Please find below a glossary of terms for bathrooms. This will help should you understand some of the terms used for bathrooms and by some plumbers. You can scroll down the page to read them in alphabetical order. If you prefer, you can click on any letter below in the table of contents. That will jump you straight through to the terms beginning with that letter.
A
- ABS: A strong and rigid plastic material that combines the best qualities of Acrylics, Butyrate and Styrenes. This material is used in a lot of shower trays as it is tough and long lasting.
- Acrylic: A durable plastic commonly used for baths and shower enclosures.
- Airlock: This is a blockage in a pipe. Most often this is caused by trapped air.
- Angle Stop: A shut-off valve between water pipes and a faucet, usually used in an emergency repair
- Anti-siphon: Prevents backflow of water into a system
B
- Backflow: When water from one system backs into any part of the main distribution system
- Backflow preventer: A device that stops back flow – required for sprinkler systems and handheld showers
- Back-siphoning - A potentially hazardous situation where water flows back into the mains water system. This is something you need to call a plumber about. Usually happens when something like a toilet, a shower, or a hose can push back into the main water system in the home.
- Back to wall toilet - Becoming popular in the UK. The toilet id floor mounted and the pan is barely visible, as the cistern is hidden behind a wall or in some cases a unit.
- Back to wall unit - this is the name for a unit that is used to conceal a toilet cistern.
- Backsplash: A protective covering behind sinks, bathtubs, and countertops.
- Ballcock: A valve that controls the flow of water into a cistern or tank. (Sometimes called a float valve)
- Ball valve: This is a valve used to control the flow of water in a pipe. It works on a simple quarter turn.
- Bar: This is a unit measurement for water pressure.
- Base coat: A layer of paint that acts as the base for a layer of glaze.
- Basin: A bowl-shaped fixture used for washing hands and face.
- Bath mixer: A single faucet that controls both the hot and cold water flow into a bathtub.
- Batten: This is a narrow strip of wood. It is typically fixed to a wall or floor to act as a support for a unit or shelving.
- Bevel: This is an angled joint. Any angle at which 2 pieces of wood meet, other than a right angle.
- Bleed: To release excess air in a pipe by opening a valve at the end
- Body jets: These are simply small shower heads that are usually set into a wall, designed to spray the body, as opposed to an overhead shower.
- Bore: The hollow part of a pipe.
- Bottle trap: A type of trap used with basins. A bottom part can normally be removed for cleaning or maintenance.
- BTU (British Thermal Unit): The heating output required to heat a particular-sized room.
- Butt joint: A simple joint where two pieces of wood are fixed together with no interlocking parts cut in them.
C
- Cam and stud fixing: This is the proper name for a simple fixing used in flatpack construction.
- Cap-nut: A nut used to tighten a fitting onto pipework.
- Cavity wall: A wall made of 2 separate, parallel masonry skins with an air space between which retains heat.
- Ceramic disc : In taps, a ceramic disc is now used instead of old-style washers, needing only a quarter turn of a handle to turn the water flow on or off.
- Chamfer: A flat, narrow surface along the edge of a workpiece, usually at a 45⁰ angle to any adjacent surfaces.
- Cistern: A reservoir that stores water for flushing a toilet.
- Close-coupled toilet: A toilet where the cistern is directly attached to the pan.
- Combination unit: This is a piece of furniture that combines a basin and a toilet.
- Compression joint: A joint that is tightened by compressing a rubber ring or washer, used a lot by plumbers.
- Concealed cistern: A cistern that is hidden behind a wall or unit .
- Condensation: This is where water vapour turns into liquid when it comes into contact with a cold surface.
- Connector: A fitting used to connect two pipes together.
- Contemporary: A modern style of bathroom design that is often characterised by clean lines and minimalism.
- Corner bath: A bath that is designed to fit into the corner of a room .
- Corner entry shower enclosure: A shower enclosure that has its door in the corner of the unit .
- Corner shower bath: A bath that has a showering area at one end, designed to fit into the corner of a room .
- Countertop: A horizontal surface installed above a sink or vanity.
- Coupling: A fitting used to join two pipes together.
- Coving: A decorative moulding that is used to cover the joint between the ceiling and the wall.
- Crosswater: A brand of bathroom products that specialises in contemporary design.
- Curved bath: A bath that has a curved shape, designed to provide extra space for the bather.
- Curved shower enclosure: A shower enclosure that has a curved shape, designed to provide extra space for the bather.
D
- Deck mounted: A fitting that is mounted onto the rim of a bath or basin.
- Diverter valve: A valve that is used to divert water from one outlet to another.
- Doc M pack: A pack of bathroom products that are designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
- Domestic water supply: The water supply that is used in a home.
- Double ended bath: A bath that has its waste and overflow in the centre of the tub, allowing two people to bathe at the same time.
- Double offset quadrant shower enclosure: A shower enclosure that has a curved shape and is designed to fit into the corner of a room.
- Double sink: A sink with two basins.
- Drain: A pipe that carries wastewater away from fixtures.
- Drainage: The system of pipes and fixtures that carries waste water away from the house.
E
- Elbow: A fitting that is used to change the direction of a pipe
- Elongated toilet: A toilet that has an oval-shaped bowl.
- End feed fitting: A type of soldered fitting that is used to connect copper pipes.
- Expansion tank: A tank that is used to accommodate the expansion of water in a closed heating system.
- Extractor fan: A fan that removes moisture and odors from the bathroom.
F
- Faucet: A tap that controls the flow of water from a sink or bathtub.
- Fiberglass: A material used to make shower trays and baths. It is lightweight, durable, and easy to clean.
- Fill valve: A valve that controls the flow of water into a cistern or tank.
- Flange: A projecting flat rim or collar used to attach a pipe to a surface.
- Float valve: Another name for a ballcock.
- Floor-standing vanity unit: A piece of furniture that combines a basin and storage space. It is designed to stand on the floor.
- Flush valve: A valve that controls the flushing of a toilet.
- Flushing mechanism: The system used to flush a toilet. It can be either a siphon or a flush valve.
- Frameless shower enclosure: A shower enclosure that has no visible frame around the glass.
- Freestanding bath: A bath that is not attached to a wall. It is designed to stand alone in the room.
- Furniture unit: A piece of furniture that combines a basin and storage space. It can be either floor-standing or wall-mounted.
G
- Gasket: A ring made out of rubber that seals the junction between two surfaces, e.g. between a toilet cistern and pan on a close coupled toilet.
- Groove: A long, narrow channel cut in plaster or wood.
- Grout: A material used to fill the gaps between tiles.
H
- Handheld shower: A showerhead that can be detached from the wall and held in the hand.
- Header tank: This is the cold water storage tank. In UK homes this is usually found in the loft and is the main tank for holding cold water.
- Heating element: This is inside a radiator or heated towel rails that provides the source of heat.
- Hot and cold water valves: Valves that control the flow of hot and cold water to fixtures.
I
- In-wall cistern: A cistern that is hidden inside the wall.
- Integrated basin: A basin that is integrated into a countertop.
L
- L-shaped shower bath: A shower bath with a wider, square-shaped end for showering. Looks like an “L” from overhead.
- Legs: The supports for a bath or basin.
- Lever handle: The hardware attached to the front or the side of a cistern which gives means to starting a toilet’s flushing process.
- Lighting: An essential element in any bathroom, providing both task lighting for activities like shaving and ambient lighting for creating a relaxing atmosphere.
- Low level: A type of toilet where the cistern is mounted on the wall above the pan.
M
- Macerator: A device that grinds up waste and pumps it away from a toilet or other plumbing fixture.
- Mirror: A reflective surface used for checking one's appearance.
- Mixer shower: A showerhead that mixes hot and cold water to provide a comfortable shower temperature.
- Monobloc tap: A tap that has a single spout and handle.
- Mortar bed: A layer of mortar that is used to level a floor or provide a base for tiles.
P
- P-shaped shower bath: A shower bath with a wider, curved end for showering. Looks like a “P” from overhead.
- Pedestal sink: A sink that is mounted on a freestanding pedestal.
- Plunger: A tool used to clear clogged drains.
- Porcelain: A non-porous, durable material commonly used for sinks, bathtubs, and toilets.
- PTFE: Tape made from polytetrafluorethylene, used to seal threaded plumbing fittings.
- Push button flush: A type of flushing mechanism used in toilets. The user pushes a button to release water from the cistern into the toilet bowl. (Instead of a lever or chain)
R
- Radiator: A heating device for the bathroom.
- Rain shower: A showerhead that simulates the sensation of standing under a rainstorm.
- Raised height toilet: A toilet that is higher than a standard toilet. It is designed to be more comfortable for taller people or those with mobility issues.
- Recessed: A term used to describe a fixture that is set into a wall or other surface.
- Rimless toilet: A toilet that has no rim around the bowl. It is designed to be easier to clean than a standard toilet.
- Rise and fall shower: A showerhead that can be adjusted to different heights.
- Roman tub: A deep, oval-shaped bathtub.
S
- Sanitaryware: A term used to describe bathroom fixtures such as toilets, basins, and bidets.
- Semi-recessed basin: A basin that is partially recessed into a countertop or a vanity unit.
- Shower arm: A pipe that connects a shower head to the water supply.
- Shower bath: A bath that is designed to be used as both a bath and a shower.
- Shower curtain: A curtain that is used to prevent water from splashing out of a shower.
- Shower door: A door that is used to enclose a shower.
- Shower enclosure: A structure that surrounds a showerhead to prevent water from splashing out.
- Showerhead: A nozzle that projects water from a shower pipe.
- Shower tray: A tray that is used to catch water in a shower. It is usually made of acrylic or resin.
- Single ended bath: A bath that has its waste and overflow at one end of the tub.
- Sink: A basin used for washing hands and face.
- Slipper bath: A bath that has a high backrest at one end, designed to provide extra comfort for the bather.
- Soft-close seat: A toilet seat that closes slowly and quietly.
- Soil pipe: A pipe that carries wastewater from the bathroom to the sewer.
- Spa bath: A bath that is equipped with jets that circulate water to provide a massage effect.
- Splashback: A panel that is used to protect the wall behind a basin or other plumbing fixture.
- Stack vent: A vent pipe that extends above the roof to prevent sewer gases from entering the house.
- Stainless steel: A material that is commonly used in bathroom fixtures such as taps and shower heads. It is durable and resistant to corrosion.
- Standard height toilet: A toilet that has a seat height of approximately 15 inches. (38 cms)
- Stopcock: A valve that is used to shut off the water supply to a plumbing fixture.
- Straight bath: A bath that has a rectangular shape.
- Supply pipe: A pipe that carries water from the main water supply to a plumbing fixture.
T
- Tap: A device used to control the flow of water from a pipe.
- Thermostatic shower: A shower that uses a thermostatic valve to maintain a constant water temperature.
- Tile: A thin, flat piece of material used to cover floors and walls.
- Tile trim: A decorative strip that is used to finish the edge of a tile installation.
- Toilet: A fixture used for disposing of human waste.
- Toilet brush: A brush that is used to clean a toilet bowl.
- Toilet cistern: A container that holds the water used to flush a toilet.
- Toilet pan: The part of a toilet that is used to collect and dispose of human waste.
- Toilet roll holder: A device used to hold a roll of toilet paper.
- Toilet seat: The part of a toilet that is used to sit on.
- Toilet suite: A term used to describe a set of bathroom fixtures that includes a toilet, basin, and other items.
- Toilet waste pipe: A pipe that carries waste from a toilet to the sewer system.
- Toothbrush holder: A device used to hold toothbrushes.
- Towel rail: A metal bar used for hanging towels.
- Trap: A device that is used to prevent the escape of gases or odours from a plumbing fixture.
- Trough sink: A long, narrow sink that is designed to be used by multiple people at the same time.
V
- Vanity: A piece of furniture with a sink and storage space.
W
- Wall-hung basin: A basin that is mounted on the wall, with no pedestal or vanity unit.
- Wall-hung toilet: A toilet that is mounted on the wall, with no visible cistern or pedestal.
- Wall-mounted basin: A basin that is mounted on the wall, with no pedestal or vanity unit.
- Wall-mounted tap: A tap that is mounted on the wall, with no visible pipes or fittings.
- Waste pipe: A pipe that carries waste from a plumbing fixture to the sewer system.
- Water pressure: The force at which water is delivered through a pipe. It is measured in bars.
- Water softener: A device that is used to remove minerals from hard water.
- Wet room: A bathroom that is designed to be completely waterproof, with no separate shower enclosure or bath.
- Whirlpool bath: A bath that is equipped with jets that circulate water to provide a massage effect.