Follow the Flow
This device records the amount of water used by a home or business.
What is a water meter?
This device reduces incoming gas pressure to a safe pressure for appliances.
What is a gas regulator?
This plumbing component holds water to prevent sewer gases from entering a building.
What is a P-trap?
This document is the primary reference used by plumbers to determine installation requirements and minimum standards.
What is the plumbing code
This device heats and stores water in a tank until it is needed by the home
What is a storage tank water heater?
A customer reports that the master shower turns cold whenever a toilet is flushed. The home has a single-handle shower valve. This component is the most likely cause.
What is a failed pressure-balancing cartridge?
This unit of measurement is commonly used to describe residential water pressure.
What is PSI (Pounds per Square Inch)?
Gas pressure in residential systems is commonly measured using this unit.
What are inches of water column (WC)
This system allows air into the drainage piping to help fixtures drain properly and protect trap seals.
What is a venting system
A customer complains of low water pressure throughout the entire home. This should be one of the first things checked.
What is the water pressure at the meter or hose bibb
On a standard electric water heater, this safety device opens if the water temperature becomes dangerously high
What is the high-limit switch (ECO - Energy Cut Off)?
A sewer camera inspection shows standing water at 40 feet in a 4-inch sewer line. The line was installed with proper slope. This condition most likely exists.
What is a belly (sag) in the sewer line?
A homeowner reports good pressure with one fixture running, but pressure drops significantly when a second fixture is opened. This often indicates this problem.
What is a service line restriction?
Before a new gas piping system is placed into service, it must undergo this type of test to verify
What is a gas pressure test?
This green-colored plastic pipe is commonly used for underground gravity sewer installations.
What is SDR-35 pipe?
When sizing a gas or water piping system, this information must be known to properly determine pipe diameter.
What are the flow demand and pipe length?
This valve is designed to open if a water heater experiences excessive temperature or pressure
: What is a Temperature and Pressure Relief (T&P) Valve?
A home has 75 PSI static pressure. Pressure remains above 65 PSI under flow conditions, yet the customer complains of poor shower performance at multiple fixtures. Water volume is adequate, and no restrictions are found. The most likely issue is this
What is a fixture flow restriction caused by clogged aerators, cartridges, balancing spools, or scaling within the fixtures themselves?
Water pressure decreases by approximately this amount for every foot of elevation gain.
What is 0.433 PSI per foot?
Most natural gas appliances are designed to operate at approximately this manifold pressure.
3.5 inches of water column (WC)?
Under most plumbing codes, a 3-inch horizontal drain line requires at least this minimum slope.
What is 1/4 inch per foot?
This test is commonly performed on a DWV system before inspection to verify there are no leaks in the piping.
What is a water test or air test?
A customer has hot water for only a few minutes before it turns cold. On an electric water heater, this component is commonly the cause
What is a failed lower heating element?
A toilet flushes well but the bowl slowly loses water over several hours.
What is a cracked toilet bowl or siphoning caused by a partial drain obstruction?
A house has 80 PSI at the meter and the second-floor shower is 20 feet above the meter. Ignoring friction loss, the expected pressure at the shower would be approximately this value.
What is 71 PSI?
This fuel contains more BTUs per cubic foot and typically operates at a higher delivery pressure than natural gas.
What is propane (LP gas)?
When a fixture trap loses its water seal because of negative pressure in the drainage system, this condition has occurred.
What is an evaporated trap seal?
A slab home loses pressure whenever two fixtures are operated simultaneously. The meter is not spinning rapidly, and both hot and cold water are affected. This field diagnosis is most likely
What is a restriction in the main water service, meter assembly, or pressure-reducing valve (if installed)?
An electric water heater is producing no hot water. Power is present at the unit, but the reset button has tripped. Name two possible causes.
A customer reports intermittent sewer odors throughout the home. All traps contain water, the sewer passes inspection, and smoke testing reveals no leaks. The odor is strongest on windy days and when bathroom exhaust fans are running.
What is a negative pressure issue caused by inadequate venting, vent termination location problems, or wind-induced vent downdrafts?