1. snake
   frog
2. lizard
   toad

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.

1. plastic
   lead
2. iron
   copper

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.

1. where water lines enter the house
   inside the washing machine
2. below a sink
   inside a toilet tank

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.

1. inside the bathroom
   in the attic
2. 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.

1. toilet
   sink
2. washing machine
   lawn sprinkler

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.

1. overflow
   aerator
2. flapper
   p-trap

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.

1. drain
   damp
2. dig
   deep

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.

1. gray water
   black water
2. 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.

1. length
   wall thickness
2. heat resistance
   corrosion resistance

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.

1. pneumatic
   supersonic
2. compostable
   gravity-powered

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.

1. It saves energy.
   It costs less upfront.
2. It increases energy costs.
   The water never gets very hot.

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.

1. should be no more than an inch apart
   should always touch for maximum efficiency
2. 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.

1. never
   every 6 months
2. every 3 to 5 years
   every 25 to 30 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.

1. bleeding
   weaning
2. tamping
   damping

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.

1. o-ring
   flapper
2. wing nut
   interceptor

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.

1. 7 gpf
   5 gpf
2. 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.

1. on cracks in pipes
   inside a furnace
2. 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.

1. million
   minute
2. miter
   meter

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.

1. with a blowtorch
   with a small fire underneath
2. 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.

1. 1/4 inch
   3 inches
2. 12 inches
   18 inches

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.

1. lead
   iron
2. gold
   silver

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.

1. great UV resistance
   easily recyclable
2. 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.

1. mixing valve
   interceptor value
2. water softener
   o-ring

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.

1. 2.5 gpm
   5 gpm
2. 7.5 gpm
   10 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.

1. add fabric softener
   add fluoride
2. remove minerals
   make water feel softer

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.

1. 5 seconds
   30 seconds
2. 1 minute
   3 minutes

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.

1. treat wastewater for reuse
   catch grease
2. add fluroide
   add chlorine

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.

1. potable water
   raw sewer
2. gray water
   black 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.

1. 100 degrees
   120 degrees
2. 140 degrees
   160 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.

1. ball valve
   check valve
2. gate valve
   butterfly 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.

1. liquid sewage
   gray water
2. drinking water
   recycled water

Effluent is liquid waste. It's what left after solids settle to the bottom in a septic tank.

1. wastewater treatment plant
   into local waterways
2. leach field
   back into the home

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.

1. sink
   toilet
2. bathtub
   bathroom

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.

1. 3 to 5 years
   8 to 12 years
2. 10 to 20 years
   25 to 35 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.

1. fixture units
   plumbing inches
2. pipe stretchers
   water feet

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.

1. Type K
   Type L
2. Type M
   Type Z

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.

1. increases pressure by 10 psi
   decreases pressure by 10 psi
2. decreases pressure by 1 psi
   has no effect on 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.

1. washing dishes
   in the yard
2. cleaning clothes
   brushing teeth

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.

1. 1 inch
   3 inches
2. 6 inches
   18 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.

1. combined
   central
2. closed
   core

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.