Glossary of Plumbing Terms - V - Keidel Bath, Kitchen, Plumbing, Cabinetry, Appliances

Welcome to Keidel's Plumbing Glossary. Every industry and trade has its own standards and terminologies. This glossary is our attempt to help the general public understand some of the terms unique to our industry.

Our database contains over 1000 unique terms, compiled from a variety of public and private sources. To use the glossary efficiently you can click on the letter of the desired term that you would like to find. For example: click on "C" to find out about "Closet Augers" or "P" for "Petcock." Definitions listed here are provided without warranty.

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V-clip	A clip shaped like the letter "V" used on a lavatory drain lift linkage assembly to easily adjust connection of the drain to the lift rod.
Vacuum Breaker	An anti-siphon device that prevents the backflow of contaminated water into the water supply system.
Valve	A device that regulates the flow of water
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.
Valve Seat Wrench	Hexagonal end wrench inserted into the hexagonal opening in a valve seat for installing or removal.
Vanity	A bathroom storage cabinet under the wash basin.
Velocity Head	The amount of energy required to accelerate water to a given velocity; expressed in feet per head
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.
Venting Materials	Materials used for venting, i.e. PVC, CPVC, ABS, metal.
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	Surface material on some plumbing fixtures derived from or consisting of glass, translucent, and low on porosity.
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.
Volatile	Capable of vaporization at a relatively low temperature.
Volt	Unit of measure of electromotive force
Volumetric	Referring to measurement by volume rather than weight.
Volute casing	Derives is name from a spiral shaped casing surrounding the pump impeller. It converts velocity energy to pressure energy.
Voral Tube	Flexible steel hose used for hand-held shower sprays.

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