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Shower tray
— Shallow base of a shower enclosure collecting water and directing it to a central waste.
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Shower waste
— Waste fitting in the base of a shower tray connecting to the trap and waste pipe.
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Slip lining
— Inserting a smaller diameter pipe inside an existing damaged drain.
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Sliplining (HDPE)
— Trenchless renewal method inserting a smaller HDPE pipe inside an existing damaged pipe.
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Slop hopper
— Heavy duty sanitary fitting used in hospitals and care homes for disposing of soiled liquids.
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Slow bend (45 degree, 90 degree)
— Long radius pipe bend allowing flows to change direction without significant turbulence.
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Slow draining bath
— Bath that empties slowly due to hair and soap residue blocking the waste outlet.
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Slow draining sink
— Sink that empties more slowly than usual due to partial blockage in the waste pipe.
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Slow draining toilet
— Toilet that flushes weakly or refills the pan slowly due to partial drain restriction.
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Smoke generator (drain)
— Device that pushes coloured smoke through drains to identify cross-connections and leaks.
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Smoke test (drain integrity)
— Test forcing harmless smoke into drains to reveal hidden leaks, misconnections and vents.
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Soakaway
— Underground pit or crate system allowing surface water to soak slowly into the ground.
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Soakaway crate
— Modular plastic crate system enabling surface water to infiltrate into surrounding ground.
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Soakaway repair
— Restoration of a failed soakaway to acceptable surface water disposal performance.
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Soakaway replacement
— Removal of an old soakaway and construction of a new compliant system.
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Soft-close hinge
— Damped hinge that lowers a toilet seat or lid slowly to avoid slamming.
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Soil and vent pipe (SVP)
— Vertical pipe that carries foul waste and vents the system to atmosphere above the roof.
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Soil pipe
— Vertical pipe carrying foul wastewater from toilets and waste fittings down to the drain.
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Soil pipe boss
— Branch fitting on a soil pipe that accepts a waste connection from a basin, bath or sink.
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Solder joint (capillary fitting)
— Copper pipe joint in which solder is drawn into a fitting by capillary action and heat.
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Sonde receiver
— Handheld receiver used to locate the position and depth of a sonde transmitter.
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Specialist contamination clean-up
— Specialist cleanup of hazardous contamination affecting drainage, requiring trained operatives.
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Speedfit
— Brand of push-fit plastic pipe and fitting system used widely in UK plumbing.
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Spot repair (drain)
— Short localised repair targeting a single defect inside a drain.
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Spring rod
— Flexible coiled steel rod used to negotiate bends in drainage pipework.
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Stack pipe
— Vertical drainage pipe collecting flows from multiple floors and discharging into the drain.
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Stainless steel pipe
— Corrosion-resistant steel pipe used in commercial drainage and specialist applications.
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Steam cure lining
— CIPP lining cured by steam introduced into the inflated liner to harden the resin.
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Stop end
— Sealed cap fitted to the end of a drainage channel or pipe to prevent flow escape.
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Stop tap (stopcock)
— Main valve isolating the cold water supply to a property for maintenance or emergencies.
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Storm drain emergency
— Emergency response to surface water drains overwhelmed by intense rainfall or blockage.
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Strap-on boss
— Retrofit fitting clamped onto a soil pipe to add a new waste connection point.
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Structural condition grade
— WRc grade reflecting structural integrity of a drain, from minor flaws to severe damage.
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Studio flat
— Single open-plan flat combining living, sleeping and kitchen spaces with one bathroom.
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Subsidence drain survey
— Specialist drain survey carried out as part of investigating subsidence-related building movement.
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SuDS attenuation crate
— Underground modular plastic crate system storing surface water for controlled discharge.
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SuDS condition survey
— Survey assessing the condition and performance of Sustainable Drainage System components.
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Sump pump
— Pump installed in a sump to remove water that collects below the natural drainage level.
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Sump pump failure
— Emergency response to sump pump failure in basement or low-lying area, risking flooding.
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Sump pump repair
— Repair or replacement of a submersible pump in a basement or surface water sump.
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Sunken garden or driveway
— Localised ground depression caused by drain leakage washing away supporting soil.
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Surface water drain
— Drainage pipe taking rainwater from roofs, driveways and yards to a soakaway or watercourse.
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Surface water drain cleaning
— High-pressure cleaning of pipes carrying rainwater run-off from roofs and hard surfaces.
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Surface water flooding
— Flooding from heavy rainfall that exceeds the capacity of surface water drains or soakaways.
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Surface water flooding response
— Emergency response to rainwater flooding from blocked or overwhelmed surface water drains.
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Tap (mixer tap, pillar tap)
— Valve fitting controlling the flow of water from the supply into a sink, basin or bath.
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Telescopic camera mast
— Extendable mast supporting a camera for elevated drainage inspection.
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Terraced house
— Row of houses joined on both sides, sharing party walls and often combined drainage.
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Thames Water records search (s.104)
— Search of Thames Water records to identify public sewers and adopted lateral drains.
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Thermal imaging (drain leak)
— Use of infrared cameras to spot temperature differences caused by leaks and damp.
