Knowing how to do basic plumbing work like how to replace a toilet or snake a sink drain can go a long way in preventing minor emergencies with the least amount of cost and hassle. If you have plumbing tools on hand, you can fix problems before they get major by yourself. Here are 20 plumbing tools that every homeowner should have on hand so that they can tackle any job in their own home.
1. Adjustable Wrench
For plumbing, an adjustable wrench is especially handy when you need to turn pipes at odd angles — for example, when you are replacing a faucet. It’s also perfect for turning nuts and bolts that regular wrenches can’t get to because they are in tight spaces or awkward positions. An adjustable wrench will work on nuts with a 3/4-inch opening or smaller.
2. Socket Set
Along with an adjustable wrench, a socket set is an essential tool in your plumbing arsenal. Get one that includes various sockets with different heads. The heads can be changed depending on what you are fixing. For example, you can use a deep-well socket to get bolts in tight places or a ratchet head for stubborn bolts.
3. Pipe Wrench
A pipe wrench is used to keep a pipe from turning while you adjust its location or tighten a nut. You can use it to loosen a squeaky pipe too. A pipe wrench is the best choice for the job when you need to rotate pipes that have been put in place with a joint compound or another material that won’t allow a traditional wrench to grip the pipe. They are also meant for loosening and tightening gas, water, and sewer lines.
4. Square Socket Wrench
If your home was built before the 1900s, you might have some plumbing made of cast iron. If so, you’ll need a square socket wrench to replace broken bolts in cast-iron pipes. A square socket wrench works in tight places that regular wrenches can’t fit in. They have in-line ratchets that allow you to tighten or loosen nuts in bolts with a 1/2-inch-wide opening.
5. Plumbing Sockets
To prevent leakage in drains, you need to loosen the bolts that hold the flap valve on. You may not have the correct wrench that fits these bolts, which is why it’s important to have a set of plumbing sockets. These are available in various sizes to fit different bolts. For plumbing services in Tucson, AZ, and the surrounding areas, contact Rite Way Heating, Cooling & Plumbing. We have been in the business for over a decade and pride ourselves in offering our customers quality service at affordable prices.
6. Teflon Tape
Teflon tape is used to seal the ends of threads to prevent leaks in pipes. You should also wrap Teflon tape around threaded pipe fittings before you tighten them together, and the tape will help seal the joint and prevent leaks.
7. Pipe Cutter
A pipe cutter can cut through a pipe cleanly and easily, and it’s the best choice for cutting up old pipes and removing them from your walls or floors. You can also use a pipe cutter to make threaded holes in the ends of pipes.
8. Snake
A snake is one of the most common tools you’ll find that every home should have on hand for plumbing emergencies. They come in various sizes and can remove blockages and debris from sinks, drains, toilets, and other plumbing fixtures.
9. Rubber Mallet
If you can’t get a tool to loosen a stubborn bolt, try hitting it with a rubber mallet. A rubber hammer helps you break up frozen pipes and remove stuck nuts and bolts and is perfect for home projects on first-floor plumbing systems.
10. Plumber’s Tape
Plumber’s tape is used to hold parts together securely while you’re working on plumbing projects such as pipe connections or valves that aren’t threaded. It’s also used on threaded joints to stop leaks.
11. Pipe Wrench Fitting Tool
A pipe wrench fitting tool is a rubber sleeve that you can use to push a pipe clamp onto a pipe. The sleeve fits over the end of the pipe, and then, you slide the clamp over the pipe’s threads. You can also use it to insert pipe clamps into PVC or copper pipes.
12. Plastic Pipe Wrench
A plastic pipe wrench is the best choice for tightening PVC pipe fittings, and it’s also great for tightening copper pipe fittings. A plastic pipe wrench works on various fittings for which you’d need a wrench, such as brass or aluminum threads that aren’t threaded deep enough to use a traditional wrench.
13. Pipe Caps
Pipe caps are great for covering open ends of pipes, and they can even be used as covers for wire ducts and electrical outlets. They come in various sizes, and you should choose one that fits your pipes well to prevent leaks.
14. PVC Cement and Glue
If you’re repairing PVC piping, you’ll need to use special glue and cement designed for it. You can use PVC cement and glue in various applications where PVC is used, including plumbing.
15. Pipe Wrench with an Extension Bar
A pipe wrench that features an extension bar is a good choice for tightening copper pipe fittings. You can also use it to tighten compression fittings in copper pipes, and it replaces a combination wrench and a pipe hammer. The extension bar is attached to the end of the pipe wrenches handle and can be used to loosen pipes when you need them to fit snugly onto a pipe fitting.
16. Pipe Cutter Scraper
A pipe cutter is another tool needed for cutting up pipes, and you can use this to cut up PVC, metal, and plastic pipes. A pipe cutter scraper can also scrape off old pipe fittings, making it a great choice for repairing or replacing pipes.
17. Hand Drill
A hand drill may seem like an odd tool at first, but it’s one that you’ll want to have around if you need to repair stubborn drains or pipes. They are great for tightening valves with an Allen wrench, and you can also use them in place of a drill when you need to make holes or drive screws in tight spaces.
18. Pipe Wrench Squeezer
When you need to tighten a pipe, a regular wrench won’t work because it can’t get into small spaces or go around the pipe that is being adjusted. A pipe wrench squeeze is used to put a lot of pressure to tighten small fittings in pipes, and it works much better than a regular wrench.
19. Pipe Wrench Ratchet Jaw Pliers
A pipe wrench ratchet jaw pliers are great for turning and turning nuts and bolts until you get them tight. They also come in handy when you need to undo well-done work that has been done with a socket or ratchet set.
20. Pipe Cutter Pliers
Pipe cutter pliers are meant for cutting pipes, and they also work well for removing a pipe from a fitting. You can use them to cut the head off of nails from old pipes, which is important when removing old plumbing fixtures.
Having a toolbox full of plumbing tools makes it easier for you to fix problems in your home. If you don’t have any tools around, you’ll have to call a plumber when a problem arises. However, with the tools that we’ve listed above, you can handle almost any plumbing issue that may arise in your house. If you need assistance in AC services, heating services, duct services, and indoor air quality in Tucson, AZ, and surrounding areas, contact Rite Way Heating, Cooling & Plumbing today.
