Top Modern Plumbing Tools

No matter for what reason you may need plumbing tools, there is undoubtedly a need to have them of the highest quality. However, there is no need to acquire all the possible tools you may find in the shops. If you are going to make a plumbing repair once, you can purchase only one or two tools. 

On the other hand, if there is a need to experience such repairs periodically, the common plumbing kit cannot be enough to check and fix the occurred issue. Therefore, we conducted a list of all possibly needed tools for your plumbing system. If you are going to establish your own service or just to be able to repair the tubes and cranes by yourself, you are likely to need exactly these tools.

Stay with us if you want to know which tools are inevitably needed in any case and which you can avoid purchasing in order not to waste your money. 

Frequently Occurring Problems With Plumbing Systems

No matter how experienced a plumber you are, there may arise some problems you have never dealt with. 

For these means, we listed some widespread problems plumbers usually have to fix:

• Outdoor plumbing systems. For some household owners, it may be unexpected to deal with tubes in the backyard of the house. However, it is not a rare case when the outer tubes, sinks, or cranes break down. Moreover, during the spring, when the snow melts and extra water levels appear, the tubes may be damaged, which makes the process of getting water supply hard.
• Water heating. Surely, sometimes the water heating system is connected not only to plumbing but also to electricity systems in one’s house. However, plumbers need to know how to fix the heating apparatus too. Sometimes the problem is only in establishing the correct setting or providing a good fixation to the tubes. 
• Pipes cracks. One of the most widely met issues among plumbing services is to change or repair the cracked tube. There may be numerous reasons why it happened, but the outcome is only one. So, while it may be complicated for a common man to change the broken tube, the plumber must know how to do it as fast as possible in order not to violate the client’s routine.
• Cranes leakages. Leakage is one of the problems almost any of us have dealt with. The problem may be in the incorrect fixation of the hose or in its quality. To solve this problem, you will only need to change the hose or strengthen the fixation with putty.

Since this list may be endless (different problems may have numerous variations), we will not provide you with each possible problem. Undoubtedly, you will be able to face and solve any of them. So, let’s proceed with the needed tools.

Most Wanted Plumbing Tools for Pros

Let us consider a few most crucial plumbing tools real pros use in their work.

1. Wrenches

The first and foremost needed tool is a wrench. Since almost all the tubes now are made with different kinds of metal, they are connected to each other or to the water suppliers with screws. So, to make the repair, you will need to disconnect them somehow. The wrench is exactly what you need.

However, it is not as easy as it may sound. You are likely to need more than one wrench. As there is no “one-size-fits-all” wrench, it is highly recommended to acquire several wrenches of the most frequently met sizes. What is more, it is better to purchase wrenches measured both in metrics and standard measurements. 

Now, let’s know what are three types of wrenches you will definitely need at some moment:

1. A pipe wrench is used when working with pipe fittings. Thanks to its curved shape, it fits any situation and can strengthen the wrenches of any pipe to create the best grip on the pipe fitting. It is better to acquire a wrench with serrated and regulated jaws in order to use it with tubes of different sizes. You should also consider adjustable wrenches to deal with bolts and ​​nuts to loosen or tighten them. 
2. A basin wrench or sink wrench is used when the sink faucets are installed. These are long curbed tools that help you to reach tight and distant places in which your hand may not be placed. It is likely to choose a basin wrench that can turn both clockwise and counter-clockwise, so you do not need two different tools for the same problem.
3. A faucet key is also a convenient tool to control the water flow with the help of faucets that are located outdoors, for example, a hose bib. Facet keys exist in two types – cross and sillcock – and can easily fit any kit thanks to their small size. Nevertheless, you can still use only one of them according to what is preferable to you.

2. Hacksaw and Pipe Cutter

Sometimes pipes can be hard to reach or remove, that is why you may need various cutting tools to perform your job. The hacksaw is the most convenient tool that can be used to deal with old pipes. It is a circle-shaped handle with a blade that can be changed when it becomes dull. Pay attention to the material and quality of the handle since it will affect your performance mostly. It should be stable and sturdy, so your hand will not slip during the process. Also, choose the hacksaw with a blade that can be changed fastly in order to not ruin your work while swapping the blade.

Unlike a hacksaw, pipe cutters are used for more solid materials such as metal tubes. That is why you can use only pipe cutters if you do not want to carry too many tools. Moreover, there exist several types of cutters that can replace any kind of hacksaw. As such, there are cutters for cast iron, copper, steel, and PVC tubes.

3. Tube Bender

A tube bender is not a very frequently used and meat tool in the plumber’s toolkit since you can make its job with your own hands. However, using a tube bender to change the shape of the tube is safer as it will save the integrity of the tube. When choosing a bender to purchase, pay attention to the variety of materials it can deal with.

4. Your Own Protection

Undoubtedly, one of the main parts of any plumbing work is to keep yourself safe. If you get injured, there is a small chance the work will be done by the end of the day. The first and foremost organs to keep in safety are your eyes and hands. 

To protect your face, use goggles or a mask. They should be strong enough, so the fragments of plastic or steel will not hurt you. Moreover, it is essential to protect your lungs from the dust occurring during cutting the pipes, that is why using a mask is highly significant.

Using gloves is also important since it will not only protect your hands from sharp objects but also from heating or getting burnt with boiling hot water. Consider gloves that are waterproof and stable to the shifts in temperature. You should also be able to reuse them if they are not damaged during the process.

5. Plunger

Can you imagine a plumber without a plunger in their toolkit? Very unlikely. Blockages are probably the most widespread problem claimed by the customers. Therefore, you need to be able to perform any work connected to removing the blockages in various sites. Especially for these purposes, there exist many types of plungers, including cup plungers for sinks, flange plungers for toilets, and accordion ones for extremely complicated cases.

6. Plumber’s Tape

The main and most significant distinguishing feature of a plumber’s tape from any other tape is that it is waterproof. Surely, you cannot fix the cracked tube only with tape, however, you can strengthen the fixation of a crane or tube with it. Choose the one which is likely to be durable and long-lasting.

Where to Buy the Plumbing Equipment

The vast majority of the listed tools can be found in Target and Walmart. However, some specific tools may be out of stock. Do not hesitate to visit your local plumbing stores to find missing equipment. Each tool is highly useful and may be needed in very unexpected situations.