Plumber glossary
Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a plumber provider in Klang Valley.
- What is a booster pump?
- A mechanical device that draws water from the mains supply and re-pressurizes it to increase water flow and pressure throughout a home or building.
- What is a chemical wash?
- A chemical descaling procedure that removes limescale and mineral deposits from the interior of a storage water heater tank and heating element without full replacement.
- What is a cistern?
- A cistern is the water storage tank attached to or integrated into a toilet that holds water and releases it to flush waste down the bowl.
- What is a float valve?
- A float valve is a self-regulating device that uses a floating ball or cup to sense water level and automatically cut off water supply when a rooftop or ground tank reaches capacity.
- What is a grease trap?
- A grease trap is a plumbing interceptor that separates fats, oils, and grease from wastewater before it reaches the municipal sewer system.
- What is a non-return valve?
- A non-return valve is a one-way check valve that permits water to flow in a single direction and blocks reverse flow, typically installed after pumps and storage tanks.
- What is a P-trap?
- A P-trap is a U-shaped or curved pipe section installed under sinks and floor drains that retains standing water to create a seal preventing sewer gases from backing up into the home.
- What is a pressure reducing valve?
- A pressure reducing valve is a device installed on the main water supply line that automatically reduces high incoming mains pressure to a safe, consistent level for household use.
- What is a septic tank?
- An underground chamber that collects, treats, and breaks down household sewage through bacterial action for properties not connected to public sewer lines. Regular desludging by licensed operators (such as IWK) is required to maintain function.
- What is a solenoid valve?
- A solenoid valve is an electrically operated valve that opens or closes automatically to control water flow, often triggered by a float switch to manage tank levels or irrigation timing.
- What is a stopcock?
- A stopcock is an isolation valve that controls the main water supply to a building or individual fixture, allowing you to shut off water flow in emergencies or during repairs.
- What is a sump pump?
- A submersible pump installed in a pit or sump basin that automatically removes accumulated water from basements and low-lying areas to prevent flooding.
- What is a TPR valve?
- A temperature and pressure relief valve (TPR valve) is a safety device on storage water heaters that automatically releases hot water or steam when internal temperature or pressure exceeds safe limits, preventing tank rupture or explosion.
- What is a vent stack?
- A vent stack is a vertical pipe that releases sewer gas to the outside air while allowing fresh air into the drainage system to maintain proper pressure and trap seals.
- What is an anode rod?
- A metal rod, typically made of magnesium or aluminium, inserted into a storage water heater tank that corrodes preferentially to protect the tank from rust and extend its operational life.
- What is CCTV drain inspection?
- CCTV drain inspection is a non-invasive method that uses a small camera mounted on a flexible cable to examine the interior condition of drain and sewer pipes, identifying blockages, structural damage, and root intrusion.
- What is high-pressure water jetting?
- A pipe-cleaning technique that uses pressurised water jets to remove grease, mineral buildup, and blockages from inside drainage lines without mechanical tools.
- What is PEX piping?
- PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) is a flexible plastic pipe used for water supply and heating systems, connected with crimp fittings and requiring specialized tools to install.
- What is PPR pipe?
- PPR pipe is a plastic water pipe made from polypropylene random copolymer, connected using heat-fusion joints and used for indoor hot and cold water lines.
- What is root intrusion?
- Root intrusion is the penetration of tree or plant roots into underground drainage pipes through cracks and joints, causing blockages and pipe damage.
- What is sullage?
- Sullage is wastewater from household sinks, baths, showers, and washing machines that is relatively clean compared to sewage from toilets, and requires separate drainage handling in many plumbing systems.
- What is thread seal tape?
- Thread seal tape is a thin, expandable PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) tape wound clockwise around male pipe threads to prevent water leaks at threaded connections.
- What is uPVC pipe?
- uPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride) is a rigid plastic pipe material commonly used for drainage, waste, and cold water lines in residential and commercial plumbing.
- What is water hammer?
- Water hammer is a loud banging sound and sudden pressure spike that occurs in plumbing pipes when fast-moving water is abruptly halted, typically by a valve closing quickly.