The Ultimate Basic Plumbing Quiz

Estimated Completion Time
3 min
The Ultimate Basic Plumbing Quiz
Image: Dave and Les Jacobs/Blend Images/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Something we all tend to take for granted at home is the plumbing system. Although it is usually reliable, problems can occur. Take this quiz and see how you can repair some of the common problems.
What basic laws of nature does plumbing follow?
conductivity, acceleration and motion
gravity, pressure and water seeking its own level.
motion, elasticity and resilience
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The basic natural laws of plumbing are gravity, pressure and water seeking its own level.

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What are the two sub-systems in your home plumbing?
incoming freshwater and outgoing wastewater
hot water and cold water
low pressure water and high pressure water
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One brings in freshwater, while the other removes wastewater.

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Can there be overlapping of the two subsystems?
There can be an underground overlap.
An overlap is recommended when the pipes are wider than two inches.
Because of pollution issues, there must be a separation.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Definitely not -- the wastewater sub-system could pollute the freshwater if there were an overlap.

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What seals the trap that prevents sewer gases from entering the household drains?
water pressure
air admitted by vent stacks and vent pipes
the aerator
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The vent stack and vent pipes admit air to keep the trap sealed.

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Is there any reason for individual fixtures to have stop valves?
Yes, but only if there is no overflow pipe.
No, it just adds to plumbing installation costs.
You can thereby localize turning off water.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Individual stop valves permit water to be turned off at that particular fixture only and not the main water supply.

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Which of the following is regarded as a normal temperature setting for a home water heater?
90 degrees F (32C)
120 degrees F
180 degrees F
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An adequate temperature is 120 degrees F.

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Why would you use an adequate temperature instead of the highest possible?
ensures a smoother flow of hot water
reduces wear on the pipes
more economical
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It is simply more economical and sufficient for most circumstances.

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Are there major differences between sewer and septic systems in your home?
They are very similar.
The only difference is in the type of pipes used.
One uses pressure and the other uses gravity.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Both systems are basically the same.

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What degree of pressure is required to ensure smooth drainage?
low pressure
high pressure
not a matter of pressure
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

No pressure is required. It's a matter of gravity.

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What would happen if there were no air supply from the vent on the roof?
Smells from the sewer would enter the system.
Waste water would not flow out.
Nothing, it is used mainly to add rainwater to the system
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The wastewater would not flow out and the water in the traps would need to be siphoned out.

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In a modern efficient drainage system, is a sink trap really necessary?
Only when pipes of three inches or less are used.
It is essential.
It is necessary only when there is no sink filter.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The sink trap prevents dangerous sewer gas from entering the home and also prevents some waste from entering the pipes, thereby blocking them.

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What are the most common causes of sink blockages
toilet paper and air freshener
solidified detergents and toothpaste
grease and hair
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hair and grease are the most common causes of sink blockages.

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When used in a the context of plumbing, what does DWV stand for?
drain-waste-vent
darn-water-valve
damp-waste-ventilation
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It stands for drain-waste-vent.

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How can you get to know the drainage system better?
Ask your plumber to draw you a diagram.
Examine the pipes under your house or in the basement.
Check it out on Google.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The best way is to examine the pipes in the basement or crawl space under the house.

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What is a fixture?
only faucets and traps
only toilets and sinks
any device using freshwater and wastewater
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

All devices that use freshwater and allow the flow of wastewater are considered to be fixtures.

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Before changing a pipe in your house, what should you do?
Check your plumbing code.
Compare quotes from a few plumbers.
Open one of the faucets.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Check first with your plumbing code what is permitted.

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Why would you want to do your own plumbing work?
protest local plumbing codes
save money
weaken the plumbers' stranglehold
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You can save a lot of money.

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What is a bridge in a plumbing system?
where one pipe crosses above another
trap valve
meeting point of the two subsystems
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A bridge is where the two subsystems (incoming and outgoing water) meet, such as a sink.

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To save time in the event of a plumbing problem, what should you do?
Know your system.
Have your plumber on speed dial.
Have a remote control for the water supply.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Get to know the workings of your plumbing system.

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How does the drainage system work?
water pressure
gravity
vacuum
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Drainage pipes are angled downward and gravity pulls the waste down.

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You Got:
/20
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