Essential tools for DIY plumbing
Making DIY fixes for plumbing problems is a surefire way to save up, as you don’t have to hire professionals to fix issues that you can solve on your own. If you’ve decided do your own plumbing work, then you’ll need some tools to get a variety of jobs done. We’ve listed several of them below, so that you’ll be armed with the essentials when it’s time to tackle your first DIY plumbing task.
Pipe wrench
A couple of heavy-duty pipe wrenches are needed for pipe work—one is used to hold or grip stuff in place, and another is needed to turn pipes, nuts, and other fittings. You may need to purchase cloth to cover the serrated teeth of pipe wrenches so that they don’t damage a particular fixture.
Basin wrench
This is one of the things you’ll need to have at home, because it loosens up or tightens sink faucet nuts that are located in narrow spaces deep behind sinks. This tool basically has no substitute, so you do need to get one for reaching those troublesome areas.
Adjustable wrench
Ideally, you’ll have two sizes of this tool on hand for flexibility: one 6-inch and another of the 10-inch variety. You will be using the adjustable wrench on such things as supply lines and compression fittings, as well as some components that sport hexagonal nuts. You can also go for locking pliers in lieu of an adjustable wrench.
Plunger
This is the go-to tool for many households—in fact, it’s one of the first things people reach for when there are clogs in showers, floor drains, sinks, tubs, and of course, toilets. Make sure that you know the process behind using the plunger, even if it seems simple enough to use. Your aim is to make use of the pressure, vacuuming out the clog instead of pushing it farther down.
Plumber’s putty
This is very useful for making watertight seals on joints that are unpressurized. Plumber’s putty can be molded to shapes you need to make the best possible seal. It’s perfect for use on drains and faucets, though epoxy or RTV silicone sealants can also be used as substitutes.
Closet auger
We aren’t really sure why this is called a ‘closet’ auger when it’s clearly designed for toilets. Just kidding! This is a handy tool that’s simple to use—it features a long (usually around 3 feet in length) semi-rigid cable made of steel that’s meant to get through the most persistent of toilet clogs. The length allows you to reach all the way through the drain pipe and to the back of the toilet.
Investing in plumbing tools will allow you to do your own plumbing repairs and installations for a long time. Make sure you identify which problems commonly occur and, if you can fix these yourself, then you should get the tool that can handle the task at hand. Hopefully, it will be a long time before you have to contact your trusted plumber—and only for more complex plumbing problems.
