1

English for plumbers

I.

Plumbing and drainage systems

airlock
noun
an air bubble that stops liquid flowing through a pipe
back up
if a toilet, sink, or drain backs up, or if it is backed up, water cannot flow through it
because something is blocking it
blockage
noun
something that blocks a tube or pipe
carry
verb
if a road, pipe, or wire carries something along it, that thing moves or flows along it
cesspit
noun
a large covered hole or container in the ground for collecting the liquid and solid
waste that flows from a building
clog
verb
to block something such as a pipe, tube, or passage, or to become blocked, so that
nothing can get through
conduit
noun
a pipe or passage that water flows through to go from one place to another
culvert

2
noun
a very wide pipe that carries water under a road or railway line
cutof
noun
a part of a pipe that can be closed to stop a gas or liquid flowing
downpipe
noun
a pipe on the side of a building that carries rainwater down from the roof to the
ground
downspout
noun
a downpipe
drain
noun
a pipe or passage through which water or waste liquid flows away
the drains
noun
the system of pipes and passages that take away water or waste liquid in a town or
city
drainage
noun
a system of pipes and passages that take away water or waste liquid from an area
drainage
noun
the process of taking away water or waste liquid from somewhere
drainpipe
noun
a pipe on the side of a building that carries rainwater down from the roof to the

3
ground
drainpipe
noun
a pipe that takes away waste water or liquid from inside a building
duct
noun
a pipe or tube in a building that carries something such as air or protects wires
ducting
noun
a system of ducts in a building
faucet
noun
a water tap on a bath or sink
freeze
verb
if a pipe freezes, or if the weather freezes it, the water inside it becomes ice
fur up
if a pipe or container for water furs up or is furred up, it becomes covered inside
with limescale (=a hard white substance)
gutter
noun
guttering
guttering
noun
the open pieces of pipe that are fixed along the edge of a roof to carry rain water
away
interconnector

noun
a pipeline that carries gas from one country to another
lagoon
noun
an artificial pool for waste water
main
noun
a large pipe or wire used for carrying water, gas, or electricity
the mains
noun
the public supply of water, gas, or electricity
main
noun
the point where the supply of water, gas, or electricity enters a building or room
outfall
noun
the place where water or liquid waste flows out of a pipe
outflow
noun
a flow of water, gas etc out of a pipe
outlet
noun
a pipe or hole through which gas or liquid flows out
pipe
noun
a tube that carries liquid or gas from one place to another

5
pipe
verb
to send liquid or gas through a pipe from one place to another
pipeline
noun
a long underground pipe that carries water, gas etc from one place to another
pipework
noun
a set of pipes that carry water, gas etc around a building
plumb
verb
to connect the water pipes in a room or building
plumbing
noun
the job of fitting and repairing pipes, water tanks, and other equipment used for
supplying and storing water
plumbing
noun
the system of pipes, water tanks, and other equipment used for supplying and
storing water in a building
running water
noun
water that is supplied by pipes into a building
sanitary
adjective
relating to peoples health, especially to the system of supplying water and dealing
with human waste
sanitation

noun
conditions and processes relating to peoples health, especially the systems that
supply water and deal with human waste
S-bend
noun
a double curve in a pipe that forms a shape similar to an s. The American word is
S-curve.
septic tank
noun
a large container buried under the ground and used for collecting waste from toilets
sewage
noun
waste substances, especially waste from peoples bodies, removed from houses and
other buildings by a system of large underground pipes called sewers
sewer
noun
an underground pipe or passage that carries sewage
sewerage
noun
a system of pipes and passages that carry sewage
sewerage
noun
waste and used water that is carried away from buildings through passages and
pipes
sluice
noun
a passage that water flows along, with a gate called a sluice gate that can be
opened or closed to control the flow

7
spigot
noun
a tap on an outdoor water pipe
standpipe
noun
an upright water pipe in a street that a tap can be fitted to so that people can get
water from it when there is a problem with the supply to their houses
stop
verb
to block something such as a pipe or hole so that water or another substance
cannot go through it
stopcock
noun
something on a pipe that you turn to stop or to start the flow of liquid
sump
noun
a low open area in the ground that waste liquid flows into
tap
noun
an object used for controlling how much water, gas, or liquid comes out from a pipe
or container. The American word for a tap that controls water is faucet
tube
noun
a long narrow object similar to a pipe that liquid or gas can move through
waste pipe
noun
a pipe used for carrying used water and waste from a building
water

noun
the supply of water to homes and buildings
water main
noun
a large underground pipe that supplies water to a particular area
water pipe
noun
a pipe that takes water from one place to another
waterworks
noun
a system for storing and cleaning water and supplying it to a community
on tap
if a liquid or gas is on tap, it can be taken from a pipe or container using a tap
II.
Practice (talking to a plumber):

We asked the experts to walk through the top five reasons that homeowners call plumbers,
including clogs and mysterious odors. For each problem, here's what to ask and what to say
when the person with the wrench arrives and what you should be asked in return, so your
money is well-spent.
1. Backed-up drain or toilet
What's going on: Food particles, oils and debris build up inside pipes and constrict flow, says
Chuck White, vice president of technical and code services for the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling
Contractors Association. In tubs and showers, the problem usually is soap scum and hair that
accumulates over time, says White, a third-generation plumber. "The professional is going to
come out usually with a cable a drain snake and scrape the edges and return it to as near to
a wide-open pipe as he can."
Toilets are a different story.
"Obviously, you can have too much material, papers, solids, and the toilet just can't handle that,"
White says. "But other times, things will just get dropped in the toilet. A common thing is a
toothbrush."
When people try to flush these items, they get caught, bend in the pipe and back up the drain. If
an item can't be removed, it will likely continue to cause backups; toilet replacement is the next
step, White says.
What to do: If your drain won't stay clear for more than a few days after you plunge it, and if

you're not handy enough to disassemble the pipes yourself, you likely need a plumber, White
says.

Ask early about cost. Your conversation with your plumber should begin
even before that van arrives in your driveway. Cost is often the source of
confusion, miscommunication and discord. So get on the same page starting
with the first call. Diferent contractors charge diferent rates; some charge a
flat rate, while others charge for the trip, diagnosis and repair, White says. "If
you're cold-calling a plumber it's a fair question to say, 'What's your hourly
rate and how would you charge to fix my drain, change my water heater,
whatever? If you come to my house, what's my minimum cost?'"

Share your history. "With drains, usually try to know a little bit of the
recent history," White says. Ask yourself, "'What have I done? Have I changed
how I run things down the drain?'" he says. "Try to figure out what has
changed" that might have contributed to the problem. Share that
information. It will help the plumber diagnose the problem and may
prevent you from doing it again.

Milk the plumber for information. Consider the price of a plumber's visit
an education. Learn from it. When the drain is fixed, ask what you can do
diferently so it doesn't happen again, White says. "If it's a recurring pattern,
then the question for the plumber is, 'Do I have a system problem?'" If so, the
plumber can tackle the root problem instead of the symptoms.

2. Fixtures that need a fix

What's going on: Sometimes a faucet won't stop leaking, no matter how much wrench you
apply to it or how many new rubber O-rings you buy from the hardware store to try to seal the
connection. Water under pressure carves new holes, and those holes grow, says Robert
Niederhelman, a retired plumber and residential handyman south of Daytona Beach, Fla., and
author of the blog "Ask Bob the Plumber. "If you're not handy, call a plumber.
What to do:

Anticipate the plumber's questions. When you call to schedule an

appointment, be armed with info for the plumber, White says. Know the
faucet's brand, style and age. Arm yourself with answers to these questions,
too: Does the faucet have one or two handles? If it's a kitchen faucet, does it
have a sprayer? Is it chrome, brass or nickel-plated? This information will help
the plumber know the scope of the project and what parts to bring, White
says.

Discuss options. Let's face it: We all want to save money. Many of us would

10

rather fix things than buy new ones. With fixtures, however, an older, oftused fixture might not be worth repairing, White says. "The consumer should
ask, 'Is this really fixable, or if you do fix it, what's the time frame of this
holding?'" he says. Experienced plumbers know which brands and models of
faucets will take new parts better than others, he says. Ask the plumber if
your fixture is even worth saving before he starts tinkering with it, White
says. The better option may not be the one you expect. "I always tell people,
it will cost a little more money to buy a new faucet right now, but in the long
run, you're going to be better of."

3. Pipe leaks
What's going on: Leaks "seem to happen when you're least expecting it, and they seem to
happen in the most unusual spots," says Linda Stanfield, a plumber for 27 years and owner of
two Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchises in Phoenix's East Valley. While some pipes will
rupture because of freezing or similar temperature issues, most leaks come from wear and tear,
Stanfield says. "All plumbing will wear out. And all plumbing will break when it starts to age."

what to do: If you have a leak, tell the plumber what you've seen. If the leak seems to be in front
of the dishwasher, mention if you've seen it elsewhere, too. "Did you hear noise? Did you see
lower pressure of water?" Stanfield says. "Those areas can help a plumber get to a solution
easier."

Ask for a pressure test. If you've sprung a leak -- or even if you haven't -"always ask plumbers to take the plumbing pressure," Stanfield says. Pipes'
pressure comes from the city pushing water through main delivery pipes,
which pushes the water around your house. Think of it like your own blood
pressure. Too much of a good thing is, well, bad. Excess pressure can cause
pipe leaks, burst washing-machine hoses and other problems, Stanfield says.
Most appliances recommend a pressure no higher than 75 pounds per square
inch, she says. If yours is too high, professional plumbing devices can
regulate it, Stanfield says.

Invite your plumber over before the next leak. "Ninety percent of
plumbing problems can be caught and fixed before they happen," Stanfield
says. Don't wait for a leak that causes thousands of dollars in damage to talk
to a plumber about the condition of your pipes, she says. Consider getting an
annual plumbing inspection. Think of it like your annual physical, and your
home as your own body, she says. "There may be little things that your body
is telling you that just don't feel right. It's the same thing with your
plumbing," she says. Share the quirks you notice. Maybe the hot water

11

doesn't always stay on. Maybe there's a knocking sound behind the toilet.
"Your plumbing system really has a language, and it talks to you," she says.
"It gives you signs, and it gives you warnings."

4. Water-heater problems
What's going on: Water heaters typically last eight to 10 years. Plumbers often are called when
one starts leaking or is no longer heating properly. Minor problems can be repaired. But once a
leak begins, the water heater can't be repaired only replaced. "If you keep ignoring it, it's
going to be a gusher," White says.
What to do:

Ask about protection. "On a new heater, I would want to know what's the
warranty the standard is six years, and there are 10-year (warranties)
available," White says. Ask about the installer's labor warranty, too.

Ensure the relief value is working. When a new heater is installed, have
the plumber check that the water-shutof valve is working. This relief valve,
on or near the top of the water heater, has a test lever that can get
calcifications on it that can seal it shut. "If it's stuck, it really must be
addressed," says White, adding that the $8 to $10 part is a "vital safety
device." If there's any issue, you want to be able to turn of the water right
away. Normally, the plumber is going to turn of that valve to swap out the
water heater and turn it back on when refilling it. Make sure that happens.

Know where the fuel shutoff is. If there's a problem in the house, it's good
to know how to shut of the electricity or stop the gas, as well. That's usually
just a matter of the plumber pointing out the control.

Take the temperature. Ask the plumber to check the device's water
temperature. "Right now, all the manufacturers are recommending 120
degrees," White says, adding that the risk of scalding "goes up dramatically"
with higher temperatures.

5. Mysterious odors
What's going on: Sewer systems emit gases from all the nasty stuff going through them. You'll
know it when you smell it a sour, rotten-egg smell. Modern toilets and drains hold water in a
trap to prevent gas from entering your house, but sometimes it creeps in, especially if water has
not run down the drain in awhile and the trap is dry.
What to do: You could remedy this yourself by filling a trap that is dry or by pouring water
down a rarely used drain, such as in the floor of a laundry room. A cap or fixture replacement, to
seal or remove an opening to the sewer system, also could work.

12

III.
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
2.
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:

Sniff out the problem. Before the plumber inspects your traps, he will ask
where you notice the smell most or where it is strongest. Be ready to answer.
"Are there any conditions that make it worse? Windy days? Or when it's
raining hard?" White says. If a trap isn't the culprit, the plumber will look at
the toilet seal, or the ring that seals the pipe beneath the toilet. A toilet with
a damaged seal can be resealed and salvaged.

Dialogues:

You look worried. Whats the matter?

Im having trouble with my sink.
Are you trying to fix it?
Yes, but its still leaking.
Maybe you should call a plumber.
Youre probably right.
Ace Plumbing Company.
Hello. Do you fix kitchen sinks?
Yes, we do. Whats your problem?
My drain is stopped up. I cant fix it.
We can send a plumber over there tomorrow morning. Is 9:30 AM okay?
Oh, thats great. Ill be here.