8 Plumbing Tools Every Homeowner Should Invest In

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1. Your Plumbing First-Aid Kit - Basic Plumbing Tools

These are some basic plumbing tools that every homeowner must have. They can be used to handle common plumbing issues that are under control and may not require professional help.

• • Plunger
    We can cast a plunger as the leading hero of our plumbing kit. A good plunger can fix the issue in minutes, whether it’s a clogged toilet or a slow-draining sink. Moreover, it’s not so costly, simple to use, and often all you need to solve minor blockages.

However, you must know that there are two types of plunger, each used for a different purpose.

• • • A cup plunger is used for sinks, showers, and tubs.
    • A flange plunger is used for toilets.

You can use a plunger for regular cleaning and maintenance of your plumbing system.

• Wrench
  A wrench is the backbone of a DIY plumbing toolkit and can be used for various plumbing issues.
  • Adjustable Wrench - Perfect for common plumbing tasks like tightening or loosening nuts and bolts on sinks, faucets, and shower fixtures.
  • Pipe Wrench - This one is a bit heavier and perfect for handling metal pipes.
  • Basin Wrench - It’s especially designed to tighten a loose faucet behind the sink. It’s T-shaped and can easily be used where your hands are unable to reach.

2. Tools for Leak Prevention

Sometimes, you may notice a tiny leak in pipes. That may not be a big deal, but if not fixed immediately, it can become a full-blown flood tomorrow.

• Plumber’s Teflon Tape
  This thin white tape is very useful in handling minor plumbing leaks. Ever noticed that your newly installed showerhead drips from the joint? Just wrap a bit of plumbing tape around the threads before tightening for a leak-free seal.
• Plumber’s Putty
  Plumber’s putty is an essential part of plumbing repairs as it’s a perfect solution for sealing joints and fixtures. It’s flexible, water-resistant, and used to stop small drips around sink flanges and faucets.

3. Clog-Clearing Tools

If you observe water draining slowly from your sinks or bathroom tubs, there might be an issue with clogging due to soap scum or debris accumulation inside pipes. You can clean the blockages using clog-clearing tools. However, for major blockages, you need emergency plumbing service.

• Drain Snake
  It’s also known as a Hand Auger. If someone in your home has a hair fall issue, you definitely need this. Hairs get stuck inside the bathroom drains and gather other debris to clog the pipes. A hand auger can go deeper than a plunger and is used for pulling out or breaking the clogs.
• Zip-It Drain Cleaning Tool
  It’s a simple, inexpensive plastic tool with barbs that can pull gunk out of your drains.

4. Some Other Plumbing Tools You May Have

If you have some basic understanding of the plumbing system, how it works, how to take care of it, or have some experience in fixing basic plumbing issues, you can go a level up in applying DIY methods.

• Tongue-and-Groove Pliers (Channel Locks)
  These are great for gripping, twisting, pulling, and turning pipes and fittings of different sizes. You can use channel locks if you need a better grip than what your adjustable wrench can offer.
• Hacksaw
  A hacksaw is used for cutting through pipes, bolts, or even stubborn plastic parts. Just be careful and always wear gloves when sawing!

When Should You Call an Emergency Plumbing Service

It feels good to fix something yourself, and once you succeed, you think you can fix other problems too. But not every job should be a DIY adventure! You must contact a plumbing company-

• You’re not sure about the problem.
• You can’t identify whether it’s a small leak or a symptom of a bigger issue.
• A funky smell is coming out of your drains.

Then, it’s probably time to put the wrench down and call a professional.