11 Essential Tools for DIY Plumbing
Having a set of plumbing repair tools is a must, for if you live in a home long enough. Plumbing problems are something you are certainly going to face. Faucets will drip, pipes will leak, sinks will get clogged and there is no way to avoid it. However, it is not necessary to call your plumber every time a problem occurs. It is actually rather expensive and impractical given the average cost of a plumber ranges from $160 to $430 per visit. With some proper tools and the right knowledge, you can be your own handyman or woman and fix those plumbing problems yourself. These are the standard plumbing repair tools.
1. Hacksaw
This tool is required for cutting through metal and plastic pipes, bolts, nuts, screws, and hardware. It is a very versatile saw that can make tough cuts. You have to make sure that its blade is tense in the frame, so it can make proper and precise cuts. Slip the blade in for the cut by wrapping one end of a loose blade in a cloth. Always keep a few extra blades at hand. Blades are described by the number of teeth per inch. A very fine blade is one with 32 TPI, while that with 14 TPI is coarse.
2. Basin Wrench
Basin wrench is an irreplaceable tool when it comes to loosening and tightening nuts that fixate and hold sink faucets in place, which is particularly important when dealing with leaks. This tool enables you to reach into the deep and narrow space behind the sink, due to its long shaft, and use its swiveling jaw to lock onto the nuts. It is irreplaceable because you cannot do this with other tools.
3. Pipe Wrench
Pipe wrench is used for turning fittings with a rounded surface, turning soft iron pipes and nuts. It has an adjustable jaw that can lock in the frame. You will need one to grip and hold and another to turn. The wrench holds its grip thanks to serrated teeth, but can damage a fixture’s head or finish. To avoid this, use a cloth to wrap the wrench’s jaw
s. If a wrench gets broken, buy a jaw kit and teeth to repair it.
4. Adjustable Wrench
Another versatile and valuable tool, it is used for working on plumbing parts that have hex-shaped nuts, supply lines and compression fittings. The wrench’s moving jaw can sometimes slip loose under torque, so check that its moving jaw holds a firm setting when purchasing the tool, say at a trusted Hazlet-based plumbing service.
5. Plunger
When you need to dislodge clogs from toilets, sinks, and showers, the first tool you grab is the plunger. For instance, when using it to unclog a toilet, the aim is to vacuum the clog out by pressing it down, creating a seal around the drain, and pulling back upward.
6. Hand & Closet Auger
Hand auger is a tool for cleaning cranked drains with a flexible and long steel cable. It is used for clearing obstructions from sinks, showers, toilets, tubs and drain lines. Closet auger is another tool for clearing clogs, but specifically made for toilets.
7. Tongue-and-Groove Pliers
These pliers are the number one tool for tightening, loosening, twisting, grabbing and holding something.
8. Tubing Cutter
Used for clean and quick copper pipe cut. This essential tool comes in various sizes, and you should get a close-quarter mini cutter (for working in tight spaces) and a standard size tubing cutter
9. Soldering Torch
A soldering torch with a self-igniting torch head is a tool required for sweating copper pipes and fittings. It can also be used for metalwork in jewelry.
10. Fire-Resistant Cloth
Used when soldering with a propane torch, this specially treated, thick cloth is used for protecting combustible surfaces nearby.
11. Metal File
When you finish cutting metal pipes, their edges need to be smoothed and burrs removed. Get a rat-tail file (round and tapered) and a half-round one (has both flat and round surfaces).
These essential plumbing tools are needed for maintaining your home’s plumbing system. They are all pretty much affordable, and besides them you will also need to get some basic home-repair tools: a utility knife, tape measure, work gloves, hammer, drill driver, screwdriver, and a toolbox.
Article written by Lillian Connors. If one thing is true about Lillian Connors, her mind is utterly curious. That’s why she can’t resist the urge to embark on a myriad of home improvement projects and spread the word about them. As the Co-Editor at SmoothDecorator, she cherishes the notion that sustainable housing and gardening will not only make us far less dependent on others regarding the dwellings we inhabit and what we eat, but also contribute to our planet being a better place to live on. You can check her out on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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I want to make sure I’m ready to take care of any plumbing issues that arise. I didn’t even think about getting a hacksaw! It makes sense that I might need to cut through metal. I’ll be sure to get one!
I think Hackshaw, piping wrench, soldering tools are pretty obvious for plumbing work. A plunger is also an essential handy tool for homeowners who are dealing with clogged toiler and sink frequently.