Knowing what a term means makes it easier to follow an explanation, ask a sharper question, and spot when a document says something you did not expect. The definitions below are written for homeowners, renters and landlords rather than tradespeople, and they describe common usage. Individual contractors and policies may use words a little differently, so ask when something is unclear.

Plumbing words

Sillcock
Another name for an outdoor faucet or hose bib. A frost-free sillcock places its shutoff inside the heated wall.
Curb stop
The water provider's valve near the property line, under a small round or square cover in the lawn or sidewalk.
Manifold
A central block of valves, common with PEX, where individual lines branch to each fixture. Each port can usually be shut off separately.
Ball valve
A quarter-turn valve: the handle in line with the pipe means open, crosswise means closed.
Gate valve
An older multi-turn valve with a round handle. These can seize or fail to close fully with age.
Pressure-reducing valve (PRV)
A bell-shaped valve near the main that lowers incoming pressure. When it fails, every fixture sees higher pressure.
Expansion tank
A small tank near the water heater that absorbs expansion as water heats, easing pressure in a closed system.
Heat trace
Electric cable run along a pipe to add warmth; also called heat tape.
Push-fit fitting
A connector that grips a cut pipe without solder or tools, often used for emergency repairs.
Backflow preventer
A device that keeps irrigation or other water from flowing back into drinking water lines.

Cleanup and claim words

Mitigation
The immediate work to limit damage: stopping water, extraction, removing wet materials that cannot be saved, and drying.
Extraction
Removing standing water from floors and carpet with pumps and wands before drying begins.
Air mover
A high-velocity fan aimed at wet surfaces to speed evaporation.
Dehumidifier
A machine that pulls the evaporated moisture out of the air so it does not re-wet materials.
Drying goal
The moisture reading a material must reach before it is considered dry, often based on similar unaffected material in the same house.
Flood cut
Removing the lower portion of drywall in a straight line to open wet wall cavities.
Category 1 water
Industry shorthand for water from a clean source, such as a supply line. It can degrade if it sits or travels through dirty materials.
Ensuing loss
Damage that results from a covered cause; in policy language it can matter when the pipe repair and the water damage are treated differently.

General information for Parker, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.