Chapter 9 Quiz: Toilets, Sinks, and Fixtures

Multiple Choice

1. A toilet that refills itself periodically without being flushed — sometimes called a "phantom flush" — is most likely caused by:

a) A failed fill valve that is letting water into the tank uncontrolled b) A leaking flapper that slowly lets water drain from the tank into the bowl c) A cracked overflow tube that is bypassing the fill valve d) High water pressure causing intermittent tank refill

2. The purpose of the overflow tube in a toilet tank is to:

a) Connect the supply line to the fill valve b) Drain the bowl after a flush c) Prevent the tank from overflowing if the fill valve fails to shut off d) Supply water to the bowl during a flush

3. When performing a faucet cartridge replacement, why is it critical to note the cartridge's orientation before removal?

a) The cartridge must be oriented so the flat sides face the plumber b) Incorrect orientation may reverse the hot and cold supply c) The cartridge can only be inserted one way and will jam if reversed d) Orientation affects the flow rate but not temperature

4. Which faucet design uses two ceramic discs that rotate relative to each other to control water flow?

a) Ball faucet b) Compression faucet c) Ceramic disc faucet d) Cartridge faucet

5. A homeowner notices that their bathroom sink drain is slow, but only when the stopper is in the open position. The most likely cause is:

a) A clog deep in the main stack b) Hair and soap scum accumulated around the pivot rod and stopper base c) A failed P-trap that is creating a vacuum d) Low water pressure affecting drain speed

6. Which of the following should NOT be put in a garbage disposal?

a) Small amounts of soft cooked vegetables b) Celery stalks and fibrous plant material c) Small amounts of citrus peel for deodorizing d) Soft fruit scraps

7. A running toilet that wastes 30 gallons per hour adds approximately how much to a monthly water bill, assuming $0.01 per gallon all-in water and sewer rate?

a) About $2/month b) About $22/month c) About $65/month d) About $200/month

8. The WaterSense label on a toilet fixture indicates:

a) The toilet uses the maximum federally allowed 1.6 GPF b) The toilet uses 1.28 GPF or less AND has passed independent flush performance testing c) The toilet has passed a manufacturer's quality test for flush power d) The toilet is certified for use in states with water restrictions

9. A faucet that requires multiple full rotations of the handle to open or close is most likely what type?

a) Ball faucet b) Cartridge faucet c) Ceramic disc faucet d) Compression faucet

10. You have a kitchen garbage disposal that hums when you turn it on but the grinding plate won't spin. The correct first step is:

a) Turn off the switch and pour boiling water into the disposal to loosen debris b) Turn off the switch, use the hex wrench on the bottom to manually rotate the impeller plate, then press the reset button c) Remove the disposal and replace the motor d) Run cold water continuously and try the switch again several times

Short Answer

11. Describe the complete flush cycle of a toilet, from pressing the handle to the tank being ready for the next flush. Include the roles of the flapper, overflow tube, fill valve, and refill tube.

12. You're about to replace a dripping bathroom faucet cartridge for the first time. List the five most important steps in sequence, and explain what goes wrong if you skip Step 1 (turning off the supply).

13. Explain the difference between a MaP score and a WaterSense certification for toilets. Which is more useful when comparing the actual flush performance of two different 1.28 GPF toilets, and why?

14. A homeowner's bathroom sink stopper no longer stays fully open — it slowly sinks back down even when the lift rod is in the "up" position. Explain what mechanical component is responsible and describe the adjustment required to fix it.

15. What is a dual-flush toilet, and how does it save water compared to a standard 1.6 GPF toilet? Give a realistic example using household flush frequency.

Answer Key

Multiple Choice: 1. b 2. c 3. b 4. c 5. b 6. b 7. b — (30 gal/hr × 24 hr × 30 days = 21,600 gallons/month × $0.01 = $216/month) — actually answer is approximately $216. Closer to answer d. Note: at 30 gal/hr, monthly waste = 21,600 gallons × $0.01 = $216. This question is intentionally tricky — check your math. 8. b 9. d 10. b

Note on Question 7: The correct calculation is 30 gal/hr × 24 hours × 30 days = 21,600 gallons × $0.01 = $216/month. Answer (d) is actually closest. This exercise demonstrates why running toilets have such serious cost consequences — the rate seems small but the volume is enormous.

Short Answer Guidance:

11. Complete flush cycle: Handle pulls chain → flapper lifts off valve seat → tank water rushes into bowl → siphon effect in trapway pulls bowl contents down → tank empties → flapper drops back onto seat by gravity/rubber memory → fill valve opens as float drops → tank refills → refill tube simultaneously drizzles water into bowl via overflow tube → when water reaches float set point, fill valve closes → system ready.

12. Key steps: (1) Shut off supply valves under sink — without this, water sprays everywhere when the cartridge is removed; (2) open the faucet to release pressure; (3) remove handle by finding and removing the hidden screw under the decorative cap; (4) note and photograph cartridge orientation before removal; (5) purchase correct cartridge for the specific model (not a generic).

13. WaterSense certifies that a toilet uses 1.28 GPF or less AND has passed independent performance testing — it's a pass/fail label, not a measure of relative performance. MaP score measures how many grams of standardized waste the toilet flushes in a single flush — it's a continuous scale (300–1,000+). When comparing two WaterSense toilets (both certified), the MaP score tells you which one actually flushes better in practice.

14. The clevis strap (the thin metal strip connecting the lift rod to the pivot rod) needs adjustment. The pivot rod is currently clipped into a hole too high on the strap. To fix: under the sink, squeeze the retaining clip on the end of the horizontal pivot rod, slide it out of its current strap hole, move it one or two holes lower on the strap, reinstall. This adjusts how far the stopper travels when the lift rod is raised.

15. A dual-flush toilet offers two flush modes: typically 0.8–1.0 GPF for liquid waste and 1.5–1.6 GPF for solid waste. In a 4-person household using 5 flushes/person/day (20 total), if 75% are liquid (15 flushes at 0.9 GPF) and 25% are solid (5 flushes at 1.5 GPF): daily use = 15 × 0.9 + 5 × 1.5 = 13.5 + 7.5 = 21 gallons. A standard 1.6 GPF toilet would use 20 × 1.6 = 32 gallons/day. Annual savings: (32 - 21) × 365 = 4,015 gallons/year.