Plumbers glossary
Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a plumber provider in Perth metro.
- What is a backflow prevention device?
- A backflow prevention device is a valve or combination of valves that stops water from flowing backward through a plumbing system into the main water supply, preventing contamination from non-potable sources.
- What is a bore pump?
- A bore pump is a mechanical device that draws water from underground bore wells or aquifers to supply households with groundwater for domestic use.
- What is a gas compliance certificate?
- A gas compliance certificate is the official document issued in Western Australia after gas fitting work to confirm the installation meets relevant safety standards and regulations.
- What is a gas isolation valve?
- A gas isolation valve is a manual shutoff valve installed on gas supply lines that stops the flow of gas to an appliance or entire property during maintenance or emergencies.
- What is a gully trap?
- A gully trap is an outdoor drainage fixture that receives wastewater from household pipes and directs it to the sewer, featuring a water seal that prevents odours and backflow while catching sediment.
- What is a heat pump hot water system?
- A heat pump water heater uses a compressor to extract thermal energy from the surrounding air and transfer it to your water tank, operating more efficiently than resistive electric heaters.
- What is a licensed gas fitter?
- A licensed gas fitter is a tradesperson certified by the relevant WA authority to legally install, repair, and maintain gas appliances, pipework, and systems in domestic and commercial settings.
- What is a P-trap?
- A P-shaped bend in the waste pipe beneath sinks and fixtures that retains a water seal to prevent sewer gas from entering the building.
- What is a PTR valve?
- A PTR (pressure and temperature relief) valve is a safety device on hot water systems that automatically releases water when pressure or temperature exceeds safe limits.
- What is a reticulation system?
- A reticulation system is the network of underground pipes and sprinklers that distribute water from a bore or mains scheme to irrigate residential gardens.
- What is a sacrificial anode?
- A metal rod, typically made of magnesium or aluminum, installed inside a hot water tank that corrodes preferentially to protect the tank steel from rust and extending its lifespan.
- What is a solar hot water system?
- A solar hot water system uses roof-mounted solar collectors to capture the sun's energy and transfer it to stored water, with an electric or gas booster element for cloudy days or peak demand.
- What is a tempering valve?
- A tempering valve is a mixing device installed on hot water systems that blends incoming hot water with cold supply water to deliver a preset safe temperature at the outlet.
- What is a thermostatic mixing valve (TMV)?
- A thermostatic mixing valve (TMV) is a device that blends hot and cold water to deliver water at a safe, preset temperature, protecting users from scalding.
- What is an air admittance valve?
- An air admittance valve is a one-way vent device that allows air into a plumbing drain system without requiring a full roof vent stack, opening when pressure drops and closing when pressure normalizes.
- What is an electric eel (drain snake)?
- An electric eel is a motorised drain cleaning tool with a rotating cable that cuts through blockages and tree roots inside pipes without using water pressure.
- What is an expansion vessel?
- An expansion vessel is a sealed tank fitted to closed hot water systems that absorbs pressure increases as water expands when heated, preventing dangerous pressure buildup.
- What is backwash in plumbing?
- Backwash is the reverse flow of water, debris, or contaminated material backward through pipes in the opposite direction to normal drainage flow.
- What is CCTV drain camera inspection?
- CCTV drain camera inspection uses a waterproof camera on a flexible rod inserted into pipes to visually diagnose blockages, cracks, root intrusion, and other internal damage without excavation.
- What is continuous flow hot water?
- A continuous flow hot water system heats water instantly as it passes through a gas burner, delivering hot water on demand without requiring a storage tank.
- What is hydro jetting?
- Hydro jetting is a pipe-cleaning technique using high-pressure water streams to remove grease, roots, scale, and other blockages from inside drain pipes.
- What is sewer gas?
- Sewer gas is a mixture of methane, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and other toxic gases produced by decomposing waste in drain pipes and septic systems.
- What is the difference between LPG and natural gas?
- LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) and natural gas are two distinct fuel types used in Australian homes: natural gas is delivered via underground mains pipes, while LPG is stored in tanks and requires different appliance configurations and safety protocols.
- What is water hammer?
- Water hammer is a loud banging or clanging sound in pipes caused by sudden pressure waves when water flow stops abruptly, usually from a valve closing quickly.