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About This Quiz
Know the difference between a plunger and a pipe wrench, or a toilet snake and a P-trap? If you consider yourself a master of all things plumbing, take this quiz to show off your skills!
Believe it or not, indoor plumbing is a relatively new phenomenon. As recently as 1940, half of U.S. homes lacked hot water, bathtubs and showers -- and a full one out of three homes didn't yet have a flushing toilet, according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. While these modern conveniences are just a few generations old, people today would find themselves hard pressed to live without them.
That's good news for those with the capacity to install, maintain and repair these systems. It means there will always be plenty of jobs in the field, and those who choose this career can expect a median salary of $52,000 as of 2017, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.ÂÂ
Sure, there may be some downsides -- clogged toilets, anyone? -- but plumbing is so much more than dealing with sewage. It's planning and installing the piping systems that will carry hot and cold water in and take waste out of homes and buildings for proper processing. It requires not only being good with your hands, but also soft skills like sales, marketing and even basic math and accounting.
Think you've got what it takes to properly wield that pipe wrench? Take this quiz to find out!
Tomasz Sienicki [user: tsca, mail: tomasz.sienicki at gmail.com] via Wiki Commons
Which of these critters can help clear a clog?
snake
Got a clogged toilet or sink? A snake is a flexible auger that can drill down into pipes to break up clogs. You can use hand-cranked versions for small jobs, or rent larger snaking machines for bigger plumbing projects.
frog
lizard
toad
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Where are you most likely to find a P-trap?
where water lines enter the house
inside the washing machine
below a sink
A p-trap is so named because it looks sort of like a letter "p" turned on its side. Found under sinks in homes and businesses, this bend of pipe does dual-duty -- trapping debris to reduce clogs while also keeping sewer gases out of the home.
inside a toilet tank
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PVC is made of...
plastic
Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC pipe, is a lightweight and affordable alternative to traditional metal piping. This plastic piping has been widely used by plumbers since the mid-20th century, and is known for its corrosion resistance and ease of use.
lead
iron
copper
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What does the schedule of a pipe tell you?
length
wall thickness
The schedule of a pipe reveals the thickness of its walls. That means a schedule 40 and schedule 80 pipe will be the same diameter on the outside, but because the 80 has thicker walls, its inner diameter will be smaller than that of the 40.
heat resistance
corrosion resistance
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What do you call wastewater from the sink, washing machine and shower?
potable water
raw sewer
gray water
Gray water is any wastewater that doesn't contain fecal matter -- so toilet water is not included. Some homes and buildings have gray water reclaimation systems, where the used water is recycled for watering the lawn or filling toilets.
black water
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Which type of copper pipe should you use for the highest pressure, most corrosive applications in the plumbing world?
Type K
Different types of copper pipes are designed for different applications. Type K has the thickest walls, and can be used for the toughest jobs. Type L is used in many common indoor plumbing systems, while Type L is a light-duty product that can't be used in many tough applications.
Type L
Type M
Type Z
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Where should vent pipes terminate?
inside the bathroom
in the attic
inside the toilet
outside the home
Sewer gases that build up in the home can make you sick -- and they're stinky to boot! All sewer gas pipes should terminate outside, either through the roof or through an exterior wall.
mathisworks/DigitalVision Vectors/Getty Images
What does the D in DWV stand for?
drain
Most homes use two major plumbing systems. One delivers fresh water, while the other -- the drain, waste vent or DWV system -- removes wastewater, sewage and sewer gases from the home.
damp
dig
deep
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If a toilet operates under air or gas pressure, it is....
pneumatic
In many homes, gravity helps flush toilets dispose of waste with ease. When gravity alone can't get the job done, a pneumatic-powered toilet can carry the load.
supersonic
compostable
gravity-powered
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Which of these would be safe to drink?
gray water
black water
non-potable water
potable water
Seriously -- don't drink wastewater in the form of gray or black water, which can contain raw sewage. Non-potable sources are not meant for drinking, while potable water is deemed safe for consumption.
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What is the name of the component located where the water comes out of a faucet?
overflow
aerator
If you turn off your kitchen or bathroom faucet and touch the area where the water comes out, that piece you'll feel is known as an aerator. This small device mixes air and water, which helps shape the stream of water, reduce splashing and regulate water pressure.
flapper
p-trap
FIX IT Home Improvement Channel via youtube
Which of these fixtures contains a flapper?
toilet
Every noticed your toilet just won't stop running? Believe it or not, you probably don't need a plumber to cut down on the wasted water. Instead, open up the toilet tank and look for a plastic flap -- known as a flapper. For just a few dollars, most people can replace this part by hand to keep things running smoothly.
sink
washing machine
lawn sprinkler
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How often do you need to pump a septic tank?
never
every 6 months
every 3 to 5 years
Undigested solids in your septic tank can fill the pit with sludge over time, which can keep the system from functioning as it should. Most plumbing experts agree that a pump out every three to five years will keep the system running properly for a family of four.
every 25 to 30 years
gregvancom via youtube
What is the typical pitch of slope of a 6-inch sewer line per foot of pipe run?
1/4 inch
For a typical 6-inch sewer pipe, a pitch or slope of 1/4 inch per foot of pipe is required to keep things moving. A slope less than this could prevent gravity from doing its job in removing sewage from the home.
3 inches
12 inches
18 inches
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How many gallons does the average new toilet sold in the U.S. use per flush in 2018?
7 gpf
5 gpf
3 gpf
1.6 gpf
Back in the day, a toilet used between 3.5 and 7 gallons of water for each flush. Modern toilets require just 1.6 gallons per flush, while high-efficiency models can use just 1.28 gpf to clear the bowl.
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Which of these is true of a tankless water heater compared to a standard tank model?
It saves energy.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that a tankless water heater uses 30 to 50 percent less energy than a comparable tank water heater. Tankless, or on-demand, water heaters cost more upfront, but can help energy costs over time and provide instant hot water right when you need it.
It costs less upfront.
It increases energy costs.
The water never gets very hot.
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What of these is the safest efficient temperature setting for a hot water heater?
100 degrees
120 degrees
Setting a water heater at the right temperature can be tricky. Too low and you risk harmful bacteria growth. Too high, and you waste money and energy, and put your family at risk for scald injuries. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, most standard water heaters can safely be set at 120 degrees F to strike a balance between these needs.
140 degrees
160 degrees
Sparky Channel via youtube
Every two feet of height gain in pipes ...
increases pressure by 10 psi
decreases pressure by 10 psi
decreases pressure by 1 psi
As a rule of thumb, every two feet of height gain results in a one psi decrease in water pressure. That means the pressure 50 feet up in a building will be 25 psi lower than on the ground level.
has no effect on psi
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What does the C in CSO stand for?
combined
A combined sewer overflow, or CSO, is a type of sanitary system where stormwater, sewage and other wastewater all run through a single pipe. This can pose big problems during rainy periods, resulting in sewage and waste infiltrating public areas and waterways.
central
closed
core
CITAP1 via you tube
Hot and cold water lines ...
should be no more than an inch apart
should always touch for maximum efficiency
should be installed inside of a single conduit
should be placed a few inches apart
Hot and cold water run through separate lines, and are often fed to the same location, like your sink or shower. To prevent excess condensation or wasted energy, these lines should be placed a few inches apart in most cases.
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How large should the sanitary sewer pipe leaving a typical home be?
1 inch
3 inches
6 inches
As a rule of thumb, a sanitary sewer pipe leaving a typical home should flow about half full. For most homes, this means using a pipe with a 6-inch diameter, though you should always check local codes when installing sanitary systems to be sure.
18 inches
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Which of these is used to measure discharge when designing a home plumbing system?
fixture units
Plumbers use something called a fixture unit to calculate how much wastewater will be discharged from the home during a typical period. A fixture unit is equal to one cubic foot of water drained from a 1-1/4 inch pipe in one minute.
plumbing inches
pipe stretchers
water feet
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Where does a typical family use the most water?
washing dishes
in the yard
Around 30 percent of the water used in the average home is used outdoors for things like watering plants or grass. You can significantly reduce your impact by choosing an efficient irrigation system and planting low-maintenance native plants.
cleaning clothes
brushing teeth
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When plumbers use the word lavatory, they usually mean ...
sink
Many casual speakers use the word lavatory to refer to the bathroom as a whole. For plumbers, however, this word refers to one specific fixture -- the sink.
toilet
bathtub
bathroom
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Which of these is the main advantage of PEX piping?
great UV resistance
easily recyclable
requires no special tools
very flexible
Cross-lined polyethylene, or PEX piping, has become very popular among plumbers who love how easy it is to work with, and how easy it is to install thanks to its flexibility. Despite its many benefits, some plumbers avoid PEX in certain applications. It doesn't hold up well outdoors, requires special tools and can't be melted and recycled in the same way as many other plastics.
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Which of these valves has a wedge or disc that closes off the pipe with the turn of a wheel?
ball valve
check valve
gate valve
Plumbers use many different valves to control the flow of liquid and gas. A gate valve uses a simple wheel, which drops a wedge or disc into place to block or unblock a pipe on command.
butterfly valve
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What does the M in GPM stand for?
million
minute
Gallons per minute or GPM is a common measurement used by plumbers. For instance, old-school showers used 3.5 gallons of water per minute.
miter
meter
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The word plumbing comes from the Latin word for this metal.
lead
The ancient Romans used lead to build many of their famous water and sewer systems. The word plumbing actually comes from plumbum, the Latin word for lead. That's also why lead's symbol on the periodic table is Pb.
iron
gold
silver
ehowathomechannel via youtube
What is it called when you release unwanted air from pipes?
bleeding
It might sound odd, but bleeding is the act of removing unwanted air from pipes. You'll know it's time for a bleed if your faucet sputters or has excessive water pressure when you turn it on.
weaning
tamping
damping
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What does a water softener do?
add fabric softener
add fluoride
remove minerals
Hard water is water rich with minerals like calcium and magnesium, or metals like iron. Left untreated, hard water can cause scaling or corrosion in your pipes and fixtures. A water softener removes these minerals and metals to neutralize the problem.
make water feel softer
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How long does it take for 140 degree F water to cause 2nd-degree burns on an adult?
5 seconds
Most water heaters come with the temperature set at 140 degrees F by default. Water of this temperature can cause mild burns in 2 seconds, or permanent burns in just 5 seconds for an adult. Go a little higher, to 154 degrees F, and it takes just one second of contact for an adult to experience burns.
30 seconds
1 minute
3 minutes
Home Repair Tutor via youtube
What's the best way to thaw frozen pipes?
with a blowtorch
with a small fire underneath
Let them stay frozen until the spring.
Use a heating pad or small heater.
A frozen pipe can expand and break, but you can thaw the pipe safely. Use a small heater, a hair dryer or a heating pad to apply gentle heat. Never use a blowtorch or fire to do the job.
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Where is plumber's tape typically used?
on cracks in pipes
inside a furnace
inside the dishwasher
at the end of threaded pipes
Sometimes known --incorrectly -- as Teflon tape, plumber's tape is designed to be wrapped around threads when joining two pipes. It acts as a lubricant and makes it easier to tighten the joint.
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tailgatetalk via youtube
What should you replace if you keep seeing water around the base of your sink faucet?
o-ring
An o-ring helps to maintain a tight seal where a faucet meets your sink. If you see water leaking from that area, it's probably time to replace this simple component.
flapper
wing nut
interceptor
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How much water does a typical shower head use per minute in 2018?
2.5 gpm
While there are all kinds of shower heads on the market, the standard model sold in 2018 uses 2.5 gallons of water per minute. Since around 17 percent of residential indoor water use is associated with showering, a low flow shower head can make a big difference in your consumption rates.
5 gpm
7.5 gpm
10 gpm
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What is effluent?
liquid sewage
Effluent is liquid waste. It's what left after solids settle to the bottom in a septic tank.
gray water
drinking water
recycled water
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How long does a standard tank water heater last?
3 to 5 years
8 to 12 years
Tank water heaters usually need to be replaced every 8 to 12 years. If you see leaks or rust, or your water heater is being extra noisy, it might be time for a new one.
10 to 20 years
25 to 35 years
TrapzillaVids via youtube
What is an interceptor designed to do?
treat wastewater for reuse
catch grease
An interceptor, also known as a grease trap, catches grease before it can travel down the pipes and creates expensive and annoying clogs. Many building codes require these fixtures in restaurants and commercial kitchens.
add fluroide
add chlorine
Thewellman via Wiki Commons
Where does effluent go after it leaves a septic tank?
wastewater treatment plant
into local waterways
leach field
If your home has a septic system, waste first enters the tank, where solids settle to the bottom. Liquid waste, or effluent, travels out through pipes into the leach field, where it's filtered through the soil.
back into the home
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Do It All Dan via youtube
Which of these helps you get the water in your shower to just the right temperature?
mixing valve
A mixing valve is used to carefully blend hot and cold water at the correct ratios to achieve the desired temperature. Used properly, it also helps to reduce the risk of scalding or burns.
interceptor value
water softener
o-ring
You Got:
/40
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