Master Basic Plumbing Repairs: A Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners

Question 1

For conveying hot water, which pipe type is generally preferred?

Accepted Answer

Copper

Answer

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Answer

Polyethylene Crosslinked (PEX)

Answer

Galvanized Steel

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of a plumbing trap?

Accepted Answer

Preventing sewer gases from entering the house

Answer

Control water flow

Answer

Ensuring a watertight seal

Answer

Collecting debris

Question 3

Which tool is specifically designed for cutting copper pipes?

Accepted Answer

Pipe cutter

Answer

Hacksaw

Answer

Tin snips

Answer

Circular saw

Question 4

How frequently should a water heater be inspected?

Accepted Answer

Annually

Answer

Monthly

Answer

Every 5 years

Answer

Never

Question 5

Which type of sealant is best suited for sealing around a bathtub or shower?

Accepted Answer

Silicone

Answer

Caulk

Answer

Epoxy

Answer

Grout

Question 6

In the event of a leaking faucet, what is the most appropriate first step to prevent water damage?

Accepted Answer

Turn off the water supply

Answer

Wrap the faucet with a towel

Answer

Call a plumber immediately

Answer

Leave it until the leak stops on its own

Question 7

What is the primary function of a washer in a plumbing system?

Accepted Answer

To create a watertight seal, preventing leaks

Answer

To prevent corrosion of metal components

Answer

To regulate the flow rate of water

Answer

To filter impurities from the water supply

Question 8

Which type of piping material is most commonly utilized for hot water supply lines in residential homes?

Accepted Answer

Copper

Answer

PVC

Answer

Galvanized steel

Answer

Polyethylene

Question 9

What is the primary purpose of a P-trap in a plumbing system?

Accepted Answer

To prevent sewer gases from entering the home through drains

Answer

To filter out debris and prevent clogs

Answer

To regulate water pressure within the system

Answer

To provide an access point for cleaning and maintenance

Question 10

What is the primary function of a water softener installed in a plumbing system?

Accepted Answer

To remove calcium and magnesium ions, reducing water hardness

Answer

To filter out impurities and contaminants from the water supply

Answer

To increase water pressure throughout the system

Answer

To reduce corrosion of metal pipes and fixtures

Question 11

In plumbing, which fitting is mainly used to change the direction of water flow?

Accepted Answer

Elbow

Answer

Tee

Answer

Cross

Question 12

When tightening a compression fitting, it is crucial to:

Accepted Answer

Tighten until hand-tight, then use a wrench for another quarter turn

Answer

Use excessive force to ensure a tight seal

Answer

Apply thread sealant before tightening

Answer

Leave the fitting loose to avoid overtightening

Question 13

A leaking faucet can often be repaired by:

Accepted Answer

Tightening the packing nut

Answer

Replacing the entire faucet

Answer

Using a chemical sealant

Answer

Ignoring it as a minor issue

Question 14

Which type of pipe is commonly used for hot water supply?

Accepted Answer

Copper

Answer

Galvanized steel

Answer

PVC

Answer

Cast iron

Question 15

A pressure-reducing valve is used to:

Accepted Answer

Decrease water pressure

Answer

Increase water pressure

Answer

Control water temperature

Answer

Filter impurities from water

Question 16

A dripping tap can waste:

Accepted Answer

Significant amounts of water, leading to increased water bills

Answer

Minimal amounts of water, so it's not a major concern

Answer

Only hot water, making it less wasteful

Answer

Only cold water, making it not a major issue

Question 17

Which tool is used specifically for tightening and loosening nuts and bolts in plumbing fixtures?

Accepted Answer

Adjustable wrench

Answer

Screwdriver

Answer

Pliers

Answer

Hammer

Question 18

Which type of pipe is most commonly used for drainage in domestic plumbing systems in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

PVC pipe

Answer

Galvanized iron pipe

Answer

Copper pipe

Answer

Polyethylene pipe

Question 19

Which type of joint is primarily used to connect copper pipes in domestic plumbing?

Accepted Answer

Soldered joint

Answer

Compression joint

Answer

Push-fit joint

Answer

Threaded joint

Question 20

What is the primary purpose of a water hammer arrester in a plumbing system?

Accepted Answer

To reduce noise in water pipes

Answer

To prevent water damage from burst pipes

Answer

To regulate water pressure

Answer

To remove impurities from water

Question 21

When troubleshooting a blocked drain, what is the recommended first step?

Accepted Answer

Check the P-trap for clogs

Answer

Use a drain snake to remove the blockage

Answer

Pour a chemical drain cleaner down the drain

Answer

Call a plumber

Question 22

Which type of valve is commonly used to isolate a water-using appliance from the water supply?

Accepted Answer

Ball valve

Answer

Gate valve

Answer

Check valve

Answer

Pressure-reducing valve

Question 23

Which type of pipe sealant is typically used on threaded pipe joints in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

Teflon tape

Answer

Pipe dope

Answer

Anaerobic sealant

Answer

Silicone sealant

Question 24

What is the primary function of a showerhead diverter?

Accepted Answer

To switch the water flow between the showerhead and bathtub spout

Answer

To adjust the water flow rate

Answer

To prevent water from splashing outside the shower area

Answer

To regulate the water temperature

Question 25

Which material is not commonly used in the construction of plumbing pipes?

Accepted Answer

Wood

Answer

Copper

Answer

PVC

Answer

Steel

Question 26

Which joint type is suitable for connecting pipes made from dissimilar materials?

Accepted Answer

Compression joint

Answer

Coupling joint

Answer

Solder joint

Answer

Push-fit joint

Question 27

When sealing pipe threads, the recommended sealant is:

Accepted Answer

Teflon tape

Answer

Silicone sealant

Answer

Plumber's putty

Answer

Superglue

Question 28

To unclog a blocked sink, the most effective method is to:

Accepted Answer

Utilize a plunger

Answer

Apply a chemical drain cleaner

Answer

Contact a plumber immediately

Answer

Pour boiling water down the drain

Question 29

In residential buildings, hot water supply is typically carried by:

Accepted Answer

Copper pipe

Answer

Plastic pipe

Answer

Cast iron pipe

Answer

Galvanized steel pipe

Question 30

The purpose of a ball valve in a plumbing system is to:

Accepted Answer

Regulate water flow

Answer

Prevent backflow

Answer

Control water pressure

Answer

Release air from the system

Question 31

Which type of leak can be the most challenging to identify?

Accepted Answer

Concealed leak

Answer

Visible leak

Answer

Dripping leak

Answer

Continuous leak

Question 32

Which of the following symptoms indicates a potential water hammer issue?

Accepted Answer

Loud banging in the pipes

Answer

Vibrating pipes

Answer

Rumbling in the walls

Answer

Leaky faucets

Question 33

What is the primary purpose of installing a water hammer arrester in a plumbing system?

Accepted Answer

Reducing noise generated by water flow in pipes

Answer

Preventing water damage caused by dripping faucets

Answer

Preventing backflow of water

Answer

Increasing water pressure in the system

Question 34

Which type of sealant is best suited for sealing leaks in shower trays and preventing water damage?

Accepted Answer

Silicone sealant

Answer

Epoxy sealant

Answer

Polyurethane sealant

Answer

Acrylic sealant

Question 35

What tool is specifically designed for cutting and shaping copper pipes?

Accepted Answer

Pipe cutter

Answer

Adjustable wrench

Answer

Hacksaw

Answer

Pliers

Question 36

Which safety precaution should NOT be taken when performing plumbing repairs?

Accepted Answer

Attempt electrical repairs without professional assistance.

Answer

Wear appropriate clothing and eye protection.

Answer

Turn off the water supply before starting repairs.

Answer

Inspect tools and equipment regularly to ensure they are in good condition.

Question 37

Which tool is used specifically for tightening or loosening nuts and bolts on plumbing fixtures?

Accepted Answer

Wrench

Answer

Pliers

Answer

Hammer

Answer

Screwdriver

Question 38

What type of pipe is commonly utilized for drainage purposes?

Accepted Answer

PVC pipe

Answer

Copper pipe

Answer

Galvanized steel pipe

Answer

Cast iron pipe

Question 39

What is the name of the device installed beneath sinks and drains to trap water and prevent sewer gases from entering a building?

Accepted Answer

P-trap

Answer

Angle stop

Answer

Reducer

Answer

Ballcock

Question 40

What is the primary function of a water heater expansion tank?

Accepted Answer

To absorb excess pressure caused by the expansion of water heated within the tank

Answer

To prevent backflow of water into the main water supply

Answer

To store hot water for later use

Question 41

What is identified as the most common cause of a leaky faucet?

Accepted Answer

Worn washer

Answer

Faulty cartridge

Answer

Broken O-ring

Answer

Loose handle

Question 42

To safely shut off the water supply to a specific fixture, which valve should be operated?

Accepted Answer

Angle stop valve

Answer

Use a wrench to tighten the packing nut

Answer

Turn off the main water valve

Answer

Remove the aerator

Question 43

For cutting copper pipes with precision, which tool is recommended?

Accepted Answer

Copper pipe cutter

Answer

Utility knife

Answer

Hacksaw

Question 44

Which type of fitting is employed to connect two pieces of pipe at a 90-degree angle?

Accepted Answer

Elbow

Answer

Reducer

Answer

Coupling

Answer

Tee

Question 45

When tightening nuts and bolts on plumbing fixtures, which tool is most suitable?

Accepted Answer

Adjustable wrench

Answer

Pliers

Answer

Hammer

Answer

Phillips screwdriver

Question 46

In a faucet, what is the primary purpose of a washer?

Accepted Answer

To create a watertight seal and prevent leakage

Answer

To reduce noise generated by water flow

Answer

To protect internal components from corrosion

Answer

To control the volume and flow rate of water

Question 47

Which plumbing fixture is specifically designed to receive and dispose of liquid human waste?

Accepted Answer

Toilet

Answer

Water heater

Answer

Sink

Answer

Bathtub

Question 48

What is the primary purpose of using a drain snake when dealing with plumbing issues?

Accepted Answer

To unclog and clear obstructions within drainpipes

Answer

To repair leaks in pipes

Answer

To tighten loose pipe connections

Answer

To unclog toilets specifically

Question 49

When connecting two pieces of PVC pipe, which type of joint is commonly employed?

Accepted Answer

Solvent weld

Answer

Threaded

Answer

Slip joint

Answer

Compression

Question 50

On a water heater, what is the function of a pressure relief valve?

Accepted Answer

To release excess pressure buildup and prevent potential explosions

Answer

To regulate the temperature of the water

Answer

To prevent water leakage from the tank

Answer

To improve the energy efficiency of the water heater

Question 51

To effectively shut off the water supply to a specific plumbing fixture, what is the recommended method?

Accepted Answer

Locate and use the dedicated isolation valve for that fixture

Answer

Contact a licensed plumber for assistance

Answer

Turn off the main water supply valve for the entire building

Answer

Pinch the flexible water supply line manually