If you own or maintain a piece of property, you are probably well aware of how much work can go into the job. Keeping your property functional is all about taking care of problems as they arise. While you can turn to the help of the best professional plumbing services in your area, it is sometimes better to tackle the job yourself. One of the most common complaints comes in the area of plumbing when it comes to home maintenance. While indoor plumbing may be one of the most influential inventions in human history, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t problems. Today, we will look at a few essential tools you can keep around your home to address plumbing problems as they arise.
Necessary Plumbing Tools To Have At Home
If you want to handle plumbing issues as they crop up, you will need to be armed with the right tools for the job. Above all, you are also going to have to have the knowledge required to use them. While we cannot teach you how to repair plumbing issues, we can help you get the right tools to keep on hand. Remember, before you ever touch a plumbing issue, make sure you know what you are doing. With that warning out of the way, let’s jump right into a list of the essential tools for burgeoning plumbers to have on their side.
Plumbing Sewer Snake
The first tool that you should purchase for home use is a sewer snake. Also known as a plumbing sewer snake, this tool can be your best friend when you run into issues inside of your home. These tools are made specifically to help you fight through major and minor clogs in your plumbing. You’ll want to use a sewer snake instead of harmful chemicals when dealing with potential clogging and drainage-related issues. You’ll find a variety of different forms of a plumbing sewer snake. Some of these sewer snakes are hand-cranked, while others are automated. Do your research and find the right version for your specific use.
Adjustable Tube Cutter
If you are serious about fixing issues at home on your own, you will need an adjustable tube cutter on hand. Also known as the telescopic tube cutter, this handy device is perfect for doling out cuts to your piping when your conventional circular pipe cutter can’t get the job done. Typically, this type of tube cutter can help you deal with pipes and tubing that range between 6mm and 35mm thick. Your adjustable tube cutter will allow you to neatly cut through a copper pipe to get a clean edge. You’ll want to make sure that your tube cutter stays in great shape over the years. With repeated use, the inside blade of your tube cutter can begin to grow dull. A dull knife can turn into a problem for your work and your safety.
Hacksaw
At some point, you are going to run into pipes, bolts, screws, and nuts that don’t want to come unfastened. When you run into these problematic components, you will have to be proactive in removing them yourself. When you cannot fit a heavy-duty saw like a bandsaw into an area, you can turn to a hacksaw. Hacksaws come in a variety of different sizes with multiple types of teeth. You can also try a junior hacksaw if space becomes minimal where you are working. Wearing thick gloves to prevent slippage, you should be able to cut into your plumbing target easily. These saws require routine maintenance, so keep an eye out for potential issues. You’ll also want to make sure that you dry off your saw and store it in a dry area after using it. You don’t wish for rust or corrosion to ruin your blade’s integrity, especially when it is easy to prevent.
Adjustable Wrench
You aren’t going to get very far with your plumbing efforts without an adjustable wrench. An adjustable wrench, also known as an adjustable spanner, is integral to any work you will do. An adjustable wrench will help you with projects outside of the world of plumbing. These tools are great for working with pipes, nuts, fastenings, and bolts. You’ll use your adjustable wrench with regularity when working with your plumbing. We advocate spending the extra money to get an adjustable wrench that you can rely on.
Pipe Wrench
Different from an adjustable wrench, an adjustable pipe wrench is the staple tool of plumbers everywhere. These giant wrenches can help you get serious leverage when turning your pipes or fittings into place on a spherical surface. These wrenches have incredibly powerful jaws that can help you get many different jobs done, including removing a pipe or bolt that has rounded and become stuck. Spend some extra money to bring home a quality pipe wrench that you can rely on for years to come.
We’ve touched on some of the essential tools that you can have on hand. While these tools will help you handle plumbing problems as they show up, they won’t solve them independently. Before taking on any DIY plumbing solutions, ensure that you are armed with the proper knowledge to get the job done. Often, a small problem can become a large one when dealt with by someone without the appropriate experience. If you feel like you aren’t prepared to handle a plumbing problem, reach out to a professional plumber to take care of the job. If you want to become a licensed plumber, that is an entirely different discussion. In any event, use these tools to the best of your ability and go forth as a prepared plumb!
