True or False: Plumbing Tools Edition

By: Talin Vartanian
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
True or False: Plumbing Tools Edition
Image: sturti / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Plumbers utilize many different kinds of tools for home and corporate plumbing jobs. Some of these jobs include freezing pipes, adjusting under-sink fixtures and even soldering pipes together. Whatever the job may be, a plumber needs to be ready with a wide array of applicable tools.

Some of these tools are recognizable, like a spanner, hammer or a screwdriver. Other kinds of tools, like a pipe cutter, basin spanner or an angle grinder, are not as obvious for someone who doesn't do a lot of plumbing work. Fortunately, plumbers are experts with these kinds of tools and are always ready to tackle any plumbing job of varying difficulty.

Do you think you can recognize all of the tools in this plumbing quiz? Will you be able to tell the difference between a soldering pad and an SDS drill? Or, will you recognize the differences between a file set and a pressure tester? If you're ever unsure, be sure to utilize the hints for every question!

Don't wait, take this True or False: Plumbing Tools Edition quiz now to test your plumbing tools knowledge!

Pipe Cutter
Comstock / Stockbyte / Getty Images
Pipe cutters are used to cut pipes, and can be easily adjusted.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

True. Pipe cutters do indeed cut pipes of varying materials. They can also be adjusted to fit many different sizes of pipes.

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Telescopic Tube Cutter
byrev / Pixabay
Telescopic tube cutters come with a built-in deburrer for polishing away rough edges from pipe jobs.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Telescopic tube cutters are a type of pipe cutter that hacks away at copper pipes. These also include a built-in deburrer for smoothing out sharp and rough edges after cutting a pipe.

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Adjustable Wrench
kyoshino / E+ / Getty Images
Adjustable wrenches are used to unclog drains and toilets.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Adjustable wrenches are not used to unclog toilets and drains, but they are pretty handy for loosening and tightening bolts and nuts. The jaws of a wrench can also be adjusted.

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Adjustable Pipe Wrench
stevepb / Pixabay
An adjustable pipe wrench is used to tighten and loosen pipes.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you ever have a pipe that is stuck, an adjustable pipe wrench can be easily used to turn it! The jaws of this type of wrench also feature small "teeth" which can fit onto almost any kind of pipe surface.

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Slip Joint Pliers
Wiki Commons by J.C. Fields
Slip joint pliers are used to bend pipes.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Slip joint pliers are too small to bend pipes, but they are handy for small objects. If you ever have a bolt or nut that is stuck, slip joint pliers can be used to turn them.

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Mole Grips
Thomas Northcut / Photodisc / Getty Images
Mole grips are ideal for turning radiator valves.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The small jaws of the mole grips tool allows it to turn rounded nuts and bolts. Most also have a locking feature, which can allow you to work hands-free.

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Blowtorch
OwenPrice / E+ / Getty Images
A blowtorch is used to solder pipes together.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A blowtorch, otherwise called a blowlamp and gas, produces a fine flame that is used to solder pipes together. It can also solder joints and water-based seals.

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Pipe Bender
JD Squared, Inc. via YouTube
A pipe bender is used to bend pipes.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A pipe bender is used to bend pipes in varying thickness. Most pipe benders can easily bend pipes between 15 mm and 22 mm in width.

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Plunger
Hemera Technologies / PhotoObjects.net / Getty Images Plus
A plunger is used to saw wood in half.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Plungers are not used to saw wood in half, but they are definitely used to unclog toilets. Most are very affordable to buy as well.

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Hacksaw
Image Source / Getty Images
A hacksaw is sharp enough to cut through nuts and screws.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hacksaws are actually used to cut through stubborn screws, nuts and bolts. Most hacksaws also have a removable blade for more precise plumbing jobs.

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Junior Hacksaw
Steve Gorton / Getty Images
A junior hacksaw is used to deburr unpolished piping jobs.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A junior hacksaw is a smaller version of its parent tool, the hacksaw. Junior hacksaws are ideal for sawing away at nuts and screws and feature a saw blade with sharp "teeth."

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Spirit Level
bagi1998 / E+ / Getty Images
A spirit level is used to determine how horizontal or vertical a surface level is.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Spirit levels are easy-to-use tools that can level both vertical and horizontal surfaces. The higher the quality, the more precise the readings of a spirit level will be.

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Allen Keys
Visage / Stockbyte / Getty Images
Allen keys are used to adjust ahex grub screws in shower heads.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ahex grub screws are used to hold shower heads in place, but they may need adjusting from time to time. Allen keys are used to adjust these specific types of screws.

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Pipe Deburrer
Wiki Commons by Wizard191
A pipe deburrer is used to deburr pipes for a clean look.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When a plumber is deburring a pipe, it means they are polishing the rough and sharp edges to make it look clean and neat. A pipe deburrer is ideal for such a job.

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Drain Rod
nicolamargaret / E+ / Getty Images
Drain rods are used to protect surfaces during a soldering job.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Drain rods are used to unclog dirty drains. The rods usually come in a small bundle and can be attached from one end to the other.

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Soldering Pad
heatshield soldering blanket via YouTube
A soldering pad is used to protect surfaces from the intense heat of a soldering job.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A soldering pad is used to protect surfaces during soldering jobs. The pad contains fire-resistant properties, so it won't catch fire from direct heat.

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Radiator Key
Wiki Commons by Noggo
Radiator keys are used to turn radiator and drain valves.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When a drain or radiator contains too much air, a radiator key can be used to unlock the "bleed screw." This allows for all of the trapped air to escape.

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Radiator Wrench
Monument Tools Limited via YouTube
Radiator valves can be loosed or tightened using a radiator wrench.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When radiator valves need adjusting, a plumber will typically use a radiator wrench. These are typically metal and shaped like an "L."

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Sabre Saw
clu / E+ / Getty Images
A sabre saw is used to level horizontal and vertical work surfaces.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A spirit level is used to levels surfaces, while a sabre saw is used to cut through plastic and metal. The blades contain very sharp "teeth" that can also be interchanged.

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Long-Nosed Pliers
Brand X Pictures / Stockbyte / Getty Images
A meter box can be opened using long-nosed pliers.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Long-nosed pliers are not used to open meter boxes, but they are used to cut through wire. The long jaws of these pliers are also useful in small spaces.

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Magnetic Level
NewMetalworker via YouTube
A screw can be adjusted using a magnetic level.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Magnetic levels are not used to adjust screws, but they are handy for leveling surfaces. Similar to a spirit level, magnetic levels also contain magnetic power that allows the plumber to set the level and work hands-free.

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Stubby Screwdriver
Hemera Technologies / PhotoObjects.net / Getty Images Plus
A stubby screwdriver is used to measure the dimensions of hardware and appliances.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Stubby screwdrivers are used to tighten and loosen fixtures in small spaces. These are ideal for under-sink appliances as well.

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Phillips Screwdriver
NA / PhotoObjects.net / Getty Images Plus
A long Phillips head screwdriver features a long neck.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The long length of a long Phillips head screwdriver makes it ideal for adjusting fixtures that can't be reached by hand. This will also keep the plumber's knuckles at a safe distance.

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Tape Measure
PublicDomainPictures / Pixabay
A tape measure is a ruler that can measure quite a lot of fixtures.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Plumbers typically keep a tape measure on them to measure all kinds of things: pipes, fixtures, appliances and more. Tape measures are also cheap to buy.

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Knee Pads
Creativel / E+ / Getty Images
Knee pads are used to alleviate pain and discomfort from a plumber's knees.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When plumbers are on their knees for extended periods of time, they often use knee pads to alleviate discomfort. Pipe work often involves immense stress and strain on the knees, so knee pads are great for this.

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Stopcock Key
Boiler Installs via YouTube
A stop cock key is used to solder pipes together.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A blowtorch is used to solder pipes together, while a stop cock key is used to turn off the flow of water in a pipe. A plumber will typically use this tool for bathroom maintenance jobs.

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Stanley Knife
eikira / Pixabay
A Stanley knife features a retractable blade.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Stanley knives feature a retractable blade that is used to hack through a variety of things. These are also small enough to fit into almost any plumber's pocket.

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Claw Hammer Orange
Wiki Commons by Evan-Amos
A claw hammer is used to file away sharp edges from a pipe.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A claw hammer is essentially a hammer that can both hammer and remove nails. The "claw" part of the hammer can pry out almost any stubborn nail.

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Torch Head
YouTube
A torch is used to catch drips from a leak.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A bucket is ideal for catching drips from a leak, while a torch is used to search for leaks. This is different from a blowtorch, which is used to solder pipes together.

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Wrench Set
41330 / Pixabay
A wrench set contains many different kinds of wrenches for varying bolt and nut sizes.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Plumbers often carry a wrench set on them for different kinds of nuts and bolts. A wrench set may contain multiple sizes of wrenches for such a purpose.

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File
Creative Crop / Photodisc / Getty Images
A file set is used for deburring all kinds of fixtures.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A file set contains many kinds of files that are used for deburring. Deburring means to file or polish away at sharp edges from a plumbing job.

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Bucket
Wavebreakmedia Ltd / Lightwavemedia / Getty Images Plus
A bucket is used to catch drips from a leak.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When a plumber is working on a leak, he/she often uses a bucket to catch drips. Buckets are fairly inexpensive to buy, making them ideal to carry for any plumber.

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Pressure Tester
JodiJacobson / E+ / Getty Images
A pressure tester is used to saw through metal pipes.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A pressure tester can't saw through anything, but it can check pipe pressure. Pressure testers often come with a dial on one end for an accurate reading.

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Inspection Camera
Steven Anysun via YouTube
Plumbers often use an inspection camera to look for a blockage in a drain.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It can be difficult for a plumber to look directly through pipes for a blockage, so they will often use an inspection camera. These wired cameras have a lens on one end of a cable, allowing it to peer into almost any small pipe or fixture.

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Cordless Drill
EasyBuy4U / E+ / Getty Images
A plumber can easily freeze a pipe with a cordless combi drill.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A cordless combi drill has no freezing properties, but it can drill screws into almost any kind of surface. The drills are also interchangeable, which is ideal for screws of varying sizes.

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Jigsaw
fotostorm / E+ / Getty Images
A jigsaw is great for cutting rounded shapes.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Plumbers like to use a jigsaw to cut all kinds of patterns. They often need rounded shapes for pipe work, which is exactly what a jigsaw can do.

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SDS Drill
Wiki Commons by KVDP
An SDS drill can be used to inspect drains for a blockage.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

SDS drills are used for chiselling and hammer action drilling of difficult plumbing jobs. SDS also stands for "special direct system."

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Pipe Freeze Spray
Mike ecoman via YouTube
Pipe freezer spray is used to freeze pipes.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pipe freezer spray can quickly freeze pipes for a variety of plumbing jobs. This allows the plumber to work without turning off the flow of water in a pipe.

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Angle Grinder
skynesher / E+ / Getty Images
An angle grinder is a small, handheld saw that can cut through almost anything.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Angle grinders look like a pizza cutter, but are much sharper. The discs can also be interchanged depending on the type of plumbing job.

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Basin Wrench
Know How Now via YouTube
A plumber will often use a basin wrench for immersion heater plumbing jobs.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A basin wrench is used to adjust fixtures that are underneath your sink. It often looks like a metal, T-shaped tool.

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