Kansas Journeyman Plumber
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. What is the primary purpose of a plumbing trap?
A. To increase water pressure
B. To prevent sewer gases from entering a building
C. To increase drainage flow
D. To prevent water hammer
Answer: B. To prevent sewer gases from entering a building
Rationale: A plumbing trap maintains a water seal between the
drainage system and the occupied space. The seal prevents sewer gases
and odors from entering the building while allowing wastewater to
discharge through the fixture drain.
2. Which component is primarily responsible for carrying wastewater
from fixtures to the building drain?
A. Water service
B. Fixture supply
C. Drainage piping
D. Pressure-reducing valve
Answer: C. Drainage piping
Rationale: Drainage piping conveys wastewater away from plumbing
fixtures toward the building drain and sewer. Water-service piping
,supplies potable water, while valves regulate flow or pressure rather
than transporting wastewater.
3. What is the minimum purpose of a venting system in a drainage
installation?
A. To supply potable water
B. To maintain trap seals and allow proper drainage-system airflow
C. To increase fixture pressure
D. To heat drainage piping
Answer: B. To maintain trap seals and allow proper drainage-
system airflow
Rationale: Proper venting balances pressures within the drainage
system. This helps protect trap seals from siphonage and backpressure
and allows wastewater to flow efficiently without excessive pressure
fluctuations.
4. Which fitting is generally used to change the direction of a
drainage pipe while providing a relatively smooth transition?
A. Sanitary tee
B. Wye
C. Coupling
D. Cap
Answer: B. Wye
Rationale: A wye fitting provides a smooth directional transition that is
well suited to drainage flow. Sanitary drainage fittings are designed to
minimize turbulence and reduce the possibility of blockages.
5. What does the term “DWV” commonly mean in plumbing?
A. Domestic water valve
B. Drain, waste, and vent
, C. Direct water volume
D. Drain water vacuum
Answer: B. Drain, waste, and vent
Rationale: DWV describes the piping systems used to remove
wastewater and provide ventilation for the drainage system.
Understanding DWV principles is fundamental to residential and
commercial plumbing work.
6. Which tool is commonly used to cut copper tubing?
A. Tubing cutter
B. Pipe wrench
C. Basin wrench
D. Adjustable pliers
Answer: A. Tubing cutter
Rationale: A tubing cutter produces a controlled, square cut on copper
tubing. After cutting, the tube should normally be reamed or deburred
to remove the internal ridge that can restrict flow.
7. What is the primary purpose of reaming copper tubing after
cutting?
A. Increase pipe diameter
B. Remove the internal burr
C. Harden the tubing
D. Apply flux
Answer: B. Remove the internal burr
Rationale: Cutting tubing can leave an internal burr that restricts
water flow and can contribute to turbulence or corrosion. Reaming
restores a smooth internal passage before joining the tubing.
, 8. Which material is commonly used for potable-water distribution
piping?
A. ABS drain pipe
B. PVC DWV pipe
C. Copper tubing
D. Cast-iron soil pipe
Answer: C. Copper tubing
Rationale: Copper tubing is widely used for potable-water distribution
because it is durable, corrosion resistant under appropriate conditions,
and suitable for pressurized water systems. Other materials may also
be permitted depending on the application and applicable code.
9. What is the purpose of flux when soldering copper pipe?
A. To cool the joint
B. To clean and chemically prepare the metal surfaces
C. To increase pipe thickness
D. To seal a threaded joint
Answer: B. To clean and chemically prepare the metal surfaces
Rationale: Flux removes oxides and helps prevent further oxidation
during heating, allowing solder to wet and bond properly to the copper
surfaces. The joint must still be properly cleaned and heated.
10. What is the best general practice before soldering a copper
fitting?
A. Leave the surfaces oily
B. Clean and properly prepare the tubing and fitting
C. Fill the tubing with water
D. Apply solder before heating
Answer: B. Clean and properly prepare the tubing and fitting
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a plumbing trap?
A. To increase water pressure
B. To prevent sewer gases from entering a building
C. To increase drainage flow
D. To prevent water hammer
Answer: B. To prevent sewer gases from entering a building
Rationale: A plumbing trap maintains a water seal between the
drainage system and the occupied space. The seal prevents sewer gases
and odors from entering the building while allowing wastewater to
discharge through the fixture drain.
2. Which component is primarily responsible for carrying wastewater
from fixtures to the building drain?
A. Water service
B. Fixture supply
C. Drainage piping
D. Pressure-reducing valve
Answer: C. Drainage piping
Rationale: Drainage piping conveys wastewater away from plumbing
fixtures toward the building drain and sewer. Water-service piping
,supplies potable water, while valves regulate flow or pressure rather
than transporting wastewater.
3. What is the minimum purpose of a venting system in a drainage
installation?
A. To supply potable water
B. To maintain trap seals and allow proper drainage-system airflow
C. To increase fixture pressure
D. To heat drainage piping
Answer: B. To maintain trap seals and allow proper drainage-
system airflow
Rationale: Proper venting balances pressures within the drainage
system. This helps protect trap seals from siphonage and backpressure
and allows wastewater to flow efficiently without excessive pressure
fluctuations.
4. Which fitting is generally used to change the direction of a
drainage pipe while providing a relatively smooth transition?
A. Sanitary tee
B. Wye
C. Coupling
D. Cap
Answer: B. Wye
Rationale: A wye fitting provides a smooth directional transition that is
well suited to drainage flow. Sanitary drainage fittings are designed to
minimize turbulence and reduce the possibility of blockages.
5. What does the term “DWV” commonly mean in plumbing?
A. Domestic water valve
B. Drain, waste, and vent
, C. Direct water volume
D. Drain water vacuum
Answer: B. Drain, waste, and vent
Rationale: DWV describes the piping systems used to remove
wastewater and provide ventilation for the drainage system.
Understanding DWV principles is fundamental to residential and
commercial plumbing work.
6. Which tool is commonly used to cut copper tubing?
A. Tubing cutter
B. Pipe wrench
C. Basin wrench
D. Adjustable pliers
Answer: A. Tubing cutter
Rationale: A tubing cutter produces a controlled, square cut on copper
tubing. After cutting, the tube should normally be reamed or deburred
to remove the internal ridge that can restrict flow.
7. What is the primary purpose of reaming copper tubing after
cutting?
A. Increase pipe diameter
B. Remove the internal burr
C. Harden the tubing
D. Apply flux
Answer: B. Remove the internal burr
Rationale: Cutting tubing can leave an internal burr that restricts
water flow and can contribute to turbulence or corrosion. Reaming
restores a smooth internal passage before joining the tubing.
, 8. Which material is commonly used for potable-water distribution
piping?
A. ABS drain pipe
B. PVC DWV pipe
C. Copper tubing
D. Cast-iron soil pipe
Answer: C. Copper tubing
Rationale: Copper tubing is widely used for potable-water distribution
because it is durable, corrosion resistant under appropriate conditions,
and suitable for pressurized water systems. Other materials may also
be permitted depending on the application and applicable code.
9. What is the purpose of flux when soldering copper pipe?
A. To cool the joint
B. To clean and chemically prepare the metal surfaces
C. To increase pipe thickness
D. To seal a threaded joint
Answer: B. To clean and chemically prepare the metal surfaces
Rationale: Flux removes oxides and helps prevent further oxidation
during heating, allowing solder to wet and bond properly to the copper
surfaces. The joint must still be properly cleaned and heated.
10. What is the best general practice before soldering a copper
fitting?
A. Leave the surfaces oily
B. Clean and properly prepare the tubing and fitting
C. Fill the tubing with water
D. Apply solder before heating
Answer: B. Clean and properly prepare the tubing and fitting