For plumbing services, homeowners seek out professionals they can trust— a plumber who exudes confidence, expertise and reliability.
As a plumber, your authoritative position in the industry is built on more than just experience and knowledge.
You can have mastery and all theories memorized, but without a plumbing tool kit, all knowledge goes to waste. Do you agree?
Okay, let’s reverse the setting and assume a scenario where you’re at the receiving end of a service. For instance, you are getting your car maintained.
How would you feel if the mechanic asked if you owned a wrench so they could unscrew your car’s bolts?
Let me guess: you’d step on the gas immediately and find another mechanic.
More than skills and expertise, being an effective service provider lies in the tools at your disposal.
A well-equipped plumbing tool kit is not just a symbol of preparedness; it demonstrates your commitment to delivering top-notch service.
In this article, Drain Magic delves into the realm of essential plumbing tools.
Here, you’ll find 33 essential must-have tools to enhance your reputation and become the go-to expert for any plumbing challenge.
Plumbing Hand Tools List
Hand tools are the most basic plumbing equipment you’ll need as a plumber. Around 90% of your plumbing tasks will involve manual operation without external power sources. That said, here are the must-have handheld plumbing tools in your line of work:
- Pipe wrench: One of the most basic plumbing tools on the list. Wrenches help grip and turn pipes, allowing plumbers to tighten or loosen pipe connections easily.
- Ratcheting pipe threader set: Typically found at the bottom end of wrenches, pipe threaders are also used for tightening or loosening pipe connections. The ratcheting mechanism provides efficiency and convenience, allowing plumbers to thread pipes quickly and accurately.
- Adjustable wrench: The adjustable wrench offers more flexibility in tightening or loosening various-sized nuts and bolts. Its adjustable jaw width makes it ideal for various plumbing applications.
- Basin wrench: Designed for hard-to-reach spaces beneath sinks, basin wrenches are plumbers’ trusted allies. While they offer less ergonomics, they allow for easier installation or removal of faucet nuts that regular wrenches cannot.
- Faucet key: Also known as a spigot, plumbers utilize faucet keys to quickly and effortlessly remove or install aerators and faucet handles.
- Torque wrench: With its ability to apply precise torque, plumbers use them to tighten fasteners, ensuring proper sealing and preventing leaks.
- Internal pipe wrench: These tools grip the inside of pipes, allowing plumbers to extract pipes effectively.
- Tubing Cutter: Plumbers utilize tubing cutters to accurately cut pipes made of materials like copper or plastic with a smooth, burr-free finish.
- Hacksaw: Hacksaws are a staple in any plumber’s toolkit for cutting through pipes, brackets or other materials.
- Hole saw kit: Hole saw kits are used to create precise openings in materials like wood, plastic or metal. These kits include saw blades of different sizes, allowing pipes, conduits, or fixtures to be installed.
- Pipe and tube benders: Plumbers use these tools to create accurate bends in plumbing systems, ensuring proper water flow.
- Mole grips: Mole grips, also known as locking pliers, provide a secure and adjustable grip for holding or clamping objects during plumbing tasks.
- Plumber’s torch: These are essential for soldering or brazing copper pipes and fittings, resulting in effective joint connections.
- Thread sealing tape: Also known as plumber’s tape, they are used to create watertight seals on threaded pipe connections.
- Pliers: From regular pliers to needle-nose and channel-lock pliers, these are versatile tools for gripping, bending or cutting.
- Press fitting systems: This helps create reliable and secure connections without soldering or welding, especially when joining pipes.
- Flashlight: Essential for illumination.
- A bucket: Helpful for collecting water or debris during plumbing repairs and installations.
Drain Cleaning Tools List
On average, most plumbers’ daily services include unclogging drains and clearing them of debris. This is where drain cleaning tools make an entrance. In most cases, you will primarily need these five tools when rendering pipe cleaning services:
- Plungers: Plungers create pressure and suction, dislodging blockages and restoring proper flow without harsh chemicals.
- Hand auger: Also known as a plumbing snake, these are flexible tools used to reach and remove clogs deep within pipes via rotation.
- Snake machine: For more stubborn clogs, plumbers employ snake machines, which are motorized augers with increased power and reach.
- Drain inspection camera: They help visually assess pipe conditions via real-time video footage to pinpoint blockages, leaks or damaged sections.
- Drain Jet: They use high-pressure water to clear severe clogs of debris or sediment, cleaning the pipes and restoring optimal flow.
Plumbing Safety Tools List
Just as important as rendering exceptional service, being safe during your projects is crucial. Plumbing safety tools secure your well-being, keeping you safe from injury, sickness or infection that may arise during plumbing activities.
Here are they:
- Safety goggles or glasses: Eye protection is necessary to shield against debris, chemicals or sparks during plumbing tasks. Aside from preventing injuries, goggles ensure clear vision while working with pipes, fittings or tools.
- Work gloves: Sturdy gloves help safeguard hands from cuts, abrasions or chemical exposure. These protective gloves also provide a barrier against sharp edges and hot surfaces.
- Steel-toed boots: Plumbers need to guard their feet against heavy objects, falling debris or potential impacts. Steel-toed boots are reinforced to offer protection and provide better stability.
- Hard hat: For plumbers working on construction sites, hard hats protect one’s head from falling objects and low ceilings.
- Respirator mask: These specialized masks safeguard you from respiratory health when working with chemicals, solvents or dusty environments.
- Earplugs or earmuffs: Hearing protection reduces the risk of noise-induced hearing loss from prolonged exposure to machinery.
- Protective clothing: Coveralls or aprons provide an added defense against dirt, chemical spills or injuries from sharp objects.
- Knee pads: They offer cushioning and support for plumbers who frequently work in kneeling positions.
- First aid kit: A readily available first aid kit offers immediate care until professional medical help is available.
- Fire extinguisher: You might find it ironic to worry about fire safety, especially given your line of work. However, electrical faults may occur during commercial plumbing services. Fire extinguishers may suppress small fires, preventing them from escalating, which minimizes property damage or injuries.
Being a reliable plumber is more than the sum of your skillset. The availability of plumbing tools is equally important to establish your reputation as a trustworthy service provider.
There’s just one problem: Not all plumbing problems are within a plumber’s field of expertise.
When plumbing problems go underground, you need drain experts to resolve the issue. If that’s the case, you can always rely on the pros at Drain Magic to help out.
Drain Magic is the number one underground drain contractor in South Central Pennsylvania. We recommend having our number, 717- 936 – 9444 , on speed dial for when plumbing problems go south (literally). Alternatively, use the link below to reach us:
Our experts will be there to assist you ASAP.
