
Hobi Plumbing Inc.
Specializing in all areas of
commercial and residential plumbing.
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Service Scope.
We provide extensive plumbing services
including water heaters, sewer and drain services and
scheduled maintenance programs.
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Emergency Service
We are available 24/7 7 days a week 365 days a year.
Our plumbers are able to arrive at your location within
1-2 hours of your call.
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Our client list includes hotels, theme parks apartment
complexes, restaurants and residential homeowners.
We handle all aspects of residential, commercial and
industrial plumbing.
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Fell free to contact us if you have any questions or would
like to schedule a service call today.
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Residential Customers...
If there’s a plumbing problem in your home,
we will fix it. There’s a long list of things that can go wrong in
any home—leaky toilets, water heaters that don’t work, clogged
pipes, sewer problems, low water pressure. We’ve seen just about
everything and know how to fix it all. Our repair team is
available 24×7. We’ll be glad to give you a full assessment of
any concern you may have..
If you’re building a new home, remodeling a kitchen
or bath, or just installing a new sink or disposal, we can take care of all your
plumbing needs. As a certified reseller for many brand name providers, we have
their products available directly, but we’re also glad to work with other
suppliers.
- Leak diagnosis and repair, drain cleaning
and rodding.
- [ read more ]
- Toilet repairs and upgrades, sink garbage
disposal repair replace.
- [ read more ]
Let us show you why we have become one of the
most respected and reliable plumbing companies in the Southern
California area. Call us now at
714-774-3635.
[ read more ]
Commercial Plumbing Services include commercial
water heaters, grease traps, slab leaks, triple basin sinks,
wall hung toilets and sinks, urinals, dishwashers, flushometers
and valves..
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Plumbing
Terms and Definitions
Click on a letter below to jump to the definition you need.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
Y
A
ABS : Aristocraft bristone styrine, a rigid black plastic pipe used for
drain, waste, and vent lines.
Aerator : A device screwed into the end of a faucet spout that mixes air into
flowing water, and controls flow to reduce splashing. It sometimes contains a
baffle to reduce flow to 2.5 gpm.
Air Lock : Blockage in the flow of liquid, esp. on the suction side of a pump
caused by an air bubble in the line.
Angle Stop : A shutoff valve between the water pipes and a faucet. Its inlet
connects to the water supply pipe in a wall, and its outlet angles up 90 degrees
toward the faucet. These are usually used to shut off water to a fixture in case
of an emergency repair rather than daily usage.
Anode Rod : A sacrificial rod installed in a water heater that protects the
tank from corrosion, helping to extend the life of the tank.
Anti-Siphon : Preventive device for the backflow of liquid into a system.
Used on sprinkler systems to prevent water from trickling back into the supply
that is feeding it.
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B
BTU : British Thermal Unit - A unit of heat energy required to raise the
temperature of 1 lb. of water 1 degree Fahrenheit.
Back Flow Preventer : A device to prevent water from traveling from one
system back into any part of the main distribution system, usually by siphoning,
esp. into a potable water supply. This is generally required for sprinkler
systems, handheld showers, pullout faucet spouts, kitchen sprayers, etc.
Back Pressure : Pressure that resists the flow of fluid in a piping system.
Backwater Valve : Sewer line valve that prevents sewage from flowing back
into the house.
Ball Check Valve : A valve that uses a ball to seal against a seat to stop
flow in one direction.
Ballcock : The fill valve that controls the flow of water from the water
supply line into a gravity-operated toilet tank. It is controlled by a float
mechanism that floats in the tank water. When the toilet is flushed, the float
drops and opens the ballcock, releasing water into the tank and/or bowl. As the
water in the tank is restored, the float rises and shuts off the ballcock when
the tank is full.
Basin Wrench : A wrench with a long handle with jaws mounted on a swivel that
allows the jaws to reach and handle nuts to fasten faucets to a previously
installed sink.
Blowbag : A drain-cleaning device consisting of a rubber bladder with a hose
fitting on one end and a nozzle on the other. The device attaches to a water
hose and is inserted into a clogged drainpipe. As water is introduced, it
expands to grip the pipe, and releases pulsating bursts of water through the
nozzle, forcing water through the pipe to clear the obstruction.
Branch : Any part of a drain system other than the main, riser, or stack.
Branch Vent : A vent connecting one or more individual vents with a vent
stack.
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C
Catch Basin : Large underground container, with a grate on the top, for
collection of storm water run-off. It catches or collects dirt and other debris
and prevents them from polluting streams and lakes.
Centerset : Style of bathroom faucet having combined spout and handles, with
handles 4 inches apart, center-to-center. Also a single-handle faucet installed
on 4 inches center-to-center faucet holes.
Check Valve : A type of backflow preventer installed in a pipe run that
allows water to flow in only one direction.
Circuit Vent : Plumbing drainage system vertical vent which is run from the
last two traps on a horizontal drain line to the main vent stack of a building
drainage system.
Cistern : Rainwater storage tank, often underground.
Cleanout Plug : A plug in a trap or drain pipe that provides access for the
purpose of clearing an obstruction.
Closet : Toilet.
Closet Auger : A flexible rod with a curved end used to access the toilet's
built-in trap and remove clogs.
Closet Bend : A curved fitting mounted immediately below the toilet that
connects the closet flange to the toilet drain.
Closet Flange : An anchoring ring that attaches to the closet bend and
secured to the floor. The heads of closet bolts, used to secure the toilet in
place, insert into slots in the closet flange.
Cock : A faucet or valve for regulating the flow of water.
Common Vent : Building drain system vertical vent which connects two or more
fixture branches on the same level.
Compression Fitting : 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.
Compression Valve : A type of valve that is often used for water faucets. It
is opened or closed by raising or lowering a horizontal disk by a threaded stem.
Coupling : Vent pipe hood, which protects it from the elements.
Culvert : A pipe-like construction of concrete that passes under a road to
allow drainage.
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D
Desanco Fitting : A type of compression adapter that connects tubular brass
fittings to PVC pipe.
Diaphragm : Flexible membrane in a valve that deflects down onto a rigid area
of the valve body to regulate water flow from the supply lines. This eliminates
the possibility of debris build-up within the valve.
Dip Tube : Tube inside the water heater that sends cold water to the bottom
of the tank.
Direct Tap : Clamping device that allows a branch line to be drilled and
tapped off a main line.
Discharge Tube : Outlet tube that connects a disposer or sump pump to the
drain line.
Disposal Field : A series of trenches conveying the effluent from the septic
tank laid in such a manner that the flow will be distributed with reasonable
uniformity into natural soil.
Dishwasher Tailpiece : A flanged adapter connecting a basket strainer to the
drainpipe with a dishwasher inlet.
Diverter : Valves which direct water to various outlets. They are used in
showers, tubs, bidets, and sinks.
Drip Leg : A stub end pipe placed at a low point in the gas piping to collect
condensate and permit its removal.
Drum Trap : An obsolete, non-vented drain lead or cast iron canister trap
formerly used in sewer lines.
Duo Valve : A twin valve (hot & cold) with a single on/off lever used for
washing machine boxes.
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E
E. Coli : The common abbreviation of Escherichia Coli. One of the members of
the coliform groups of bacteria indicating fecal contamination.
Earthquake Strap : A metal strap used to secure a water heater to the house
frame or foundation.
Efficiency : A product's ability to utilize input energy, expressed as a
percentage.
Effluent : Septic system liquid waste.
Escutcheon : A decorative metal flange or trim shield beneath a faucet handle
that covers the faucet stem and the hole in the fixture or wall.
Expansion Tank : A tank designed to absorb excess pressure due to thermal
expansion (e.g. closed system).
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F
Fall/Flow : The proper slope or pitch of a pipe for adequate drainage.
Female Fitting : A fitting that receives a pipe or fitting. A fitting into
which another fitting is inserted.
Finish Plumbing : Installation of plumbing fixtures to make the system
usable.
Flapper Valve : The part on the bottom of the toilet tank that opens to allow
water to flow from the tank into the bowl.
Float Ball : The floating ball connected to the ballcock inside the tank that
rises or falls with changing water levels in the tank, and actuates or shuts off
the ballcock as needed.
Floor Flange : A fitting that connects a toilet to a floor drain.
Flushometer : Toilet valve that automatically shuts off after it meters a
certain amount of water flow.
Flushometer Tank System : Toilet flushing system that uses supply water
pressure to compress water to provide a pressurized flush as opposed to a
gravity flush.
Flux : Paste applied to copper pipes and fittings before soldering to help
the fusion process and prevent oxidation.
Footprint : The area of floor space taken up by a water heater or other
appliance.
French Drain : A covered ditch containing a layer of fitted or loose stone or
other pervious material.
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G
Gas Cock : Plug valve installed the main gas line and an appliance.
Gas Control : Device used to regulate gas pressure on a water heater.
Gate : A device that controls the flow in a conduit, pipe, or tunnel.
Gate Diverter : The pop-up lever on a tub faucet that activates the diverter
valve.
Gravity Operated Toilet : A toilet that relies on the natural downward
pressure of water in a toilet tank to flush the toilet effectively.
Gray Water : Waste water from sinks, showers, and bathtubs, but not toilets.
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H
Horizontal Branch : Lateral drain pipes that run from plumbing fixtures to
the waste stack in a building or in the soil.
Horizontal Run : The horizontal distance between the point where fluid enters
a pipe and the point at which it leaves.
Hose Bibb : An outdoor faucet, also used to supply washing machines.
House Trap : U-shaped fitting with two adjacent cleanout plugs visible at
floor level if main drain runs under floor.
Hubless (No-Hub) : Cast iron drainage pipe with neoprene gaskets and clamps.
Hydronic : System of forced hot water.
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I
Indirect Wastes : Waste pipe used to convey gray water by discharging it into
a plumbing fixture such as a floor drain.
Instantaneous Water Heater : A type of water heater that heats water as it
flows through a heat exchanger coil.
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J
Jet : An orifice or other feature of a toilet that is designed to direct
water into the trapway quickly to start the siphon action.
Johnni-bolts : Closet bolts, used to mount toilet bowls to the closet flange.
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K
Knockout Plug : PVC test plug.
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L
Lavatory (Lav) : A fixed bowl or basin with running water and drainage for
washing. Bathroom sink.
Leach Field : Porous soil area, through which septic tank leach lines run,
emptying the treated waste.
Leader : Pipe carrying rainwater to the ground or sewer.
Lock Nut : Nut fitted into a piece of pipe and screwed onto another pipe to
join the two pieces
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M
Main : The primary artery of supply of the water supply or drain system in
which all the branches connect. In the case of drains, known as the Main Vent.
Male Threads : Threads on the outside of pipes and fittings.
Malleable Fittings : Fittings made of metal which is soft and pliable.
Manifold : A fitting that connects a number of branches to the main; serves
as a distribution point.
Mechanicals : The wiring, plumbing and heating and cooling systems in a
building; also the components with moving parts such as furnaces, plumbing
fixtures, etc.
Multi-Stage Pump : A pump that has more than one impeller.
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N
Nipple : A short length of pipe installed between couplings or other
fittings.
No-Hub Connector : A connector for no-hub iron pipe consisting of a rubber
sleeve and a stainless steel band secured by hose clamps. A variation, a
neoprene sleeve with two adjustable steel bands, is used for connecting
dissimilar materials, as when connecting new plastic pipe to an existing
cast-iron drainpipe.
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O
O-Ring : Round rubber washer used to create a watertight seal, chiefly around
valve stems.
Oakum : Loosely woven hemp rope that has been treated with oil or other
waterproofing agent; it is used to caulk joints in a bell and spigot pipe and
fittings.
Outlet Sewer : Pipe section in a septic system which runs between the septic
tank and the drainage field.
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P
PVC : Polyvinyl chloride. A rigid white or cream-colored plastic pipe used in
non-pressure systems, such as drainage, waste, and vent systems.
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.
Peak Hour Demand : Time when the largest demand for hot water is needed.
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.
Plumb : Precisely vertical. Also to test for, or to make vertical. Also to
perform plumbing work.
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
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.
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.
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 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.
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R
Rated Storage Volume : Quantity of water stored in a tank.
Reamer : A grinding tool used to level or remove burrs from valve seats in
faucets so that the valve stem will fit properly.
Recovery Capacity : The amount of water in gallons per hour raised 100
degrees F at a given thermal efficiency and BTU per hour input.
Reducer : A fitting that connects pipes of different sizes together.
Return Circulation System : Tempered water from or near the point of usage
which eliminates waste of hot water used for long runs and adds storage to the
system.
Revent : Pipe installed specifically to vent a fixture trap. Connects with
the vent system above the fixture.
Reverse Trap Water Closet : A water closet having a siphonic trapway at the
rear of the bowl, and integral flushing rim and jet.
Rigid Pipe : Pipe designed to transmit the backfill load to the foundation
beneath the pipe. Rigid pipe must be supported on the bottom portion of the
pipe.
Rim Holes : 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 or wash over the entire inner surface of
the bowl.
Riser : A vertical metal or plastic tube or assembly that connects a faucet
to the water supply stop valve. Usually made of copper. Metal Flex Risers are
corrugated to facilitate bending. Also a supply line that rises from one story
to the next.
Roof Flashing : Sheet metal installed at any break in a shingled roofline to
prevent leaks. Also around sewer vents, fluepipes.
Rough-In : Installation of the drain, waste, vent, and supply lines in a
structure to the proposed location of each fixture.
Rough-In Dimensions : The distance from a finished wall or floor to the
center of the waste or supply opening or mounting holes on a plumbing fixture.
Run : A complete or secondary section of pipe that extends from supply to
fixture or drain to stack.
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S
Saddle Valve : A valve mounted on a pipe run by a clamping device, or fitting
that taps into the side of a pipe, used to make quick connection to an existing
line to provide a water supply for a low-demand device.
Sanitary Sewer : House drain that carries wastewater away from the house to a
sewer system or septic tank.
Self-Rimming Sink : Sink with no metal ring that has a built-in lip of the
same material which supports it in the vanity top.
Service Entrance : Pipe connecting the water company piping to the water
meter.
Setting : Pumps' vertical distance in feet from the top of the well to the
top of the pump.
Shroud : Color-matched component under a wall-mount lavatory that covers the
drain outlet for aesthetic purposes.
Siphon-Vortex Water Closet : A toilet having a trapway at the rear of the
bowl, integral flushing rim, and a water supply system with or without a jet,
which does not feed directly into the trap.
Sleeve : Pipe which is passed through a wall for the purpose of inserting
another pipe through it.
Slip Joint : A connection made with compression fittings.
Soil Stack : Largest vertical drain line to which all branch waste lines
connect. This line carries waste to the sewer line.
Solder : Metal alloy that is melted to create a fused joint between metal
pieces. Also the act of melting solder into the joint.
Spud : A threaded opening on the water heater tank. Also a tool for digging
having characteristics of a shade and chisel.
Stack : The vertical main in the drain, waste, and vent system, extending one
or more stories.
Stand Pipe : Open vertical pipe that receives water from a washing machine.
Also the vertical pipe run supplying water to a fire sprinkler system; also
large vertical pipe into which water is pumped in order to produce a desired
pressure; a high vertical pipe or reservoir that is used to secure a uniform
pressure in a water-supply system
Static Lift : The vertical distance between source and discharge water levels
in a pump installation.
Stop Valve : The shutoff valve under sinks and toilets. Allows water supply
to be cut off to one fixture without affecting the water supply to other
fixtures.
Straight Cross : Fitting that connects four pipes of the same diameter.
Sump : A pit or pool for draining, collecting, or storing water. A chamber
which provides water to the pump.
Sweating : Slang term for soldering. Also formation of condensation on the
outside of pipes or toilet tanks.
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T
T & P Valve : Temperature & pressure relief valve. A safety device used to
expel excess pressure or heat from inside a tank.
Tailpiece : Section of pipe that runs between a fixture outlet and the trap.
Tail Pipe : The pipe added below the jet assembly, in a weak well
application.
Tank : Fixture reservoir for flush 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.
Tank Cross : A double-tee-shaped fitting installed between a shallow well
pump and the bladder tank with integrated valve and gauge fittings, and an
outlet for a pressure-relief valve.
Tap Tee : Cast iron tee with a threaded female side inlet.
Thermocouple : Small electric generator. Electron flow between the hot
junction of 1200 degrees F and cold junction of 600 degrees F creates
millivoltage.
Thermostatic Valve : Pressure-balancing shower mixing 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.
Trap : Curved section of drain line that prevents sewer odors from escaping
into the atmosphere. All fixtures that have drains must have a "P" trap
installed. A toilet is the only plumbing fixture with an "S" trap.
Trap Arm : The waste arm portion of a drainage trap.
Trap Dip : The U-bend portion of a drainage trap.
Trap Primer : A small feeder line connecting the cold water line directly to
the drainage trap, which releases a small amount of water to the trap should it
run dry to maintain the water seal.
Trap Seal : Height of water in a toilet bowl "at rest.". It provides the
water seal which prevents sewer gases from entering the home. It is measured
from the top of the dam down to the inlet of the trapway. Also referred to as
deep seal.
Trapway : Channel in a toilet that connects the bowl to the waste outlet. It
is where the siphonic action takes place. The trapway is measured in terms of
the largest diameter ball which can pass through it. Also called the passageway.
Trip Lever : Flush handle and actuating arm on a toilet tank. Also the lever
that opens and closes the drain on the bathtub waste and overflow.
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U
Uni-flex : One piece stop and riser combination. One-piece supply.
Union : Three piece fitting that joins two sections of pipe, but allows them
to be disconnected without cutting the pipe. Used primarily with steel pipe;
never in a DWV system.
Usable Storage : Percentage of hot water that can be drawn from a tank before
the temperature drops to a point that it is no longer considered hot.
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V
Vacuum Breaker : An anti-siphon device that prevents the backflow of
contaminated water into the water supply system.
Valve Dressing : Resurfacing a worn valve seat with a special tool. Stops
leaks by providing a smooth sealing surface. Applies only to older compression
style faucets.
Valve Seat : The non-moving part of a valve. Water flow is stopped when the
moveable portion of the valve comes in contact with the valve seat.
Vent : A pipe that allows air into a drain system to balance the air
pressure, preventing water in the traps from being siphoned off.
Vent Header : A vent pipe into which several vents connect. The vent pipe
leads to the vent stack and out of the building.
Vent Stack : Upper portion of the soil stack above the topmost fixture
through which gases and odors escape.
Venturi : A short tube with a tapered constriction in the middle that causes
an increase in the velocity of flow of a fluid and a corresponding decrease in
fluid pressure and that is used for creating a suction in a vacuum pump.
Viscosity : The resistance of fluids to flow, due to internal forces and
friction between molecules, which increases as its temperature decreases.
Vitreous China : Ceramic materials fired at high temperature to form a
non-porous body, having exposed surfaces coated with ceramic glaze fused to the
body. This is used to form bathroom fixtures such as toilets, bidets, and lavs.
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W
Washdown Water Closet : Water closet having a siphon trapway at the front of
the bowl, and integral flushing rim.
Waste Arm : Drain extension pipe, usually to extend a sink drain into a wall.
Waste & Overflow : Drain assembly for a bathtub. The outlet at the top
removes the overflow water during tub filling and the drain at the bottom
removes wastewater when the tub is drained.
Widespread : A style of bathroom lavatory faucet having separate spout and
handles, usually 8" from center of handle to handle.
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Y
Yoke : Usually a brass casting that holds both the hot and cold valves and
the mixing chamber for the water. May also refer to an assembly of copper or
other metal which serves the same function.
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