Lists of the best DIY Plumbing Tools to buy. We searched the internet for the best expert information on the best DIY Plumbing Tools to buy. It was not easy because the vast majority of articles on this subject are no more than introductions to lists of the best plumbing tools the website owner sells!
We wanted an altogether broader set of lists which, rather than offering a specific brand of a tool were able to genuinely recommend the best DIY plumbing tools available anywhere.
The results is that we have gleaned 3 lists of the best DIY plumbing tools which are presented below with links to the original websites for those which will want to know more about these best DIY plumbing tools.
But, before you look at our Plumbing Lists we suggest you watch our latest video below, about choosing the best plumbing tools:
Tools You Should Have On-Hand in Your Very Own Plumbing Toolbox
1. A Funnel Cup Plunger
These are the plungers with the extra bit that extends from the bottom of the rubber cup. To get the best plunge, run your plunger under hot water before using it so it won’t be so stiff and can better seal over the exit hole (remember, plungers are for more than just toilets — they can also be used in sinks, tubs, showers, and floor drains). Once you have a good seal, give a few good plunges and see if the water clears. If it clears, you’re good; if it doesn’t, just keep plunging.
2. A Hand Auger (AKA a “Plumber’s Snake” or “Drain Snake”)
This is a hand-powered drain-clearing tool with a 25-ft.-long flexible steel cable that can remove clogs from tubs, showers, sinks, and drain lines. You’ll want to break this out if several rounds of plunging still don’t do the trick to clear your clog. They also make closet augers which work the same way as hand augers, but they’re made specifically for toilets.
3. Tongue-and-Groove Pliers (Channellocks)
These pliers can grab, pull, twist, hold, tighten, or loosen just about anything — they even work on frozen pipes. We suggest you get a 10″ pair and a 12″ pair just to be sure that you’re prepared for anything.
4. A Basin Wrench
You’ll use this bad boy to tighten and loosen nuts that hold sink taps in place. The way the tool is designed, with a long shaft and swiveling jaw, allows it to reach up and into the area behind your sink where it can then lock onto the nuts. There’s really no substitute for a basin wrench, so this one is definitely a must-have for any novice plumber.
5. A couple of Pipe Wrenches
These heavy-duty wrenches are used for tightening and loosening threaded pipes, fittings, and nuts. You’ll need two pairs: a 10″ pair and a 14″ pair — you’ll use one for turning and the other for gripping and holding. These wrenches have serrated teeth which help the wrench grip onto whatever it is you’re working with, but it is possible for the teeth to damage what they’ve latched on to. To keep damage at bay without any loss in grip, wrap the wrench’s jaws in a cloth first.
6. Hex Key or Allen Wrench set
These are L-shaped wrenches with hexagonal heads, and they come in a TON of different sizes. You’ll want a set of them because, more often than not, they’re needed to fix stuck garbage disposal devices. via Tools You Should Have On-Hand in Your Very Own Plumbing Toolbox
The Tools That Will Relieve Your Plumbing Setbacks
If you’re going to be doing all your own work around the Household, having the right tools listed here will be key to getting the job done:
Plumbing Hand Tools
Tape measure
Hack saw
Allen keys imperial/metric
Step ladder
Hole saw kit
Torpedo level
Various adjustable wrenches
PVC Hand saw
Mini pipe cutter
Medium copper pipe cutter 2″
PEX Crimpers
Spud wrench
Flaring tool kit
Pipe wrenches 6″/10″/14″/18″/24″ (Ridgid is your most common brand)
Basin wrench
Plastic tube cutter/Scissor type
Turbo torch
Internal pipe cutter
Plumbing Power Tools
When it comes to power tools for plumbers its a MUST, time is money in this industry and I think we can all agree on that. Plumbing professionals and DIY rely on several types of power tools to get their job done. Many do-it-yourselfers may own the basic plumbing power tools but should the novice plumber need more specialized equipment, plumbing power tools are available for both rent and purchase. Below is a list of plumbing power tools that are commonly used:
Hole Hawg’s
Reciprocating Saw
Hammer drill
Impact Driver
Press Tool (Great tool is you have high volume work)
Detection Tools
Power Threading Tool
Grinders
Cut-Off Machines
via Basic Plumbing Tools List For DIY’ers : DIY – reddit
Ten Useful Tools and Materials for Plumbing Projects
1. Adjustable pipe wrench
An adjustable pipe wrench is the quintessential metal plumbing tool. The adjustable pipe wrench is an iconic symbol of plumbing repair.
This tool provides tremendous leverage and grip. Once you tighten the wrench around the pipe by use of the knurled knob, it is designed to grip round objects (such as pipes) securely by digging its sharp serrated teeth into the pipe with increasing pressure as the wrench is turned.
2. Sink Auger
A sink auger (also called a drum auger or canister auger) is one of the most valuable of the various special tools for plumbing you will want to have on hand. This easy-to-use tool is great for breaking up and clearing clogs in sinks and tubs.
3. Toilet Auger
The toilet auger (also called closet auger or water closet auger) is a specialized plumbing tool used to clear clogs in toilets. You do not want to use a sink auger for toilet use or vice-versa, as the tools are designed for very different purposes.
4. Toilet Plunger
The toilet flange plunger or ball plunger is a specially shaped plunger used to clear clogs in toilets. It works by the applications of vacuum and the force of water. The flange plunger’s special shape seals the hole at the bottom of a toilet bowl, unlike a standard cup-shaped plunger which is used for sinks and tubs.
5. Cup Plunger
The cup plunger is probably the most common special plumbing tool in the home. It has a rubber cup-like shape and wooden handle and is used to clear clogs in sinks, tubs, and showers. Do not use this plunger for clearing toilet clogs, because that requires a specially shaped plunger called a flange plunger.
6. Plumber’s tape
Plumber’s tape is an essential material for preventing leakage at threaded plumbing joint connections. Plumber’s tape is a versatile, common, inexpensive thin white tape used to effectively seal pipe threads being joined together for plumbing purposes, such as shower heads and threaded water line connections.
It’s also used to seal air and gas from leaking through threaded connections, such as at your dryer.
Known technically as PTFE (PolyTetraFluoroEthylene), it is silky in texture.
7. A tap valve-seat wrench
A tap valve-seat wrench is a simple tool used to remove the valve seats on a compression tap valve so it may be replaced.
Compression faucets are the oldest style of tap valve. They work by compressing a rubber or nylon washer on the end of a brass stem down against a valve seat in the faucet body.
When the washer is allowed to wear down too far, the grinding action between the washer valve seat and the tap-valve body valve seat can cause the tap-valve body valve seat to become rough, and leaks occur as a result.
8. A tap valve reseating tool
A tap valve reseating tool is another tool specifically for compression faucets. The valve seat reseating tool is also called a valve seat dresser or a valve seat grinder. It is used to resurface the valve seat in the tap-valve body if you cannot remove the valve seat or decide not to replace it.
To use the tool just remove the valve stem. Using the largest grinding attachment that fits into the faucet, insert the seat grinder until it rests on the valve seat in the faucet body, and follow the supplier’s instructions.
9. Valve packing and washers
Valve packing and washers are yet another accessory that is essential for maintaining compression-type taps, which can leak water around the handles. Newer compression type taps rely upon rubber or nylon washers or O-rings around the tap, older examples may have coated, thick, twine-like string around the top of the stem.
Replacing the O-ring(s) or washer is easy. Just remove and take to your hardware store to find the exact replacement.
10. A tubing cutter
The tubing cutter is an essential plumbing tool if you are going to be doing any work with copper pipe. With copper pipe, it is important to have smoothly cut and squarely cut ends and well-fitted joints.
When using a tubing cutter, hold the copper tubing and clamp the cutter around the pipe where you want it cut. Then rotate the cutter around the pipe by pulling the handle, tightening the knob slightly on each revolution to increase the cutting wheel pressure on the pipe. After making the cut, follow the suppliers instructions.
I think readers would like to know about a good tubing cutter. Check out the Ridgid Quick Acting Tubing Cutter on Amazon. It has a 5 star rating, and apparently will even cut scaffolding tubes easily.
Hugely useful post – if you are like me it’s always handy to keep the tools you list here around. Just in case the unexpected happens and you come across an issue that can be easily fixed yourself, immediately. I’ve bought a lot of tools and gizmos over the years, but I still reckon that has been cheaper than running for a plumber each time the least thing goes wrong.
Useful information- We can also keep these tools at home and resolve the minor issues on our own. Keep sharing such posts.
Hi! from Perth, West Australia. I just to comment to say thanks for
taking the time to write this post.
The plumbing principles you have written about are pretty much universal
and the same as where I come from.
Thanks for sharing this information, you do the plumbing community a service.
There are some amazing new and inventive plumbing tools available today, and many make DIY jobs easier. See https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plumbers-Tool-Set-37-pc/dp/B007IAINWM
I up-voting some of you post as I thought they were invaluable. Some here tools would help my partner.
Wow! This could be one particular of the most useful blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Fantastic. I am also an expert in this topic so I can understand your hard work.
Thanks for sharing this great information on plumbing tools..