Are You a Plumbing Pro or Just a Drip?

Olivia Cantor

Image: Michael Blann/DigitalVision/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Home improvement fans should know how to do some work around the house. With so many kinds of do-it-yourself projects, tips, guides, and advice online, a regular homeowner can actually do basic to intermediate kinds of repairs at home. They can also start on projects that are brand new, and not limited to repairs only. One such type of job may concern plumbing needs.

Perhaps out of all of the kinds of DIY type of handiwork one could do around the house, plumbing is the trickiest one of all. That's not only because it involves structures that are already built in within the house and its immediate surroundings, but it could also create some havoc when done improperly. Even the smallest amount of damage could become costly in plumbing work. That's why people opt to call professional plumbers instead of doing the job themselves.

For those who are really eager and curious to get their own plumbing jobs done, we wish you all the luck and skill in the world! But you should also know at least some basics about plumbing. Maybe this quiz can help you get oriented about this. 

So, are you ready to test your knowledge of plumbing? Go ahead and pour it in here!

Plumbing actually has two major purposes. One is to bring in what element inside a house or building?

Plumbing deals with liquid processes. In particular, it's concerned with bringing in clean water into houses and structures.

Aside from bringing in water inside an establishment, plumbing’s other purpose is to do what?

Any house or establishment produces some kind of waste water. Plumbing work is also needed to take that dirty liquid out.

Generally speaking, there are three universal plumbing system types. What are they?

Anywhere in the world, you can find three general systems of plumbing work. They are: potable water system, sanitary drainage system, and stormwater drainage system.

Where does the water generally travel through, when going inside and outside of a plumbing structure?

Plumbing knowledge entails knowledge of pipes. Half of plumbing work actually consists of pipe problems, especially in older buildings.

What is the general device that regulates the water flow in a plumbing system?

A valve is usually attached to a piping system to regulate the flow of water. That's why it's such a disaster if the valve itself is the plumbing problem!

What kind of waste water is taken out through the sanitary drainage system type of plumbing?

Plumbing systems usually take out two kinds of wastewater in the building. Household water waste is what you expend when washing the laundry or doing the dishes, while human waste has something to do with your after-toilet time activities.

What is the term for the containers that store the liquid in a plumbing system?

A tank carries and stores water in the plumbing system. It's also important to clean these once in a while, to avoid contamination.

Which structure of a typical household kitchen usually gets visited by the plumber whenever there are leaks or clogs?

Often, plumbing troubles start in the kitchen sink. That's why it's important not to clog it up.

What force is needed by water to flow faster in a plumbing system?

Pressure is a much-needed force in specific plumbing problems. One such problem can occur with the lack of pressure in a shower system inside the bathroom.

What kind of pipe carries the waste water out?

A drain pipe's main purpose is to carry the waste water out. So careful when opening up one, as it could be stinky!

What is plumber’s putty used for?

Plumber's putty is basically a sealant. It's especially useful to make watertight repairs, so there's no danger of leakage again.

What does a gasket prevent in pipes?

A gasket should be used to seal two joined water pipes. It assures the avoidance of leaks when done properly.

Technically speaking, what do you call the structures that get connected to a plumbing system?

Plumbing fixtures are at the servicing end of any plumbing system. There are always two connecting systems here: the delivery of clean water, and the draining of dirty waste water.

What are some examples of a plumbing fixture?

A bathtub, bidet, shower, and toilet system are general examples of plumbing fixtures. They can be movable, so the plumbing system that supports them should also be ready for such moves.

What kind of valve allows liquids to flow in just one main direction only?

Check valves are kinda like the check-and-balance system of plumbing valves. It makes sure that the liquid flows in one direction only when opened, and are usually attached to drainage systems.

What kind of wrench is used by plumbers?

A pipe wrench is specifically designed to tinker with pipes. This is especially designed for plumbing work, since some wrenches may be too tough on pipes.

Originally, plumbing systems utilized pipes made out of what material?

Lead used to be the leading element in plumbing, as the pipes were made out of this heavy metal. However, the eventual discovery of lead poisoning discontinued its usage.

What do you call the U-shaped device usually found underneath a plumbing fixture?

A trap is the U-shaped device found underneath sinks, built to prevent gases from escaping through the pipe systems. That's why it's commonly called a sink trap, but they're also found in other plumbing fixtures.

Sometimes it is called a stink pipe, but what is this exactly?

Plumbing systems are required to have some form of vent to let out air or gases. This is much needed in the drain-waste-vent system.

What does a plumber’s snake do?

A plumber's snake is designed to remove clogs in the sanitation system. You can usually see plumbers use this device when a typical toilet plunger won't save the day.

Today, PVC pipes are the most common kinds of plumbing pipes. What does PVC mean?

PVC is a synthetic plastic polymer that's used worldwide as material for many construction stuff, such as pipes in plumbing systems. It stands for Polyvinyl Chloride.

When there’s a private well, what device is needed to push up the water into the tank?

Private wells in houses require a pump mechanism to help the water flow. This is needed in some households where the water supply is very low or weak.

Coupling, adaptor, cross, barb, and tee are examples of what kind of plumbing stuff?

There are many types of pipe fittings. Plumbers need to choose wisely for the kind of plumbing work they need to do, because choosing and installing the wrong one could spell disaster.

Can you glue pipes together?

PVC pipes and other types as well could be glued together. But ask the hardware store which kind of glue works for this kind of plumbing work, since there is a special kind designed for this purpose.

When installing pipes, what do you install to fit them securely?

Hose clamps are needed to securely fit pipes. It also helps pipes to stay put, and helps secure your plumbing work better.

What kind of pipes are usually used in water supplies?

Copper pipes are popularly used for water supply systems. It's surely safer than lead!

What kind of plumber do you call to fix or install natural gas or LPG?

Plumbing work is not solely limited to fitting pipes for water and liquids. Those that do natural gas pipe works are called gasfitting plumbers.

When trying to cut any kind of water line, what’s the first thing you need to ensure?

Water lines are considered as "live" when they are still operational, meaning water is still flowing. Make sure to turn off the valve first before trying to do any plumbing work involving live water lines.

In a potable water system type of plumbing, how many major pipes bring the water inside a structure?

The main water supply of a community provides one major pipe that leads to their system and into a structure, say a house or building. From that one major pipe source, a network of smaller pipes venture out into the different parts of the building.

What does a rubber washer do inside a faucet?

The compression faucet type usually has a rubber washer inside of it. When it gets closed, the washer tightens to stop the water's flow.

What does a shut-off valve do?

Shut-off valves sometimes look like small faucets underneath some bathroom fixtures, like a lavatory sink. Its main purpose is to shut off the water supply in a particular area so one can do plumbing work in that specific area only, without shutting off the main water supply of the building or house.

Where does the wastewater from a building structure get taken to by the sanitary drainage system?

The community sewer system is where all the wastewater of households get funneled in. A community should learn how to take care of this system well, for the benefit of everyone living there.

Before trying to install a toilet, it’s best to assemble it piece by piece. What are these two major pieces for assembly called?

When doing DIY plumbing in installing a toilet, it's best to remember to install them part by part. The first part is the bowl itself while the second is the tank that will be plugged into the water pipe systems.

What do you call the main drain line that transports waste towards the sewer line?

A soil stack is what you call the main drain line of a house. This is vertically installed, and is supposed to carry all the wastewater away and towards the main sewerage system of the community.

What do you call this pipe fitting that can safely connect different kinds of pipes?

A reducer is a very versatile kind of pipe fitting. It can actually connect different sizes of pipes, so that's a great feat!

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