Plumbers utilize many different kinds of tools for home and corporate plumbing jobs. Some of these jobs include freezing pipes, adjusting under-sink fixtures and even soldering pipes together. Whatever the job may be, a plumber needs to be ready with a wide array of applicable tools.
Some of these tools are recognizable, like a spanner, hammer or a screwdriver. Other kinds of tools, like a pipe cutter, basin spanner or an angle grinder, are not as obvious for someone who doesn't do a lot of plumbing work. Fortunately, plumbers are experts with these kinds of tools and are always ready to tackle any plumbing job of varying difficulty.
Do you think you can recognize all of the tools in this plumbing quiz? Will you be able to tell the difference between a soldering pad and an SDS drill? Or, will you recognize the differences between a file set and a pressure tester? If you're ever unsure, be sure to utilize the hints for every question!
Don't wait, take this True or False: Plumbing Tools Edition quiz now to test your plumbing tools knowledge!
Telescopic tube cutters come with a built-in deburrer for polishing away rough edges from pipe jobs.
True
Telescopic tube cutters are a type of pipe cutter that hacks away at copper pipes. These also include a built-in deburrer for smoothing out sharp and rough edges after cutting a pipe.
Adjustable wrenches are used to unclog drains and toilets.
True
False
Adjustable wrenches are not used to unclog toilets and drains, but they are pretty handy for loosening and tightening bolts and nuts. The jaws of a wrench can also be adjusted.
An adjustable pipe wrench is used to tighten and loosen pipes.
True
If you ever have a pipe that is stuck, an adjustable pipe wrench can be easily used to turn it! The jaws of this type of wrench also feature small "teeth" which can fit onto almost any kind of pipe surface.
Slip joint pliers are too small to bend pipes, but they are handy for small objects. If you ever have a bolt or nut that is stuck, slip joint pliers can be used to turn them.
The small jaws of the mole grips tool allows it to turn rounded nuts and bolts. Most also have a locking feature, which can allow you to work hands-free.
A blowtorch, otherwise called a blowlamp and gas, produces a fine flame that is used to solder pipes together. It can also solder joints and water-based seals.
A junior hacksaw is used to deburr unpolished piping jobs.
True
False
A junior hacksaw is a smaller version of its parent tool, the hacksaw. Junior hacksaws are ideal for sawing away at nuts and screws and feature a saw blade with sharp "teeth."
A spirit level is used to determine how horizontal or vertical a surface level is.
True
Spirit levels are easy-to-use tools that can level both vertical and horizontal surfaces. The higher the quality, the more precise the readings of a spirit level will be.
Allen keys are used to adjust ahex grub screws in shower heads.
True
Ahex grub screws are used to hold shower heads in place, but they may need adjusting from time to time. Allen keys are used to adjust these specific types of screws.
A pipe deburrer is used to deburr pipes for a clean look.
True
When a plumber is deburring a pipe, it means they are polishing the rough and sharp edges to make it look clean and neat. A pipe deburrer is ideal for such a job.
A soldering pad is used to protect surfaces from the intense heat of a soldering job.
True
A soldering pad is used to protect surfaces during soldering jobs. The pad contains fire-resistant properties, so it won't catch fire from direct heat.
Radiator keys are used to turn radiator and drain valves.
True
When a drain or radiator contains too much air, a radiator key can be used to unlock the "bleed screw." This allows for all of the trapped air to escape.
A sabre saw is used to level horizontal and vertical work surfaces.
True
False
A spirit level is used to levels surfaces, while a sabre saw is used to cut through plastic and metal. The blades contain very sharp "teeth" that can also be interchanged.
A meter box can be opened using long-nosed pliers.
True
False
Long-nosed pliers are not used to open meter boxes, but they are used to cut through wire. The long jaws of these pliers are also useful in small spaces.
Magnetic levels are not used to adjust screws, but they are handy for leveling surfaces. Similar to a spirit level, magnetic levels also contain magnetic power that allows the plumber to set the level and work hands-free.
A long Phillips head screwdriver features a long neck.
True
The long length of a long Phillips head screwdriver makes it ideal for adjusting fixtures that can't be reached by hand. This will also keep the plumber's knuckles at a safe distance.
A tape measure is a ruler that can measure quite a lot of fixtures.
True
Plumbers typically keep a tape measure on them to measure all kinds of things: pipes, fixtures, appliances and more. Tape measures are also cheap to buy.
Knee pads are used to alleviate pain and discomfort from a plumber's knees.
True
When plumbers are on their knees for extended periods of time, they often use knee pads to alleviate discomfort. Pipe work often involves immense stress and strain on the knees, so knee pads are great for this.
A blowtorch is used to solder pipes together, while a stop cock key is used to turn off the flow of water in a pipe. A plumber will typically use this tool for bathroom maintenance jobs.
Stanley knives feature a retractable blade that is used to hack through a variety of things. These are also small enough to fit into almost any plumber's pocket.
A bucket is ideal for catching drips from a leak, while a torch is used to search for leaks. This is different from a blowtorch, which is used to solder pipes together.
A wrench set contains many different kinds of wrenches for varying bolt and nut sizes.
True
Plumbers often carry a wrench set on them for different kinds of nuts and bolts. A wrench set may contain multiple sizes of wrenches for such a purpose.
When a plumber is working on a leak, he/she often uses a bucket to catch drips. Buckets are fairly inexpensive to buy, making them ideal to carry for any plumber.
A pressure tester is used to saw through metal pipes.
True
False
A pressure tester can't saw through anything, but it can check pipe pressure. Pressure testers often come with a dial on one end for an accurate reading.
Plumbers often use an inspection camera to look for a blockage in a drain.
True
It can be difficult for a plumber to look directly through pipes for a blockage, so they will often use an inspection camera. These wired cameras have a lens on one end of a cable, allowing it to peer into almost any small pipe or fixture.
A plumber can easily freeze a pipe with a cordless combi drill.
True
False
A cordless combi drill has no freezing properties, but it can drill screws into almost any kind of surface. The drills are also interchangeable, which is ideal for screws of varying sizes.
Pipe freezer spray can quickly freeze pipes for a variety of plumbing jobs. This allows the plumber to work without turning off the flow of water in a pipe.