Think you know your plumbing fundamentals? Try these 10 questions:

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1. What is the minimum slope for a horizontal drain pipe per foot?

A) 1/8" B) 1/4" C) 1/2" D) 1"

2. Which pipe material is MOST commonly used for modern residential water supply?

A) Galvanized steel B) Cast iron C) PEX D) ABS

3. What is the purpose of a plumbing vent?

A) Drain water faster B) Prevent siphoning of traps C) Heat the pipes D) Reduce water pressure

4. What temperature should a residential water heater be set to?

A) 100°F B) 120°F C) 140°F D) 160°F

5. Which fitting connects two pipes of DIFFERENT sizes?

A) Coupling B) Union C) Reducer D) Tee

6. What does DWV stand for?

A) Direct Water Valve B) Drain, Waste, Vent C) Double Wall Valve D) Drain Water Volume

7. The P-trap holds water to:

A) Increase pressure B) Filter debris C) Block sewer gases D) Reduce noise

8. What tool cuts copper pipe cleanly?

A) Hacksaw B) Tubing cutter C) Pipe wrench D) Channel locks

9. PVC cement creates a bond through:

A) Heat B) Chemical welding C) Pressure D) Friction

10. Standard toilet flange rough-in distance from finished wall?

A) 10" B) 12" C) 14" D) 16"

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Answers

1-B, 2-C, 3-B, 4-B, 5-C, 6-B, 7-C, 8-B, 9-B, 10-B

Score less than 8/10? You need to study up before your licensing exam.

Our Plumbing Workbook covers ALL of these topics with exercises and reference charts.

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Starting a plumbing apprenticeship? Here's what your journeyman expects you to know on Day 1:

1. Basic Tool Identification

Know the difference between:

• Channel locks vs pipe wrenches

• Hacksaws vs tubing cutters

• Basin wrenches vs adjustable wrenches

Pro tip: If you hand your journeyman a channel lock when they ask for a pipe wrench, you're going to have a bad day.

2. Pipe Materials — The Big 4

• Copper — water supply lines (soldered joints)

• PVC — drain/waste/vent (glued joints)

• PEX — modern water supply (crimp/push-fit)

• Cast Iron — older drain systems (heavy, fragile)

3. Water Flow Basics

• Water supply = pressurized (pushes water to fixtures)

• Drain system = gravity (water flows downhill)

• Vent system = air (prevents siphoning traps)

4. Safety Non-Negotiables

• Never use a torch near combustibles

• Always wear safety glasses when cutting pipe

• Know where the main shutoff is BEFORE you start work

5. Basic Math

• Pipe offsets (45° and 90° calculations)

• Grade/slope for drains (1/4" per foot)

• Thread engagement charts

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I put all of this into a structured 10-module workbook with exercises, reference tables, and pro tips from licensed plumbers.

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Most people have NO idea how much money is in the plumbing trade. Let me break it down:

Entry Level (Year 1-2)

• Apprentice: $35,000 - $45,000/year

• You're learning on the job + studying for your license

Journeyman (Year 3-5)

• Licensed Plumber: $55,000 - $75,000/year

• Now you can work independently

Master Plumber (Year 5+)

• Master License: $75,000 - $100,000+/year

• You can pull permits, run crews, start your own business

Business Owner

• Own your shop: $150,000 - $300,000+/year

• Top plumbing business owners clear $500K+

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The trades are MASSIVELY undersupplied right now. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 16% growth in plumbing jobs through 2032.

Zero student debt. Six-figure income. Job security forever.

If you're serious about getting into plumbing, the first step is learning the fundamentals. I built a complete 10-module workbook that covers everything from pipe types to plumbing codes.

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Been in the trade long enough to see the same mistakes over and over. Here's what trips up most apprentices — and what to do instead.

1. Using the wrong pipe cement

ABS cement on PVC creates a weak joint that WILL fail. Same the other way around. Know your materials before you glue. Transition cement exists for a reason — use it when code allows.

2. Forgetting about slope

Drains work by gravity. ¼" per foot for pipes 3" and smaller, ⅛" per foot for 4"+. I've seen guys install perfectly level drains and wonder why they back up. Measure it.

3. Overtightening toilet flange bolts

Porcelain cracks. That's a $300+ toilet you just destroyed. Snug is enough — alternate sides, go slow.

4. Ignoring the vent system

Every trap needs a vent. No vent = siphoned traps = sewer gas in the house. If you hear gurgling when a toilet flushes, the vent is probably blocked or missing.

5. Not owning a tubing cutter

Hacksaws leave burrs. Burrs restrict flow and cause turbulence. A $15 tubing cutter gives you clean cuts every time on copper and plastic. Get one.

The trade rewards people who pay attention to details. If you want to actually learn this stuff properly — workbooks, exercises, reference charts — that's what we built PlumbPro Training for.