| 摘要 |
A method and apparatus for testing plumbing installations including a tool for making an opening through a test cap or other blockage in a fluid-carrying line of a plumbing system. The tool and cap make the testing method possible. During the rough-in plumbing phase of construction, a test cap welded in the drain pipe seals the drain line from the sewer line at the location of the clean-out. Thereafter, the rough-in plumbing system is tested by pressurizing the system through the clean-out on the building side of the cap. Following successful completion of this test, the top-out plumbing is completed, leaving the test cap welded in place. After the roof vents are in, the top-out test of the plumbing system is made, also through the clean-out. After final test and inspection, a special tool constructed in accordance with the present invention is inserted down the clean-out to penetrate and ream-out the test cap. The test cap used is specially constructed to facilitate use of the tool, and the tool has an operating head especially adapted to access the test cap and to penetrate and ream an opening through the cap. Thereafter, the tool including the head is readily withdrawn from the clean-out. Moreover, the tool is easily lengthened or shortened to suit particular applications and users. The tool may also be useful in opening a passage through other blockages in a fluid-carrying line.
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