Say 'Hi'
Glossary
Two-Handle
Two-handle faucets feature separate handles to control hot and cold water temperature.
Three-Handle
Three-handle faucets also use separate handles for hot and cold water, but have an additional handle to divert the water from bath spout to showerhead.
The mechanism that controls the flow of water into a gravity-operated toilet tank. The ballcock is controlled by the float mechanism floating in the water in the tank. When the toilet is flushed, the float drops and opens the ballcock, allowing water to enter the tank and/or bowl. The float rises as the water level in the tank is restored, and shuts off the ballcock when the tank is completely filled. Also referred to as a float valve.
Ball Passage
Refers to the size of a ball that can pass through the trapway of a toilet. Standards are established based on minimum-sized ball passage. Ball passage also relates to trapway size. Generally speaking, the size of the trap will be 1/8 larger than the maximum-sized ball that can pass through it.
A feature that provides better accessibility in the bathroom; barrier-free sinks craft an indentation on the front, allowing closer, easy access; barrier-free showers implement a low receptor lip for a smooth, easy transition in and out of the shower.
Bidet
A personal hygiene fixture with hot and cold water supply for genital and perineal cleanliness.
Unglazed areas of vitreous china fixtures, such as inside the tank or on the bottom of the bowl foot, have a bisque finish.
Bowl
A water-containing receptor that receives liquid and solid body waste; two general bowl classifications are round-front and elongated.
Bodyssage Backjet System
This system for KOHLER® whirlpools features ten backjets that operate in sequences to simulate a spa massage; they loosen tension up the back and across the shoulders, as well as encourage deep breathing.
Ceiling-Mount Bath Filler
A small, circular nozzle mounted directly above the bath, gracefully trickling water from the ceiling.
Chromatherapy
A system of directing light sequences on or around the body to promote relaxation.
Class Five™ Technology
A flushing technology designed to create extraordinary flushing performance with an industry-leading 3¼" flush valve; provides powerful water flow to maximize the gravity-fed flush, and features simplified installation and an eco-friendly 1.4-gallon flush setting option.
Close-Coupled
A term for a toilet with a separate tank and bowl, secured to each other, and with a separate tank cover. Also referred to as a two-piece toilet.
Comfort Height™
The height of a toilet bowl (with seat) that stands at the same height as a standard chair for maximum comfort and ease when sitting down or standing up.
Concealed Trapway
This feature provides a clean transition at the back of the toilet base, hiding the trapway for aesthetic and cleanability purposes.
Cycle Time
The time it takes from the instant a toilet flush lever is actuated until the instant the water supply shuts off, completing the flush cycle.
Dam
The barrier built into the trapway of a toilet that controls the water level in the toilet bowl.
DryLock™ System
This exclusive system saves installation time and helps prevent water leakage. An innovative metal bracket, placed at the bottom of the tank, means that no bolt holes are drilled into the tank, virtually eliminating water leaks. Additionally, the installer can secure the tank to the bowl with only one tool, a socket wrench, without having to reach inside the tank.
Elongated Bowl
A toilet bowl having dimensions of 14" x 18½" long (from the center of the seat hinge holes to the front edge of the outside rim).
Enamel
A powder coating, usually a combination of clay, quartz, feldspar, silica and color pigments, applied to an iron casting. When exposed to high temperatures, the coating melts and fuses to the casting, creating a glass-like surface. The thickness of KOHLER enamel provides outstanding protection against chipping and scratching while offering deep color integrity.
Escutcheon
Any decorative, threaded flange below or behind a faucet handle. Also an ornamental plate used at the base of a faucet to cover additional holes on a lavatory.
Fixture-Mount Vacuum Breaker
An anti-siphon device that prevents waste water from being drawn back into supply lines, potentially contaminating the water supply; a type of backflow prevention.
Flapper
Also known as flush ball, the flapper is the moving part of the flush valve that seals the water into the tank or allows water to exit the tank for the flush cycle. This is the predominant replacement part used on conventional toilets.
Flexjet™ Whirlpool Jets
Flexjets are individually adjustable whirlpool jets that target specific areas of the body; they are available color-matched or in multiple finishes.
Float Ball
The floating ball is connected to the ballcock inside the tank, which rises or falls with changing water levels in the tank, and actuates or shuts off the ballcock as needed.
Flushing Surface
The interior surface of the bowl, as well as all other surfaces that may come into contact with the water during flushing.
Flushometer Tank System
A toilet flushing system that utilizes supply water pressure to compress water in order to provide a pressurized flush (versus a gravity flush).
Flush Valve
The valve located at the bottom of a gravity-operated toilet flush tank that opens when the trip lever is actuated and closes when the tank has drained to the desired level. It usually contains an overflow tube as well.
FRP
Fiberglass reinforced plastics; FRP fixtures are lightweight and easy to install; a gelcoat finish retains the products true color.
Glaze
A glossy, water-resistant, colored finish surface that protects all nonporous vitreous china plumbing fixtures.
GPF
An abbreviation for "gallons per flush", a term used when discussing water consumption for toilets.
GPM
Volumetric flow rate in gallons per minute.
Gravity-Fed Toilet
A toilet that relies on the natural downward pressure (or "head") of water in a toilet tank to flush the toilet effectively.
Hand Basin
An occasionally detachable lavatory basin resting atop a wet surface lavatory, typically smaller than the average basin.
Hydrotherapy
The use of water for healing purposes, many times through water massage.
Ingenium® Flushing System
A flushing technology that delivers complete 3.5-gallon performance in a 1.6-gallon package.
Insuliner® Tank Liner
A registered trademark name for factory-installed tank insulation, which minimizes condensation on the outside of the tank (also known as tank sweating) when exposed to high humidity.
Jet
An orifice or other feature of both a toilet and whirlpool; a toilet jet is designed to direct water into the trapway quickly, to start the siphon action; a whirlpool jet is designed to direct air and water throughout the whirlpool to create flow and/or bubbles.
Low-Consumption Toilet
A classification of toilet designed to flush using 1.6 or less gallons of water, as opposed to the outdated 3.5-gallon toilets and other higher-consumption toilets.
MasterClean™
A type of faucet sprayface that withstands mineral buildup and can be cleaned simply by rubbing the sprayface with your fingers.
Metal Frame Installation
A metal frame is mounted around the bathroom lavatory.
Neo-Angle Shower
A shower that fits in the corner of the room, either with a straight or round-front.
One-Piece Toilet
A toilet in which the tank and bowl are manufactured as a single vitreous china fixture. Typically, one-piece toilets have a lower profile than two-piece toilets, with some featuring a Comfort Height™ bowl.
Overflow Tube
The vertical tube inside a toilet tank (usually part of the flush valve) that directs water into the bowl in case the ballcock malfunctions. If the ballcock does not shut off properly, water will drain through the overflow tube into the bowl, and flow harmlessly over the dam and out the drain. This prevents potential water damage caused by the tank overflowing and indicates to the user that there is a problem by a "constant running" condition. On most toilets, the overflow tube also has a refill tube flowing into it. The refill line directs water from the ballcock through the overflow tube to the bowl after the siphon break.
Overflowing Bath
A deep, oversized bath with a surrounding reservoir to provide maximum water volume, allowing the bather to completely submerge; the reservoir allows water to continuously trickle over the sides of the basin for a soothing, deep soak sensation.
Peacekeeper®
A patented, factory-installed, battery-powered, seat-actuated KOHLER flushing system, which initiates the flush cycle when the user simply lowers the seat lid.
Pedestal Lavatory
A stand-alone fixture with a lavatory resting atop a narrow base; similar to the shape of a birdbath.
Pressure Clean™
A trademarked name for our Kohler-designed and manufactured 1.6 gpf flushometer tank system.
Priming Jet
An opening in a toilet bowl through which tank-supplied water flows, designed to propel waste up into the trapway.
ProFlex®
Whirlpools and baths with flexible options for builders and homeowners, including various installation solutions due to multiple pump location options.
Push-Button Diverter
A small button attached to the shower faucet that switches easily between shower and bath.
PVD
Stands for Physical Vapor Deposition; PVD is a process that bonds the finish color to the faucet, helping it resist scratches, corrosion and tarnishing.
Quick-Release™
A KOHLER technology that unlatches the back hinges of the toilet seat for easy seat removal and convenient cleaning; no tools required.
Quiet-Close™
A KOHLER technology utilized on toilet seats that prevents slamming by slowly bringing the seat to a gentle close.
Refill Tube
On most toilets, a refill tube directs water from the ballcock into the overflow tube to refill the bowl after the siphon break.
Reverse-Trapway Toilet
A water closet having a siphonic trapway at the rear of the bowl, and integral flushing rim and jet. Minimum dimensions are a 9" x 8" water spot and a 1½" ball pass.
Rim Holes
A series of small holes in the underside of a toilet rim, around the circumference of the bowl. Incoming water flows down into the bowl through these holes, creating a rinse effect, or "rim wash" over the entire inner surface of the bowl.
Rite-Temp®
A pressure-balancing technology that maintains water temperature within +/- 3 degrees F to prevent scalding.
Rough-In Dimensions
The distance from a finished wall or floor to the center of the waste or supply opening or mounting holes on a plumbing fixture.
Round-Front Bowl
A toilet bowl having dimensions of 14" wide by 16½" long (from the center of the seat hinge holes to the front edge of the outside rim).
Shower Grate
Designed to fit the basin area on shower receptors, shower grates bring multifunctional luxury to the bath, providing a sturdy floor that helps reduce slipping.
Shower Receptor
Sometimes referred to as a shower pan, the shower receptor is the base of the shower that houses the drain, and is usually surrounded by custom walls.
Shroud
Material that conceals the piping under a bathroom lavatory.
Single-Control
Single-control faucets provide on/off activation and temperature setting with a single operation.
Single-Hole
One hole drilling positioned in the center of a lavatory faucet ledge that provides for installation of a single-control faucet.
Siphon Break
The point in a toilet flush when air is re-introduced into the trapway, "breaking" the siphonic action. The siphon break is usually heard as a deep gurgling at the conclusion of a flush.
Siphon Jet Toilet
A toilet having a siphonic trapway at the rear of the bowl, and integral flushing rim and jet.
Siphon Vortex Toilet
A toilet having a trapway at the rear of the bowl, an integral flushing rim and a water supply system (with or without a jet) that does not feed directly into the trapway.
Siphon Wash Toilet
A toilet having a trapway at the rear of the bowl and integral flushing rim. Minimum dimensions are a 5" x 4" water spot and a 1½" ball pass.
Siphoning
The suction or pulling effect that takes place in the trapway of a toilet as it is filled with outgoing water and waste. An effective siphon is critical to a successful flush for any toilet.
Suite
A collection of products that share a similar design theme, usually comprised of the following components: a bath/whirlpool, lavatory and toilet.
Supply Stop
The valve that provides on/off toilet water supply control.
Surface Panel
A detachable piece within the wet surface lavatory that is smaller than the basin and serves as a wet tabletop; it allows water to flow into the surrounding channel.
Tank
The fixture reservoir for flushing water. On a conventional toilet, the ballcock, flush valve and trip lever are installed in the tank. A tank lid closes the top tank opening.
Thermostatic Valve
A pressure-balancing shower mixing valve with automatic temperature control. When temperature or pressure fluctuations occur at the water inlets, a thermal actuator adjusts the hot and cold ratio to maintain the original temperature setting; this allows the user to set and maintain a consistent temperature.
Transfer Valve
A valve within a showering product that transfers the water from one port to another.
Trapway
The channel in a toilet that connects the bowl to the waste outlet. The trapway is where siphonic action takes place, and it's measured in terms of the largest diameter ball that can pass through it. Also referred to as "passageway".
Trapway Seal
The height of water in a toilet bowl "at rest", it provides a water seal that prevents sewer gases from entering the home. The trapway seal is measured from the top of the dam to the inlet of the trapway. Also referred to as "deep seal".
Trim
Any non-vitreous china toilet components, with the exception of the seat. Examples include the ballcock, bolt caps and trip lever.
Trip Lever
A lever that is rotated to initiate the toilet flush cycle. Factory-installed trip levers have a Polished Chrome finish; optional trim kits offer trip levers in other finishes. Toilets equipped with a Peacekeeper® seat-actuated flush do not have a trip lever.
Two-Piece Toilet
A toilet with a separate tank and bowl. Also referred to as "close-coupled".
Two-Way Diverter Valve
Transfers water delivery between two shower or bath faucet components.
ULF
"Ultra-Low Flush", a widely used descriptor for 1.6 gpf (or less) low-consumption toilets.
Universal Design
Universal design should be invisible and, at the same time, accommodate a wide variety of people of all ages and statures. It allows access to a richer life by eliminating disability by design. This thoughtful approach to space and barriers allows the maximum number of people to use the widest variety of products in their homes for the greatest length of time.
Urinal
A plumbing fixture that receives only liquid waste and conveys the waste through a trapway seal into a gravity drainage system.
Vessels Lavatory
A freestanding lavatory basin emulating the appearance of a bowl sitting on a countertop; inspired by Chinese washbasins.
Vitreous China
A term applied to plumbing fixtures that are comprised of ceramic materials, fired at a high temperature to form a nonporous body with exposed surfaces, and coated with ceramic glaze fused to the body.
Wading Pool™ Lavatory
A lavatory with reduced basin depth; some offer an optional, detachable water-catching bowl or surface panel.
Washdown Toilet
A toilet having a siphon trapway at the front of the bowl and an integral flushing rim. Minimum dimensions are 8" x 7" water spot, and a 1½" ball pass.
Water Closet
A plumbing fixture having a water-containing receptor that receives liquid and solid body waste, and upon actuation (flushing), conveys the waste through a trapway into a gravity drainage system.
Water-Saving Toilet
A classification of toilet that uses no more than 1.6 gallons per flush.
Water Spot
The water surface in the toilet bowl once the flush is completed. This is established by the height of the integral trapway dam. Usually expressed in inches of width by length. Also referred to as water surface.
Wet Surface Lavatory
A lavatory housing a surface panel within its basin that creates a signature flat surface, allowing water to flow outward into the surrounding channel.
Widespread Lavatory Faucet
A faucet with hot and cold handles separate from the spout, usually in an 8" setting, measured from left handle to right handle.
