When it comes to plumbing projects, having the right tools is essential. Without the proper tools, a plumbing project can quickly turn into a nightmare. So, in this blog post, we will see a list of tools that every plumber or homeowner should have in their toolkits.
Professional plumbers in Atlona carry special equipment and tools, but homeowners can also have their own emergency plumbing toolkit.
So this guide is divided into two categories — One is the tools you see with a professional, and the other is the tools you need at home.
1. Cup and Flange Plunger
You are most likely to have this at home already. Even if you don’t, you should consider having one.
The cup plunger features a rubber cup-like form with a wooden handle. It is to clean blockages in sinks, tubs, and showers.
However, remember that you should not use a cup plunger to clear toilet clogs. Instead, a flange plunger is required.
Certain flange plungers can also be used as cup plungers, but not vice-versa. So, it is handy to have both of these plungers in your plumbing toolkit.
2. Sink Auger
A sink auger is also called a drum auger or canister auger. A sink auger is the most effective tool for disintegrating and eliminating obstructions in the tub and sink drains — But never in toilets. Toilets need a closet or toilet auger.
A sink auger is a flexible stainless steel cable that ends with a corkscrew tip. The wire is coiled inside a drum canister and stretched into the drain to reach and dislodge a clog. The revolving drum lets the cable through curves in the drainage pipe, which allows the cable point to penetrate blockages and draw them out.
3. Plumber’s Tape
It is a small tool, yet very helpful in plumbing repairs. The plumber’s tape (a.k.a Teflon tape) is for avoiding leaks at threaded plumbing joints.
A plumber/Teflon tape is a thin white tape wrapped around threads on fittings and pipes before twisting the components. It adds lubrication to ease threading and further helps seal the joint to avoid leaks.
4. Adjustable Pipe Wrench
The most common type of metal plumbing gear is an adjustable pipe wrench. It gives incredible leverage and grip. The tool’s sharp jagged teeth dig into circular objects, such as pipes, and the pressure escalates as you twist it.
However, it better not be used for removing shiny fittings or tiny or fragile pipes as it leaves teeth marks behind. They are mostly used on galvanised steel, iron pipe, and heavy-duty fittings with rough surfaces (such as hydrants).
5. Slip-Joint Pliers
Slip-joint pliers are another name for channel-type pliers. They look like normal adjustable pliers, but feature expanded adjustment sections and angled jaws. These features allow you to hold pipes or other plumbing pieces of any size.
Its long handles give you a lot of leverage when squeezing and twisting. You may use them to gently tighten huge plastic nuts in sink drains or to hold heavy steel pipes.
6. Faucet Valve-Seat Wrench
Faucet valve-seat wrenches are for removing the valve seats from a compression faucet. The valve seat may become worn and rough with wear and tear, preventing a full seal. When this happens, you can use a valve-seat wrench to remove and replace the valve seat.
7. Washers, O-rings, and Packing
Every home experiences leaky valves. So, it is better to be prepared. The tools that help you fix leaking valves on radiators, sinks, and other old equipment are faucet packing, rubber washers, and O-rings.
Packing is a wax-coated or graphite string wrapped around valve stems to provide a watertight seal. And rubber washers and O-rings are available in assortment packs that include various shapes and sizes.
It’s useful to have these on hand because they can save you from many plumbing inconveniences.
8. Pipe Vice
A pipe vice is a tool that allows you to hold pipes in place while you work on them. They can handle pipes ranging from 3 mm to 200 mm. This is important because it allows you to have both hands free to work on the pipe.
9. Tubing Cutter
A tube cutter is another important tool you can have at home. Because if you are working with copper pipe, you’ll need a tubing cutter. Copper demands clean, square cuts, which tube cutters provide with far less difficulty than a hacksaw.
It has two types of wheels — a narrow cutting wheel and a flat pressure wheel. The first one slices the metal, and the latter exerts pressure as you move the tool’s knob.
You can clamp the tool to a pipe and circle it around the pipe. And tighten the knob every two or three spins. Gradually, the cutting wheels cut through the metal.
10. Flaring Tool
The last one on our list is a flaring tool, which is simple in both operation and design. It is a tool that allows you to flare the ends of copper pipes. It prevents leaks by creating a seal.
Flaring is commonly done solely on malleable metal tubes such as soft/annealed copper and aluminium. Even if you only have a hard copper pipe, its ends can still be flared only after annealing. Annealing hard copper pipes is a fairly advanced technique; if you’re not confident, leave it to a professional.
Professional Plumbing Tools
Let’s see some plumbing tools you can find with a professional plumber.
- Hacksaw
- Torque wrench
- Snake machine
- Faucet key
- Plumber’s torch
- Heat pads and shields
- Hole saw kit
- Pipe/tube benders
- Press fitting systems
- Basin wrench
- Crimpers
Conclusion
These are the 10 most essential plumbing tools you can have in your toolkit. Every home should have a few basic plumbing tools at its disposal so that they can solve tiny issues without delay.
For example, if you have a clogged drain, you can use a cup plunger to clear it instead of rushing to call for a blocked drain specialist in Atlona. Yes, there are 24/7 plumbers in Atlona, but that doesn’t mean you can call them for every minor issue. We can solve some matters ourselves.
But if the problem persists, you should definitely call for professionals such as NLK plumbing. The bottom line is that you can avoid many plumbing issues with basic maintenance and repairs.
So, do not worry and have these tools at home!