The pipe wrench is the plumber's most important tool for plumbing repairs. These heavy-duty tools are used to tighten and loosen pipe nuts and fittings, making them essential for any plumbing repair job. Plumbers usually use two wrenches together, one to hold the pipe in place and the other to turn the nut or accessory in the right direction. A variety of pliers are also needed to loosen and tighten nuts and bolts that are too small for a wrench, making them an invaluable part of any plumbing repairs. In addition, they are ideal for tight spaces where a key cannot be used.
The sink auger (also known as a drum auger or can auger) is the ultimate weapon for breaking and removing obstructions in sink and bathtub drains. However, it should not be used on toilets, which require a cabinet auger or a toilet auger. A sink auger consists of a flexible stainless steel cable with a corkscrew tip at the end. The cable is wound inside a drum and extends to the drain to reach an obstruction and remove it.
The drum has a handle and a butterfly screw that secures the cable to the container. By inserting the cable into the drain and turning the handle, the rotating drum snakes the cable through the curves of the drain pipe, allowing the tip of the cable to penetrate the obstruction and remove it. The toilet auger (also known as a cabinet auger or toilet auger) is used to clear obstructions in toilets. It is not recommended to use a sink auger for toilets or a toilet auger for standard drains, as these tools are designed for very different purposes.
A toilet auger has a long metal rod with a curve to reach the hole at the bottom of the toilet bowl. A rubber cover covers the curve to prevent scratching of the porcelain of the toilet. Once the tool is in place, push and twist the auger cable to push it into or through the obstruction. Plumber's tape is an essential material for preventing leaks in threaded plumbing connections. Often called Teflon tape (although it is not made of Teflon brand material), plumber's tape is a thin, white tape that is wrapped around the threads of pipes and fittings before twisting them together.
Adding a little lubricant helps facilitate threading and also helps seal the joint to prevent leaks. Made from PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), it has a silky texture and is sold in small rolls. Channel type pliers are commonly known under the brand name Channellocks and are also known as slip-joint pliers. They are similar to regular adjustable pliers, but have extended adjustment sections and angled jaws, allowing you to grip pipes or other plumbing pieces of almost any size. The long handles provide great leverage for tightening and twisting.
You can use them to fasten heavy steel pipes or gently tighten large plastic nuts in sink drains. If you only have one specialized plumbing tool, this should be it. Plumbers often use wrenches to screw, fasten, secure, or loosen pipe fittings. Unfortunately, those pipe fittings can vary in size, so there is no universal wrench you can buy. You will need wrenches of different shapes and sizes so that you always have the right size tool for the job.
Due to current safety regulations and welding permits, plumbers are increasingly choosing pressure mounting systems. Its unique design allows plumbers to rotate fasteners in confined spaces that would otherwise be impossible to reach. A plumber's torch is a hand tool used to apply heat to a precise area of piping, allowing you to seal new pipes for installations and replacements. Borescopes are small cameras that help plumbers see areas with obstructed visibility, such as inside pipes or behind walls. It is used to hold metal parts in place during welding, such as when a plumber uses a plumber's torch to seal copper pipes by welding them. Whether it's a big job or small job, plumbers must have the knowledge needed to navigate a property's piping systems and have the right tools to get it done.
A plumber's torch is used to add pipes to new devices, repair leaking valves, and replace old pipes. Plumbers use solder tape because it is a type of heat-resistant tape that can be attached to metal pipes without damaging them or leaving sticky residue. While professional plumbers drive around with lots of specialized equipment on their trucks, homeowners can meet more of their own needs with just a handful of plumbing tools. While there are no electrical options for all plumbing tools, there are some electrical tools that all plumbers need in their tool kit. In addition, like plumber's tape, plumber's putty is used to seal and prevent leaks around things like toilets, sinks, drains, and bathtubs. Used primarily for cutting drywall, plumbers need jig saws to reach pipes and tubes behind walls. In addition, considering hazardous spaces in which plumbers work along with equipment and heavy materials involved, it is important to have work boots that also have protective tips. As a plumber, you'll need snakes and augers ready for any clog or drain cleaning tasks you might encounter on the job.
