Having the right tools in your toolkit readies you for any plumbing job. Essential plumbing tools range from creating tight seals to cutting pipes and clearing clogs.
Channellock pliers are handy for grabbing, pulling, twisting or holding heavy objects like pipes or fittings. A basin wrench, with a long handle, is used for turning fasteners that are out of reach, such as those on faucets.
Plunger
A plunger is a simple and effective tool for clearing drain clogs without the need for toxic chemical drain openers. A plunger works by forcing air into the drain, resulting in pushing and pulling forces that break up the clog and free the pipe. Because of this, a plunger is one of the most useful tools that any homeowner can have on hand.
There are a few different kinds of plungers that you should have on hand depending on your needs. The standard cup plunger is the one that most homeowners think of when they think of a plunger. It has a rubber head that looks a bit like a dome and is best used on sinks, tubs, and other drains with relatively flat surfaces. For toilet clogs, a flange plunger or accordion plunger works better because it has a more specialized design that creates an airtight seal over the curved surface of a toilet bowl.
A sewer plunger is also available for tackling more serious clogs that are deeper in the pipes. Unlike the smaller handheld plungers, these large tools are operated by a professional plumber and consist of a disc sized to fit the diameter of a specific pipe. Because they can create such a strong force, these devices are most useful when a plunger or even a plumbing snake isn’t enough to break up and remove a stubborn clog.
Basin Wrench
A basin wrench is a specialized spanner with a head that pivots on the end of a long handle. It’s designed to fit into tight, hard-to-reach spaces, such as the mounting nuts of faucet tailpieces. It can be used to tighten or loosen these fasteners, as well as those of flexible supply tube nuts connected to the faucet tailpieces.
The jaws of a basin wrench are fixed relative to the shaft, but can be adjusted to grip a nut from any position around the head. The shaft also has a T-bar handle that fits through the hole in the lower jaw. This handle can be rotated to tighten or loosen the nut, with clockwise rotation tightening and counterclockwise loosening.
Basin wrenches can be a lifesaver when it comes to plumbing problems like clogged drains or broken faucets, as they can reach places that other tools cannot. If the head of a basin wrench can’t reach a stubborn nut, you may be able to use a pipe or the back end of an adjustable wrench to increase leverage and help you twist it loose.
As with any metal hand tool, you should perform basic maintenance on your basin wrench regularly to keep it in good condition. This includes wiping it down after each use and spraying a light coat of machine oil on its pivoting connection every now and then. A lubricated basin wrench is easier to turn, and will last longer than one that’s not maintained properly.
Adjustable Wrench
An adjustable wrench, also known as a spanner in the UK, is a useful tool for plumbers, mechanics, and avid DIYers. This type of wrench has a fixed upper jaw that can be adjusted by screw mechanism to fit the size of a nut/bolt being tightened or loosened. A movable lower jaw on the wrench allows users to grip different fasteners with ease.
It is ideal for loosening or tightening nuts and bolts of various sizes in plumbing, mechanical engineering, and automotive repair applications. Its versatility makes it a must-have hand tool for every professional. This wrench is made of chrome-vanadium steel to ensure durability and long-lasting performance. Its handle is coated with non-slip material to offer a comfortable grip and minimize user fatigue during extended periods of use.
Plumbers often encounter problems with hex-bolt fittings. It is not always possible to find the right wrench size to complete the job, and a pipe adjustable wrench can be very helpful in such cases. This tool can be maneuvered into the tightest of spaces and used to slip a nut in place.
Another common use for this wrench is to connect and disconnect pipe fittings. This can be done very easily and without the need for any other tools. In addition, it is an excellent choice for freeing up stuck or corroded nuts in taps. This type of adjustable wrench is also popular with at-home users who deal with occasional plumbing issues.
Faucet Keys
Having the right tools is critical for plumbers to perform jobs without any major hiccups, much like how the Bakersfield plumbers handle plumbing issues. For example, if a plumber shows up at a home with the wrong tool for a specific issue, they could lose that client forever if they aren’t able to resolve the problem quickly. To avoid this, every plumbing business owner should have a complete list of tools that are necessary for any job.
Some of the most essential hand tools for plumbers include basin wrenches, adjustable wrenches, stubby screwdrivers, and a variety of hacksaw blades. The basin wrench, also known as a sink wrench, is a special wrench that is designed to reach into tight spaces such as the area behind sinks to loosen or tighten faucet nuts. The adjustable wrench has a head that can be adjusted to fit different fastener sizes.
Other useful tools that plumbers use are the tongue-and-groove pliers, which have a versatile jaw and long handle for gripping and twisting. Plumbers also use the wrenches to open and close spigots and sillcocks, as well as removing fixture shutoff valves. For those who perform plumbing services in homes with older piping, it’s also important to have plumber’s tape and waterproof glue handy. The soldering torch is another essential piece of equipment that can be used to create connections in pipes that aren’t able to be soldered with a standard power drill.
Allen Wrench
One of the most common hand tools, a small L-shaped tool with six sides, an Allen wrench (also known as hex keys) is an invaluable tool for tackling any hex screw. Originally created by the Allen Manufacturing Company of Connecticut in the early 1900s, this little wrench has become a staple tool in homes around the world thanks to its versatility.
Unlike a standard wrench or screwdriver, which can snag and potentially damage hex screws, an Allen wrench is designed specifically with them in mind and sticks to the bolt well, increasing pressure on the fastener and preventing it from breaking under too much torque. The small, L-shaped design also makes the tool easy to grip and manipulate, allowing you to apply great pressure to your screws.
The wrenches are available in a variety of sizes, with some containing a long arm that allows you to access recessed screws from an angle. Additionally, you can purchase sets that include various sized Allen wrenches packed in a compact case.
When using an Allen wrench, it’s important to ensure that the tip is sharp and not rounded or burred as this could cause the head of the bolt to strip. You should also make sure that the wrench fits snugly on the hex head, and don’t try to use it with other sizes as doing so will result in the screw being stripped.
Stubby Screwdriver
Stubby screwdrivers are compact, handheld tools that enhance control and precision in tight spaces. They are valuable tools for professionals and DIYers tackling projects like electrical work, automotive maintenance, furniture assembly, or other home improvement tasks.
With a shorter handle and blade or tip, stubby screwdrivers offer several advantages over full-sized screwdrivers. These include increased maneuverability in cramped spaces, easier gripping, and improved torque. Additionally, stubby screwdrivers can be stored more easily in tool bags and other storage options than full-sized screwdrivers.
Depending on the specific model, some stubby screwdrivers come with interchangeable bits that can be swapped out for different types of screws. This can allow you to use the same stubby screwdriver for many different applications, saving space in your tool box.
Some stubby screwdrivers also feature magnetic tips to hold screws in place and reduce slippage, as well as comfort grips to provide better ergonomics during use. They can be especially useful for working in tight, hard-to-reach spaces where it is impossible to reach with a regular screwdriver.
The Wiha stubby screwdriver is a high-quality tool designed to meet the demands of professional tradesmen. Its handle is sized proportionally to its driver blade for an optimal turn-force application and features a red moulded cushion grip for optimum operator comfort. The driver blades are manufactured from chrome vanadium steel to withstand heavy use. The stubby screwdriver is suitable for use in confined work environments such as ductwork installation or plumbing repairs.