Plumbing emergencies and other plumbing issues at home are best dealt with by professional plumbers. Most homeowners do not have the skills and experience to deal with plumbing emergencies.
However, it is a good idea to have certain plumbing tools handy. In this post, we have summarized the top 5 tools you should have at home. In case of a plumbing emergency, uneven, the most unskilled hands might be able to save the day using these tools while your plumber is on the way.
#1. Plunger
As obvious as it may appear, one of the essential plumbing tools every household must have is a plunger. This inexpensive tool can do wonders at home. It can help you with fixing a clogged toilet. But it is equally effective in dealing with clogged drains. Whether it a clogged shower drain, or a clogged kitchen drain, a plunger is a simple, quick and effective solution.
You can find several types of plungers, and each one is designed to be used on different types of drains. However, the most basic version of plungers that you must have at home comes with a rubber cup at the end of a straight handle. Usually, the handle is made of wood, but you can find plunger handles made from different materials, including plastic.
Plunger Fun Fact
Toilet plungers are designed with a narrow bottom that can fit in the toilet, while the sink and other drain plungers are generally flat. Who knew that?
How it Works?
A plunger is quite a simple tool that works by creating suction and pressure. When the plunger's cup (which is usually made of synthetic rubber) is sealed over the drain, and you move the handle in an upward and downward motion, this movement creates pressure.
As a result, water is forced up and down, and this specific water movement is enough to dislodge most of the standard toilet and drain clogs so that water can freely drain through the pipe.
#2. Long Nose Pliers
Do you have a slow-moving kitchen or bathroom sink drain? There is a good chance that as soon as you remove the nut under your sink and remove the drain plug, all you see is a ball of wet hair, soap, shampoo and debris.
Do you have what it takes up to remove this wet ball with bare hands?
If not, then you must have a plier in your toolbox. This long nose plier is a great plumbing tool that you can use to grip objects, and by objects, we mean all types of objects, including the scraps from your drain.
Plier Fun Fact
A plier is a great tool for holding objects tightly, but it can also cut cables. It is indeed an essential multitasking tool in the toolbox.
How it Works?
Pliers come in different shapes and sizes, but all pliers are designed to grip objects firmly. Moreover, when you have a firm grip, you can use a plier to twist, turn and bend the objects. The handles of all types of pliers are parallel, but there is a pivot where the handles join.
Additionally, there are jaws that allow a firm grip over the object. You can choose between several types of pliers, but we recommend a long nose plier as an essential plumbing tool that you must have at home.
#3. Adjustable Wrench
A good set of adjustable wrenches can be a great friend when dealing with plumbing problems. The tool allows you to grip a pipe (of varying diameters) from the front, whereas the backside facilitates the holding of rounded surfaces.
So whether you want to loosen or tighten a nut or grip and turn a pipe, an adjustable wrench is a must-have plumbing tool in your toolbox.
Wrench Fun Fact
You can find over 40 types of wrenches, including a type known as Monkey wrench!
How it Works?
The adjustable wrench works by firmly gripping the rounded object (especially pipes and nuts) and then turning a screw. An adjustable wrench is a great choice because it can be used on a much wider variety of pipe and nut sizes.
#4. Plumbing Tape
Next on the list is a plumbing tape. While it is not exactly a tape (like masking tape), it is really effective in joining plumbing fixtures together. The inexpensive and easy to use tool is made of Teflon and is a great way to stop leaks at threaded plumbing joint connections that you can often find on showerheads.
Plumbing Tape Fun Fact
Every threaded connection in your plumbing fixtures needs plumbing tape to keep water from leaking out.
How it Works?
A plumbing tape’s mode of action is quite simple. When you use it on threaded connections, it works as a lubricant and allows for a deeper seating of the threads. At the same time, it facilitates unscrewing by preventing the threads from seizing.
For best result, the tape is wrapped around a pipe's thread at least three times before it is screwed into place. It is so widely used to solve plumbing problems that is one of the must-haves in a plumber's bag and should be an essential in your toolbox as well.
#5. Phone
Perhaps the most important tool you need to have at home is your phone. So as you realize that the plumbing problem at hand is something that you can't deal with, call a plumber you can trust without wasting any minute. Whether it is a plumbing emergency or regular plumbing maintenance, a phone is essential so you can call a professional plumber who can take care of your problem.
Phone Fun Fact
Your mobile phone has more processing power than the computer system used for the first-ever human landing on the moon, so why not use it to call a professional plumber you can trust!
How it Works?
Pick up your phone and call Mesa Plumbing, an Arizona plumbing company you can trust. Our trained and experienced plumber can deal with all sorts of plumbing emergencies. We also offer regular plumbing maintenance. To find out more about our services, contact now at 480-832-1660.