The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Every homeowner should have a tool kit outfitted with plumbing essentials.
When shopping for parts and materials, support your local plumbing supply house whenever possible.
Even if the big box stores have better prices, many local shops will match prices.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Tools for Clogs
These tools are used for clearing clogged drains.
Just don’t use it on toiletsthey call for a closet auger ortoilet auger.
A sink auger consists of a flexible stainless steel cable with a corkscrew tip at the end.
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The drum has a handle, and there’s a thumbscrew that locks the cable to the canister.
A rubber sleeve covers the bend to protect the porcelain in the toilet from being scratched.
Drain-Cleaning Bladder
Adrain-cleaning bladderis a handy tool for cleaning out clogs using water pressure.
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The bladder will expand, keeping water from coming backward while propelling clogs forward with high water pressure.
Common Hand Tools
Here are common hand tools you’ll likely find useful for many tasks.
The long handles provide tremendous leverage for squeezing and twisting.
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If you own only one specialty plumbing tool, this should be the one.
Adjustable Pipe Wrench
Anadjustable pipe wrenchis the quintessential metal plumbing tool.
It provides tremendous leverage and grip.
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Hacksaw
Ahacksawis a handheld saw that’s designed to cut materials like metal and plastic.
This makes hacksaws perfect for accurately and cleanly cutting metal and plastic pipes.
From furniture to automotive plumbing and everything in between, hex bolts are used throughout many industries.
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Specialty Tools
Specialty tools are specifically used for plumbing.
You might also need acompression sleeve puller.
When the washer wears out, the valve seat can become damaged and rough, preventing a complete seal.
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If the seat is not removable, you must regrind it to a smooth surface using areseating tool.
Tubing Cutter
The tubing cutter is an essential plumbing tool if you’re working withcopper pipes.
Copper requires clean, square cuts, and tubing cutters do just thatwith much less effort than a hacksaw.
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The cutting wheels gradually cut through the material.
The ratcheting mechanism allows for immense power to push the blade through the tough materials.
The thin, ultra-sharp blade creates perfectly clean, straight cuts.
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Replacement Parts
Replacement parts are common pieces used for fixtures and components.
Rubber washers and O-rings are sold in variety packs containing several different shapes and sizes.
It’s handy to have one around because it might save you a trip to the store.
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These cleverly designed caps push right over cleanly cut copper, tightly sealing the exposed end.
Plumber’s Tape
Plumber’s tapeis an essential material for preventing leaks at threaded plumbing connections.
It adds a bit of lubricant to aid threading and also helps to seal the joint to prevent leaks.
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Made with PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene), it is silky in texture and is sold in small rolls.
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