Home Plumber

Handy Tools for the Do-It-Yourself Home Plumber

By: Frank Terry Morris
For the big plumbing jobs around the house, hiring a professional plumber is often the best choice you could make. However, there are also plenty of smaller plumbing tasks that can easily be handled by the average do-it-yourself homeowner. Of course, even do-it-yourself plumbers need to have the proper tools to get the job done right. If you aspire to do at least some of your own plumbing repairs and tasks around your own home, here are some tools you'll want to have in your plumbing toolbox.
Adjustable Wrenches

Adjustable wrenches are indispensable when it comes to plumbing repairs. These wrenches can be used on a variety of sizes of nuts and bolts, as well as any plumbing fitting that has flat sides. There are many different sizes and lengths of this style of wrench to choose from, including very small 4 inch wrenches for tight spots, or 2 foot long wrenches for really large pipe fittings. However, for home use, a 10 or 12 inch adjustable wrench is usually the best choice. When using this style of wrench, always make sure that you have it positioned so that you are applying the force against the fixed jaw.
Pipe Wrenches
When you need to grip and turn a threaded pipe or a pipe fitting, you'll want a pipe wrench. They have toothed jaws which are adjustable, making them perfect for this kind of task. They are available in a wide variety of sizes, usually ranging between 12 and 18 inches.
Pliers
There are a number of different kinds of pliers that can be handy in your plumber's toolbox. Locking pliers are great when something needs to be clamped, such as when you need to lock a pipe or a bolt. These pliers also let you adjust the size of the grip by using a screw adjustment feature. Rib-joint pliers are also quite handy for turning nuts, pipes and plumbing fittings. The jaws can be adjusted by sliding the pivot, causing the pliers to engage at the desired jaw size.

Pipe Cutters
Chances are, you'll also have a need to cut pipes from time to time. Some pipe cutters are designed specifically to cut either steel or copper pipes. These cutters have an adjustable jaw combined with sharp cutting wheels. There are also pipe cutters that are designed for plastic pipes and tubing.
Tools for Drain Clearing
The need to clear a drain is a common do-it-yourself plumbing task. Be sure to have a sturdy plunger and a manually operated plumber's snake for this purpose. If you can't get a clog clear with one of these tools, you might need to rent an electric drain auger or call a professional plumber.
Other Essential Tools to Keep On Hand
In addition to the plumbing tool basics, you'll also want to have any accessories that are needed for the kind of plumbing in your home. This might include pipe sweating supplies, or the proper adhesives for plastic plumbing pipes. You'll also want to have a tape measure and a good assortment of screwdrivers on hand.

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