4. Plumbing Materials

Question 1

What is PVC?

Answer 1

Polyvinyl Chloride pipe used for sanitary drain, vent piping, above and underground water drainage, water mains, and water service lines. Connected with primer and solvent cement

Question 2

What is CPVC?

Answer 2

Clorinated Polyvinyl Chloride cream colored piping used for hot and cold water distribution connected with solvent cement. 180 degrees, 100 psi. Very expensive

Question 3

What is CPVC typically used for?

Answer 3

Sprinklers. Chicago won’t allow use.

Question 4

What is PEX?

Answer 4

Cross-linked Polyethylene used for hot and cold water distribution. Flex line connected via press fittings or expander tool. 1/2 inch to 2 inch.

Question 5

What are the benefits of PEX over Copper?

Answer 5

Faster installation, chemical and corrosion resistance, superior strength, high-temp and pressure resistance

Question 6

What is the Extrusion Process?

Answer 6

Resins are heated, softened, and forced through a circular die. Creates a completely smooth inner surface.

Question 7

What is an Expansion Loop and what is it for?

Answer 7

Allows water to expand in line through heating. Ticks and bangs in a drain line are a sign of expansion

Question 8

What info does Plastic Pipe Markings provide?

Answer 8

Size, manufacturer, resin type, press. rating, standardization authorities like ASTM, etc.

Question 9

What types of material are used for DWV?

Answer 9

Plastic, copper, cast iron.

Question 10

What is a Home Run System and what does it do?

Answer 10

Plumbing design in which centrally located manifolds ditribue water to wach fixture with dedicated hot and cold lines. PEX

Question 11

Review Fitting Styles on pg. 99.

Answer 11

Elbows, long-turn elbows, street elbows, stanitary tee, double sanitary tee, long-radius T-Y, cleanout adapter, why, double wye, test tee, closet flange, coupling, bushing, trap adapter, etc.

Question 12

What is Fire Caulk and what is its purpose?

Answer 12

Fire resistant caulk used to seal joints around piping and other gaps to prevent fire from jumping floors in a building

Question 13

What is a Steel Plate Protector and its purpose?

Answer 13

Placed between drywall and wooden beams to protect pipes from being puncured by nails or screws

Question 14

What are the charicteristics of K copper pipe, its primary use, and color markings?

Answer 14

Heaviest gauge, used in refrigeration. Green writing. Very expensive

Question 15

What are the charicteristics of L copper pipe, its primary use, and color markings?

Answer 15

Standard gauge, used in water piping. Blue writing. OK for Chicago Codes

Question 16

What are the charicteristics of M copper pipe, its primary use, and color markings?

Answer 16

Thinnest and cheapest water piping. Red writing. Against Chicago Codes

Question 17

What are the charicteristics of DWV copper pipe, its primary use, and color markings?

Answer 17

Thin copper for Drainage only, typically in commercial buildings due to cost. Yellow writing

Question 18

What is the difference between K,L,M copper fittings and DWV fittings and why?

Answer 18

K,L,M fittings have deeper wells to receive more solder, because they are pressurized pipe

Question 19

What are the two styles of copper pipe called and what are their characteristics?

Answer 19

Annealed Copper, soft and flexible. Drawn Copper, rigid and sturdy

Question 20

What is Wrought Copper fittings?

Answer 20

Dull gold in color, heavier duty, made from 99.0 percent commercially pure copper. Rare

Question 21

What are Copper Press Fittings?

Answer 21

Solderless fittings joined through compressing fittings to pipe. Compressing pipe seals rubber gasket inside the fitting.

Question 22

What are benefits of Copper Press Fittings?

Answer 22

No sweating, more expensive but much faster install 20 to 1 ratio, water in pipe doesn’t prevent sealing. Direct Crimp is the best type

Question 23

Where are Compression and Flare Fittings used and why?

Answer 23

Typically buried underground. Don’t handle strain on joints

Question 24

Why is No-Hub Cast Iron drain pipe not allowed in Chicago?

Answer 24

Union pushing to maintain Bell and Spigot for added labor time

Question 25

How do you join No-Hub Cast Iron?

Answer 25

Sliding on a neoprene sleeve and then a coupling band and tighten

Question 26

What are Malleable Iron Fittings and what are reasons for not using them often?

Answer 26

Poured iron into dies and are threaded for connection. Heavy and split if over-tightened. Worst made in China

Question 27

What are the two class sizes for malleable iron pipe fittings?

Answer 27

Class 150, thinner. Class 300, heavy-duty

Question 28

How are 2" and smaller valve bodies made different from 2 1/2" and larger?

Answer 28

2" and smaller are typically made of all cast-bronze. 2 1/2" and larger are typically cast-iron with bronze internals

Question 29

What is a Gate Valve?

Answer 29

Full-way valve in which a threaded stem raises and lowers a wedge. Not for water regulation. Replaced by Ball Valves

Question 30

What is a Globe Valve?

Answer 30

Valve with a pliable, circular disk that is compressed against a seat. Can regulate water flow

Question 31

What is a Stop and Waste Valve?

Answer 31

Nonrated Globe Valve with a side port used to drain fluid from the outlet side of valve. Controls water flow to fixtures like sillcocks to prevent freezing

Question 32

What is a Sillcock?

Answer 32

Valve with a pipe that extends 10 inches into a house with an inner seat that stops water before the valve to prevent freezing

Question 33

What is a Corecock?

Answer 33

Valve through which water or gas flow is controlled by a circular core or plug that fits closely to a seat. 90 degree turn, water flows through the core as the valve is turned

Question 34

What is a Ball Valve?

Answer 34

Valve in which flow is controlled by a ball that fits tightly against a pliable seat. The best valve

Question 35

What is a Butterfly Valve?

Answer 35

Thin valve with a rotating disc that seats against a resilient material. 90 degree rotation

Question 36

What is a Check Valve?

Answer 36

Valve which only allows water to flow one way

Question 37

What is a Backwater Valve?

Answer 37

Valve used to prevent backflow of sewage into a building. Flapper-type, Combination, Auto-knife

Question 38

What is a Pressure Reducing Valve?

Answer 38

Automatic valve used to convert high or fluctuating pressure to a lower or constant outlet pressure. Usually 30 year lifespan

Question 39

What is a Relief Valve?

Answer 39

Valve designed to relieve pressure, high temp, or both to prevent. T and P valves have a temp probe