Some plumbing issues are best left to the pros, but sometimes, waiting for help isn’t practical—especially with minor problems like a leaky faucet or a clogged drain. Now, imagine facing a plumbing issue in the dead of night when no help is available! That’s why having a few essential plumbing tools on hand is a must. It can save you from frustration and costly disasters.
One thing about plumbing problems—they always come unannounced. That’s why a little preparation is your best defense against unexpected issues. You don’t need a full set of plumbing tools, just a few essentials to handle emergencies. It’s reassuring to know that no sudden hurdle will catch you off guard.
Here are five essential plumbing tools you should have at home:
1. Plunger
Don’t be fooled by its simplicity. A plunger is a must-have tool when it comes to clearing clogs. The plunger can be with a cup plunger or flange plunger. Cup plungers consist of a rubber cup fixed to a plastic or wooden handle. A cup plunger is ideal for flat surfaces like sinks, showers, and bathtubs, where it creates a vacuum to dislodge blockages. The flange plunger is designed to unclog toilets by creating a tighter seal over the curved toilet drain.
If you need to quickly dislodge clothes, no tool does it better than a plunger. An alternative to the plunger is chemicals. But chemicals are harsh, so it’s best to avoid them. With a good quality plunger, you won’t have unnecessary headaches from clogs. It helps fix small issues as you wait for professionals to assess the situation.
Sometimes, if you aren’t able to resolve the issue with a plunger, it is advisable to work with local plumbing companies. For instance, if you live in Goldsboro you’re best off hiring a local Goldsboro plumber. Besides being swift, they belong to your community, which means they do their best to maintain a good name.
2. Pipe Wrench
For more serious plumbing work that requires a firm grip, a pipe wrench is the real deal. The heavy-duty adjustable wrench is built to provide a good grip and turn pipes and fittings with round surfaces. Having these tools can help you solve various demanding plumbing tasks. They come in different sizes, from the smaller one that’s perfect for working in confined spaces to the larger wrench that can handle bigger pipes in larger spaces.
It is designed with serrated jaws for an extra-strong grip, allowing smooth loosening or tightening of pipes and fittings. Its adjustable design means you can work on various round pipe sizes.
Because of the tough jobs, pipe wrench handles are usually built with strong and durable materials. This ensures they can take care of all the heavy-duty work. But for peace of mind, buy a quality product from a reputable seller.
3. Adjustable Wrench
An adjustable wrench, also known as a crescent wrench, is another essential tool in every homeowner’s toolbox. Although it operates on a similar principle to a pipe wrench, this one is mainly designed to handle round piles. With its smooth and flat haws, it is perfect for handling hexagonal nuts and fittings. Thanks to its adjustability, it can grip various bolts and nuts without damaging them.
Its unique slim design makes fixing plumbing issues in tight spaces seamless. With an adjustable wrench within easy reach, you can handle many plumbing tasks without needing a full toolbox.
4. Plumber’s Tape (Teflon Tape)
Your toolkit isn’t complete without plumber’s tape, which is also popular as PTFE or Teflon tape. Its thin nature can make you overlook its role. In fact, the tiny white tape is the hero that hardly gets the accolades it deserves. It does a great job when wrapped around threaded pipes, ensuring there are no leakages by creating a watertight seal that stops drips or leaks.
When dealing with pressurized systems, a plumber’s tape around it can help stop leaks before they escalate. Application is easy—simply wrap it around threads and connect the fittings, be they gas or water systems.
5. Drain Snake ( Auger)
If you have clogs that just won’t give, a plumber’s snake or drain auger is your best friend. This flexible, coiled tool is a drain clog remover that goes where the plungers can’t. Its long, flexible cable can access the deepest parts of a plumbing system, delivering just enough power to fix clogs—something that would have been hard with the regular plunger.
A plumber’s snake’s strength is breaking apart or removing clogged material and clearing the blockage, which allows proper drainage. There are manual versions (which you crank by hand) and powered versions (which run with a drill). Both types work great, but a powered snake makes dealing with tough clogs easy.
With a plumber’s snake in your tool kit, you can deal with crippling blockages by yourself as soon as they arise and cut the expenses.
Conclusion
With these five essential plumbing tools—a plunger, pipe wrench, adjustable wrench, plumber’s tape, and plumber’s snake—no mountain of plumbing problems is hard to climb. These tools save you the cost that minor issues could cause when not fixed in time and the unplanned repair expenses when hiring a plumber.
These valuable tools are also cheap and easy to use. Now, you don’t have to sleep with a clogged toilet or sink. With a few practices, you can get good enough at it to never need anyone fixing the small stuff. That right there means keeping your home in the best shape. But it starts with getting premium, durable products that will last you for a long time from a reliable seller.
