If you have a plumbing question and you hit up your search engine of choice for an answer, you might find yourself more confused than when you started. Before you know it, you’re swirling around in a world of abbreviations—FIP, MIP, FGH, MGH, FCM and you have no idea what they all mean. If you’re looking for an answer, then we’re here to provide it for you.

Our team has the best plumbers in Monument, CO. Our expertise is shown best in moments where we’re teaching our customers. We understand that great plumbing service is about so much more than the service itself, it’s also about finding the right plumber to inform you of everything you need to know. This is why we’re here to give you a crash course in common abbreviations today.

Plumbing Abbreviations 101

Here are a few of the most common plumbing abbreviations you might see when you’re surfing around online or talking to a professional.

What Does FIP Stand For in Plumbing?

FIP means “Female Iron Pipe.” FIPs are pipes that have threads on the inside. The female pipe accepts the male pipe when they’re connected.

Quick Tip: “Female” and “Male” Used in Plumbing

People are typically confused by the terms “female” and “male” being used in regard to plumbing. These terms are typically used to denote a plumbing piece having a part that goes inside or extends outside. “Female” parts typically go inside while “male” parts extend outside. It’s also important to note that FIPs don’t necessarily have to be iron. It’s a generalized term. FIPs and MIPs can also use copper, steel, brass, PVC, nylon, or bronze as the material.

What Does MIP Stand For in Plumbing?

MIP stands for “Male Iron Pipe.” This type of pipe has a thread on the outside. The MIP goes inside of the FIP when connecting.

You’re most likely to hear FIP and MIP terms when you’re connecting gas lines. This could be something to do with a gas dryer, water heater, or a furnace.

What Does FGH Stand For in Plumbing

FGH stands for “Female Garden Hose.” This type of garden hose is typically the one you’re going to find when you’re using an outdoor watering hose. This isn’t the only place that you can find an FGH connection, though, you can also find these types of connectors of washing machines, steam dryers, and dishwashers.

What Does MGH Stand For in Plumbing

MGH stands for “Male Garden Hose.” These adapters have a part the bugles out rather than turning inward like a female garden hose.

What Does FCM Stand For in Plumbing

FCM stands for “Female Compression.” The “CM” part of this acronym just refers to the word “compression.” Compression fittings are used to join tubs or pipes together. These units eliminate soldering so that you can leave the original ends of a pipe intact for the future.