Important Tools Needed for Basic Plumbing Work

When working on any type of plumbing project, it is essential to have all the necessary plumbing tools that you may need for the job. Having the correct tools will help you make repairs and replacement more convenient and considerably faster. Moreover, some complex projects will be impossible to finish without using the proper tools. 

Even if you are a professional plumber or just interested in DIY, here are the tools that you should have at all times.

1) Basin Wrench

When replacing your old faucet in the bathroom, kitchen, or laundry sink, you will need to use a regular wrench or what others call a sink wrench. It has a self-tightening mechanism with a pivoting head that is ideal for tightening or loosening fittings. It can access areas that are hard to reach with your arm with its long handle, especially if you do not use plumbing access doors.

2) Adjustable Wrench

The adjustable wrench is the ideal tool for removing fixtures in shutoff valves, supply tubes, or compression nuts on faucets and other places. It features smooth jaws that will not damage any chrome surfaces. If you plan to buy this, it would be better to own two adjustable wrenches because you will need to use them most of the time.

3) Tongue-and-Groove Pliers

There are various types and sizes of pipe wrenches in the market, but you should opt to get tongue-and-groove pliers instead of buying this. This slip-joint plier has long handles, angled jaws, and a variety of adjustment positions. Most DIYers choose a 10-inch size for their plumbing projects, but it will not hurt to own larger and smaller ones for other situations.

4) Tubing Cutter

Even if you can use a hacksaw in cutting plumbing pipes, using a tubing cutter with unique designs for cutting various pipe types is still more efficient. You can have them for PVC plastic, copper, and PEX tubing.

5) Compression Sleeve Puller

If your plumbing projects require you to fix your compressions fittings for fixture shutoff valves, you have to use a compression sleeve puller. Even if unscrewing the valve and nuts is comfortable with a pair of pliers and wrenches, your stuck compression sleeve is another issue. However, you can use a special puller to fix this without worrying about damaging the pipe.

6) Drain Auger

Clearing the clog from drains is one of the most common issues in plumbing projects. In these cases, you can use a drain auger or drain snake with a long metal cable. With its angled handle and circular drum, you can break up clogs and extract them by rotating and forcing the line through it.

7) Plunger

For frequent clogs blocking the drain trap in the shower, tub, or sink, the drain plunger can be your hero. It has two types: the flange plunger (or toilet plunger) features an extended inner flange that fits the toilet’s drain opening. Meanwhile, the other one is the cup plunger that has rubber cups to fit standard drain openings. Some plungers can serve the two functions with an inner flange that you can tuck inside the cup whenever you need to.

Make your plumbing projects more convenient!

Working on some plumbing issues can be messy and complicated, but it is even worse when the areas are not accessible. If you want to avoid these, it is ideal for installing waterproof and louvered access doors to protect and provide access for your plumbing system. If you are looking for reliable products, check out our products at Best Access Doors or contact our product specialists to know which one is the best for you. You can reach out to us through email, live chat, or call us at 1-800-483-0823.