DIY Plumbing? Here is Your Plumber's Toolbox Checklist

There are times when you will have a plumbing problem that needs to be addressed quickly, and you might not have access to a plumber. To take care of your own plumbing needs, you will need to have a dedicated toolbox and tools for all of your plumbing needs. Having these tools can help to ensure that you can repair your plumbing.

Channel Lock Pliers

The first thing that you will need is a pair of channel lock pliers. You may also hear the term water pump pliers or tongue and groove pliers. They have adjustable jaws and long handles. They can grip, tighten, and loosen just about anything. It is a good idea to have two pairs of these. One can stabilize the pipe, while the other one can tighten or loosen as needed. For your residential needs, find pliers that are ten inches.

Pipe Wrench

A pipe wrench is another must-have for the DIY plumber. Pipe wrenches are excellent for dealing with soft pipes like galvanized steel and iron. They are also used for rounded fittings. If you find that you have hex or square fittings, do not use your pipe wrench. You should get at least two of these for our tool bag.

Pipe Threader

A pipe threader is used to cut threads or grooves into a metal pipe. These will allow you to fasten a length of pipe to a connector or coupling. These allow you to fix the issue quickly and are great when you have a plumbing emergency.

Strap Wrench

A strap wrench is great for when you need to loosen or tighten something and do not want to ruin the finish. These wrenches have a rubber or polyester strap that can grip but will not harm the material. These are perfect for those places that you cannot get into with standard pliers or wrenches.

Drain Auger

Not every clog is going to respond to a plunger. A drain auger, which is also called a drain snake, can often help to get the clog out. These augers are made out of flexible steel cabling and are used with a hand crank, or there are some models that will work with a drill. These drill-powered ones are for powerful clogs that you cannot get out any other way. The coiled head will break up and remove a severe clog from your lines. You should look for a hand snake with a drill, and you should make sure that it has a 25-foot cable. These augers are perfect for unclogging your sinks and bathtubs.

Toilet Auger

A toilet auger is designed to use in toilets. The design of the auger features a vinyl or rubber sleeve around the cable. This keeps the auger from damaging the toilet bowl. These snakes are typically shorter than other drain snakes. A three-foot cable should be more than enough to clear the clog in your toilet.

Pipe Tubing Cutter

If you have to make any cuts to your pipes, you will want to make sure that they are cut cleanly and are smooth. If you have a jagged cut, it can lead to leaks, pipe damage, and bad joints. These cutters will have rotary blades to make sure that you can cut cleanly. You will need to make sure that you get the right kind of cutter for the piping you have in your home.

Hacksaw

A hacksaw is important because if you cannot reach a pipe or the pipe cannot be cut with the cutter you have, it will cut it. A mini hacksaw is perfect for the DIY plumber and will allow you to get in tight spaces. Hacksaws can cut plastic, brass, steel, and even wood. When you are dealing with rusted bolts, nuts, and screws, you will be glad to have a hacksaw.

Be sure to get these tools and have them in a dedicated plumbing tool bag. This will help to ensure that you have all the tools necessary when something goes wrong with your plumbing. If you have trouble fixing something, go online and do your research on how to fix your problem. Chances are you will learn how to fix it without having to deal with being without water or unable to use your plumbing.