Plumbers, like all good tradesmen, are handy with their hands and tactile with their tools. You have probably heard the phrase, “A bad workman blames his tools!” Well, we at Haggart Plumbers, never blame our tools. We love our plumbing tools! So much so, we wanted to share with you, the 20 best plumbing tools for the home that can help you be prepared for your simple plumbing tasks.
Let’s take a look at the 20 Best Plumbing tools for the home (in no particular order) that you could have on hand should you ever think about doing your own home plumbing.
Wrenches
A wrench is probably the most popular of the plumbing tools that are used. It is used to loosen and tighten pipes and fixtures. Keep in mind though, that pipes should generally only be tightened to “hand tight”. There shouldn’t be a large force applied to most plumbing fixtures. In other words, tightening plastic fixtures to within an inch of their life can be a very bad move.
Components are designed to keep the water controlled without a lot of force. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule and admittedly, sometimes a piece of tape and a bit of soldering can be a worthwhile fix. However, sometimes as the pipes ages, rust can set in. In this case, a good old wrench is most likely needed. There is a nice wide selection of plumbing wrenches that can be used. Let’s look at the various wrench designs.
#1 Pipe Wrench
This is the largest of all the wrenches that we use. These are used to tighten fittings and loosen nuts. Typically, when someone uses pipe wrenches, they use two. The motion is: one goes one way and the other goes the other way. These come in various lengths and sizes to suit.
#2 Basin Wrench
This T-shaped wrench is usually used on taps and facets. These have a T at the top and a clamp-like bottom that is on a long shaft. This allows the plumber to reach down into drains and unscrew components inside. Very handy!
#3 Adjustable Wrench
These wrenches are just that, adjustable. They are used to loosen and tighten hexagonal numbers and fittings. 6-10 inches are the most common sizes although they do come in a wide variety of sizes. Adjustable wrenches are handy to have for a wide range of projects and not just plumbing. A handy addition to any household.
#4 Faucet Key
If you find yourself having to work on the Spigot or Sillcock then you will need one of these. They do come in a versatile size that will fit various stem fittings. This comes in quite handy when you are not sure which size you are going to need.
Pipework Tools
Our Edinburgh Plumbers need to be able to replace, repair and install piping in a wide range of spaces. Because of this, plumbers need a variety of pipe working tools and are therefore an essential part of any professional plumbing toolbox. Pipe working tools are not something that will be commonly used by homeowners; however, it is worth knowing about them and we wanted to share with you anyway!
#5 Tube and Plastic Pipe Cutters
There are all kinds of options for tubes and plastic pipe cutters to choose from. They come in many shapes and sizes. As professional plumbers, we are always sure to carry a wide selection so that we have the right tool at the right time.
#6 Hacksaw
Typically, when we think of saws we think of joinery, but these tools are essential for plumbers. Hacksaws are a versatile tool and we recommend having a range of blades to choose from. Extra blades are particularly useful when your current blade gets dull or breaks (which is quite easy to do as they can be quite thin). Having a spare on hand can help save the day for you.
#7 Plumber’s Torch
This is a solid plumber’s tool. Plumbers use solder regularly to put pipes together and seal leaks. In order to get the solder into the correct position, you need heat. That heat comes from the plumber’s torch. Not to be confused with a standard torch. Also a big player in the plumbing world.
#8 Thread Sealing Tap
This is the tape that is used on the threads of pipe. This tape is also often called plumber’s tape and is white in colour. Quality plumber’s tape will work with both the hot and cold plumbing pipes. It is stretchy and is used to build up the threads to stop leaks. Plumbing tape is made to not dry out and will stop leaks for years to come.
#9 Pliers
Pliers and plumbers are a perfect match! Pliers allow you to tackle those nuts and bolts that might be too small for wrenches. With a tremendous gripping ability, pliers will most certainly help you get a grip on things!
Clearing Clogs
Another (not so fun job) that plumbers are experts at are clearing the drain clogs. This happens for a variety of reasons, but the fact of the matter is, the water is still standing. There are some tools that can make getting that clog out a little easier and less messy. Some are very simple tools that even a kid can use, while others are a bit more complex. Let’s take a look at the clearing clog tools that every home should own.
#10 Plungers
Most of us have used one or at least seen one beside a toilet somewhere. These are good to have on hand and aren’t super expensive or complicated. They help to push the clog down along the pipes. Plunging back and forth can help break up the clog and get results quickly. If you know the clog is something serious that will probably not break up (such as a plastic Buzz Lightyear!) then this might not be the best option for you.
#11 Hand Auger
These are used to auger the pipes and clear the path. This can be useful if you think that it might be something like tree roots (or Buzz Lightyear!). It can drill through them and help remove them. Of course, our Edinburgh Plumbers have some serious hand auger options that can power through some of the toughest clogs and toys.
#12 Snake Machine
The snake machine is basically the hand auger with a machine behind it. It can power through some of the toughest clogs with ease. When all else has failed this is the go-to for many plumbers. It will power through the clogs without putting a hole in the pipe.
Safety First
When it comes to working on your own plumbing issues, safety is paramount. This is a very important part of all home DIY projects. Let’s take a look at some of the safety items you should keep in your home for both plumbing repairs and home improvement projects.
#13 Goggles
Protecting your eyes while you are drilling or working with water should be a given. Always wear safety goggles and not just some random pair of glasses. These can protect your eyes from dust, debris and unexpected flying objects.
#14 Gloves
It should be no surprise that plumbers come into contact with all kinds of unpleasant things. Certain things that you do definitely do not want to touch with your bare hands. There are all kinds of gloves out there from the cheap disposable to the more expensive and elaborate. The important part is remembering you will be touching wet things, so having them waterproof is important.
#15 Heat Shields / Pads
When soldering is necessary, it is important that you must protect the surrounding areas from the heat. This will ensure that you are not going turn your plumbing issue into a fire issue!
#16 Towels
This might sound pretty obvious but having some old towels and rags on hand while working on your plumbing is not a bad idea.
#17 An Assistant
Having someone there with you while you are climbing ladders is definitely advisable.
Other Plumbing Essentials
Some plumbing essentials that you should have on hand. These are a little more than most average homeowners need to worry about, but just having the knowledge of what they are is important.
#18 PEX Pipe fittings and Expander
The expander is used to expand out the end of the PEX pipe fittings. It is something that will be needed if you are working with PEX pipe fittings. This expander allows the metal fittings to be installed in the pipe. Once inserted the mouth of the pipe closes and goes back to the original form.
#19 Borescope
This is probably going a bit over the top for most homeowners but could come in handy in all kinds of things. This is a camera that is attached to a long cable. These days they are fairly inexpensive and can be useful for a variety of things, not just plumbing. You can use these to check your vents and ensure that your dry vent is clean as well.
#20 The Internet
The internet is full of useful guides and instructional videos. You may even find a blog post like this to help you learn more about the best 20 plumbing tools to have in your toolbox. YouTube videos are a very resourceful place to learn new skills and we also have our own Haggart Plumbers YouTube channel.
Summary of the best plumbing tools for the home
This is not an extensive list of all the tools of the trade, but we wanted to go over the top 20 Plumbing Tools for the home. Other small things are having pipe clamps, screwdrivers, hammers to loosen things and basic tools that all homes should have in them to perform simple homeowner improvements. These can also extend into other DIY jobs including home improvement and appliance repair. Having a toolbox that is stocked and ready to go is important to maintaining a home. Having the right tool for the right job is very important and makes life much easier.
Need an Expert Plumber?
We would not recommend our clients attempting more complex jobs such as Boiler Repairs or Boiler Installation. Not only is this dangerous if performed by an untrained individual, it can also lead to more costs and loss of time. Anything Gas related; you should probably call the experts. Don’t risk your home and your life to try to save a buck, be sure to call the experts in the field and sleep soundly knowing your home is safe.
If you live in the Edinburgh and the surrounding area, we are here to help with all your central heating and gas boiler issues. With our team of Gas SAFE Registered Engineers, we provide a very affordable and reliable service. We work with all gas and LPG boiler systems and are advanced Vaillant installers.
If you feel confident of tackling your plumbing issue, we wish you well. You will get a great deal of satisfaction when you successfully find a solution. If, however, you are needing to call in the experts, Contact Haggart Plumbers today.