PC Preventive Maintenance Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How often should pressure relief valves on water heaters be manually tested as part of preventive maintenance?
- Every 5 years
- Annually (Correct answer)
- Every 6 months
- Monthly
Correct answer: Annually
Pressure relief valves should be tested annually to ensure they open and reseat properly under pressure.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of flushing a water heater tank during preventive maintenance?
- Increase hot water temperature
- Remove sediment buildup from the bottom (Correct answer)
- Improve anode rod performance
- Reduce pressure inside the tank
Correct answer: Remove sediment buildup from the bottom
Flushing removes mineral sediment that accumulates at the tank bottom, which reduces efficiency and can cause premature tank failure.
Question 3: During a preventive maintenance inspection of a sewer line, a plumber finds minor root intrusion. What is the recommended first action?
- Replace the entire line immediately
- Perform hydro-jetting to clear roots and schedule follow-up camera inspection (Correct answer)
- Apply chemical root killer only
- Seal all cleanout caps and monitor
Correct answer: Perform hydro-jetting to clear roots and schedule follow-up camera inspection
Hydro-jetting removes roots and a follow-up camera inspection confirms line clearance and assesses potential pipe damage.
Question 4: What does inspecting the anode rod in a water heater help prevent?
- Scale buildup on heating elements
- Corrosion of the tank interior (Correct answer)
- Pressure fluctuations in supply lines
- Bacterial growth in the flue
Correct answer: Corrosion of the tank interior
The anode rod sacrificially corrodes to protect the steel tank walls from rust and corrosion.
Question 5: A preventive maintenance checklist for a building's plumbing system should include checking backflow preventer operation. How frequently is annual testing typically required by code?
- Every 5 years
- Every 3 years
- Once per year (Correct answer)
- Only at installation
Correct answer: Once per year
Most jurisdictions require backflow preventers to be tested annually by a certified tester to ensure they are protecting potable water supplies.
Question 6: When performing preventive maintenance on a sump pump, which test verifies the pump will activate properly?
- Measure the motor amperage draw
- Pour water into the pit to trigger the float switch (Correct answer)
- Check the discharge line for blockages only
- Inspect the impeller visually
Correct answer: Pour water into the pit to trigger the float switch
Pouring water into the sump pit raises the float, simulating normal operation and confirming the pump activates and removes water.
Question 7: What is the recommended maintenance interval for lubricating the packing nuts on gate valves in a commercial plumbing system?
- Every 10 years
- As needed when leaks appear
- Annually or per manufacturer specifications (Correct answer)
- Only during system shutdowns
Correct answer: Annually or per manufacturer specifications
Annual lubrication of packing nuts prevents stem corrosion and ensures gate valves can be fully opened or closed when needed.
PC Preventive Maintenance Procedures 2
How often should pressure relief valves on water heaters be manually tested as part of preventive maintenance?