NYC NYCHA Maintenance Worker Exam Practice Test
Questions and Correct Answers
Question 1: A resident in a NYCHA development reports a persistent, foul-smelling odor coming
from the bathroom sink drain, accompanied by noticeably slow drainage. As a Maintenance
Worker, what is the most appropriate and effective initial troubleshooting step to resolve this
issue while adhering to NYCHA safety and sanitation protocols?
A. Immediately replace the entire sink and P-trap assembly to ensure a permanent and
immediate fix.
B. Pour a commercial chemical drain cleaner down the drain and instruct the resident to run hot
water for an hour.
C. Inspect and clean the P-trap and drain strainer to remove accumulated hair, soap scum, and
debris, then flush with hot water.
D. Seal the drain with a rubber stopper and report the issue to the property manager as a
potential main sewer line collapse.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Inspect and clean the P-trap and drain strainer to remove accumulated
hair, soap scum, and debris, then flush with hot water
Rationale: The most common cause of slow drainage and odors in a bathroom sink is a clogged
P-trap. Cleaning it is the standard, cost-effective, and safe first step before considering more
invasive repairs, and it avoids harsh chemicals that can damage older NYCHA plumbing.
Question 2: While performing routine preventative maintenance on a hydronic heating system
in a NYCHA boiler room, you notice a small but steady drip of water from a pipe joint. What is
the correct sequence of actions to address this issue safely?
A. Immediately tighten the joint with a pipe wrench while the system is under full pressure to
stop the leak quickly.
B. Shut off the water supply to that specific section, relieve the system pressure, and then
tighten or replace the faulty gasket or fitting.
C. Place a bucket under the drip, log it in the maintenance book, and wait for the annual system
shutdown to address it.
D. Apply a heavy layer of epoxy putty over the leaking joint while the water is still flowing to seal
the gap.
,CORRECT ANSWER: B. Shut off the water supply to that specific section, relieve the system
pressure, and then tighten or replace the faulty gasket or fitting
Rationale: Working on pressurized plumbing systems is dangerous and can lead to catastrophic
failure or injury. The system must be isolated and depressurized before any repairs are
attempted.
Question 3: A resident calls to report that a specific electrical outlet in their kitchen is not
working, but the lights in the same room are functioning normally. What is the most likely cause
and the appropriate first step for the Maintenance Worker?
A. The main service panel is faulty; replace the main breaker immediately.
B. The outlet is likely a GFCI that has tripped; locate the outlet or others on the same circuit and
press the "Reset" button.
C. The wiring in the walls is completely degraded; schedule a full apartment rewiring.
D. The resident is using too many appliances; instruct them to unplug everything permanently.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The outlet is likely a GFCI that has tripped; locate the outlet or others on
the same circuit and press the "Reset" button
Rationale: Kitchen outlets are required to be GFCI protected. A tripped GFCI will cut power to
that specific outlet and any downstream outlets on the same circuit, while leaving lighting
circuits unaffected.
Question 4: You are tasked with replacing a broken interior door in a resident's apartment.
Upon removing the old door, you notice the door frame is slightly out of square. What is the
best practice to ensure the new door hangs correctly and latches properly?
A. Force the new door into the frame and use longer screws to pull the frame into alignment.
B. Plane the edges of the new door until it fits, regardless of the gap sizes.
C. Use wooden shims behind the hinge plates and strike plate to adjust the frame to be plumb
and square before securing the new door.
D. Install the door without hinges, using only heavy-duty adhesive to hold it in place.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Use wooden shims behind the hinge plates and strike plate to adjust the
frame to be plumb and square before securing the new door
,Rationale: Shimming allows the maintenance worker to adjust the rough opening and frame to
be perfectly plumb and square, ensuring the door swings freely and the latch engages correctly
without binding.
Question 5: According to OSHA regulations and NYCHA safety policies, what is the maximum
allowable distance a worker can travel to reach a fire extinguisher in a high-hazard area, such as
a boiler room or a workshop with significant combustible materials?
A. 100 feet
B. 75 feet
C. 50 feet
D. 25 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 50 feet
Rationale: OSHA and NFPA standards dictate that in high-hazard areas (where flammable liquids
or significant combustible dust are present), a fire extinguisher must be located within 50 feet of
travel distance to ensure rapid response in case of a fire.
Question 6: A resident reports that their apartment is consistently too cold, even when the
radiator valve is turned fully open. Upon inspection, you find the radiator is hot at the bottom
but completely cold at the top. What is the most likely issue and its solution?
A. The boiler is broken; notify the chief engineer immediately.
B. The radiator is filled with trapped air; open the air vent (bleeder valve) at the top of the
radiator until water flows steadily, then close it.
C. The radiator valve is broken; replace the entire radiator.
D. The building's water pressure is too high; adjust the main pressure reducing valve.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The radiator is filled with trapped air; open the air vent (bleeder valve)
at the top of the radiator until water flows steadily, then close it
Rationale: Trapped air prevents hot water from filling the entire radiator. Bleeding the radiator
releases the air, allowing hot water to circulate fully and heat the apartment effectively.
, Question 7: When using a portable extension ladder to access a high ceiling for light bulb
replacement in a NYCHA community room, what is the correct and safe setup procedure?
A. Place the ladder on an uneven surface but have a coworker hold the base firmly.
B. Set the ladder at a 45-degree angle to the wall and extend it exactly to the height of the
ceiling.
C. Ensure the ladder extends at least 3 feet above the upper landing surface, and set the base at
a 4-to-1 ratio (1 foot out for every 4 feet up).
D. Lean the ladder against a fragile drywall partition to save time walking to a structural wall.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Ensure the ladder extends at least 3 feet above the upper landing
surface, and set the base at a 4-to-1 ratio (1 foot out for every 4 feet up)
Rationale: The 4-to-1 ratio provides optimal stability, and extending the ladder 3 feet above the
landing ensures the worker has a secure handhold when stepping on or off the ladder, as
mandated by OSHA.
Question 8: You are responding to a work order for a running toilet. After lifting the tank lid, you
observe that water is continuously flowing over the top of the overflow tube. What is the most
appropriate adjustment to fix this problem?
A. Replace the entire toilet bowl and tank assembly.
B. Adjust the float mechanism (ball float or fill valve) to a lower setting so the water shuts off
before reaching the top of the overflow tube.
C. Tighten the bolts connecting the tank to the bowl to stop the internal leak.
D. Pour a cup of bleach into the tank to dissolve any mineral buildup.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Adjust the float mechanism (ball float or fill valve) to a lower setting so
the water shuts off before reaching the top of the overflow tube
Rationale: Water flowing into the overflow tube indicates the fill valve is not shutting off at the
correct water level. Adjusting the float lowers the shut-off point, stopping the continuous
running and conserving water.
Questions and Correct Answers
Question 1: A resident in a NYCHA development reports a persistent, foul-smelling odor coming
from the bathroom sink drain, accompanied by noticeably slow drainage. As a Maintenance
Worker, what is the most appropriate and effective initial troubleshooting step to resolve this
issue while adhering to NYCHA safety and sanitation protocols?
A. Immediately replace the entire sink and P-trap assembly to ensure a permanent and
immediate fix.
B. Pour a commercial chemical drain cleaner down the drain and instruct the resident to run hot
water for an hour.
C. Inspect and clean the P-trap and drain strainer to remove accumulated hair, soap scum, and
debris, then flush with hot water.
D. Seal the drain with a rubber stopper and report the issue to the property manager as a
potential main sewer line collapse.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Inspect and clean the P-trap and drain strainer to remove accumulated
hair, soap scum, and debris, then flush with hot water
Rationale: The most common cause of slow drainage and odors in a bathroom sink is a clogged
P-trap. Cleaning it is the standard, cost-effective, and safe first step before considering more
invasive repairs, and it avoids harsh chemicals that can damage older NYCHA plumbing.
Question 2: While performing routine preventative maintenance on a hydronic heating system
in a NYCHA boiler room, you notice a small but steady drip of water from a pipe joint. What is
the correct sequence of actions to address this issue safely?
A. Immediately tighten the joint with a pipe wrench while the system is under full pressure to
stop the leak quickly.
B. Shut off the water supply to that specific section, relieve the system pressure, and then
tighten or replace the faulty gasket or fitting.
C. Place a bucket under the drip, log it in the maintenance book, and wait for the annual system
shutdown to address it.
D. Apply a heavy layer of epoxy putty over the leaking joint while the water is still flowing to seal
the gap.
,CORRECT ANSWER: B. Shut off the water supply to that specific section, relieve the system
pressure, and then tighten or replace the faulty gasket or fitting
Rationale: Working on pressurized plumbing systems is dangerous and can lead to catastrophic
failure or injury. The system must be isolated and depressurized before any repairs are
attempted.
Question 3: A resident calls to report that a specific electrical outlet in their kitchen is not
working, but the lights in the same room are functioning normally. What is the most likely cause
and the appropriate first step for the Maintenance Worker?
A. The main service panel is faulty; replace the main breaker immediately.
B. The outlet is likely a GFCI that has tripped; locate the outlet or others on the same circuit and
press the "Reset" button.
C. The wiring in the walls is completely degraded; schedule a full apartment rewiring.
D. The resident is using too many appliances; instruct them to unplug everything permanently.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The outlet is likely a GFCI that has tripped; locate the outlet or others on
the same circuit and press the "Reset" button
Rationale: Kitchen outlets are required to be GFCI protected. A tripped GFCI will cut power to
that specific outlet and any downstream outlets on the same circuit, while leaving lighting
circuits unaffected.
Question 4: You are tasked with replacing a broken interior door in a resident's apartment.
Upon removing the old door, you notice the door frame is slightly out of square. What is the
best practice to ensure the new door hangs correctly and latches properly?
A. Force the new door into the frame and use longer screws to pull the frame into alignment.
B. Plane the edges of the new door until it fits, regardless of the gap sizes.
C. Use wooden shims behind the hinge plates and strike plate to adjust the frame to be plumb
and square before securing the new door.
D. Install the door without hinges, using only heavy-duty adhesive to hold it in place.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Use wooden shims behind the hinge plates and strike plate to adjust the
frame to be plumb and square before securing the new door
,Rationale: Shimming allows the maintenance worker to adjust the rough opening and frame to
be perfectly plumb and square, ensuring the door swings freely and the latch engages correctly
without binding.
Question 5: According to OSHA regulations and NYCHA safety policies, what is the maximum
allowable distance a worker can travel to reach a fire extinguisher in a high-hazard area, such as
a boiler room or a workshop with significant combustible materials?
A. 100 feet
B. 75 feet
C. 50 feet
D. 25 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 50 feet
Rationale: OSHA and NFPA standards dictate that in high-hazard areas (where flammable liquids
or significant combustible dust are present), a fire extinguisher must be located within 50 feet of
travel distance to ensure rapid response in case of a fire.
Question 6: A resident reports that their apartment is consistently too cold, even when the
radiator valve is turned fully open. Upon inspection, you find the radiator is hot at the bottom
but completely cold at the top. What is the most likely issue and its solution?
A. The boiler is broken; notify the chief engineer immediately.
B. The radiator is filled with trapped air; open the air vent (bleeder valve) at the top of the
radiator until water flows steadily, then close it.
C. The radiator valve is broken; replace the entire radiator.
D. The building's water pressure is too high; adjust the main pressure reducing valve.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The radiator is filled with trapped air; open the air vent (bleeder valve)
at the top of the radiator until water flows steadily, then close it
Rationale: Trapped air prevents hot water from filling the entire radiator. Bleeding the radiator
releases the air, allowing hot water to circulate fully and heat the apartment effectively.
, Question 7: When using a portable extension ladder to access a high ceiling for light bulb
replacement in a NYCHA community room, what is the correct and safe setup procedure?
A. Place the ladder on an uneven surface but have a coworker hold the base firmly.
B. Set the ladder at a 45-degree angle to the wall and extend it exactly to the height of the
ceiling.
C. Ensure the ladder extends at least 3 feet above the upper landing surface, and set the base at
a 4-to-1 ratio (1 foot out for every 4 feet up).
D. Lean the ladder against a fragile drywall partition to save time walking to a structural wall.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Ensure the ladder extends at least 3 feet above the upper landing
surface, and set the base at a 4-to-1 ratio (1 foot out for every 4 feet up)
Rationale: The 4-to-1 ratio provides optimal stability, and extending the ladder 3 feet above the
landing ensures the worker has a secure handhold when stepping on or off the ladder, as
mandated by OSHA.
Question 8: You are responding to a work order for a running toilet. After lifting the tank lid, you
observe that water is continuously flowing over the top of the overflow tube. What is the most
appropriate adjustment to fix this problem?
A. Replace the entire toilet bowl and tank assembly.
B. Adjust the float mechanism (ball float or fill valve) to a lower setting so the water shuts off
before reaching the top of the overflow tube.
C. Tighten the bolts connecting the tank to the bowl to stop the internal leak.
D. Pour a cup of bleach into the tank to dissolve any mineral buildup.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Adjust the float mechanism (ball float or fill valve) to a lower setting so
the water shuts off before reaching the top of the overflow tube
Rationale: Water flowing into the overflow tube indicates the fill valve is not shutting off at the
correct water level. Adjusting the float lowers the shut-off point, stopping the continuous
running and conserving water.
