Plumbing Tools & Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What tool is used to make flared connections on soft copper or aluminum tubing?
- Pipe expander
- Flaring tool (Correct answer)
- Swage tool
- Pipe bender
Correct answer: Flaring tool
A flaring tool creates a cone-shaped flare at the end of soft copper or aluminum tubing, which creates a leak-tight mechanical seal when compressed by a flare nut fitting.
Question 2: What is a basin wrench used for?
- Tightening large pipe fittings under sinks
- Reaching and tightening faucet mounting nuts in tight spaces under sinks (Correct answer)
- Removing drain basket strainers
- Tightening supply line connections
Correct answer: Reaching and tightening faucet mounting nuts in tight spaces under sinks
A basin wrench has a long handle with a pivoting jaw that allows tightening or loosening the faucet mounting nuts in the cramped space between the sink basin and the wall.
Question 3: What tool measures the flow rate of water coming from a pipe or fixture?
- Manometer
- Flow meter or bucket-and-stopwatch method (Correct answer)
- Pressure gauge
- Water meter
Correct answer: Flow meter or bucket-and-stopwatch method
Flow rate can be measured with a dedicated flow meter or by the bucket-and-stopwatch method, where you time how long it takes to fill a known volume.
Question 4: What is a drain snake (plumber's snake) used for?
- Threading new pipe through walls
- Clearing clogs in drain lines by physically breaking up or retrieving blockages (Correct answer)
- Measuring drain slope
- Testing drain pressure
Correct answer: Clearing clogs in drain lines by physically breaking up or retrieving blockages
A drain snake (auger) is a flexible cable that is fed into a drain line to break up, retrieve, or push through blockages that cannot be cleared with a plunger.
Question 5: What is the purpose of flux when soldering copper pipe?
- To add strength to the solder joint
- To clean the metal and prevent oxidation, allowing solder to flow into the joint (Correct answer)
- To fill gaps in poorly fitting joints
- To color the solder for identification
Correct answer: To clean the metal and prevent oxidation, allowing solder to flow into the joint
Flux cleans the copper surface, prevents re-oxidation during heating, and promotes capillary action that draws molten solder into the joint for a complete fill.
Question 6: What is a pipe bender used for and when is it preferred over fittings?
- Measuring pipe diameter; preferred on large-diameter pipe
- Bending soft copper or conduit to change direction without fittings; preferred to reduce joint count and cost (Correct answer)
- Straightening bent pipe; preferred for repairs
- Flaring pipe ends; preferred for gas connections
Correct answer: Bending soft copper or conduit to change direction without fittings; preferred to reduce joint count and cost
A pipe bender creates smooth directional changes in soft copper or conduit without fittings, reducing the number of potential leak points and the cost of fittings.
Plumbing Tools & Techniques 2
What tool is used to make flared connections on soft copper or aluminum tubing?