If you’re a do-it-yourself kind of person, you’ll be pleased to know that many common home plumbing issues don’t need the expertise of a plumber. All it takes is a well-equipped toolbox with the right plumbing tools. The right tools can save you time, prevent costly repairs, and ensure you can confidently tackle basic plumbing tasks as they crop up. While it might seem daunting, with a home plumbing toolbox and a little know-how, even an inexperienced DIY enthusiast can fix minor plumbing problems around the house.
Let’s explore My Home Plumbing’s top ten plumbing tools every household should have.
Essential Tools for Every Home Plumber
Minor plumbing issues become major, more complex problems without prompt action. Whether it’s a dripping tap, a constantly running toilet, or a sluggish drain, tackling these problems promptly can save you from expensive repairs. Plus, you’ll avoid wasting water, prevent property damage, and keep your home free from mould and mildew health risks.
Here at My Home Plumbing, we suggest these essential plumber tools every home needs to combat everyday jobs around the house:
Adjustable Wrenches
An adjustable wrench is a useful and versatile tool for plumbing and general DIY jobs. It can tighten and loosen pipes, nuts and bolts of various sizes. Whether fixing leaky taps or assembling plumbing fixtures, an adjustable wrench is indispensable.
Plungers
It’s unpleasant to think about, but clogged toilets, sinks, and drains are common enough to make a plunger a must-have plumbing tool. Compared to chemical drain cleaners, a plunger is cost-effective and eco-friendly. It is also easy to use and effectively restores water flow by creating a vacuum seal to dislodge minor blockages. Every household should have at least one plunger on hand for untimely emergencies.
Pipe Wrench
A pipe wrench is an essential addition to your tools for plumbing. You’ll use a pipe wrench for any plumbing repairs that involve fixing pipes. Its specially serrated jaws are designed for gripping and turning pipes, providing the firm grip needed for loosening or tightening pipe connections.
Faucet Valves
Faucet or tap valves control the flow of water in your plumbing system. Having spare faucet valves and tools such as an adjustable wrench to replace or repair them can save you from significant water damage.
Teflon Tape
Teflon tape, or plumber’s tape, is cheap to buy and very handy for sealing threaded connections such as pipe threads and preventing leaks. It’s essential for DIY tasks such as installing new shower heads or taps and ensuring that threaded water line connections are watertight and secure.
Tubing Cutter
A tubing cutter precisely cuts through copper, brass, or plastic pipes without leaving rough edges. A tubing cutter leaves clean, straight cuts, which you need for proper pipe fitting and installation.
Drain Snake
Sometimes, a plunger can’t clear deeper clogs in drains and sinks. In that case, you can try a drain snake or an auger, which is also a chemical-free cleaning option. You can purchase an auger as a power drill attachment or a manual hand-turn option for rotating and pushing the specially-shaped wire through the drain to clear the blockage.
Hacksaw
A hacksaw is a must-have tool for cutting through various plumbing materials, including pipes, screws, and bolts. Its ability to make precise cuts makes it invaluable for many plumbing tasks. You’ll also find it helpful for other DIY jobs around the home.
Fire-Resistant Cloth
While it might not seem obvious, a fire-resistant cloth is necessary for any plumbing work that involves the use of a soldering iron. Use a fire-resistant cloth for safety when soldering or using heat on pipes. The fire-resistant cloth will protect nearby surfaces and prevent accidental fires.
Flashlight
During a plumbing repair job, you’ll need a trusty flashlight or torch for working in dark, tight spaces. Good visibility will help you find and fix issues more easily and safely. It’s also a good idea to have spare torch batteries on hand.
Choosing the Right Plumbing Tools
When selecting any tools for plumbing jobs around the home, choose quality items that typically offer durability and efficiency. Ultimately, you get what you pay for, and spending a little more for quality is an investment that will save time and effort. Well-made tools will ensure they last longer and help you do the job better and faster.
Maintaining Your Plumbing Tools
Correct and regular maintenance of your plumbing tools is essential to keeping them in good condition and ready for use. Make sure you clean your tools after each use and store them in a dry place, safely out of reach of children. Also, regularly check for any signs of wear or damage and replace them if necessary before they’re needed for the next job.
Taking care of your tools will maximise their lifespan and ensure they are always ready for the next job.
My Home Plumbing: Your Trusted Plumbing Experts
Keeping a home toolkit with our top ten plumbing tools can help you confidently tackle common plumbing issues around the home, saving time, money and stress. By choosing quality tools and maintaining them, your toolbox will stand the test of time and help you do the job right.
However, there are some situations where you can’t fix it yourself, and it’s best to call an emergency plumber for your safety and to protect your home from further damage:
- Persistent leaky taps that continue despite multiple repair attempts, visible water damage around the tap area or flooring, irregular water pressure or unusual sounds during tap operation suggest a severely blocked drain or a more extensive problem within the plumbing system.
- If your home has multiple blockages, it may be a sign of a blocked stormwater drain or a blockage in the main sewer line, which can cause sewage backup and water damage. Sewage backing into sinks, showers, or toilets poses serious health risks and requires urgent professional help.
When you need to call a professional for a more complex problem or are unsure about a repair, the friendly and reliable team at My Home Plumbing is happy to advise.
Contact My Home Plumbing today for expert help with your small and large plumbing jobs.