| ACRYLIC |
A glassy thermoplastic vacuum-formed to cast and molded shapes to form the surface of fiberglass bathtubs, whirlpools, shower bases, and shower stalls. Do not confuse with gelcoat. |
| AERATOR |
A device at the end of a faucet spout which mixes air into flowing water. |
| BASIN |
A circular vessel with slopping or curving sides for holding water for washing. |
| BIDET |
A plumbing fixture similar to a toilet bowl used for washing genitals and posterior areas of the body. It is floor mounted, ususally next to a toilet, and incorporates a washing basin, faucet and sprayer. |
| CAST IRON |
Metal which is formed by casting on molds to make some plumbing fixtures such as bathtubs, lavatories and sinks. The iron form is then coated with enamel. |
| CENTERSET |
A style of bathroom lavatory faucet having combined spout and handles. |
| CISTERN |
An artifical reservoir for storing water. A toilet tank. |
| CLOSE-COUPLED (TOILET) |
A modern style two-piece toilet which is configured of a separate tank and bowl. The tank is "coupled" "closely" (directly) to the bowl by bolts and a gasket. This term is to distinguish from old style low-tank toilets where the tank mounted on the wall, above and behind the bowl and was connected by a pipe called a flush ell. |
| COCK |
A faucet or valve for regulating the flow of water. |
| COCKHOLE COVER |
A round cover-plate or disk installed on a sink to cover an unused faucet hole. |
| CONSOLE LAV |
A table-like fixture with an integral lavatory. The back is fixed to a wall and the front is supported by consoles (brackets) or legs. |
| COVER |
The top portion of a toilet seat. Also the top lid on a toilet's tank. |
| DWV |
Drain, Waste and Vent. The pipes in a plumbing system that remove waste water. |
| FIRECLAY |
A variation of vitreous china having greater amounts of quartz and feldspar in the clay material beneath the vitreous surface. Fireclay is heavier (30%), denser, and thicker than regular clay. These properties insure smooth, flat surfaces on large fixtures which is not achievable with standard vitreous china. |
| FITTING |
A broad based term usually referring to faucets, shower valves, and tub fillers. |
| FIXTURE |
A broad based term usually referring to sinks, tubs, toilets, basins, etc. |
| HANDSHOWER |
A showerhead designed with a handle that is connected to a water supply via a flexible hose. |
| HIGH-TANK (TOILET) |
An antique style of toilet configured with a separate tank and bowl in which the tank is wall mounted above head height and is connected to the bowl by a flush pipe. (AKA: pull-chain toilet). |
| JACUZZI |
The brand name of the original whirlpool tub. Often misused to mean any "whirlpool bathtub". |
| LAVATORY |
A fixed bowl or basin with running water and drainage for washing. |
| LID |
Toilet tank lid. The removable top cover on a toilet's tank. (AKA: cover, top). |
| LOW-BOY (TOILET) |
A slang term for a toilet style in which the tank height is lower than normal. Usually a one piece toilet. Occasionally a two piece toilet. |
| LOW-TANK (TOILET) |
An antique style toilet in which the the tank is wall mounted slightly higher than the bowl but lower than the older style high-tank toilets. Tank water flows from the tank to the bowl via a flush ell. |
| MINI-WIDESPREAD |
A special style of bathroom lavatory faucet having separate spout and handles. |
| ONE-PIECE (TOILET) |
An upgraded style of toilet which is configured of an integral tank and bowl which are formed as "one piece" during the manufacturing process. |
| OPEN FRONT |
A style of toilet seat rim where there is an open space about three inches wide at the front. Considered more sanitary in commercial applications where constant usage exceeds janitorial sanitation. |
| P. O. PLUG |
Plug Outlet. A style of drain outlet for lavatories. The drain outlet is closed by a rubber stopper, or "plug". |
| POP-UP ASSEMBLY |
The drain mechanism of a faucet installed on a lavatory. The drain stopper "pops" up and down. |
| PORCELAIN |
A white ceramic ware that consists of kalin, quartz and feldspar. It is fired at high temperature on steel to make the surface of some bathtubs, kitchen sinks and bathroom lavatories. |
| PULL-CHAIN (TOILET) |
An antique style of toilet configured with a separate tank and bowl in which the tank is wall mounted above head height and is connected to the bowl by a flush pipe. Due to the height of the tank location, a chain is necessary to pull the trip lever to flush the toilet. (AKA: high-tank toilet). |
| PVD |
Physical Vapor Deposition. A modern plating process used in faucet manufacturing. Vaporized zirconium reacts with nitrogen and another special gas to form a durable plated surface. |
| RIM |
The inside edge of the perimeter of a toilet bowl. The lower portion of a toilet seat. The edge of a sink or lavatory. |
| ROUND FRONT |
The standard shape of the front of a toilet bowl. About 2" shorter than the optional "elongated" bowl. |
| SELF RIMMING |
A style of bathroom lavatory or kitchen sink with a rolled and finished edge, or rim. The fixture installs on top of a counter without the need for a metal sink rim. |
| SINK |
A stationary basin connected with a drain and water supply for washing and drainage. |
| TWO-PIECE (TOILET) |
A standard style of toilet which is configured of a separate tank and bowl which are connected. |
| VANITY |
A bathroom storage cabinet beneath the counter. |
| VESSEL |
A style of basin that installs partially into the counter rather than fully into the counter. The portion of the fixture rising above the counter has a finished exterior. |
| VITREOUS |
A surface material on some plumbing fixtures derived from or consisting of glass. It is low in porosity and is translucent. |
| VITREOUS CHINA |
A clay material with a vitreous surface used to manufacture some plumbing fixtures such as toilets and lavys. |
| WATER CLOSET |
Toilet. |
| WHIRLPOOL TUB |
A bathtub with a whirlpool system added. The whirlpool system recirculates the tub water and mixes in air to create hydro threapy via jet inlets. |
| WIDESPREAD |
A style of bathroom lavatory faucet having separate spout and handles. Usually 8" from center of handle-to-handle. Some widespread faucets can be set with handles up to 12" apart. |
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