5 Plumbing Tools Every Homeowner Should Have

In general, it's a good idea to hire a professional plumber if you are at all uncomfortable with doing DIY plumbing work. If you're unsure of the steps you need to take or aren't good with a set of tools, you risk making matters much worse, and creating more expensive repairs.

However, if you are comfortable performing some minor repairs yourself and know your way around basic tools, then it can be beneficial for you to keep your home stocked with some basic tools and supplies so you can conduct these repairs yourself and save some money.

Here are just a few examples of some of the items you should keep in your plumbing toolkit.

Adjustable wrench

The adjustable wrench is a highly versatile tool that comes in handy for many types of plumbing jobs. With this wrench, you can loosen or tighten some hexagonal nuts, bolts, supply lines and various other items of different sizes. Simply set the jaw of the wrench to the width you need for the job at hand so it provides a snug fit over whatever you will be adjusting. The inside of that jaw will have grooves to create more friction during the adjustment process. You can find these wrenches in various sizes.

Plumber's tape

You'll want some plumber's tape in your toolkit. This is a tape made out of Teflon, most commonly applied on tapered thread joints to ensure the joint does not develop a leak When wrapping the tape around the threads of the joint, it is designed to seal up any gaps between pipe threads to prevent a leak. This is a much better solution than other forms of tape, like duct tape, as it is waterproof and more flexible.

Plungers

You should have a couple kinds of plungers in your home: a flange plunger and a cup plunger. Both are designed to clear blockages in drains, but are used for different purposes. A flange plumber is used for toilets, while a cup plunger is only for flat surfaces, such as a sink or shower. Both work in generally the same way: they create a vacuum in the drain that seals it off from the rest of the sink or toilet. Moving the plunger up or down creates a suction that removes the blockage.

Auger and snake

A hand auger and plumbing snake are both tools you can use to remove a more stubborn blockage, one that will not budge when you apply the plunger. The auger is best used for a clogged toilet, while the snake is best used for clogged sinks, tubs and showers. The snake should be sent down as far as possible, and is designed in a way that will allow it to remove material while you pull it up, such as hair and other trapped debris. The auger is designed to break up and dislodge blockages down within the toilet drain.

Basin wrench

The basin wrench, also known as a sink wrench, is highly useful for basic plumbing fixes. It has a rotating head and a claw capable of gripping nuts and other fastenings, allowing you to work around tight spaces. It is highly versatile and designed for use under sinks.

For more information about how you can outfit your plumbing toolkit like a professional, contact us today at PipeMasters. We look forward to working with you: info@pipemasters.ca or (289) 404-9063.

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