Could You Pass a Plumbing Apprenticeship Test? See If You Ace This Hard Quiz!

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Last updated · 20 min play time

Plumbers have an incredibly important job. When your toilet backs up or water will not go down the tub, you likely call a plumber to get things flowing again when a plunger just will not cut it. Every plumber needed to learn the skills of the trade somewhere, which is why it is critical for every professional plumber out there to have gone through a plumbing apprenticeship. 
Have you ever thought about becoming a plumbing apprentice yourself? Instead of waiting hours or even days for a plumber to come out, you can pursue your own DIY plumbing projects. You can become readily proficient in every aspect of the trade, so you can fix toilets, sinks, tubs and so much more. You can put your current knowledge to the test in this quiz that is basically the first class you would take at plumber school. 
Do you know what tools you would need to fix a faucet? Do you know the difference between a basin buddy nut wrench and a water plumb plier? If you answered "Yes" to these questions, then this quiz is for you. It will go over the basics of plumbing. Make sure to pay attention to what your score is at the end of the quiz. If it is high enough, then you may want to consider a change of profession. However, if you currently work as a plumber, then this quiz can work as a good refresher. After all, you would not want to end up on a job site only to realize you have forgotten something important. 
This quiz is great to learn how to become a plumber. You will see just what every plumber who has ever fixed your toilet has had to learn. Plus, the next time a plumber comes over to your house, you will be able to speak a bit more knowledgeably about every single process.

Plumbing Apprentice Quiz Questions

50 Questions · 1.5K Plays · 1 Comment

Question 1

What is the most common reason that someone would do their own plumbing work?

  • A
    To save money
  • B
    To protest local plumbing ordinances
  • C
    To weaken the plumbers' stronghold
  • D
    To feel important

Question 2

Butterfly valves, gate valves, and globe valves are all examples of what?

  • A
    Manual valves
  • B
    Solenoid valves
  • C
    Hydraulic valves
  • D
    Pneumatic valves

Question 3

Is a sink trap really necessary in modern, more energy efficient drainage systems?

  • A
    Yes, it is still essential.
  • B
    Yes, but only when the pipes are less than three inches in diameter.
  • C
    Yes, but only if there is no sink filter.
  • D
    No, you do not need one.

Question 4

What basic laws of nature does plumbing ultimately abide by?

  • A
    Resilient, motion, and elasticity
  • B
    Gravity, pressure, and water seeking its own level
  • C
    Motion, acceleration, and conductivity
  • D
    Every action has an equal and opposite reaction

Question 5

What does DWV stand for in the plumbing world?

  • A
    Damp-waste-ventilation
  • B
    Drain-water-vehemently
  • C
    Dirty-water-valve
  • D
    Drain-waste-vent

Question 6

What is required to guarantee smooth drainage?

  • A
    Gravity
  • B
    High pressure
  • C
    Low pressure
  • D
    Oil

Question 7

For which of the following do you need a plumbing permit to replace?

  • A
    Water closet
  • B
    Toilet
  • C
    Water heater
  • D
    Kitchen sink

Question 8

What material prevents leakage by going into threaded pipe connections?

  • A
    Structural polyester thread
  • B
    Teflon
  • C
    Polymer
  • D
    Elastomeric gasket

Question 9

Which of these is the optimal temperature for a residential water heater?

  • A
    200 degrees Fahrenheit
  • B
    120 degrees Fahrenheit
  • C
    90 degrees Fahrenheit
  • D
    175 degrees Fahrenheit

Question 10

What material has the potential to clog a sink?

  • A
    All of these
  • B
    Hair
  • C
    Grease
  • D
    Cleaning detergent

Question 11

What technically counts as a "fixture?"

  • A
    Only toilets
  • B
    Only sinks
  • C
    Only traps
  • D
    Any device that uses wastewater and freshwater

Question 12

What component prevents gases from getting inside a building?

  • A
    Anti-syphon valve
  • B
    Atmospheric pressure
  • C
    Backflow preventer
  • D
    P-trap

Question 13

What does the "MJ" in MJ pipe refer to?

  • A
    Mechanical joint
  • B
    Many jointed
  • C
    Myopic jointed
  • D
    Myriad jointed

Question 14

What must you do before adding any extra pipes around your home?

  • A
    Remove the fixture you are working on
  • B
    Tear down the entire house
  • C
    Rework the electrical wiring
  • D
    Check with a local plumbing official

Question 15

What can you do to allow for more movement caused by thermal expansion?

  • A
    Use a heavier type of pipe
  • B
    Install fewer fittings
  • C
    Suspend piping well below the joists
  • D
    Build expansion loops

Question 16

What is the main difference between the septic and sewer systems in your home?

  • A
    One uses gravity while the other uses pressure
  • B
    One connects to the larger public system, the other is more individual
  • C
    A septic system requires a different professional
  • D
    They require different kinds of pipes

Question 17

What do you need to use to shut off the water during maintenance?

  • A
    Globe valve
  • B
    Check valve
  • C
    Gate valve
  • D
    Angle valve

Question 18

What is the reason for turning down the temperature of a water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit?

  • A
    It prevents water from becoming hard
  • B
    It guarantees a smoother flow of water
  • C
    It is more economical
  • D
    It reduces corrosion on piping

Question 19

The reason hangers are mounted next to fittings is to prevent additional stress on what?

  • A
    Joists
  • B
    Joints
  • C
    Foundation
  • D
    Supports

Question 20

What angle is formed when you offset a sewer with a 1/8 bend?

  • A
    100 degrees
  • B
    90 degrees
  • C
    60 degrees
  • D
    45 degrees

Question 21

Should the freshwater and wastewater systems overlap?

  • A
    Yes, but most plumbers just do not do it.
  • B
    Yes, but only when the pipes are larger than four inches in diameter.
  • C
    Yes, but the overlap can only happen underground.
  • D
    No, it can cause pollution.

Question 22

What type of traps should kitchen sinks absolutely have that you do not need with other fixtures?

  • A
    S-traps
  • B
    P-traps
  • C
    Grease traps
  • D
    Running traps

Question 23

Is it required for individual fixtures to contain stop valves?

  • A
    No, only the water heater needs one
  • B
    Yes, it localizes your ability to turn off water
  • C
    Yes, it helps with the overflow pipe
  • D
    No, it just adds to the cost

Question 24

PVC pipes used for plumbing applications have various markings. Which of the following will you not usually find?

  • A
    The manufacturer's brand name
  • B
    Nominal pipe size
  • C
    Length of pipe
  • D
    Pressure rating in PSI

Question 25

When a piping system is at risk of excessive heat or fire, the plumber should make the valves out of what?

  • A
    Aluminum
  • B
    Copper
  • C
    Steel
  • D
    PVC

Question 26

Which of these is NOT a way homeowners can prevent leaky pipes?

  • A
    Installing a water softener
  • B
    Making sure water pressure does not exceed 60 psi
  • C
    Singing strength chants to your pipes
  • D
    Applying insulation to the pipes during the winter

Question 27

What two subsystems exist in your home's plumbing?

  • A
    Hard and soft water
  • B
    Hot and cold water
  • C
    Outgoing wastewater and incoming freshwater
  • D
    Low pressure and high pressure water

Question 28

What two materials need to be present for electrolysis to occur?

  • A
    Copper and dielectric fittings
  • B
    Copper and plastic
  • C
    Steel and cast iron
  • D
    Ferrous metals and non-ferrous metals

Question 29

If there were no air supply from the roof's vent, what would happen?

  • A
    Wastewater could not flow out freely
  • B
    Nothing
  • C
    Smells would waft through the house
  • D
    The pipes would break

Question 30

What type of piping is resistant to high temperatures and corrosion?

  • A
    Carbon steel
  • B
    Stainless steel
  • C
    Ductile iron
  • D
    Cast iron

Question 31

There are two common forms of Teflon thread sealants. Tape is one. What is the other?

  • A
    Spray
  • B
    Stick
  • C
    Liquid
  • D
    Gelatin

Question 32

What is the name of the piece of pipe that is threaded outside to go through the short runs of two pipe fittings?

  • A
    Supply pip
  • B
    Close brass
  • C
    Coupling
  • D
    Nipple

Question 33

What is the standard diameter for a regular lavatory tailpiece?

  • A
    2-1/2"
  • B
    2"
  • C
    1-1/4"
  • D
    1/4"

Question 34

Within a plumbing system, what is a bridge?

  • A
    The snake
  • B
    The point where two subsystems meet
  • C
    The point where one pipe goes over another
  • D
    The trap valve

Question 35

What is the name of the pump responsible for ejecting sewage?

  • A
    Centrifugal pump
  • B
    Sump
  • C
    Central sewage booster
  • D
    Rotary pump

Question 36

What is the approximate size of a length of single random steel pipe?

  • A
    40-50 feeet
  • B
    100-200 feet
  • C
    6-8 feet
  • D
    18-25 feet

Question 37

What is the easiest way for someone who is not a plumber to learn more about their drainage system?

  • A
    Rent a camera to send down the pipes
  • B
    Look up diagrams
  • C
    Inspect the pipes in the basement or under the house
  • D
    Smell-test it

Question 38

What is the primary function of oxygen and acetylene regulators?

  • A
    They control working pressure
  • B
    They separate the gases
  • C
    They mix liquids for combustion
  • D
    They increase the pressure within the system

Question 39

What type of trap do bathtubs frequently need to prevent gases from coming back up?

  • A
    Running trap
  • B
    C-trap
  • C
    T-trap
  • D
    Drum trap

Question 40

What is the minimum opening of egress allowed on a shower door when installed on a standard shower?

  • A
    30 inches
  • B
    25 inches
  • C
    22 inches
  • D
    45 inches

Question 41

What is the standard height for a handicap toilet?

  • A
    25 inches
  • B
    32 inches
  • C
    10 inches
  • D
    18 inches

Question 42

What fitting is required to connect a P-trap to a drain?

  • A
    Trap adapter
  • B
    Union
  • C
    Coupling
  • D
    Clamp

Question 43

What should homeowners do in the immediate aftermath of a plumbing emergency?

  • A
    Have a remote control for the water supply
  • B
    Start trying to bandage up pipes
  • C
    Understand the system inside and out
  • D
    Have a plumber on speed dial

Question 44

What fitting would you need to join galvanized pipe with copper?

  • A
    Solder Joint
  • B
    Adaptor
  • C
    Dielectric Union
  • D
    Coupling

Question 45

What is the maximum amount of time gray water needs to be retained before it can be used to flush a urinal or toilet?

  • A
    24 hours
  • B
    50 hours
  • C
    72 hours
  • D
    3 hours

Question 46

The provisions for plumbing licensing are determined by which of these entities?

  • A
    Authority having jurisdiction
  • B
    Any master plumber
  • C
    State Board of Plumbing
  • D
    A certified plumbing inspector

Question 47

What normally protects water heaters, sill cocks and hose bibs from backflow?

  • A
    Air gap
  • B
    Vacuum breaker
  • C
    Reduced-pressure backflow preventer
  • D
    Air break

Question 48

What does it mean when a pipe is nominally vertical?

  • A
    It's no more than 75 degrees
  • B
    It's no more than 90 degrees
  • C
    It's no more than 45 degrees
  • D
    It's no more than 20 degrees

Question 49

Where would you find a self-sealing gasket?

  • A
    Victaulic fitting
  • B
    Mechanical joint coupling
  • C
    Bell-and-spigot joint
  • D
    Full face flange

Question 50

What is the name of the trap assembly used when a drain centers underneath one bowl of a kitchen sink?

  • A
    Center Outlet Continuous Waste
  • B
    End Outlet Continuous Waste
  • C
    Single Trap Assembly
  • D
    Under-the-Sink Assembly

Comments (1)

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A few thing, went your use to indistrial millwright terminology to the plumbing trade, get fooled by the different terminology used, different state or provincial laws, that another thing

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