10 Essential Plumbing Tools Every Homeowner Should Keep

Fixing minor plumbing issues require little skill and can be undertaken by anyone. But of course, besides good intentions you will also need some basic tools to make the task achievable. A little investment in a plumbing toolbox could probably save you from spending on expensive plumber’s visits.

Here’s a list of all the essential plumbing tools you must have.

1. Plunger

A plunger is the most essential of all plumbing tools. You will have to tackle clogged drains and toilets at home every other day, and plunger will come in handy every time. It’s best to keep a bellow-style plunger because it is universally suitable for drains and toilets. You can also consider a gasket plunger, as it allows for a better seal and quicker unclogging.

2. Drain Snake

A drain snake or the plumber’s snake is another humble tool which can prove to be indispensable in times of plumbing emergencies involving difficult clogs. The drain snake is ideal for tackling clogs that may be deep set into the drain and don’t budge when you use a plunger. You can use the drain snake to maneuver the debris and waste buildup in the drain and break the chunk of clog.

3. Pipe Wrench

Sometimes you may have to separate pipe fittings for fixing leaks and clogs. The pipe wrench is useful for gripping and turning pipes making it easy to disconnect and reconnect pipe fittings. It is advisable to wrap the pipe in cloth where the wrench grips it, to prevent damaging the pipe with the sharp teeth of the wrench.

4. Adjustable Wrench

The adjustable wrench is an essential tool every household should have. It is useful in all sorts of home improvement projects and not just plumbing. You can use the adjustable to wrench for tightening nuts and bolts of varied sizes. The adjustable wrench is particularly useful for installing water-based appliances in your home.

5. Pliers

There are many types of pliers and each has its specific use. The most commonly used pliers in plumbing include the needle nose pliers and slip-joint pliers.

Needle nose pliers are most useful when you have to work with small parts to be fit in small spaces. The needle nose pliers can also be used to pull out hairs from the drains. Slip-joint pliers are useful for tightening and gripping bigger sized nuts and bolts.

6. Thread Tape

If you’ve got leaks at the pipe joints and connections, the thread tape or the plumber’s tape is the simple tool that could fix your problem within minutes. But you should know this quick fix is only a temporary repair and you should call a licensed plumber to assess the situation and perform extensive repairs if required.

7. Tape measure

Your plumbing project may require exact measures for accurate repairs and effective results. An ordinary ruler is not suitable for such measurements as they aren’t flexible and cannot yield correct measurement. Keep a tape measure in your tool kit for taking determining the dimensions correctly and avoiding expensive errors.

8. Plumber’s Putty

Plumber’s putty looks much like clay and can be used to create a water resistant seal for leaking pipes and toilets. Using plumber’s putty is convenient but care should be taken not to use it as adhesive. You can find plumber’s putty at any hardware store for quite cheap.

9. Duct Tape

Some plumbing problems may require pipes or fixtures to be held in place. In these situations common duct tapes are a practical option, since these tapes have strong adhesive and are water-resistant too. Duct tape can be used as a temporary substitute for the putty as well.

10. Caulk Gun

Caulking is useful for sealing edges and joints. The caulk gun is a tool which releases silicone or caulk and can be used for precisely filling narrow areas. Caulking finish is absolutely water tight and ideal for fixing seams in the bathroom.