4 Crazy Plumbing Terms To Know For Preventing Water Leaks


From heating and cooling to keep your family comfortable, to roofing, many elements are necessary for your home's function, appeal, and value. Unfortunately, you may not understand the importance of your plumbing system. Considering your plumbing and septic systems see a great deal of use each day, ensuring faucets, toilets, and underlying pipes are in good condition is essential. However, leaky pipes, faucets, and running toilets can become costly, overwhelming problems.

While surprising to hear, 10 percent of homes have leaks that waste an estimated 90 gallons of water each day.  Not only do these issues prevent basic plumbing functions, but they can also waste water, increasing monthly water bills. By understanding these 4 crazy plumbing terms, you and your plumber can repair these issues while preventing water wastage.

Sweating the Pipe

If your water leaks stem from corroded pipes, your contractor may suggest "sweating the pipe" to repair it. This repair does not involve an intense workout at the gym, but it does require replacing full or partial sections of corroded pipes in your plumbing and septic systems.

After removing damaged pipes, your plumber will use a soldering gun to "sweat" the new sections of pipe into a watertight connection. Sweating the pipe removes corroded pipes while connecting new pipes, creating non-leaking underlying plumbing lines.

Hose Bib

In most cases, you consider your interior plumbing fixtures a priority. Unfortunately, this can cause you to forgo maintenance on your outdoor spigots, resulting in a constant drip or leak. Thankfully, repairing a leaky outdoor faucet is a simple task, but your contractor may discuss the need to replace the hose bib's washer.

Hose bibs are durable brass fittings connected to the hose coupling of your faucet or outdoor spigot. If the washer inside the hose bib becomes worn, it will not be able to seal in water. This results in a slow drip or a heavier leak in severely worn washers.

Without replacing the washer in the hose bib you may end up wasting hundreds of gallons of water each year.


A leaky indoor faucet is also a common issue you fill face in your home. Not only is the constant dripping an annoying sound, but the water waste can really add up. All it takes is approximately 4,000 drips for a  leaky faucet to waste one liter of water. 

To stop these leaks, your contractor will either tighten or replace the faucet's bonnet.

In the fashion world, a bonnet is a type of hat, but it is a crucial part of your faucet in regards to plumbing. This small nut ensures a secure connection between the valve stem and the faucet handle. If the bonnet is loose, your plumber may tighten it, stopping the leak almost immediately. However, if the threading of the nut is worn, replacement is the best option for repair.


If the water in the toilet continues to run after flushing, you may need a repair. Running toilets can waste a great deal of water in a short amount of time, so contacting a plumber is imperative.

Your constantly running toilet may require a new ballcock, which is also known as the fill valve. This essential element of your toilet allows water to fill the tank after flushing. If the ballcock is worn or broken, the valve will not completely close after flushing, leading to the running water problem.

Replacing the ballcock is a simple repair that will conserve water and save you money.

Whether you are hoping to reduce monthly expenses or wanting to live an Eco-friendly lifestyle, stopping leaks in and outside your home is important. With the help of plumbing services you can prevent wasteful leaks.


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