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About This Quiz
If you've ever had a pipe break in the middle of the night, on a weekend or (god forbid) on a holiday, you've probably been reduced to trying your hand at do it yourself plumbing. In this quiz, we'll see if you learned anything from those water-soaked hours wedged under a sink or crawling under your house. See if you can tell which plumbing tool we're showing you based on a picture and a hint!
Did you think plumbers didn't exist until the advent of modern plumbing systems? Think again! Plumbing originated in ancient times, so it makes sense that someone had to be responsible for fixing everyone's favorite public bath. The word "plumber" dates back to the Roman Empire and is rooted in the Latin word for lead, "plumbum." Of course, thankfully we don't use lead for water pipes anymore since the habit of doing that is likely one factor that contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire.
These days, the pipes under your sink are probably made of PVC, and the tools used to deal with them can be very different from the ones used on metal pipes. But all plumbing has some tools in common, and we're going to see if you know what they look like with this quiz. So hitch up your tool belt and give it a try!
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Step Ladder
Claw Hammer
Allen Keys
Pipe Cutter
A pipe cutter (also written as pipecutter) is a hand tool used to cut pipes and tubing. Depending on the type of material that makes the pipe, a pipe cutter can produce a faster and cleaner cut than would be achieved with a hacksaw.
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Hole Saw Kit
Pipe Cutter
Plunger
A plunger has a large rubber suction cup affixed to a wood handle. It is used to clean minor obstructions from plumbing traps. Common types of plungers are the sink plunger and the toilet plunger.
Multi-Tip Screwdriver
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Safety Goggles
Safety Goggles protect the eyes and the area immediately surrounding them from injury due to splashing liquid, airborne dust, acid vapor and impact hazards. In terms of the impact resistance of their lenses and frames, safety goggles must conform to higher standards than those set for regular glasses.
Ball-Peen Hammer
Caulking Gun
Pipe Bending Spring
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Stubby Screwdriver
Plugs
A plug is a type of pipe fitting with a projecting head and outer threading. Its basic use is to close the opening in another pipe fitting.
Box Cutter
Pipe Extractors
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Fire Extinguisher
Flaring Tool Kit
Wire Strippers
Trowel
A trowel is a very versatile tool which can be used for digging, removing small quantities of material, applying material, and smoothing a surface. The typical trowel has a flat, triangular blade, but the rectangular-bladed float is one type of trowel that is also quite common.
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Adjustable Wrench
Hand Saw
These manual saws come in a variety of sizes and are useful for cutting various types of materials. Plumbers working in small spaces may find a wire hand saw more convenient to use. Instead of a solid blade, it cuts using a metal wire or cable.
Screwdriver
Wood Chisel
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Sledge Hammer
Also written as “sledgehammer," it is a large, heavy hammer with two, wide striking faces. The typical sledge hammer is swung with both hands, but the small and short-handled drilling or Thor hammer can be used singlehandedly.
Needle-Nose Pliers
Round File
Side Cutters
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Multi-Tip Screwdriver
Taping Knife
Tin Snips
These strong tools are made for cutting sheet metal and are among the most common types of shears. They typically have extra-wide jaws, short blades, a blunt nose and long handles.
Telescopic Basin Wrench
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Crow Bar
Socket Set
Most socket sets come with a ratcheting socket wrench (often simply called a ratchet) and various size sockets which can be used with it. They are used for tightening and loosening nuts and bolts.
Spud Wrench
Safety Gloves
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Step Ladder
Step ladders are hinged in the middle, forming an inverted “V”. They remain at the set angle, thanks to the internal supporting frame incorporated in their design.
Flat File
Vise-Grip Pliers
Plunger
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
PO Wrench
Gasket Cutter
Flashlight
Also called a torch, the flashlight was first patented in 1899. Within a few decades, the design was refined in terms of the light source and the batteries used. Flashlights then became popular (and essential) tools.
Soil Pipe Cutter
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Claw Hammer
Wire Strippers
Hole Saw Kit
A hole or crown saw is used for drilling round holes into many different types of materials, including wood, plastic, metal, concrete and glass. A hole saw kit will typically have blades of varying sizes, along with one or more arbors.
Torch Head
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Safety Gloves
Adjustable Wrench
An adjustable wrench, or adjustable spanner, has a jaw that can be widened or narrowed to snugly fit the heads of different sized nuts and bolts. The monkey wrench is one type of adjustable wrench.
Pipe Cutter
PEX Crimpers
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Needle-Nose Pliers
As their name suggests, needle-nose pliers have long thin jaws. They are ideal for working in tight spaces and can be used for both cutting and holding.
Cold Chisel
Box Cutter
Hacksaw
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Telescopic Basin Wrench
Faucet Handle Puller
Level
Called a spirit level, in full, this tool consists of small tubes of liquid (usually alcohol) with a bubble in each one. When the tool rests along a surface, the position of the bubbles indicates whether the surface is horizontally level. For vertical surfaces, the term used is “plumb.”
Flat File
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Crow Bar
Stubby Screwdriver
Side Cutters
The jaws of these general-purpose pliers are designed for both gripping and cutting. They are typically used to snip light-gauge wire
Flashlight
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Fire Extinguisher
Round File
Level
Ball-Peen Hammer
The peen of a hammer refers to either end of its head. Hence, the name ball-peen hammer refers to a hammer in which one end is hemispherical (or ball-shaped).
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Tape Measure
Tape measures used by plumbers are often like those used in carpentry. They are made of flexible metal, which is stiff when extended, but can be retracted into a coil for storage.
Hacksaw
Wood Chisel
Flint Spark Lighter
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Tin Snips
Torch Head
Multi-Tip Screwdriver
The multi-tip or multi-bit screwdriver is designed to use interchangeable tips or bits on a sturdy handle. The handle also provides storage space for the tips that are not being used.
Plunger
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Screwdriver
Step Ladder
PO Wrench
Vise-Grip Pliers
Vise-Grip is the brand name of the first set of locking pliers ever invented (in 1924) and it has taken on generic use among tradesmen. Locking pliers are usually locked into position by use of a screw located in one handle.
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Plugs
Gasket Cutter
Allen Keys
Some screws and bolts are made with a hexagonal recess in their heads and are fastened or loosened using an Allen key. The generic name is actually “hex key,” with “Allen” being the name of the most popular brand.
Tape Measure
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Trowel
Shovel
Although the terms “spade” and “shovel” are used interchangeably by most people, technically speaking, they represent two distinct groups of tools. The shovel’s blade is more angled to the handle. Shovels are used for scooping up and moving materials, while spades are designed for digging.
Cold Chisel
Pipe Extractors
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Torch Head
PEX Crimpers
Flint Spark Lighter
Safety Gloves
Working with the proper gloves provides protection from harsh chemicals, intense temperatures, electrical shock, sharp edges and infectious agents. There are safety standards which govern the type of protective work gloves which workers should use under specific conditions.
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Flaring Tool Kit
Ear Plugs
Sometimes written as one word (earplugs), these simple devices go a long way in protecting the wearer’s ears from loud noises and the entry of water, dust, wind and other foreign bodies. Ear plugs of various designs have been in use since ancient times.
Soil Pipe Cutter
Pipe Bending Spring
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Level
Round File
Claw Hammer
One end of the head on this hammer has a hardened face used for driving nails. The other end is shaped into curved, forked tines (resembling claws) for pulling out nails or similar objects.
Needle-Nose Pliers
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Hacksaw
Traditionally, hacksaws are made for cutting metal but they are also used on other materials, such as wood and plastic. They consist of a narrow, fine-toothed disposable blade in a C-shaped frame. Although hacksaws are normally hand saws, there are powered versions.
Hole Saw Kit
Safety Goggles
Telescopic Basin Wrench
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Spud Wrench
Trowel
Screwdriver
Stubby Screwdriver
Stubby screwdrivers get their name from the fact that they have a short, fat handle along with a short, metal shaft. They are very useful in spaces that a longer, regular screwdriver cannot access.
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
PO Wrench
A PO wrench is used for removal of pop-up or pop-out (PO) plugs from the drain opening in a basin. The easily recognizable four-way shape means that the PO wrench can be used on a variety of strainer types.
Crow Bar
Socket Set
Hand Saw
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Stubby Screwdriver
Side Cutters
Ear Plugs
Wood Chisel
Wood chisels come is a range of sizes. The bigger ones are used for removing large chunks of material while the smaller ones are ideal for detailing.
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Wire Strippers
Flat File
The term “flat file” is used to distinguish it from other types of files, including round, square and triangle files. Flat files may be single-cut, but most tend to be double-cut with a diamond pattern.
Allen Keys
Flint Spark Lighter
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Box Cutter
Plunger
Ball-Peen Hammer
Fire Extinguisher
Englishman Ambrose Godfrey patented the very first fire extinguisher in 1723. Today’s fire extinguishers are designed to combat one or more of the four classes of fires.
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Faucet Handle Puller
Cold Chisel
This steel chisel has a tempered edge and is used for cutting cold steel. The common types of cold chisel are the flat, cross cut, round nose and diamond point chisels.
Vise-Grip Pliers
Sledge Hammer
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Pipe Extractors
Crow Bar
A crow bar is made of steel with one flattened end and the other end curved and clawed. The flat end is useful as a lever while the curved and clawed end is for pulling nails.
Pipe Cutter
Ear Plugs
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Sledge Hammer
Tin Snips
Pipe Bending Spring
Caulking Gun
Caulking is a resilient silicone-based or rubber-based sealant compound. It is used to prevent entry of water and air. The process of applying caulking is also called caulking and is typically done with a hand or power tool (a caulking gun) that pushes out the sealant through a nozzle.
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Tape Measure
Shovel
Taping Knife
A taping knife, also called a joint knife, is a type of drywall finish tool. They are square-cornered and tend to range in width from 4 inches to 2 feet.
PEX Crimpers
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Hacksaw
Gasket Cutter
Plugs
Box Cutter
The box cutter is a type of utility knife. It has a short, sharp, retractable blade and is sometime described as a razor-blade knife.
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Flashlight
Wire Strippers
Wire strippers are small, hand-held devices with notched jaws. Their basic use is to strip insulation from around electrical wiring.
Fire Extinguisher
Hand Saw
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Gasket Cutter
This tool is often referred to as a washer and gasket cutter. It is used to create washers and gaskets out of soft materials, such as copper, cork, fiber, graphite, leather and rubber.
Safety Gloves
PO Wrench
Caulking Gun
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Vise-Grip Pliers
Pipe Extractors
Pipe extractors make it easy for you to remove broken threaded ends of pipe and pipe plugs. There are times when the fitting to be extracted has a solid end and must be drilled in order to accommodate the pipe extractor.
Adjustable Wrench
Trowel
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Torch Head
A torch head can be a very useful tool for a plumber to have. Two common types are the welding torch head and the cutting torch head.
Multi-Tip Screwdriver
Safety Goggles
Flat File
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Socket Set
Round File
As their name suggests, round files (also called rat tail files) are circular in cross-section and they generally have a gradual taper from tip to tang. The half-round file has one curved side and one flat side.
Wood Chisel
Step Ladder
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Hole Saw Kit
Needle-Nose Pliers
PEX Crimpers
PEX crimpers work by compressing a copper ring around PEX tubing and fitting. There is also a de-crimping tool to easily remove the copper crimp ring without damaging the fitting.
Ball-Peen Hammer
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Flaring Tool Kit
To flare a tube means to widen it slightly at the end in a kind of bell shape. This is done to get a better connection between the flared tube and another section of tubing.
Taping Knife
Flashlight
Hand Saw
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Claw Hammer
Adjustable Wrench
Spud Wrench
The spud wrench acts like two tools in one. One end is a regular open-ended wrench and the other is a tapered handle used to help with lining up bolt holes.
Safety Goggles
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Soil Pipe Cutter
A soil pipe cutter is a fast and easy way to cut cast iron, clay and small diameter concrete pipes. The cutter may be manual and some feature a ratchet mechanism. There are also hydraulic soil pipe cutters.
Tin Snips
Flaring Tool Kit
Shovel
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Allen Keys
Side Cutters
Telescopic Basin Wrench
The basin wrench is used to loosen the nuts holding the faucet onto the sink. Its effectiveness is increased by a telescopic handle that allows the wrench to be used in the tightest of locations.
Caulking Gun
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Ear Plugs
Flint Spark Lighter
This type of lighter is used to safely ignite a gaseous fuel in order to get a flame started. They are commonly used with acetylene, cutting and welding torches.
Faucet Handle Puller
Soil Pipe Cutter
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Plugs
Tape Measure
Spud Wrench
Pipe Bending Spring
A pipe bending spring is either inserted into or fitted over the pipe that is to be bent. The spring does not do the bending but it allows the pipe to be bent by you without becoming distorted or creased.
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Which plumbing tool is this a picture of?
Sledge Hammer
Level
Cold Chisel
Screwdriver
Screwdrivers may be manual or powered and are used for both inserting and removing screws. The usual design consists of a handle, a shaft and a tip which is either flattened or cross-shaped to fit into the head of a screw and turn it.
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