Basic Plumber’s Tools and Materials

By: Phill Monroe

If you have to call a master plumber every time your sink clogs, or your toilet plugs or your faucet leaks, chances are your neighbourhood plumber likes you so much for the 101 easy plumbing jobs that you have been throwing his way. Of course no one can be blamed. Plumbing problems happen and if you have no idea how to tackle a simple pipe or faucet problem then you are right in calling the friendly neighbourhood plumber. However, calling the plumber for every simple repair is expensive and impractical. You might even fix the plumbing dilemma yourself long before the plumber calls back for an appointment.

If you set your mind to it and browse on some notes on the basics of unclogging, unplugging and de-leaking faucets, you might actually save enough money for a much deserved vacation. However, you do need to buy basic plumber’s tools and materials. The one-time investment will be well worth it.

Aside from the usual basic home tools such as: tape measure; hammer; screwdrivers; utility knife; drill; work gloves and safety goggles, there are a few basic plumbing tools that you should have in your toolbox.

Plunger: This is probably the first tool to unclog toilets, sinks, tubs and floor drains. You might have to practice a bit when using one. The general idea is to create a vacuum to take out the clog and not push it in.

Hand Auger: This is a must-have-tool for de-clogging sinks, tubs, showers, floor drains and toilets. It is a 25-foot long flexible steel cable used for clearing obstructions when the plunger fails. Another type is the closet auger which is specifically used for toilet bowls.

Wrench: You need a basic wrench for loosening and tightening the nuts holding the sink faucets. There is just no other tool to reach the narrow gap behind the sink to get a grip on the nut.

Pipe Wrench: This tool is for tightening and loosening water pipes, their fittings and nuts. You will need two of these as you need one for turning the pipe and one for gripping the pipe. The teeth of the pipe wrench are saw-like so it’s best that you wrap the wrench’s jaw in a piece of cloth if you do not want to damage the pipe or fittings. Get a 10-inch and 14-inch pipe wrenches.

Adjustable Wrench: This is best used for plumbing parts that have hexagon nuts. Suitable for home use are the 6 and 10-inch ones.

Pliers: Get a 10 inch and 12 inch tongue and groove pliers practical for holding, pulling, twisting, loosening and tightening of nuts and bolts and more.

Hacksaw: This is used for cutting through metal or plastic pipes. You can basically use this tool to cut through most materials. Buy extra blades for convenience. Include a metal file for smoothing out rough edges.

A regular plumber has more tools of the trade though. Some indispensable ones are propane torch, pipe cutter, crimpers, flaring tool, internal pipe wrench, internal pipe cutter, faucet handle puller and more.