Taking the do-it-yourself approach can save you a lot of money when it comes to plumbing jobs around the house. However, you’re not doing yourself any favors if you try and complete a task without having the proper tools for the job. Equipping yourself with the same tools that plumbers use will make life easier.
Check out the top 10 DIY plumbing tools you need to keep on hand!
1. Tongue-And-Groove Pliers
Tongue-and-Groove Pliers are one of the most commonly used DIY plumbing tools. You’ll use these pliers whenever you need to pull, twist, hold, tighten, or loosen something. Many times, you’ll hear people refer to Tongue-and-Groove Pliers by the brand name channellocks.
One of the advantages of Tongue-and-Groove Pliers is they have long handles which allow for increased leverage. Make sure you get two different sizes, so you can accommodate all types of plumbing layouts.
2. Hacksaw
Hacksaws are another essential tool for any plumbing job. Hacksaws are versatile and can cut through a variety of materials, including plastic pipes, metal pipes, and even nuts and bolts. Make sure the blade on your hacksaw is tense within the frame which will make it easier to cut through things. With a hacksaw, it’s always a good idea to have some extra blades on hand in case they go dull.
3. Metal File
Having a metal file on hand is always useful, especially if you’re using a hacksaw. After you cut into a pipe, you need to smooth the edges to remove any burrs or protuberances. It’s worth keeping a few different types of files on hand to accommodate different angles and materials.
4. Pipe Wrench
Pipe wrenches have a large and heavy design which helps them tighten and loosen threaded pipe fittings and nuts. The adjustable jaw of a pipe wrench allows plumbers to apply pressure even at odd angles. Pipe wrenches are designed to sink into rounded metal surfaces which makes them great for removing stripped nuts and bolts.
The jaw of a pipe wrench features a serrated tooth design which helps the wrench hold its grip. If you’re not careful, the serrated teeth can damage the finish on a fixture. Wrap the jaws in a cloth to prevent any damage from occurring on your fixtures.
5. Basin Wrench
Basin wrenches are a must-have tool for any plumbing job. Basin wrenches allow you to tighten and loosen the nuts that hold faucets in place. Basin wrenches are designed with a long shaft which makes it easy for them to reach into the narrow space behind a sink. Without this tool, you’ll find it difficult to lock onto the nuts with the awkward angle of a sink.
Basin wrenches are designed only for installing or removing a faucet. However, simply having a basin wrench on hand makes these tasks much easier to accomplish, which makes this a tool worth having.
6. Hand Auger
Hand augers are designed for clearing drains and are among the most useful DIY plumbing tools. Hand augers are excellent for removing obstructions from drain lines, sinks, showers, and toilets.
If a plunger fails to work, plumbers usually go for the hand auger as a backup. This is why hand augers are also known as plumber’s snakes. Manual hand augers require you to crank the tool by hand to remove the blockage. You can also buy electric drain augers which use machine power to remove obstructions.
7. Plunger
Plungers are a tool that belongs in every household. Whenever you have a clog or blockage in a drain, using a plunger is the first troubleshooting step. Plungers create a seal around the drain which helps suck the clog out. Creating a seal and using the force from the vacuum also helps break up or loosen the material causing the blockage.
It’s worth having a few different sized plungers on hand so you can easily work on toilets or sinks if necessary. Plungers designed for sinks and toilets have slight differences that make creating a solid seal easier.
8. Plumbers Putty
Plumbers putty is an extremely useful tool for completing repairs. Plumber’s putty helps create a watertight seal in any shape you want by forming the putty. Almost every do-it-yourself project can benefit from a bit of plumber’s putty to help avoid leaks and keep upgrades firmly in place.
9. Plumbers Tape
Plumbers tape is another tool you can use to create watertight seals. Plumbers tape is designed to create a tight seal on old threaded pipe joints or joints without a rubber seal. Plumber’s tape also adds lubrication to the joint which makes moving and attaching parts an easier task.
10. Tubing Cutter
Tubing cutters are great for dealing with copper pipes during plumbing jobs. Tubing cutters are perfect for areas you can’t access with a hacksaw. Tubing cutters tend to provide a faster and cleaner cut when compared to hacksaws. Tuber cutter blades are made from tempered steel which makes them quite powerful.