanced valve used to control temperature of water based on both the hot and cold water supply temperatures and changes in water pressure. A valve that is pressure balanced only operates on just that….pressure