SOC Plumbing Flashcards
- What are the diameters used for CPVC pipes?
3/8’’, 1/2’’, 3/4’’ and 1’’
- What is most common type of pipe used today?
Polyethylene or PEX
- What are the four types of faucets?
Compression (two handles, rubber washer)
Ball (single handle, domed shaped cap)
Disc (single handle, solid, chromed-brass body)
Cartridge (single or double handle)
- What is ID and OD?
Inner diameter and outer diameter, which makes up the schedule of the pipe
- For an average family of four, what is recommendation for pump your septic tank?
Every two to three years
- When draining two water closets, what is the size of the vent line?
3 inch pipe
- What is the minimum distance from the center of the flinge to the back wall of the toilet?
12 inches
- What is polyethylene pipe being rated to?
Withstand up to 210 degrees for 48 hours
- What are the minimum dimensions to the left and right of the toilets
15 inches
- What are the signs your septic tank is failing?
Surfacing or ponding of effluent on ground
Smell
Sewage backing up
- Which sink drain line trap flows through the floor and out into the waste line under the house?
The S-trap
- What are the three component of Drain waste vent?
Drain lines
- Collect water from sinks, shows, and tubs
Waste line
- Carry waste from toilets
Vent Lines
- Exhaust sewer gases and provide the air pressure to allow wastes to flow freely
- What is major function of the drain/leach fields?
Drain/leach field is to deliver the effluent to the soil. The soil purifies the effluent by removing the germs, solids and chemicals that may be carried along with the effluent before they reach the groundwater.
- What is the pipe drop to ensure proper water flow?
¼ inches per foot
- What is different between a P and an S trap?
P traps are above the floor
S traps are subfloor
- What is advantage of using PEX?
Easy to install Easy to transport Good insulation Quiet Good for retrofit jobs Freeze resistant
- What is the minimum diameter of a vent pipe?
1 ¼ inches or half the diameter of the waste pipe
- What is the minimum code clearance between toilet tank and wall?
1” between toilet tank and wall
- What are the classifications of pipes and fittings?
4 Basic groups:
1) Cast-iron soil pipe and fittings
2) Galvanized-steel/iron pipe and fittings
3) Copper tubing and fittings
4) Plastic pipe
- What is cast-iron pipes exclusively used for? What are the cons of cast-iron?
Drain systems
Heavy and difficult to cut
Can be joined with PVC
- What are the three layers in a septic tank?
Scum, Graywater (waste water), Sludge
- Which pipe/line exhausts sewer gases and provides the air pressure to allow waste to flow freely?
The vent line
- What are the three schedule used for PVC?
Schedule 40, 60 and 80.
The higher the schedule the thicker the wall of the pipe.
- What is the ring called that goes between the toilet and the floor flange that prevents water from leaking?
The wax ring
- What is compression faucet?
It has two handles. When shutting the faucet off, you usually can feel a rubber washer being squeezed inside the faucet.
- What are the size of septic tank?
Three bedrooms = 1,000 gallons or more
Four bedrooms = 1,250 gallons or more
Five bedrooms = 1,500 gallons or more
The number of occupants in the house does not determine the size of your septic tank
- What are the conditions for the DWV tree to operate properly and safely?
Each drain must be served by a vent
Several vents may be connected together and joined to one larger soil stack
The vent line must be 6’’ above the highest flood line to be connected to an existing vent line
- What is ball type faucet?
It has a single handle over dome-shaped cap.
- What are the three components of a septic tank system?
Septic tank
Distribution box
Leach field
- What are the types of copper pipes on the market?
M (red letter) Thinnest walls and least expensive ideal for DIY
L (blue letter) Required for commercial plumbing, also used in homes, preferred by most plumbers
K Heaviest walls. Used for underground water lines
- What color is CPVC pipe and what is it used for?
Yellow. Only for supply lines hot or cold.
- What is the proper fall in inches, for a waste line that is 48 feet in length?
12 inches
- What are the two types of gas used for soldering?
Propane
Mapp
Pro’s also use acetylene
- What are the advantages of using copper piping?
Resist corrosion
Smooth surface gives a good flow
Durable
(Powerpoint claims best material for water supply pipes)
- What are the advantages of CPVC pipes?
Withstand high temperatures and pressures, inexpensive
- What is the best material for longevity and water pipes?
Copper
- Which copper pipe type is the thinnest?
M
- What must you apply to copper pipes before the solder?
Flux
- What are the different types of plumbing cements?
PVC cement = Yellow/gold bottle
CPVC cement = Orange bottle
ABS cement = Blue bottle
All purpose = Red (DONT USE)
- What are the dimensions that round off the toilet?
15 inches from the center the flange to the left and the right and 12 inches to the room
- Which sink drain line trap flows through the wall and out into the waste line under the house?
The P-trap
- What is disc faucet?
Disc faucet has a single handle and a solid, chromed-brass body.
- What is one of the main disadvantages of cast iron when used as a waste line?
Heavy and difficult to fit
- What are the specifications for working with PEX?
- Maximum horizontal support 32” and vertical support is 10’
- Ongoing use is rated for 180 degrees water up 100lbs pounds per square inch of pressure
- Directional changes of 90 degrees require a guide fitting
- What is cartridge faucet?
Cartridge are available in single-handle or double-handle models.
- What is the name of the union used to join a copper pipe to a galvanized pipe to prevent damage to the pipe?
Dielectric union
- What are the three types of venting system?
Wet, Auxiliary, and direct
- Can hot water used for PVC Piping?
No, PVC piping can only be used for Cold water
- What do you always use in preparation for plastic piping?
Purple Primer
- How big does a vent pipe need to be for one toilet and two toilets?
2 inches, 3 inches
Process for joining PVC
Cut reasonably straight (Account for depth of fitting in length) Deburr Purple Primer Apply PVC cement to fitting and pipe Push together with 1/4 turn Wipe off excess
How do you want the edge on cut pipes?
Chamfered
Types of fittings
Solvent cement
Compression
Shark bite
What is propane gas used for?
DIY, about 75% of jobs encountered. Standard plumbing repairs.
What is Mapp Gas?
Used for more experienced plumbing work, produces a hotter flame than propane and can speed up a job. Used for larger pipes.
What is sweating?
Applying flux to copper piping to clean away the oxidized coating, allowing liquid solder to flow and bond the surfaces.
Process for copper piping connections
Clean with wire brush/sandpaper
Sweat with flux
Solder (use heat shield if necessary)
Why is it important to use solder intended for plumbing?
It is lead-free
What is required when connecting copper pipe to galvanized steel or iron pipe?
Dielectric Union to prevent corrosion.
What is PEX
Polyethylene pipe
Advantages of PEX
Easy to install Easy to transport Good insulation Quiet Good for retrofitting Freeze resistant
PEX Codes and characteristics
Maximum horizontal support 32” and vertical support is 10’
Withstand up to 210 degrees for 48 hours
Ongoing use is rated for 180 degree water up to 100 psi
Directional changes of 90 degrees require a guide fitting
What is a DWV system?
Drain, Waste, Vent.
System of pipes that carries water and waste to a sewer line or septic tank.
What is the purpose of Drain Lines?
Collect water from sinks, showers, and tubs.
What is the purpose of Waste Lines?
Carry waste from toilets.
What is the purpose of Vent Lines?
Exhaust sewer gasses and provide the air pressure to allow wastes to flow freely.
Factors for determining vent size
Determine number of units that will be connected
Vent pipe should never be less than 1¼ inches wide
Should never be less than half the diameter of the waste pipe that is connected
2” piping for a single toilet, 3” piping for more than two toilets
What are the two types of vent stacks?
Soil stack
Waste stack
What should be the slope of any horizontal pipe
1/4” per foot
What are clean outs?
Y-shaped fittings in waste lines that are capped off to allow for snaking of blocked lines.
What are traps?
Curved section of drainpipe that fills up with water, providing a seal to prevent sewer gasses and odors from entering the house.
What is a septic tank system?
The septic tank system is an effective method for collecting, treating and disposing of sewage mostly from rural and suburban homes.
It is an on-site sewage management system designed to safely treat and dispose of wastewater from toilet, shower, bathtub, hand wash sink, kitchen, and laundry.
This wastewater usually contains disease-causing germs and pollutants that must be treated to protect human health and the environment.
What is the function of drain/leach fields?
The major function of the drain-field is to deliver the effluent to the soil. The soil purifies the effluent by removing the germs, solids and chemicals that may be carried along with the effluent before they reach the groundwater.
Guidelines for a healthy septic system
Bleach and antibiotics will kill good bacteria that is needed to break down solids.
Leave a small amount of sludge with pumping the tank to promote bacteria growth.
Types of septic tanks
Concrete Plastic (need to weight down)
Types of water heaters
Gas
Electric
Sign of a broken dip tube
Broken dip tube lets cold water enter the top of the tank, meaning less hot water during bath or showers. Can damage elements or glass liner.
Common problem with electric water heater
Burned out heating element.
If water is warm but not hot replace top heating element.
Small amount of very hot water followed by cold water, replace bottom element.
If replacing the heating element does not solve problem then thermostat needs to be replaced
Components inside a water heater
Upper and lower heating elements and thermostats.
What connects the tank portion of the water closet?
Spud nut/washer
Minimum plumbing code clearances
15" to each side of toilet 30x30" in front of toilet 30" between centers of sinks 12" from center of sink to wall 1" between toilet tank and wall 32" walkway at entrance 21" walkway in front of sinks 18" between tub and other fixtures 32x32" shower base
Where is the maximum critical distance for vent pipes measured from?
After the trap
Vent Pipe Sizing Chart
Size of drain, Min. Vent Size, Max Critical Dist.
1.25”, 1.25”, 2.5’
1.5”, 1.25”, 3.5’
2”, 1.5”, 5’
3”, 2”, 6’
4”, 3”, 10’
