Plumbing Glossary for Erie Homeowners

A flexible metal cable fed into a drain to break through clogs. Professional-grade augers can clear blockages that chemical drain cleaners cannot, especially in Erie's older cast-iron pipes.

A device installed on your water system that prevents contaminated water from flowing backward into the clean water supply. Required by Erie building code on irrigation systems and commercial properties.

The unwanted reversal of water flow in your plumbing system, which can contaminate drinking water with wastewater. Annual backflow testing is required in Erie for certain installations.

A pump that handles wastewater from below-grade fixtures (basement bathrooms, laundry). Unlike sump pumps that handle clean water, ejector pumps are designed for sewage.

A small tank connected to your water heater that absorbs excess pressure caused by thermal expansion. Required by code in Erie for closed water systems.

The rubber seal inside your toilet tank that lifts when you flush and reseals to allow the tank to refill. A worn flapper is the most common cause of a running toilet.

Steel pipe coated with zinc, common in Erie homes built before 1960. These pipes corrode internally over time, restricting water flow and potentially leaching lead. Replacement with copper or PEX is recommended.

The primary valve that controls all water entering your home. Every Erie homeowner should know its location — during a burst pipe emergency, shutting this off immediately limits damage.

The U-shaped pipe beneath sinks and drains that holds water to block sewer gases from entering your home. If you smell rotten eggs near a drain, the P-trap may have dried out.

A valve that reduces incoming water pressure to a safe level (typically 40-60 PSI). Erie municipal water pressure can exceed 80 PSI, making PRVs essential for protecting pipes and fixtures.

Flexible cross-linked polyethylene tubing increasingly used in Erie homes as a replacement for copper. PEX resists freezing better than rigid pipe, making it ideal for our climate.

A pump installed in the lowest point of a basement that removes accumulated water and channels it away from the foundation. Critical for Erie homes due to heavy rainfall and snowmelt.

A camera inspection of your sewer line from the house to the street. Recommended before buying an older Erie home, as many have original clay or cast-iron sewer lines.

Individual valves located near each fixture (toilet, sink, washing machine) that allow you to cut water to that fixture without shutting off the entire house.

A water heater that heats water on demand rather than storing it in a tank. While energy efficient, Erie's cold incoming water temperature (35-40°F in winter) requires proper sizing.

A banging noise in pipes caused by the sudden stoppage of water flow. Common in Erie homes with high water pressure and can damage pipes over time if not addressed.