Abstract:
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 Thereafter, the tool including the head is readily withdrawn from the clean-out.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.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of my application Ser. No. 09/034,880, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,563, filed Mar. 4, 1998 which in turn is a divisional of my parent application Ser. No. 08/777,407 filed Dec. 30, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,830. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for testing plumbing installations and more particularly to a tool for making an opening through a test cap or other blockage in a fluid-carrying line of a plumbing system and to an improved method for testing a plumbing installation wherein the tool and cap make the testing method possible. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In residential house construction and as is well known, the plumbing is basically installed in three stages, namely, the rough-in plumbing, top-out plumbing and finish plumbing. The rough-in plumbing occurs prior to pouring of concrete. Top-out plumbing follows framing the building and involves installing the pipes in the walls and vent pipes that extend up through the roof of the structure. Finish plumbing relates to setting toilets, sinks, and the like. 
     The rough plumbing includes laying a drain or waste pipe which leads from building to the city sewer main normally in the access street or road adjacent to the building. It is, thus, common practice to insert a clean-out in the drain pipe between the pipes in the building and the section of the drain pipe that leads to the sewer line. This clean-out may be located in a basement or, in a building without a basement, outside the building and underground. If underground, the clean-out has a branch extending to the surface of the ground for providing access to the drain pipe both during construction and during use of the building. 
     As is well known, in order to pass the rigid inspection normally imposed by building codes, it is necessary to test the drainage part of the plumbing system after the rough-in and top-out stages are finished. For this purpose, common procedures and devices are in use. The devices include test caps and inflatable test plugs, so-called water-weenies. In use, the test caps are sealed at the ends of all open and exposed branch pipes, and the inflatable test plugs are used in the clean-out where the passageway plugged is not as accessible. After the tests, the exposed test caps are punched out with a hammer, and the inflatable plugs are deflated and pulled out of the clean-out. Thus, the test plugs and the inflatable plugs can be removed without disassembling and disturbing the tested system. 
     As indicated, the test caps in above-ground, accessible locations are usually knocked out with a hammer, whereupon the fragments are pried out with a screwdriver or pliers. If a test cap were sealed in a clean-out, however, whether the clean-out is relatively accessible in a basement or whether it is underground, it cannot be punched out with a hammer and screwdriver without disassembling part of the system and thereby disturbing the tested system. Thus, test caps have not been used to block the test pressure in the drain pipe. 
     Instead, during the rough-in plumbing stage, the inflatable weenie-shaped, test plugs have been inserted in the clean-out, used for the tests, and subsequently removed with a pull chain attached to the plug and extending out of the clean-out. More specifically, to test the rough-in plumbing, the plug is inserted and inflated thereby sealing the drain pipe. The plumbing on the building side of the plug is then pressurized to check for leaks. After the top-out phase is completed, the plumbing is again tested by again inflating the plug, and pressurizing the system, usually by feeding water into the system through the vent pipes in the roof. 
     Use of such inflatable weenie plugs for the described testing has proved unsatisfactory for several reasons. The essential problem is that the plugs often leak although the plumbing may be entirely sound. Either the plug does not seal perfectly circumferentially within the pipe or the plug is punctured as it is being slid in or out of the clean-out and against the rough surfaces thereof. As a result, the test fails, not because of faulty plumbing, but because of a faulty plug. The plumbing crew will then need to be called back to the job to attend to the problem, causing aggravation and extra expense to the contractors and owners involved. Not only is there extra labor cost involved, but the failed inflatable test plugs must be replaced at considerable expense. 
     SUMMARY 
     A method and apparatus for testing plumbing installations is provided 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. 
     An object of this invention is to be able to open a passage through a test cap or other blockage in a fluid-carrying line. 
     Another object is to provide a tool that can be extended into a clean-out and can penetrate through and ream out a test cap or other blockage that is secured or stuck in a fluid-tight manner in a drain pipe to which the clean-out is connected. 
     Still another object is to be able from a remote position to maneuver and guide the operating head of a tool inside a clean-out and into a position therein to penetrate and ream out a test cap welded in the clean-out or other blockage in the line. 
     An additional object is to be able to do the rough-in and final pressure tests of a plumbing system in a building under construction through a clean-out instead of through a roof vent or other internal pipe of the building. 
     A further object is to provide a tool for penetrating and reaming an opening through a test cap or other blockage in a drain line wherein the tool is adapted to flex more easily around corners or other transitions between a clean-out and the drain line and thereby make an opening through the test cap or other blockage. 
     An additional object is to provide a test cap for blocking a drain line that can be more easily removed by a tool especially adapted to penetrate and ream out the cap through a clean-out. 
     Another object is to provide an operating head on a plumbing tool that is especially adapted to penetrate through and ream out an opening through a test cap in a drain line. 
     Yet another object is to provide a test cap- or other blockage-removing tool that can be adjusted in length depending on the distance between the test cap-to-be-removed and the location of the operator of the tool. 
     A further object to provide a test cap-removing tool that cooperates with a clean-out to leverage the operating head into an operating position and then allows the operating head to penetrate and ream through the test cap or other blockage. 
     A still further object is to enable a test plug or other blockage that has been welded or otherwise fixed in fluid-tight relation in a drain pipe to be removed so that nearly the full diameter of the drain pipe is available for conducting material therethrough after the plug or other blockage has been removed. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reference to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing a schematic representation of a plumbing installation in a residential building construction that is intended to represent the plumbing installation after the rough-in plumbing or first stage of the plumbing installation has been completed and during which a clean-out is installed in a drain pipe leading from the building to a public sewer line. 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded isometric view of a part of FIG. 1, showing fragments of upper and lower sections of the drain pipe, showing the clean-out with a branch thereof partially broken away to be connected to the lower section of the drain pipe, and showing a test cap to be connected to the lower section between the section and the branch of the clean-out. 
     FIG. 3 is a still further enlarged view similar to FIG. 2 but with the parts assembled, thereby showing the clean-out connected between the upper and lower sections of the drain pipe and showing the test cap connected to the lower section between that section and the clean-out so as to block flow through the clean-out from the upper section of the drain pipe to the lower section thereof. 
     FIG. 4 is a still further enlarged face view of the test cap shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 as seen from the downstream side of the cap. 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded longitudinal diametrical section of the test cap taken on a plane indicated by line  5 — 5  of FIG.  4  and showing the test cap between the drain pipe and the clean-out and illustrating how these three parts will interfit when assembled. 
     FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but on a reduced scale and intended to represent the plumbing system after the second or top-out stage thereof has been completed. 
     FIG. 7 a  is an isometric view of a tool used in carrying out the method of the present invention and including an operating head, a flexible shaft, and handles and with the tool in its fully extended position. 
     FIG. 7 b  is an isometric view similar to FIG. 7 a  but with the tool in its fully retracted position. 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged end view of the operating head of the tool shown in FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b.    
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged, exploded isometric primarily of the operating head of FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b  with the shaft being shown fragmentarily and showing how the operating head is releasably pivotally connected to the shaft. 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged isometric view of the shaft showing the turns of the coil spring construction of the shaft. 
     FIG. 11 is an enlarged exploded isometric view of the handle of the tool of FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b  and showing how the handle is connected to the shaft. 
     FIG. 12 is an isometric view similar to and on the same scale as FIG. 3 with an extension pipe connected to the clean-out, with the tool of FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b  extended into the clean-out, and with part of the clean-out broken away to show the operating head of the tool pivots in order to move into operating engagement with the center plate of the test cap. 
     FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary, vertical longitudinal section of the clean-out and part of the lower section of the drain pipe and showing the tool with its operating head pivoted relative to the shaft of the tool and penetrating the center plate of the cap in position to ream an opening through the cap. 
     FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 12 but with the tool removed and with the clean-out broken away to show how the operating head has completely removed the center plate of the test cap thereby to open the drain pipe for movement of drain materials therethrough. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Prior to describing the method and apparatus of the present invention, reference will be briefly made to the environment in which the invention is used. Thus, in FIG. 1, a plumbing system is schematically shown and generally indicated by the numeral  20  in a residential building construction  22 , with the plumbing system being represented at the rough plumbing stage. Only the foundation area  24  and a few of the interior pipes  26  of the plumbing system are shown, thereby indicating that only the basic pipes have been installed and that none of the finish plumbing is in nor are the appliances installed. 
     During the rough-in plumbing stage (FIG.  1 ), a drain pipe  36  is connected between the interior plumbing  26  and a city sewer main or public sewer line  38  which usually runs underneath the street or road in front of the construction  22 . The drain pipe is typically made of a plastic such as ABS or PVC, but it may be cast iron or copper or other suitable material. For drainage purposes, the pipe usually has a three- or four-inch diameter and is laid with enough slope to enable drainage. As is well known, the ground  42  around the construction is excavated to provide a large trench or open area  44  below normal ground level so the drain pipe can be connected to the sewer line. The drain pipe has an upper section  46  connected to the interior plumbing and a lower section  48  connected to the sewer line. 
     A three-way clean-out  56  (FIGS. 1,  2  and  3 ), usually of the same material as the drain pipe  36 , has inlet, outlet and clean-out branches  58 ,  60  and  62 , each having a collar  64  and an annular shoulder  66 . The collars of the inlet and outlet branches are respectively slid over and cemented to the upper and lower sections  46  and  48  of the drain pipe with the shoulders of the clean-out normally abutting the ends of the pipe sections. A riser  68  is connected to the clean-out branch and extends above the surface of the ground  42 , and a clean-out cover  69  is releasably connected to the riser for sealing and closing this branch when necessary. Note also that the clean-out may be a wye as shown, but also a sanitary tee or a combination, that is, a two way, clean-out, the latter two types not being shown. 
     A feature of the present invention is the use of an inlet nipple  69   a  in the cover  69  that is closed by a removable cap  69   b.  When opened by removing the cap, the nipple provides fluid communication into the riser  68  and thus to the clean-out  56  for a purpose to be described. This nipple may be offset from the wrench lug on the cover, as shown, or it may be coaxial with the cover. The important characteristic is that the nipple provides a way of feeding water into the plumbing system  20  through the clean-out at the appropriate time, as will be seen. 
     As is well-known, building codes typically require plumbing installations for new construction to be tested for leaks twice: after the rough-in plumbing is in and after the top-out plumbing is completed. It has been standard practice to insert an inflatable plug, not shown, down the clean-out branch  62  and into the outlet branch  60 ; to inflate the plug; and thus to block the drain pipe  36  so the plumbing system can be pressurized for leaks. Since such plugs have not been satisfactory as discussed above, the principles of the present invention involve conducting the tests differently. 
     In accordance with the method of the present invention. as part of the rough-in plumbing phase (FIGS. 1-5) and before installing the clean-out  56 , a test cap, plug or disc  70  of special construction and also known as a “knock-out disc,” is fitted in and glued to the lower section  48  of the drain pipe  36 . Thereafter, the clean-out is connected between and joins the upper and lower sections  46  and  48  of the drain pipe. The test cap has an annular body  72 , an annular flange  74  extending radially outwardly from the body, and a flat, circular center plate  76  filling the body. The center plate is divided into several pie-shaped or triangular segments  80  with adjacent segments being divided by straight weakened break lines or grooves  82  that meet in the center  84  of the plate. The plate may also have one or more circular, weakened break lines or grooves  85   a  (FIG. 4 a ) concentric with the annular body and flange; if singular, such a circular break line would preferably have a radius from about ⅓ to ½ of the radius of the annular body and flange or if multiple, the break lines  85   b  (FIG. 4 b ) would be preferably be about equally spaced between the center  84  and the flange. Alternatively and also not shown, the plate may have only circular break lines in which case, the center plate may be concavo-convex, instead of flat, with the concave side facing upstream. 
     Test caps, or knock-out plugs as they are commonly called, for a similar purpose are sold by the PASCO Company of 11156 Wright Road, Lynwood, Calif. 90262, as part Nos. 4844 and 4845. Since the weakened break lines  82  in the cap  70  facilitate penetration by the subject tool  100 , the caps  70  are preferred over the identified PASCO caps. The caps  70  are made of the same plastic material as the PASCO caps and are thus capable of being solvent-welded to ABS or PVC pipe. The caps  70  are also made in various sizes so that their annular bodies  72  can be fitted in three- or four-inch diameter drain pipes  36 . 
     As above stated and during the rough-in plumbing stage, the test cap  70  (FIGS. 2 and 5) is fitted in the lower section  48  of the drain pipe  36  with the body  72  received within the pipe, the flange  74  engaging the end of the pipe, and the center plate  76  disposed transversely of and within the pipe. Prior to making this assembly, layers of a suitable bonding cement are applied as at  78  to the mating surfaces so as to solvent-weld the parts together in the described assembly. After the test cap is welded in place (FIG.  13 ), the collar  64  of the outlet branch  60  of the clean-out is slipped over and solvent-welded to the lower section of the drain pipe with the shoulder  66  of the outlet branch abutting the radial flange  74  of the test cap. The resulting connection (FIG. 3) of the test cap in the drain pipe effects a fluid-tight seal that will block flow through the pipe. Either before or after this connection, the inlet branch  58  of the clean-out is connected to the upper section  46  of the drain pipe. 
     Following the described assembly (FIGS. 1 and 3) of the test cap  70 , the clean-out  56 , and the upper and lower sections  46  and  48  of the drain pipe  36 , the rough-in plumbing is subjected to a first pressure test. In accordance with the present invention, such pressurization is accomplished by removing the cap  69   b  and connecting a hose, not shown, to the nipple  69   a.  The hose is connected to a source of water under pressure, and water is introduced under pressure into the plumbing system  20  through the clean-out  56 . It is, of course, understood and well known that all open ends of the pipes in the system  20  are plugged and, of course, the cover  69  closes the riser  68  of the clean-out branch  62 , except for the nipple. Pressurization through the clean-out is made possible by bonding the test cap in place as described above, in contrast with using water-weenies as described above and pressurizing the system through a pipe in the building  22 . The presence of a water weenie in the clean-out and drain line would of course make pressurizing the system through the clean-out impossible. 
     Such pressurization imposes fluid pressure on the upstream side of the test cap  70  (FIGS.  1  and  3 ), that is, on the side of the test cap opposite from the sewer line  38 . Since the test cap is securely bonded in fluid-tight relation within the drain pipe  36 , no leaks will occur through or around the test cap. As a result, if there is any loss of pressure during the test, it will clearly be in the plumbing system  20  itself and not in the failure of the test cap, as contrasted with the frequent leaks of inflatable test plugs, as described above. 
     After the plumbing system  20  has passed the initial test at the rough-in plumbing stage, the cap  69   b  is replaced on the nipple  69   a,  and the construction of the building  88  continues (FIG. 6) including completion of the top-out plumbing job. As part of finishing the construction, the ground  42  around the building is filled and graded, leaving the riser  68  exposed above ground level to allow access to the clean-out  56  and the nipple  69   a.    
     During the completion of the building  88  (FIG.  6 ), the test cap  70 , the clean-out  56  and the drain pipe  36  are not disturbed and thus remain connected in the described relationship (FIG.  3 ). After the top-out stage is completed, a second test of the plumbing system  20  is conducted by again pressurizing the system  20  through the nipple  69   a,  as above described. Once more, the test cap absolutely blocks flow through the drain pipe so that if there are any leaks, they will be in the system  20  and not in the test cap plugging the drain pipe. If the system is sound, only one additional test is needed, but of course if there are leaks, they must be repaired and the test repeated until all problems are corrected. 
     Following successful passage of the second or final test or tests, however, it is of course necessary to remove the blockage caused by the test cap  70 . In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the blockage is removed by a special plumbing tool  100  (FIGS. 7 a - 11 ). This tool includes an elongated telescopic shaft  102  including a rigid, upper or rear cylindrical sleeve  104  and a flexible, lower or forward cylindrical shaft member  106  mounted for telescopic movement within the sleeve, as will be described. The sleeve is preferably made of steel or other strong, durable metals. The flexible shaft member is made of coiled wire and is thus tubular having open upper and lower ends. Adjacent turns  108  of the coil spring flexible member are in very close engagement whether the shaft member is flexed or unflexed, thereby imparting a measure of rigidity to the shaft member notwithstanding its considerable transverse flexibility in the length used. It is noted that the shaft member even in its fully retracted telescopic position can be manually transversely flexed into a full 360° bend and yet resiliently return to its perfectly straight unstressed condition. Moreover, even with the shaft in its fully extended telescopic position and supported horizontally like a fishing pole in use, the flexible shaft member is rigid enough to flex downwardly only about 45° from the horizontal. Coil springs suitable for the flexible shaft member are sold as part No. 9504 by the Marco Products Company of Sylmar, Calif. Alternatively, other types of flexible shafts or cables with the measure of rigidity described can be employed for the flexible shaft member. 
     As stated, the shaft  102  (FIGS. 7 a,    7   b,    9  and  11 ) is telescopic in that the flexible shaft member  106  is slidably mounted within the sleeve  104  for movement between extended positions, one of which is shown in FIG. 7 a  and retracted positions, one of which is shown in FIG. 7 b.  More specifically, the sleeve has open upper and lower ends  109  and  110  (FIG.  11 ), respectively, and a plurality of adjustment holes  111  longitudinally spaced (preferably equally) therealong and aligned lengthwise of the sleeve. A crank  112  includes an arm  150  connected to and projecting radially from the upper end of the shaft and a tubular crankhandle  154  mounted on the arm for free rotatable movement about the longitudinal axis of the crankhandle. The crankhandle extends rearwardly from the arm in offset, parallel relation to the shaft. 
     A tubular supporting handle  155  (FIGS. 7 a,    7   b,    9  and  11 ) is rotatably, coaxially mounted on the upper end  109  of the sleeve and is thus parallel to the crankhandle. The sleeve has an annular groove  156   a  (FIG. 11) spaced from the arm  150  by approximately the length of the supporting handle so that with the supporting handle on the sleeve, the groove is visible just outside the lower end of the supporting handle. A yieldably expandable split, retainer ring  156   b  is snap-fitted into the groove thereby retaining the supporting handle in its upper position on the sleeve but permitting rotation of the supporting handle relative to the sleeve. The supporting handle also has a U-shaped slot  157  opening out of its upper end and alignable with the uppermost adjustment hole upon rotation of the supporting handle to bring the uppermost hole and the slot into registry. 
     The flexible shaft member  106  is slidably mounted within the sleeve  104  by a cylindrical mounting block  114  having an outside diameter that will slidably fit within the sleeve. The mounting block also has a threaded end  1115  that is threaded into the open upper end of the flexible shaft member  106 . An outwardly spring-urged detent  116  is fitted in the mounting block and is of a size to fit into any of the adjustment holes  111  or the slot  157 . The detent may be manually pressed into a retracted position in the block so as to not to project from its periphery or released into an extended position wherein it projects out from the periphery, as shown in FIG.  11 . 
     With the mounting block  114  attached to the flexible shaft member  106  (FIGS. 7 a,    7   b  and  11 ) and with the detent  116  compressed into its retracted position, the block and the upper end of the flexible shaft member are slipped into the lower open end of the sleeve  104  and then slid upwardly therein. With the detent aligned with the adjustment holes  111  circumferentially of the sleeve, the detent will be spring-urged outwardly into its locking position in any hole that is selected and with which it becomes aligned, thereby releasably locking the flexible shaft member in selected positions within the sleeve and enabling the overall length of the shaft  102  to be adjusted. Normally, when the flexible shaft member  106  is fully retracted within the sleeve so that the detent is in the uppermost hole  111 , the tool is in its storing condition, although it can be used in this position if the circumstances warrant such a short length. In normal use to remove a test cap as  70 , however, the detent is retracted, and the flexible shaft member is pulled outwardly into one of its extended positions wherein the detent projects and locks into one of the lower holes. Locking in any of the holes other than the uppermost hole also frees the supporting handle  155  for rotation on the sleeve (or stated otherwise, frees the sleeve for rotation in the handle). This feature prevents rotation of the handle in the operator&#39;s grasping hand when the crank  112  and the attached sleeve  104  are rotated and makes the tool more comfortable to use. In its uppermost locked storing position, however, the detent  116  not only projects into the uppermost hole  111  but also into the slot  157  of the supporting handle  155  thereby locking this handle against rotation on the sleeve. Such locking facilitates carrying of the tool since rotation of the handle on the sleeve may make carrying and handling the long shaft  102  with its flexible, springy shaft member  106  somewhat unwieldy when not in use. The U-shaped slot  157  also allows the handle  155  to be slid downwardly on the sleeve past the detent in its uppermost locking position assuming that the retaining ring  156   b  is removed. 
     The plumbing tool  100  (FIGS. 7 a - 9  and  13 ) also includes an operating head  120  which may have various configurations depending on the application of the tool, including the head configuration of my prior copending application and my issued patent, both cited above; a head similar to the configuration of these prior documents but with another set of triangular blades on the back side of the mounting ring as well as on the front as disclosed; or a head  120  as shown in FIGS. 7 a,    7   b,    9  and  13  herein. The present head has a cruciform configuration (see FIG. 8) and is pivotally attached to the lower end of the flexible shaft member  106 . This operating head has a pair of rigid, tear-drop or paddle-shaped operating elements providing a plurality of rigid blades  122  rigidly connected in the shape of a cross or plus sign. Alternatively, the head may be considered to be four semi-tear-shaped blades  122  joined in a cross configuration. The head also has a mounting stub  126  provided with an aperture  128 . 
     For attaching the operating head  120  to the shaft  102 , a coupling ring  134  (FIGS. 7 a,    7   b,    9  and  13 ) has a threaded upper end  135  that threads into the lower open end of the flexible shaft member  106 . The coupling ring also has a lower recess that loosely receives the hub  126 , and a pin  132  extends through the ring and into the aperture of the stub thereby pivotally connecting the operating head to the shaft  102 . It will be understood that there may be different configurations and sizes of operating heads  120 , depending on the diameter of the drain pipe involved, the particular blockage, the type of clean-out used, and other well-known factors. All of these may be pivotally connected to the shaft by the specific pivoted connection shown and described or by other pivoted connections as will be understood by those skilled in the art. 
     The blades  122  are rigidly joined to each other and are positioned in the four quadrants of the operating head  120 . The blades have a tear-drop shape so as to provide smoothly curved reaming edges  138  that converge rearwardly to the mounting stub  126  and blend smoothly forwardly into curved forwardly convex penetrating edges  140 . The maximum transverse dimension of the head at the reaming edges  138  of each coplanar pair of blades is approximately equal to the inside diameter of the annular body  72  of the test cap  70 . The axial length of the head is such that when the head is in a drain pipe  36 , the maximum transverse dimension of the head will be within the annular body  72  while the pivot axis at the pin  132  is still in line with the clean-out branch  62 . 
     Operation and Method 
     The plumbing tool  100  (FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b ) is first adjusted to the desired length by depressing the detent  116  and adjusting the position of the flexible shaft member  106  to the desired extended or retracted position in the sleeve  104  and then allowing the detent to spring out into an aligned adjustment hole  111  in order to fix the overall length of the tool shaft  102  for the particular application. The tool is then held by grasping the supporting handle  155  in one hand and the crankhandle  154  in the other hand. The tool shaft and thus the operating head  120  are rotated by turning the crankhandle while holding the supporting handle, the shaft turning in the handle  155 . Also, the tool shaft has sufficient axial rigidity to allow force to be transmitted through and axially of the shaft to the penetrating edges  140  by grasping the supporting handle in one hand and the crankhandle in the other and thrusting the tool axially of the tool shaft. Such rotation and axial thrusting can be accomplished at the same time whether the tool shaft is straight or flexed. 
     Before further describing the operation of the plumbing tool  100 , brief reference is made here to the subject method described above for pressurizing the plumbing system  20  through the clean-out  56 . The ability to use this method will be better understood after describing use of the plumbing tool  100 . Moreover, the tool is used to carry out other method aspects of the present invention after all necessary pressure tests have been successfully completed. To this end, the cover  69  (FIG. 2) is removed, and the operating head  120  of the tool is inserted into the riser  68  and lowered down into the clean-out  56 . The flexible shaft member  106  slidably engages the interior of the riser and the clean-out branch  62  and guides the operating head  120  down the clean-out until it exits the clean-out branch  62  and strikes the base of the outlet branch  60  of the clean-out (FIG. 13) whereupon the operating head  120  pivots over into the generally horizontal attitude shown in FIG. 13, with one or two of the blades  122  engaging the base of the outlet branch  60  of the clean-out  56  and the penetrating edges  140  pointing toward the test cap  70 . Such generally horizontal positioning is facilitated not only by the pivotal connection of the head to the shaft and by also the transverse flexibility of the flexible shaft member and the engagement of this shaft member with the clean-out branch along area  170 , but also by the downward slope of the drain pipe  36 . 
     When in this generally horizontal position (FIGS.  12  and  13 ), further axial pressure on the tool shaft  102  causes the operating head  120  to move axially downwardly of the drain pipe  36  toward the test cap  70 . Because of the combined transverse flexibility and axial rigidity of the tool shaft and the leveraging effect of the shaft bearing against the clean-out branch  62  and/or the riser  68  at region  170 , this axial pressure on the tool shaft causes the penetrating edges  140  of the operating head to move into engagement with the center plate  76  of the test cap  70 . Then, the shaft is thrust sharply axially downwardly to force the penetrating edges to break through the plate by causing the plate to rupture along the break lines  82 , creating an initial hole  174  (FIG. 12) in the plate. 
     Thereafter, while continuing to apply axial downward pressure on the tool shaft  102  (FIG.  13 ), the tool shaft and the operating head  120  are rotated with the crankhandle  154  to begin reaming away the center plate  76  and annular body  72  of the test cap  70  with the reaming edges  138  of the operating head. Within seconds the reaming blades will have substantially completely reamed out or cut away the center plate and the annular body to provide a large opening  180  (FIG. 14) in the test cap. The diameter of this opening  180  is substantially the same as the inside diameter of the lower section  48  of the drain pipe since the maximum diameter of the operating head at the reaming edges is about the same as, but slightly less than, the inside diameter of the lower section  48 . In this manner, the opening  180  will allow waste material to move essentially unimpeded through the pipe. 
     After the opening  180  has been created, the tool  100  is pulled back out of the outlet branch  60  and thence out of the clean-out branch  62  and riser  68 . Because of the smooth curvature of the tear-drop-shaped blades  122 , the operating head  120  slides right back out of the test cap  70 , drain pipe  36 , and the clean-out and does not hang-up or become locked in the test cap, drain pipe or clean-out. It is also to be noted that the cut fragments, not shown, of the center plate are subsequently flushed down the lower section  48  of the drain pipe to the sewer line  38 . 
     Having understood how the subject test cap  70  and tool  100  are used, it will also be understood how the method of pressurizing the plumbing system  20  through the clean-out  56  is made possible. Since there is no inflatable test plugs or so-called water-weenie to block the clean-out, pressurization is most conveniently carried out through the clean-out, thereby avoiding having to pressurize the system through a roof vent. 
     From the foregoing it will be understood that an improved method for testing a newly installed plumbing system has been provided including a tool  100  used in carrying out the method. The method is more cost-effective because it avoids having to re-test a plumbing system  20  that would have passed the test but did not only because the test plug failed. Since the method does not use inflatable test plugs to seal off the drain pipe  36  while doing the testing, the common failure of the inflatable plug does not cause a failed test. Instead, the method involves use of a test cap which positively seals the drain pipe and allows an accurate test of the plumbing system. The test cap and its positive seal can be employed because the method also uses the tool  100  that can be extended into the clean-out and operated from a remote position to penetrate the cap and ream out an opening  180  in the cap thereby to remove the blockage from the pipe. It will be recognized that although the method and tool have been described and shown with an underground clean-out, they can be used equally as well when the clean-out is in a basement or otherwise above ground. 
     It will also be more generally recognized that since, as stated above, the test cap  70  is a blockage in the line, the tool is useful not only for removing test caps but also any such blockage that is so fixed or secured in the line that it prevents, either partially or completely, fluid flow therethrough. 
     Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.