Glossary
Plumbing, drainage and gas
Water supply, domestic hot water, waste pipes, soil stacks, drainage and gas installations.
Domestic hot water (Agua caliente sanitaria, DHW)
Water supplied above its incoming temperature for hygiene and domestic uses. It can be produced individually or through a centralised system. Checks in homes cover availability and operation, considering equipment, distribution and delivery times without confusing the hot water service with space heating.Related terms: Electric storage water heater, Aerotermia (air source heat pump system)
Inspection chamber (arqueta) (Arqueta, drain inspection chamber)
An access chamber allowing buried drainage pipes or other networks to be connected, inspected or maintained. Configuration depends on function and location. Checks cover accessibility, covers and watertightness, because blockages or leaks can produce odours, damp and problems difficult to locate from inside the home.Related terms: Drainage collector, Waste outlet or drain
Soil or waste stack (Bajante, wastewater stack)
A vertical pipe collecting wastewater from different storeys and carrying it towards the drainage network. Operation depends on connections, ventilation and sizing. Checks cover leaks, noise and odours, recognising that nearby staining may originate at a concealed joint rather than the external wall.Related terms: Drainage collector, Primary drainage ventilation
Multi-inlet floor trap (bote sifónico) (Bote sifónico, common bathroom trap)
A drainage component receiving waste from several appliances and maintaining a water seal against gases from the network. It usually allows access for cleaning. Checks cover its lid and operation, because blockages or loss of the water seal can cause bathroom odours and backflow.Related terms: Water trap, Waste outlet or drain
Flow rate (Caudal, water flow rate)
The quantity of fluid passing through a section over a given time. In a home, it helps assess water supply and drainage. It depends on the installation and use conditions, so a check should specify which outlets were open and how the measurement was performed.Related terms: Water service pressure, Drainage fall
Certificado de instalación de gas (gas installation certificate) (Certificado de instalación de gas, gas installation certification)
A document recording the characteristics and checks of a gas installation under the applicable procedure. It is issued by the authorised installation company where required. It matters for commissioning or alterations but differs from a periodic inspection certificate and documents concerning individual appliances.Related terms: Gas installation serving appliances, Reglamento de Instalaciones Térmicas en los Edificios (RITE)Standard or law: Real Decreto 919/2006, ITC ICG 07
Drainage collector (Colector de saneamiento, main wastewater drain)
A pipe receiving water from stacks or branches and conveying it towards other parts of the drainage network. It may be buried or suspended. Investigation covers falls, accessibility and leakage, because failures can affect several homes and appear far from their original source.Related terms: Soil or waste stack, Inspection chamber (arqueta)
Water meter (Contador de agua, water consumption meter)
An instrument recording the volume of water supplied to a user or installation. It helps monitor consumption and identify possible losses. Movement without apparent use may warrant leakage investigation, but other connected consumption and conditions must be checked before responsibility is attributed.Related terms: Water leak, Water isolation valve
Waste outlet or drain (Desagüe, waste pipe)
A pipe or outlet carrying water from an appliance or area into the drainage system. Operation depends on cross-section, fall and connections. Inspection considers drainage speed, leaks and odours, distinguishing an isolated blockage from defects in pipe routing or ventilation of the system.Related terms: Water trap, Drainage fall
Water leak (Fuga de agua, leaking water supply)
Unintended escape of water from a pipe, connection, appliance or tank. It may be visible or concealed, appearing as staining or abnormal consumption. Establishing the source involves relating tests, pipe routes and damage progression, rather than attributing it solely to proximity.Related terms: Water meter, Water ingress damp
Gas leak (Fuga de gas, escaping gas)
Unintended gas escape from an installation or appliance, potentially creating serious risks depending on the fuel and local conditions. Detection requires specific procedures. Observation or smell does not replace a prescribed inspection, and diagnosis must avoid manipulating components in ways that increase risk.Related terms: Gas installation serving appliances, Gas isolation valve
Water hammer (Golpe de ariete, hydraulic pressure surge)
A sudden pressure change caused by rapid alteration of water velocity within a pipe. It may appear as banging or vibration when a valve closes. Investigation considers pressure, fixings and operating conditions, because repeated occurrences can damage connections in the installation.Related terms: Water service pressure, Water isolation valve
Water booster set (Grupo de presión, pressure booster pump set)
Equipment raising or maintaining water pressure where the available supply is insufficient for the intended service. It may serve several homes. Checks cover operation, regulation and vibration, distinguishing equipment failures from network problems or inappropriate sizing of the pipework serving the system.Related terms: Water service pressure, Non-return valve
Gas installation serving appliances (Instalación receptora de gas, instalación receptora)
The pipes and components carrying gas from the supply point to appliances within the scope defined by regulations. Construction and inspection are undertaken by authorised personnel. In a home, documentation and visible condition are reviewed without replacing the prescribed safety checks.Related terms: Certificado de instalación de gas (gas installation certificate), Gas isolation valve
Gas isolation valve (Llave de corte de gas, gas shut-off valve)
A valve allowing gas supply to an installation or appliance to be interrupted. Position and accessibility follow safety criteria. Checks cover identification and visible condition without operating or dismantling components outside appropriate procedures; its presence alone does not establish that the network is leak-tight.Related terms: Gas installation serving appliances, Gas leak
Water isolation valve (Llave de paso, stop valve, stopcock)
A valve allowing water flow to be opened, closed or isolated in part of an installation. Accessibility supports maintenance and incident control. Checks cover position and operation, because a seized or incorrectly labelled valve can make stopping a leak or repairing an appliance difficult.Related terms: Water leak, Water meter
Drainage fall (Pendiente de evacuación, drainage gradient)
The inclination of a pipe or surface encouraging water to move towards its outlet. It must suit the system and operating conditions. An insufficient, reversed or poorly detailed fall can cause retention, while increasing the slope does not automatically resolve every drainage problem.Related terms: Waste outlet or drain, Drainage collector
Water service pressure (Presión de servicio, operating water pressure)
The pressure at which a water installation operates under particular conditions. It must suit equipment and supply requirements. Excessive or insufficient pressure can affect comfort and cause failures, so measurement under representative conditions is needed before a problem is attributed to a tap.Related terms: Pressure-reducing valve, Water booster set
Pressure-reducing valve (Reductor de presión, water pressure regulator)
A device reducing and regulating water pressure downstream of its position. It is used to suit pressure to installation requirements. Assessment considers settings and behaviour during consumption, because a static reading does not establish that it maintains service conditions correctly when water is flowing.Related terms: Water service pressure, Water hammer
Water trap (Sifón, plumbing trap)
A device retaining water to prevent drainage gases entering the home. This water seal must remain intact during use. Odours can arise from drying, dirt or loss of the seal, so its operation should be investigated before finishes are replaced.Related terms: Multi-inlet floor trap (bote sifónico), Primary drainage ventilation
Trapped floor drain (Sumidero sifónico, trapped gully)
A water collection point incorporating a water seal to prevent drainage gases entering from the network. It may be installed in floors or other wet areas. Checks cover cleaning and retention of the seal water, especially at infrequently used points where evaporation can occur.Related terms: Water trap, Waste outlet or drain
Electric storage water heater (Termo eléctrico, electric hot water cylinder)
Equipment heating and storing water through an electrical heating element for later supply. Capacity and operation must suit the intended use. Checks cover mounting, connections and safety components, because leaks or inadequate arrangements for discharges can cause damage within the home.Related terms: Domestic hot water, Pressure relief valve
Non-return valve (Válvula antirretorno, check valve)
A device allowing fluid to pass in one direction while preventing or limiting reverse flow. It is used at different points in supply or drainage systems according to the design. Need, position and maintenance must be checked, because failure can cause unwanted backflow despite otherwise normal operation.Related terms: Drainage collector, Water booster set
Pressure relief valve (Válvula de seguridad, safety valve)
A device releasing pressure when specified conditions are reached to protect equipment or an installation. In hot water production, it may discharge during intended operation. Checks cover suitability and discharge arrangements without treating every drip as normal or blocking an outlet that performs a safety function.Related terms: Electric storage water heater, Water service pressure
Primary drainage ventilation (Ventilación primaria, stack ventilation)
Extension of a drainage stack and its connection to outside air to help balance pressures within the drainage system. It helps preserve trap water seals. Inadequate ventilation can cause noise and odours, which must be distinguished from blockages or poorly sealed connections.Related terms: Soil or waste stack, Water trap
Other glossary categories
Floors, tiles and finishes
Windows, glazing and locks
Heating, cooling, ventilation and energy efficiency
Buying, land registry and notary
Housing law and legal terms
Electrical installations and telecommunications
Facades, roofs and terraces
Structure and foundations
Damp and leaks
Technical regulations and codes
New builds, construction parties and documents
Building defects and deterioration
Expert reports and court procedure
Insurance, claims and damage assessment (IRD)
Property valuation and planning
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