Cubralco Plumbing & Heating Glossary
A
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
A lightweight, rigid plastic used in drainage, waste, and vent (DWV) systems. Known for being easy to cut and install.
Air Vent
A device that allows air to escape from plumbing systems, helping to prevent trapped air pockets in heating and water supply lines.
B
Backflow
The undesirable reversal of water flow in a plumbing system, potentially allowing contaminated water to enter the clean water supply.
Ball Valve
A shut-off valve that uses a rotating ball to control flow. Common in both heating and plumbing systems for isolation.
BSP (British Standard Pipe)
Thread standard used on pipes and fittings in the UK. Includes BSPT (tapered) and BSPP (parallel) thread types.
C
Compression Fitting
A type of fitting that connects two pipes or a pipe to a fixture by compressing a ring (olive) around the pipe using a nut.
Condensate Pipe
A pipe that carries condensation from a condensing boiler to a drain. Must be installed correctly to prevent freezing.
D
Drainage System
A network of pipes designed to remove wastewater and rainwater from a building safely.
DZR (Dezincification-Resistant) Brass
A brass alloy used in fittings to resist corrosion and degradation in hard or aggressive water conditions.
E
End Feed Fitting
A copper fitting used with soldering to join pipes. Offers a smooth, professional finish ideal for heating and plumbing.
Expansion Vessel
A sealed container that absorbs excess water pressure in a sealed central heating system due to thermal expansion.
F
Fitting
Any device used to join or terminate pipework — includes elbows, tees, couplers, reducers, etc.
Flow Rate
The volume of water that passes through a system or fitting in a given time, usually measured in litres per minute (L/min).
G
Gate Valve
An older type of isolation valve that uses a gate mechanism to start or stop water flow. Slower than ball valves.
Glycol
A fluid (often antifreeze) used in heating systems to prevent freezing and improve heat transfer.
H
Heat Exchanger
A component in boilers and hot water systems that transfers heat between fluids without mixing them.
Hep2O
A popular brand of push-fit plumbing system, known for flexibility and easy installation.
M
Manifold
A central hub in underfloor heating or plumbing systems that distributes water to various zones or branches.
M-Profile
A common pressing profile used in press fittings (like Cubralco’s PRESS-TITE range), compatible with many press tools.
O
Olive
A small brass or copper ring used in compression fittings to create a watertight seal when compressed by a nut.
P
PEX (Cross-linked Polyethylene)
A flexible plastic piping used in plumbing and heating systems, especially underfloor heating.
Press Fitting
A fitting that is sealed by pressing with a compatible tool rather than soldering or threading. Popular for speed and reliability.
PTFE Tape
Polytetrafluoroethylene tape, often called “plumber’s tape,” used to seal threaded pipe joints.
R
Rad Valve (Radiator Valve)
Controls the flow of hot water into a radiator. Can be manual or thermostatic (TRV).
Return Pipe
The pipe that carries cooled water back to the boiler or heating source in a closed-loop system.
S
Stopcock / Stop Valve
A valve used to shut off the water supply to a property or part of a system.
Sweat Fitting
A US term for a soldered joint — known in the UK as “end feed.”
T
TRV (Thermostatic Radiator Valve)
A radiator valve with a temperature sensor to control room temperature by adjusting water flow.
Tundish
A small, open device that provides a visual indicator when water is discharged from a pressure relief valve.
U
Unvented Cylinder
A hot water storage system that is pressurised directly from the mains water supply, offering high flow rates and balanced pressure.
V
Vent Pipe
A pipe used to release air or gases from a plumbing system, or to balance pressure in drainage.
W
WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme)
Approval mark showing a product complies with UK water supply regulations — essential for many plumbing products.
