Essential Tools for Your Home Plumbing Tools Box
Being tool prepared for any DIY repair or project that you decide to undertake around your house is of the essence if you want to do it right. Clogs or leaks, for example, are quite common and instead of waiting a couple of days for a plumber and waste money, with a bit of knowledge on the matter and the right tools, you can take care of the problem by yourself. Here are some of the basic tools that you need to have in your tool box.
Screw Drivers
Although not really the typical plumbing tools, screw drivers are the kind of tools every household should have. You can distinguish them by their tip and by the type of screw they drive. The tip of the screwdriver should completely fill the slot of the screw you’re driving or removing, so if the tip is too narrow you’re going to have to use more strength to drive the screw. Also, you will risk stripping the screw and bending the tip of your screwdriver. These can come in handy for different things that might need fixing, so make sure to keep them in your tool box at all times.
Basin Wrenches
Also known as sink wrenches, these are definitely the most essential plumbing tools that can be used in many projects. This is a self tightening wrench that can be used to loosen or tighten fittings in places that are hard to reach. For example, a basin wrench can be very handy when changing out an old faucet in the kitchen or in the bathroom sink.
Pliers
These are essential for almost everything DIY – related. Many plumbers recommend pliers over adjustable wrenches, although in most cases they will do the same job. However, pliers are easier and way more comfortable to work with. They are quicker in making the job done and they work best in pairs: one for stabilizing the pipe and the other for unscrewing. They are the “go to” tool for almost all plumbing repairs.
Pipe Wrenches
When it comes to threaded iron pipes, fittings or nuts, pipe wrenches are very useful. You’ll need two of these as well – one for turning and the other for gripping and holding. Pipe wrenches also come in different sizes and just like most tools, it’s always a good idea to have as many as you can, because different problems require different pipe wrenches. Your plumbing tool box won’t feel complete without these, so make sure you have at least four different sizes of pipe wrenches in it.
