Plumbing Inspection Section#1 Supply Plumbing Quiz#2

You should have finished Study Session 1 before starting this study session. This study session deals with the source of water delivered to the house. The discussion of wells and pumps is beyond the Standards.

The estimated completion time is one and a half to two hours.

Objectives
At the end of this study session, you should be able to:

• List five different sources of water for a house.
• Describe, in one sentence each, two types of tests that can be done on a private system to give some indication of available water quantity.
• List and describe, in one sentence each, the components in a private water delivery system.
• List eleven common pump problems.
• Describe, in a few words, the difference between a jet pump and a submersible pump.
• Describe, in no more than three sentences, the operation of the pressure tank, and name two common types of pressure tanks.
• List four problems found with pressure tanks.

• Question 1

  Needs Grading

  	Briefly describe a well draw down test.
  	Selected Answer: Following are steps of well draw-down test 1. Disconnect the house water system 2. Plumb water out of well at a given rate over a period of time (often several hours) As the water is flowing, the level of water in the well is monitored. If the water supply is trong, the well will be replenished by the ground water quickly, and the water level in the well will not drop dramatically.  Correct Answer:   A well draw-down test pumps a fixed amount of water out of a well in a given time, to determine the rate at which the water level in the well falls. Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 2

  Needs Grading

  	Briefly describe a well recovery test.
  	Selected Answer: The water recovery rate is often measured as part of a draw-down test. This indicates how quickly the water is replenished and is determined by measuing the rate at which the water level rises after draw-down. A recovery rate of 3 gallons per minute is considered acceptable in many areas.  Correct Answer:   A well recovery test is a measurement of the rate at which the water level in the well rises after a draw-down test is preformed. Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 3

  Needs Grading

  	Briefly describe the difference between a diaphragm tank and a simple expansion tank.
  	Selected Answer: Diaphragm tank has a bladder that seperates the water from the air. The air in a simple tank will eventually be dissolved into the water and the tank will become waterlogged over time. the rubber bladder or diaphragm prevetns air from being dissolved into the water and the tank will not become waterlogged.  Correct Answer: A diaphragm tank has a rubber bladder or diaphragm that prevents the air in the tank from being dissolved into the water. A simple expansion tank does not have a diaphragm and may become waterlogged. Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 4

  Needs Grading

  	List five different sources of water for a house.
  	Selected Answer: 1. Public water supply 2. Wel 3. River 4. Lake 5. Cistern Correct Answer:   1. Well 2. River 3. Lake 4. Cistern 5. City pipes Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 5

  Needs Grading

  	List the components of a private water supply system, starting at the foot valve and strainer in the well and ending at the house supply distribution piping. You should have seven components.
  	Selected Answer: 1. Foot valve and strainer 2. The suction line (usually polyethylene plastic) 3. The pump itself 4. The discharge line (again, usually polyethylene) 5. A pressure tank 6. Controls to tell the pump when to come on 7. The house supply distribution system Correct Answer: - The foot valve and strainer - The suction line - The pump itself - The discharge line - A pressure tank - Controls to tell the pump when to come on - The house supply distribution piping Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 6

  Needs Grading

  	List three reasons why a pump may run continuously.
  	Selected Answer: 1. Worn impeller on the pump 2. A leak in the piping 3. A partially open valve in the distribution system 4. Controls that are set incorrectly or are defective 5. An undersized pump or one that is not operating at capacity 6. A plugged injector in a centrifugal jet pump Correct Answer: - Worn impeller on the pump - A leak in the piping - A partially open valve in the distribution system - Controls that are set incorrectly or are defective - A undersized pump or one that is not operating at capacity - A plugged injector in a centrifugal jet pump Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 7

  Needs Grading

  	What are the three types of pumps you will find in a private supply system?
  	Selected Answer: 1. 1 line jet pump 2. 2 lines jet pump 3. Piston pump Correct Answer:   Centrifugal pump, jet pump, and piston pump Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 8

  Needs Grading

  	What condition will you get at the faucet in the house if the pump has lost its prime?
  	Selected Answer: No water Correct Answer:   You will get air mixed with the water or you will get just air gurgling and spitting. Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 9

  Needs Grading

  	What is a common indicator of a waterlogged expansion tank?
  	Selected Answer: 1. Watch for short-cycling of water tank 2. Watch for condensation over the entire surface of the tank Correct Answer:   The pump will short cycle. Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 10

  Needs Grading

  	What is an acceptable volume of water and pressure range for a residential water supply pump?
  	Selected Answer: 1. A flow of 5 gpm can be considered good. A flow of 3 gpm can be considered acceptable.  2. 40 to 60 PSI Correct Answer:   An acceptable volume of water is 3 gpm, an acceptable pressure is 40 psi (20 to 60 psi range). Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 11

  Needs Grading

  	What is one major concern with a dug well?
  	Selected Answer: Contamination by surface water and chemicals Correct Answer:   Dug wells are very susceptible to going dry as a result of minor changes in groundwater levels. Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 12

  Needs Grading

  	What is the name given to the depth of water over the submersible pump in a well?
  	Selected Answer: static head Correct Answer:   Static head Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 13

  Needs Grading

  	What is the purpose of insulation on a pressure tank?
  	Selected Answer: To prevent condensation Correct Answer:   Insulation on a pressure tank minimizes condensation, helping to prevent corrosion. Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 14

  Needs Grading

  	What is the purpose of the pressure tank?
  	Selected Answer: To deliver water at a relatively consistent pressure to the house fixtures.  Correct Answer: The pressure tank delivers water at a relatively consistent pressure to the house fixtures. The pressure tank also prevents short cycling of the pump. Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 15

  Needs Grading

  	What is the risk when a house with well and municipal supply connects these two systems together?
  	Selected Answer: Contamination Correct Answer:   There is a risk of cross connection since a polluted well can pollute a municipal supply system. Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 16

  Needs Grading

  	What is the typical acceptable horsepower for a centrifugal pump installed on a shallow well?
  	Selected Answer: 1/2 is acceptable Correct Answer:   1/2 horse power Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 17

  Needs Grading

  	What is the typical diameter of a bored well?
  	Selected Answer: 2 to 3 feet Correct Answer:   2 to 3 feet Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 18

  Needs Grading

  	What is the typical diameter of a drilled well?
  	Selected Answer: 4 to 6 inches Correct Answer:   4 to 6 inches Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 19

  Needs Grading

  	What would be the most common type of pump found in a 20 foot deep dug well?
  	Selected Answer: 1-line jet pump Correct Answer:   Jet (centrifugal) pump Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 20

  Needs Grading

  	What would be the most common type of pump found in a 300 foot deep drilled well?
  	Selected Answer: submersible pump Correct Answer:   Submersible (centrifugal) pump Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 21

  0 out of 0 points

  	The minimum differential between cut-in and cut-out for the pump on a pressure controller is:
  	Selected Answer:   40 psi Answers: 10 psi   20 psi 30 psi 40 psi 50 psi Response Feedback: That's not correct

• Question 22

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  	What is a typical acceptable flow rate from a well?
  	Selected Answer:   3 gallons per minute Answers: 1 gallon per minute   3 gallons per minute 7 gallons per minute 15 gallons per minute 30 gallons per minute Response Feedback: Good work

• Question 23

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  	Where should the top of the well casing be in relation to the grade?
  	Selected Answer:   12 inches above the ground Answers: level with the ground 6 inches below the ground 12 inches below the ground 6 inches above the ground   12 inches above the ground Response Feedback: Good work

• Question 24

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  	A draw down test with good results performed in September will indicate that the well is going to have good capacity year round.
  	Selected Answer:  False Answers: True  False Response Feedback: Good work

• Question 25

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  	Evaluating the quality of the water available at a private source is beyond the scope of a Standard home inspection.
  	Selected Answer:  True Answers:  True False Response Feedback: Good work

• Question 26

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  	Ground fault circuit interrupter protection of a pump is mandatory.
  	Selected Answer:  False Answers: True  False Response Feedback: Good work

• Question 27

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  	Higher quality pumps are typically made of plastic.
  	Selected Answer:  False Answers: True  False Response Feedback: Good work

• Question 28

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  	Well casings are often sealed to keep surface water out of the well.
  	Selected Answer:  True Answers:  True False Response Feedback: Good work