Plumbing Fixtures Reference
Why this matters
Plumbing fixture install + repair is bread + butter of every plumber. Customer's leaky faucet, running toilet, low-flow showerhead - each requires identification + parts + technique. The plumber who knows the basics serves quickly + accurately. This is the field card.
Fixture categories
Sinks: kitchen, lav (bathroom), bar, utility, laundry.
Faucets: kitchen, lav, tub, shower, bidet.
Toilets: standard, comfort-height, dual-flush, bidet seat.
Showers: tub-shower combo, walk-in shower, steam shower.
Tubs: standard, soaking, jet, freestanding.
Bidets: stand-alone, attachment, seat-integrated.
Disposal: see garbage disposal service.
Hose bibs: outdoor faucets.
Faucet types
Compression: separate hot + cold handles; washers seal; older.
Ball: single handle; ball + 3 spring-and-seal assemblies.
Cartridge: single OR double handle; cartridge slides + rotates.
Ceramic disc: most modern; two ceramic discs slide over each other.
Touchless: motion sensor; battery OR plug-in.
Pull-down sprayer: kitchen; sprayer head pulls down from spout.
Pull-out sprayer: similar; pulls out horizontally.
Common faucet problems
Drip / leak from spout:
- Compression: washer worn
- Cartridge: cartridge worn / O-rings
- Ceramic disc: disc scratched OR cracked
- Ball: spring + seal worn
Leak at base:
- O-ring worn
- Cartridge seal
Low water pressure:
- Aerator clogged (most common; clean OR replace)
- Cartridge clogged
- Supply line restricted
Hot / cold mixed:
- Cartridge issue (single-handle)
- Crossover plumbing
Touchless not working:
- Battery dead
- Sensor blocked
- Solenoid valve
Faucet repair workflow
- Identify faucet type + brand (look for brand on spout OR handle)
- Shut off angle stops (under sink)
- Disassemble per faucet design
- Identify worn part
- Order matching cartridge / O-rings / washers
- Replace + reassemble
- Test for leaks
Common faucet brands + cartridges
Moen: cartridge replacement: model-specific (1255, 1224, etc.).
Delta: ball assembly + cartridge variations.
Kohler: cartridge replacement: Sterling, Kohler-specific.
American Standard: cartridge variations.
Pfister + Price Pfister: cartridge specific.
Universal cartridge fit not common: order brand+model-specific.
Toilet anatomy
Tank: holds water; flushed.
Bowl: receives waste.
Trapway: built into bowl; S-trap configuration.
Flush valve (fill valve): refills tank.
Flapper / canister: at bottom of tank; opens to flush.
Overflow tube: backup outlet for overfilling.
Refill tube: fills bowl after flush.
Handle / button: triggers flush.
Wax ring / gasket: seals base to floor flange.
Floor flange: secures toilet to floor + drain.
Closet bolts: secure toilet to flange.
Supply line + angle stop: water supply.
Common toilet problems
Constant running:
- Flapper worn / not seating
- Flush valve chain too long / short
- Refill valve adjustment
Slow flush:
- Low water in tank (adjust fill height)
- Plugged jet holes under rim
- Clogged trapway (auger)
Leak at base:
- Wax ring failed
- Floor flange cracked
- Closet bolts loose
Leak from tank to bowl:
- Flapper not sealing
- Flush valve seat cracked
Toilet wobbles:
- Closet bolts loose
- Tile / floor uneven (shims needed)
Phantom flush: tank loses water slowly through flapper; toilet refills periodically.
Cracked tank OR bowl: leak; replace toilet.
Toilet types
Standard height: 15" floor to bowl rim.
Comfort / ADA height: 16 - 17" rim.
One-piece: tank + bowl molded together.
Two-piece: separate tank + bowl; more common.
Wall-hung (commercial + premium): tank in wall; trip lever; saves floor space.
Dual-flush: 1.6 + 0.8 gallon flush options.
Smart toilet (Toto, Kohler Numi): heated seat, auto-flush, bidet, deodorizer.
Common faucet flow rates (EPAct + WaterSense)
Showerhead:
- Federal max: 2.5 GPM at 80 PSI
- WaterSense: 2.0 GPM (preferred low-flow)
- 1.5 GPM: ultra low-flow
Lav faucet:
- Federal max: 2.2 GPM
- WaterSense: 1.5 GPM
- 1.2 GPM: ultra low-flow (some)
Kitchen faucet:
- Federal max: 2.2 GPM
- 1.5 GPM: low-flow
Tub + shower valves
Single-handle pressure-balancing: anti-scald protection; most modern.
Thermostatic mixing valve: maintains output temp regardless of supply temp variation.
Manual mixing (two-handle): legacy; not anti-scald.
Diverter valve: directs water tub OR shower.
Trim kit (handles, escutcheons): rough-in + finish trim packages.
Common brands: Delta, Moen, Kohler, Pfister.
Common service tasks + pricing
Fixtures + accessibility
ADA-compliant fixtures: lower flow + grab bars + comfort height + lever-style handles.
Aging-in-place: walk-in tub, comfort-height toilet, grab bars.
Bidet integration: spray attachment (low-cost) OR bidet seat (high-end).
Common fixture install mistakes
Wrong wax ring (height for offset flange). Skipping closet bolts torque (toilet rocks). Wrong supply line length. Crossover in tub-shower (single-handle hot/cold reversed). Skipping shutoff replacement during install. Cheap angle stops fail.
Customer education
Water pressure: 45 - 75 PSI ideal; over 80 PSI causes faucet issues.
Annual aerator cleaning: prevents pressure drop.
Don't ignore drips: small leak = 100s of gallons + wasted heat.
Flapper replace 5 - 7 yr: prevents phantom flushing.
Don't overload septic (if septic): low-flow fixtures help.
Soft water improves fixtures: less scale buildup.
Truck stock for fixture service
Common cartridges (Moen 1255, Delta RP19804, etc. - multi-brand assortment); flappers (multiple brands); fill valves (Korky, Fluidmaster); wax rings (standard + horn); closet bolts; supply lines (1/2" × 3/8" comp, various lengths); angle stops; PVC pipe + fittings; tubing cutter; basin wrench; channel-lock pliers; level; caulk + silicone.
Common service-call scenarios
"Faucet drips": identify brand + type; cartridge replacement.
"Toilet won't stop running": flapper OR fill valve adjustment.
"Toilet won't flush properly": flush valve OR low tank level OR clogged.
"Toilet base leaks": wax ring replacement + reset.
"Shower water too hot": pressure-balancing valve OR thermostatic valve.
"Low water pressure at one fixture": aerator OR cartridge clogged.
Smart fixtures
Touch-on / touchless kitchen faucet: motion sensor; convenience.
Smart shower (Moen U): app control; preset temperatures.
Smart toilet (Toto NeoREST): bidet + heated seat + sensor flush.
Leak detection (Phyn, Flo by Moen): at main supply; alerts on app.
References
- EPAct 1992 (federal flow rates)
- WaterSense fixture standards
- IPC + UPC plumbing fixture codes
- ADA accessibility guidelines
- Manufacturer technical data (Moen, Delta, Kohler, American Standard, Pfister, Toto)
- Manuall internal: Water Pressure + Flow, Common Pipe Fittings