Plumbing fixture showrooms carry a variety of plumbing fixtures and accessories for kitchen and bathroom plumbing. But choosing a new plumbing fixture is more complicated than simply picking out a new sink, toilet or faucet. The following terms will help you better communicate with the experts at local plumbing accessories stores. By understanding the common terms used by professional plumbing fixture showroom staff, you will be more likely to get the exact fixtures and accessories that meet your needs.
acrylic…
Plumbing fixture showrooms carry a variety of plumbing fixtures and accessories for kitchen and bathroom plumbing. But choosing a new plumbing fixture is more complicated than simply picking out a new sink, toilet or faucet. The following terms will help you better communicate with the experts at local plumbing accessories stores. By understanding the common terms used by professional plumbing fixture showroom staff, you will be more likely to get the exact fixtures and accessories that meet your needs.
acrylic
Acrylic is a strong material that is cast and molded into bathroom and kitchen fixtures. Acrylic is often used to create bathtubs, sinks, showers, backsplashes and countertops.
ADA
The Americans with Disabilities Act sets legal parameters for the construction of plumbing fixtures in order to better meet the needs of disabled individuals.
Also known as: Americans with Disabilities Act
apron front
An apron front fixture has a decorative front section. An apron front bathtub has a low front panel that covers the space from the floor to the top rim of the tub. Apron front sinks have a solid front that extends from the top rim to the bottom of the sink. The cabinets and countertop are interrupted by the apron front, but extend on either side of it.
Also known as: skirting, apron sink, farmhouse sink, apron tub, farmhouse tub
backflow preventer
All homes and businesses should have backflow preventers, which are devices that prevent backflow or water backup into the drinking water. Backflow preventers are usually installed on handheld showers, pullout faucet spouts, kitchen sprayers, sinks and faucets.
backsplash
The raised back portion of a wall mount sink or toilet to protect the wall behind it. Backsplashes can also be separate pieces made out of countertop extensions, tile or metal.
cast iron
Cast iron are heavy fixtures such as sinks, bath tubs and toilets made from heavy metal covered with porcelain enamel coating and cast by molds.
centerset
Bathroom sink fixtures with a combined spout and handles are known as centerset faucets.
Also known as: center set faucets
continuous feed garbage disposal
Some plumbing fixture showrooms also sell garbage disposals, including continuous feed garbage disposals. These wall switch-activated garbage disposals run continuously while garbage is fed into them.
Also known as: in-sink garbage disposals
deck mount faucets
Faucets that mount on a horizontal surface of a sink or bath tub are known as deck mount faucets.
drainboard sink
Sinks that have a drainboard incorporated into their design are known as drainboard sinks.
drop-in sink
Sinks with a visible rim mounted above the countertop are known as drop-in sinks. These are most often used with a laminate counter top.
fill valve
A toilet fill valve is located in the water tank. The water level-actuated valve regulates the amount of water emptied from the tank into the bowl. Some fill valves can be adjusted to raise or lower the amount of water in the toilet bowl, helping to conserve water and moderate gallons used per flush.
fireclay
Fireclay is a type of vitreous china that has more quartz and feldspar in the base material. Fireclay is heavier, denser, and thicker than regular clay, which ensures a smoother, flater surface that standard vitreous china cannot offer, especially on larger fixtures such as bathtubs.
fitting
The term ‘fitting’ usually refers to faucets, shower valves and tub fillers. ‘Fittings’ can also refer to piping and parts such as tees, joints and elbows.
GPM
GPM is the rate of water flow by which faucets and showerheads are measures. There are local and federal limits placed on the gallons per minute flow rate of plumbing fixtures.
Also known as: gallons per minute
hot water dispenser
A plumbing fixture that maintains a near-boiling water temperature for instant use. Hot water dispensers are popular in professional kitchens and custom kitchens in private homes.
instantaneous water heater
A water heater which heats water as it passes through. Instant water heaters require no storage tanks and are therefore popularly called tankless heaters.
Also known as: instant water heater, tankless water heater
ledgeback fixture
A style of sink or toilet that has a ledge or deck at the rear used to mount a faucet and other fixtures and accessories.
Also known as: backsplash, backsplash mount
Microban
Permanent antimicrobial protection is available in some sinks, bathtubs and fixtures in the form of Microban, a patented material that kills bacteria.
Also known as: antibacterial fixtures, antibacterial sinks, antibacterial toilets, permanent antimicrobial protection fixtures
mixing valve
Mixing valves on sinks and shower faucets mix hot and cold water so that the water from the tap is a specified temperature. Older sinks did not have mixing valves, instead relying on two faucets—one for hot water and one for cold water.
monobloc faucet
A single-handle faucet on a sink or bath tub are known as monobloc faucets. These are popular in bathrooms and kitchens.
Also known as: single-handled faucets
mounting frame
External mounting used to install sinks which have no built-in base is known as a mounting frame. A mounting frame is usually part of a cabinet which houses the sink base and plumbing, along with storage space underneath.
powder coat
Powder coat is a technique used to apply paint to metal surfaces, including plumbing fixtures and faucets. The metal is covered with a dry paint powder which is baked in an oven; this causes the powder to melt and harden into a solid metal finish. Powder coating is often matte in appearance and can usually stand up to years of heavy use.
PSI
PSI is a measurement used to determine pressure within pipes and appliances.
Also known as: pounds per square inch
pull-out spray faucet
A kitchen faucet that has a retractable hose and sprayer head that can be used for food preparation and cleaning. The faucet head often has a switch that enables the user to choose between a single stream of water or a shower stream.
PVD
PVD stands for physical vapor deposition. This is a modern plating process used to create a polished brass or gold finish on faucets. During PVD, vaporized zirconium reacts with nitrogen and another gas to form a plated surface on faucets which will not tarnish or discolor.
Also known as: physical vapor deposition
self-rimming
The self-rimming style of sinks have a rolled and finished edge. Self-rimming fixtures install on top of a counter without needing a metal sink rim.
sillcock
Outdoor faucets that are furnished with hose threads on the spout are known as sillcock installations. This common water spigot installation is also used to supply water to washing machines.
Also known as: hose bib
tile edge sink
Sinks that mount flush with the counter top are known as tile-edge sinks.
trim kit
The outside decorative covering of faucet valves are known as trim kits. Trim kits include the showerhead, tub spout, handles, and other parts you can see when looking at a faucet.
undermount
Undermount sinks are installed under the countertop cutout.
vitreous china
Vitreous china is a glass material. It is commonly used as a surface material for sinks, toilets, bath tubs and other large plumbing fixtures.
wall mount faucets
Faucets built to mount on a vertical surface of a wall, shower or bath tub are referred to as wall mount faucets.
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