🚰 Plumbing

• ABS ay-bee-ES ▶ EN
  ABS ah-beh-EH-seh ▶ ES

  Black plastic drain pipe, glued in one step without primer; common in the western U.S.

  This jurisdiction runs ABS for drains instead of PVC. — En esta zona el drenaje se corre con ABS en lugar de PVC.

• adapter ah-DAP-ter ▶ EN
  adaptador ah-dahp-tah-DOHR ▶ ES

  A fitting that joins two different pipe types or joint styles, like glue to thread.

  Use a male adapter to go from PVC into the metal valve. — Usa un adaptador macho para pasar del PVC a la válvula de metal.

• angle stop AN-gul STOP ▶ EN
  llave angular YAH-veh ahn-goo-LAHR ▶ ES

  The small shut-off valve at the wall under a sink or toilet.

  Close the angle stop before you pull the supply line. — Cierra la llave angular antes de quitar la manguerita.

• backflow BAK-floh ▶ EN
  contraflujo kon-trah-FLOO-hoh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  Dirty water flowing backward into the clean water supply; preventers are required on certain lines.

  The irrigation system needs a backflow preventer. — El sistema de riego necesita un preventor de contraflujo.

• ball valve BAHL VALV ▶ EN
  válvula de esfera VAL-voo-lah deh es-FEH-rah ▶ ES

  A valve with a lever handle that shuts off flow with a quarter turn.

  Put a ball valve on the line feeding the irrigation. — Ponle una válvula de esfera a la línea que alimenta el riego.

• basin wrench BAY-sin RENCH ▶ EN
  llave de lavabo YAH-veh deh lah-VAH-boh ▶ ES

  The long-shaft wrench that reaches the faucet nuts up behind a sink.

  You'll never reach that nut without a basin wrench. — Nunca vas a alcanzar esa tuerca sin la llave de lavabo.

• bathtub BATH-tub ▶ EN
  tina TEE-nah ▶ ES

  The tub fixture; it sets in place during framing, long before other fixtures.

  Protect the bathtub with cardboard until the end of the job. — Protege la tina con cartón hasta el final de la obra.

  Also: bañera (general)

• bushing BUH-shing ▶ EN
  bushing BOO-sheeng ▶ ES

  A fitting that screws inside a larger fitting to reduce it to a smaller thread size.

  Use a bushing to bring that inch opening down to half. — Usa un bushing para bajar esa entrada de pulgada a media.

  Also: reducción campana (general)

• cap KAP ▶ EN
  tapón tah-POHN ▶ ES

  A fitting that closes off the open end of a pipe from the outside.

  Cap the stub-outs before the pressure test. — Ponle tapón a las salidas antes de la prueba de presión.

• cast iron KAST AI-urn ▶ EN
  fierro fundido FYEH-rroh foon-DEE-doh ▶ ES

  Heavy metal drain pipe found in older buildings and used where quiet drains are needed.

  We're cutting out the old cast iron and tying in with PVC. — Vamos a cortar el fierro fundido viejo y conectar con PVC.

  Also: hierro fundido (general)

• channel locks CHA-nel LOKS ▶ EN
  pinzas ajustables PEEN-sahs ah-hoos-TAH-bles ▶ ES

  Adjustable slip-joint pliers used for nuts, fittings, and drain work.

  Snug the trap nut with channel locks, not too tight. — Aprieta la tuerca del sifón con las pinzas ajustables, sin pasarte.

• check valve CHEK VALV ▶ EN
  válvula check VAL-voo-lah CHEK ▶ ES

  A one-way valve that lets water flow forward but blocks it from coming back.

  The sump pump discharge needs a check valve. — La descarga de la bomba de sumidero necesita una válvula check.

  Also: válvula de retención (general)

• cleanout KLEEN-out ▶ EN
  registro reh-HEES-troh ▶ ES

  A capped access point in the drain line where a snake can be run to clear clogs.

  There's a cleanout by the back wall; snake it from there. — Hay un registro junto a la pared de atrás; mete la sonda por ahí.

• clog KLOG ▶ EN
  tapón tah-POHN ▶ ES

  A blockage in a drain that stops or slows the flow.

  The clog is past the trap; we need the snake. — El tapón está más allá del sifón; necesitamos la sonda.

• copper KAH-per ▶ EN
  cobre KOH-breh ▶ ES

  Metal water pipe joined by soldering; type L is the standard for supply lines.

  The exposed lines in the mechanical room are copper. — Las líneas expuestas del cuarto de máquinas son de cobre.

• coupling KUP-ling ▶ EN
  cople KOH-pleh ▶ ES

  A straight fitting that joins two pipes of the same size end to end.

  Cut out the bad section and put in a coupling. — Corta el tramo dañado y mete un cople.

• CPVC see-pee-vee-SEE ▶ EN
  CPVC seh-peh-veh-SEH ▶ ES

  Cream-colored plastic pipe rated for hot water, glued with its own cement.

  CPVC cement is different from PVC cement; don't mix them up. — El cemento para CPVC no es el mismo que el de PVC; no los revuelvas.

• crimp ring KRIMP RING ▶ EN
  anillo de compresión ah-NEE-yoh deh kom-preh-SYOHN ▶ ES

  The copper or steel ring squeezed around a PEX joint with a crimping tool.

  Check every crimp ring with the go/no-go gauge. — Revisa cada anillo de compresión con el calibrador pasa no pasa.

• drain DRAYN ▶ EN
  drenaje dreh-NAH-heh ▶ ES

  The piping that carries wastewater away from fixtures.

  The shower drain has to line up with the framing below. — El drenaje de la regadera tiene que quedar alineado con la estructura de abajo.

  Also: desagüe (general)

• drain snake DRAYN SNAYK ▶ EN
  sonda destapacaños SOHN-dah des-tah-pah-KAH-nyohs ▶ ES

  The flexible coiled cable fed into a drain to break up or pull out clogs.

  Run the drain snake through the cleanout until you hit the clog. — Mete la sonda destapacaños por el registro hasta topar con el tapón.

  Also: víbora (MX)

• drip DRIP ▶ EN
  goteo goh-TEH-oh ▶ ES

  A slow steady leak, one drop at a time, usually at a faucet or joint.

  That drip will stain the cabinet if we don't fix it. — Ese goteo va a manchar el gabinete si no lo arreglamos.

• dry fit DRAI FIT ▶ EN
  presentar preh-sen-TAHR ▶ ES

  To assemble pipe and fittings without glue first to check the layout and measurements.

  Dry fit the whole run before you start gluing. — Presenta toda la corrida antes de empezar a cementar.

• DWV dee-duh-bul-yoo-VEE ▶ EN
  drenaje, desechos y ventilación dreh-NAH-heh deh-SEH-chohs ee ven-tee-lah-SYOHN ▶ ES

  Short for drain, waste, and vent: the whole non-pressurized piping system that removes wastewater.

  The DWV rough-in gets inspected before we cover anything. — La obra negra del drenaje y ventilación se inspecciona antes de tapar nada.

• elbow EL-boh ▶ EN
  codo KOH-doh ▶ ES

  A fitting that turns the pipe, usually 90 or 45 degrees.

  You need a 45 elbow there, not a 90. — Ahí necesitas un codo de 45, no uno de 90.

• escutcheon es-KUH-chun ▶ EN
  chapetón chah-peh-TOHN ▶ ES

  The trim plate that covers the hole where a pipe comes through the wall or floor.

  Slide the escutcheon on before you connect the supply. — Mete el chapetón antes de conectar la alimentación.

• faucet FAH-set ▶ EN
  llave YAH-veh ▶ ES

  The valve and spout where water comes out at a sink or tub.

  The kitchen faucet drips; it needs a new cartridge. — La llave de la cocina gotea; necesita cartucho nuevo.

  Also: mezcladora (MX) · pluma (PR)

• fitting FIH-ting ▶ EN
  conexión koh-nek-SYOHN ▶ ES

  Any piece that joins, turns, or branches pipe: elbows, tees, couplings, and the rest.

  Bring a bag of half-inch fittings from the truck. — Trae una bolsa de conexiones de media de la troca.

• fixture FIKS-cher ▶ EN
  mueble MWEH-bleh ▶ ES

  Any plumbing unit that uses water: sink, toilet, tub, shower, or lav.

  We set fixtures next week after the tile is done. — Colocamos los muebles la próxima semana cuando acaben el azulejo.

  Also: mueble sanitario (general)

• floor drain FLOR DRAYN ▶ EN
  coladera koh-lah-DEH-rah ▶ ES

  A grated drain set into the floor of a garage, laundry, or mechanical room.

  Slope the concrete toward the floor drain. — Dale pendiente al concreto hacia la coladera.

  Also: resumidero (general)

• flush FLUSH ▶ EN
  purgar poor-GAHR ▶ ES

  To run water through new lines to clear out debris, flux, and air before use.

  Flush the lines before you install the aerators. — Purga las líneas antes de instalar los aireadores.

• flux FLUKS ▶ EN
  pasta para soldar PAHS-tah PAH-rah sohl-DAHR ▶ ES

  The paste brushed on copper before soldering so the solder flows and bonds.

  Clean the pipe and brush flux on both surfaces. — Limpia el tubo y unta pasta para soldar en las dos superficies.

• galvanized pipe GAL-vah-naizd PAIP ▶ EN
  tubo galvanizado TOO-boh gal-vah-nee-SAH-doh ▶ ES

  Zinc-coated steel pipe with threaded joints, common in old water systems that now clog with rust.

  The old galvanized pipe is almost closed up with rust. — El tubo galvanizado viejo ya casi está cerrado de puro óxido.

• garbage disposal GAR-bij dis-POH-sal ▶ EN
  triturador tree-too-rah-DOHR ▶ ES

  The grinder under the kitchen sink that shreds food waste into the drain.

  Wire the garbage disposal to the switch above the counter. — Conecta el triturador al apagador que está arriba de la barra.

  Also: triturador de basura (general)

• gas line GAS LAIN ▶ EN
  línea de gas LEE-neh-ah deh GAHS ▶ ES Safety-critical

  Piping that carries natural gas or propane; leaks can explode, so test every joint.

  If you smell gas, stop work and check the gas line now. — Si hueles a gas, para el trabajo y revisa la línea de gas de inmediato.

• gate valve GAYT VALV ▶ EN
  válvula de compuerta VAL-voo-lah deh kom-PWER-tah ▶ ES

  An older-style valve with a round handle that raises and lowers an internal gate.

  That old gate valve won't seal; swap it for a ball valve. — Esa válvula de compuerta vieja ya no sella; cámbiala por una de esfera.

• glue GLOO ▶ EN
  cementar seh-men-TAHR ▶ ES

  To join plastic pipe with solvent cement after applying primer.

  Glue the fitting and give it a quarter turn to seat it. — Cementa la conexión y dale un cuarto de vuelta para asentarla.

  Also: pegar (MX)

• hose bib HOHS BIB ▶ EN
  llave de manguera YAH-veh deh man-GHEH-rah ▶ ES

  The outdoor faucet with threads for a garden hose.

  Put a frost-free hose bib on the north wall. — Pon una llave de manguera anticongelante en la pared norte.

  Also: llave de jardín (general)

• kitchen sink KIH-chen SINK ▶ EN
  tarja TAR-hah ▶ ES

  The deep basin in the kitchen counter for washing dishes.

  The kitchen sink drops in after the countertop is set. — La tarja se instala después de colocar la cubierta.

  Also: fregadero (general)

• leak LEEK ▶ EN
  fuga FOO-gah ▶ ES

  Water or gas escaping from a joint or pipe where it shouldn't.

  There's a leak under the slab; the meter keeps spinning. — Hay una fuga debajo de la losa; el medidor no deja de girar.

• manifold MA-nih-fohld ▶ EN
  manifold MAH-nee-fold ▶ ES

  The central distribution block where individual PEX lines branch out to each fixture.

  Label every line at the manifold so service is easy. — Etiqueta cada línea en el manifold para que el servicio sea fácil.

  Also: distribuidor (general)

• nipple NIH-pul ▶ EN
  niple NEE-pleh ▶ ES

  A short piece of pipe threaded on both ends, used to join fittings.

  I need a three-inch galvanized nipple for the water heater. — Necesito un niple galvanizado de tres pulgadas para el boiler.

• no-hub coupling noh-HUB KUP-ling ▶ EN
  cople de banda KOH-pleh deh BAHN-dah ▶ ES

  The rubber sleeve with band clamps that joins cast iron or ties different drain pipes together.

  Tie the new PVC into the cast iron with a no-hub coupling. — Conecta el PVC nuevo al fierro fundido con un cople de banda.

• PEX PEKS ▶ EN
  PEX PEKS ▶ ES

  Flexible plastic water tubing joined with crimp rings or expansion fittings.

  We're repiping the whole house in PEX. — Vamos a retubear toda la casa con PEX.

• pipe PAIP ▶ EN
  tubo TOO-boh ▶ ES

  The rigid line that carries water, gas, or waste through the building.

  That pipe runs under the slab to the kitchen. — Ese tubo corre por debajo de la losa hasta la cocina.

  Also: tubería (general) · tubo (PR)

• pipe cutter PAIP KUH-ter ▶ EN
  cortatubos kor-tah-TOO-bohs ▶ ES

  The tool with a cutting wheel that spins around pipe to make a clean square cut.

  Use the pipe cutter, not the sawzall, on that copper. — Usa el cortatubos, no la sierra, en ese cobre.

• pipe hanger PAIP HANG-er ▶ EN
  soporte de tubo soh-POR-teh deh TOO-boh ▶ ES

  The strap or clamp that supports pipe from the structure at code-required spacing.

  Add a pipe hanger every four feet on that PVC run. — Pon un soporte de tubo cada cuatro pies en esa corrida de PVC.

• pipe insulation PAIP in-soo-LAY-shun ▶ EN
  aislamiento de tubería ah-ees-lah-MYEN-toh deh too-beh-REE-ah ▶ ES

  The foam sleeve around pipes that stops freezing, sweating, and heat loss.

  Put pipe insulation on all the hot water lines in the attic. — Ponle aislamiento de tubería a todas las líneas de agua caliente en el ático.

• pipe wrench PAIP RENCH ▶ EN
  llave stilson YAH-veh STEEL-sohn ▶ ES

  The heavy adjustable wrench with serrated jaws that grips and turns threaded pipe.

  It takes two pipe wrenches: one to hold, one to turn. — Se necesitan dos llaves stilson: una para detener y otra para girar.

  Also: llave de tubo (general)

• plug PLUG ▶ EN
  tapón macho tah-POHN MAH-choh ▶ ES

  A threaded fitting that screws inside a fitting opening to close it.

  Thread a plug into that open tee for now. — Enrosca un tapón macho en esa te abierta por mientras.

• plunger PLUN-jer ▶ EN
  bomba destapacaños BOHM-bah des-tah-pah-KAH-nyohs ▶ ES

  The rubber suction tool used to force clogs loose in toilets and drains.

  Try the plunger before you pull the toilet. — Prueba con la bomba destapacaños antes de levantar la taza.

  Also: chupón (MX)

• pressure regulator PREH-sher REH-gyoo-lay-tor ▶ EN
  regulador de presión reh-goo-lah-DOHR deh preh-SYOHN ▶ ES

  The valve that drops high street pressure down to a safe level for the house piping.

  Set the pressure regulator to about 60 psi. — Ajusta el regulador de presión a unas 60 libras.

• pressure test PREH-sher TEST ▶ EN
  prueba de presión PRWEH-bah deh preh-SYOHN ▶ ES

  Filling the new piping with air or water under pressure to prove there are no leaks before covering it.

  The inspector wants to see the pressure test holding at 100 psi. — El inspector quiere ver la prueba de presión aguantando a 100 libras.

• primer PRAI-mer ▶ EN
  primer PREE-mer ▶ ES

  The purple solvent applied to PVC before cement to soften and clean the surface.

  The inspector looks for purple primer on every joint. — El inspector busca el primer morado en cada unión.

  Also: limpiador (general)

• PVC pee-vee-SEE ▶ EN
  PVC peh-veh-SEH ▶ ES

  White or gray plastic pipe joined with primer and cement, used for drains and cold water.

  The whole drain system is schedule 40 PVC. — Todo el sistema de drenaje es PVC cédula 40.

• ream REEM ▶ EN
  quitar la rebaba kee-TAHR lah reh-BAH-bah ▶ ES

  To smooth the burr off the inside of a cut pipe so flow isn't restricted.

  Ream every cut before you glue the fitting. — Quítale la rebaba a cada corte antes de cementar la conexión.

• reducer ree-DOO-ser ▶ EN
  reducción reh-dook-SYOHN ▶ ES

  A fitting that steps the pipe down from one size to a smaller one.

  Drop from three-quarter to half with a reducer at the branch. — Baja de tres cuartos a media con una reducción en el ramal.

• rough-in RUF-in ▶ EN
  obra negra OH-brah NEH-grah ▶ ES

  The stage where drains, vents, and supply lines are installed in the open framing before walls close.

  The plumbing rough-in passed inspection this morning. — La obra negra de plomería pasó la inspección esta mañana.

  Also: el rough (MX)

• sanitary tee SA-nih-teh-ree TEE ▶ EN
  te sanitaria TEH sah-nee-TAH-ryah ▶ ES

  A drainage tee with a curved branch, used to connect fixture drains to vertical stacks.

  Use a sanitary tee where the lav drain hits the stack. — Usa una te sanitaria donde el desagüe del lavabo llega a la bajada.

• septic tank SEP-tik TANK ▶ EN
  fosa séptica FOH-sah SEP-tee-kah ▶ ES

  The buried tank that collects and breaks down waste where there is no city sewer.

  Never park equipment on top of the septic tank. — Nunca estaciones maquinaria encima de la fosa séptica.

• sewer line SOO-er LAIN ▶ EN
  línea de drenaje LEE-neh-ah deh dreh-NAH-heh ▶ ES

  The main underground drain that carries all the building's waste to the city sewer or septic tank.

  The camera shows roots in the sewer line. — La cámara muestra raíces en la línea de drenaje.

  Also: albañal (general)

• shower head SHOW-er HED ▶ EN
  regadera reh-gah-DEH-rah ▶ ES

  The spray outlet mounted on the shower arm; in Mexico the same word names the whole shower.

  Install the shower head after the tile so it doesn't get scratched. — Instala la regadera después del azulejo para que no se raye.

  Also: cabezal de ducha (general) · ducha (PR)

• shower valve SHOW-er VALV ▶ EN
  válvula de regadera VAL-voo-lah deh reh-gah-DEH-rah ▶ ES

  The mixing valve inside the shower wall that controls temperature and flow.

  Center the shower valve on the drain, 44 inches up. — Centra la válvula de regadera con el drenaje, a 44 pulgadas de altura.

• shut off the water SHUT off thuh WAH-ter ▶ EN
  cierra el agua SYEH-rrah el AH-gwah ▶ ES

  Close the valve so no water flows; the first step before opening any line.

  Shut off the water before you cut into that line! — ¡Cierra el agua antes de cortar esa línea!

  Also: córtale el agua (MX)

• shut-off valve SHUT-off VALV ▶ EN
  llave de paso YAH-veh deh PAH-soh ▶ ES

  The valve that cuts off water flow to a fixture, branch, or the whole building.

  Find the shut-off valve before you open any line. — Ubica la llave de paso antes de abrir cualquier línea.

• sink SINK ▶ EN
  lavabo lah-VAH-boh ▶ ES

  The bathroom basin fixture where you wash your hands.

  The sink drain doesn't line up with the stub-out. — El desagüe del lavabo no coincide con la salida del muro.

  Also: lavamanos (general)

• slope SLOHP ▶ EN
  pendiente pen-DYEN-teh ▶ ES

  The downhill pitch of a drain line, usually a quarter inch per foot, so waste flows by gravity.

  Check the slope with a level before you strap the pipe. — Checa la pendiente con el nivel antes de fijar el tubo.

  Also: caída (MX)

• solder SAH-der ▶ EN
  soldadura sohl-dah-DOO-rah ▶ ES

  The lead-free metal alloy melted into copper joints to seal them.

  Use lead-free solder on anything carrying drinking water. — Usa soldadura sin plomo en todo lo que lleve agua potable.

• stub-out STUB-out ▶ EN
  salida sah-LEE-dah ▶ ES

  The short capped pipe left sticking out of the wall where a fixture will connect later.

  Leave the stub-outs six inches proud of the drywall. — Deja las salidas seis pulgadas fuera de la tablaroca.

  Also: el stub (MX)

• sump pump SUMP PUMP ▶ EN
  bomba de sumidero BOHM-bah deh soo-mee-DEH-roh ▶ ES

  The pump in a pit that lifts groundwater out of a basement or low area.

  The sump pump discharge runs out to the yard. — La descarga de la bomba de sumidero sale hacia el patio.

• supply line suh-PLAI LAIN ▶ EN
  línea de alimentación LEE-neh-ah deh ah-lee-men-tah-SYOHN ▶ ES

  The pipe or flexible connector that brings water to a fixture.

  Replace both supply lines when you set the faucet. — Cambia las dos líneas de alimentación cuando pongas la llave.

  Also: manguerita (MX)

• sweat a joint SWET ah JOYNT ▶ EN
  soldar sohl-DAHR ▶ ES

  To solder a copper fitting by heating it with a torch and drawing in solder.

  Drain the line first; you can't sweat a joint with water in it. — Primero vacía la línea; no puedes soldar con agua adentro.

• tee TEE ▶ EN
  te TEH ▶ ES

  A T-shaped fitting that branches one line off another.

  Put a tee here to feed the hose bib outside. — Pon una te aquí para alimentar la llave de manguera de afuera.

• teflon tape TEH-flon TAYP ▶ EN
  cinta teflón SEEN-tah teh-FLOHN ▶ ES

  Thin white tape wrapped around threads to seal the joint against leaks.

  Wrap the teflon tape clockwise, three or four turns. — Enreda la cinta teflón en el sentido del reloj, tres o cuatro vueltas.

• thread THRED ▶ EN
  rosca ROHS-kah ▶ ES

  The spiral grooves cut into pipe or fittings so they screw together.

  The thread is stripped; cut a new one or replace the nipple. — La rosca está barrida; hazle rosca nueva o cambia el niple.

• toilet TOY-let ▶ EN
  taza TAH-sah ▶ ES

  The water closet fixture; it sets on a flange with a wax ring.

  Don't rock the toilet once it's set on the wax ring. — No muevas la taza una vez asentada sobre la cera.

  Also: inodoro (general) · excusado (MX) · inodoro (PR)

• toilet flange TOY-let FLANJ ▶ EN
  brida de la taza BREE-dah deh lah TAH-sah ▶ ES

  The ring at floor level that anchors the toilet and connects it to the drain.

  The toilet flange sits on top of the finished floor. — La brida de la taza va sobre el piso terminado.

• torch TORCH ▶ EN
  soplete soh-PLEH-teh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The gas flame tool used to heat copper joints for soldering; watch for fire around framing.

  Keep a flame shield behind the joint when you use the torch. — Pon una placa protectora detrás de la unión cuando uses el soplete.

• trap TRAP ▶ EN
  sifón see-FOHN ▶ ES

  The U-shaped bend under a fixture that holds water to block sewer gas.

  If it smells like sewer, the trap probably dried out. — Si huele a drenaje, seguro se secó el sifón.

  Also: céspol (MX)

• union YOON-yun ▶ EN
  tuerca unión TWER-kah oo-NYOHN ▶ ES

  A three-piece fitting that lets you disconnect a pipe joint later without cutting.

  Put a union at the water heater so it's easy to swap out. — Pon una tuerca unión en el boiler para que sea fácil cambiarlo.

• urinal YER-ih-nal ▶ EN
  mingitorio meen-hee-TOH-ryoh ▶ ES

  The wall-mounted fixture for standing urination, common in commercial restrooms.

  The carrier for the urinal goes in during rough-in. — El soporte del mingitorio se instala durante la obra negra.

  Also: urinario (general)

• valve VALV ▶ EN
  válvula BAHL-boo-lah ▶ ES

  Any fitting that opens, closes, or throttles flow in a pipe.

  Close the valve before you cut into that line. — Cierra la válvula antes de cortar esa línea.

  Also: llave (general)

• vent VENT ▶ EN
  ventila ven-TEE-lah ▶ ES

  The pipe that lets air into the drain system so traps keep their water seal.

  Without a vent, that sink will gurgle and drain slow. — Sin ventila, esa tarja va a gorgotear y a desaguar lento.

  Also: ventilación (general)

• vent stack VENT STAK ▶ EN
  bajada de ventilación bah-HAH-dah deh ven-tee-lah-SYOHN ▶ ES

  The vertical vent pipe that runs up through the roof to the open air.

  Flash the vent stack where it comes through the roof. — Ponle su bota al tubo de ventilación donde atraviesa el techo.

• washer box WAH-sher BOKS ▶ EN
  caja de lavadora KAH-hah deh lah-vah-DOH-rah ▶ ES

  The recessed wall box with hot and cold valves and a drain for the washing machine.

  Set the washer box at 42 inches off the floor. — Pon la caja de lavadora a 42 pulgadas del piso.

• water hammer WAH-ter HA-mer ▶ EN
  golpe de ariete GOHL-peh deh ah-RYEH-teh ▶ ES

  The banging in pipes when flowing water stops suddenly; arrestors absorb the shock.

  Put arrestors at the washer box to stop the water hammer. — Pon amortiguadores en la caja de la lavadora para quitar el golpe de ariete.

• water heater WAH-ter HEE-ter ▶ EN
  boiler BOY-ler ▶ ES

  The tank or tankless unit that heats the building's hot water; Mexican crews call it the boiler.

  The water heater goes in the garage on a stand. — El boiler va en la cochera sobre una base.

  Also: boiler (MX) · calentador de agua (general) · calentador (PR)

• water main WAH-ter MAYN ▶ EN
  toma principal de agua TOH-mah preen-see-PAHL deh AH-gwah ▶ ES

  The main supply line that brings city water from the street to the building.

  Call before you dig; the water main runs along the front of the lot. — Llama antes de excavar; la toma principal de agua corre por el frente del terreno.

• water meter WAH-ter MEE-ter ▶ EN
  medidor de agua meh-dee-DOHR deh AH-gwah ▶ ES

  The city device that measures the building's water use, usually in a box at the street.

  Shut it down at the water meter if the main valve won't close. — Ciérrale en el medidor de agua si la válvula principal no cierra.

• water pressure WAH-ter PREH-sher ▶ EN
  presión de agua preh-SYOHN deh AH-gwah ▶ ES

  The force pushing water through the pipes, measured in psi.

  Low water pressure upstairs usually means a restriction somewhere. — Poca presión de agua arriba casi siempre es una restricción en algún punto.

• wax ring WAKS RING ▶ EN
  anillo de cera ah-NEE-yoh deh SEH-rah ▶ ES

  The wax seal between the toilet and the flange that keeps water and gas from escaping.

  Always use a new wax ring when you reset a toilet. — Siempre usa un anillo de cera nuevo cuando vuelvas a asentar una taza.

• wye WAI ▶ EN
  ye YEH ▶ ES

  A Y-shaped drainage fitting that joins branches at a gentle angle so waste flows smoothly.

  Tie the branch into the main with a wye, not a tee. — Conecta el ramal a la principal con una ye, no con una te.

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