27 Plumbing Tools Every Homeowner Should Have on Hand

If you’re a homeowner, then you know that the chances of a pipe bursting or a drain backing up are always just around the corner. It’s always good to be prepared and to have the right tools on hand. This will not only help you to drain your sink, tub, or shower, but it will also help you to determine if there’s a clog that’s farther down the line causing the problem. You can also clean out drains by pouring some baking soda and vinegar down the drain and then following it up with boiling water. Here are some tools that every homeowner should have on hand.

1. Plunger

This is one of the handiest bathroom tools that you can have. It’s a simple device that you place into a drain. Then, you move the plunger in an up and down movement that creates suction to help fix clogged or slow-moving drains. You can buy different plungers for sinks, showers, and toilets, and they’re convenient and affordable.

2. Drain Snake

A drain snake is a long-handled tool with a springy wire coil on the end. It’s used to clear out plumbing traps and debris and is very effective. Just place the coil into the drain and pull it out to remove anything like hair that has accumulated inside the drain. You can also use a drain snake to clear a clog in the showerhead.

3. Flashlight

This is one of the most important tools that you should have in your home. You never know when you’ll need it to check behind the dryer, under the sink, or in the attic for a leak or a broken pipe.

4. Pliers

These are great tools for holding onto objects and usually come with a wire cutter and stripper tool. They’re inexpensive and easy to use.

5. Pipe Wrench

These are like wrenches, except the pipe wrench is designed specifically for plumbing, and it’s more substantial and can be used to loosen or tighten pipes with ease.

6. Hacksaw

This is a great tool for cutting through pipes and wires. It’s a saw with special teeth designed to cut through metal pipes without causing damage to the material or the pipe itself.

7. Plumbing Tape

This is usually a foam tape that comes in a roll and is used on copper pipes. It binds the metal together and helps to stop leaks and drips. It’s very inexpensive, and you can get it at any hardware store.

8. Drain Cleaner

This is a chemical that you can buy in a spray or solution form. It’s designed to dissolve the debris in your drain and allows the water to flow freely. It’s very effective and cheap, so make sure to always keep some on hand. For drain repair and replacement in North Sydney and surrounding areas, contact Reactive Plumbing. We’ve been in business for over a decade, providing quality plumbing services that are reliable, affordable, and efficient.

9. Corrosion Preventive

Also known as a caulk, this cure prevents pipes from rusting and decaying from being exposed to moisture. It’s good to apply this before any fixtures are installed.

10. Pipe Thread Compound

This compound is used on pipes that are threaded together or screwed, like faucets or plumbing fixtures. The compound keeps the pipes from coming apart and the threads from getting ruined.

11. Heat Tape

This is another inexpensive tool that every homeowner should have on hand. Heat tape is run through pipes to prevent them from freezing during the winter. It’s also lightweight and very easy to install.

12. Sandpaper

This tool is used to smooth out rough spots, seams, and any other imperfections that you find in your pipes. You can use small bits of sandpaper, a coarse grit tool, or a file.

13. Rebar

This tool is used to dig out stubborn clogs and allow the water to flow more freely. It’s a heavy-duty tool that can be purchased at any hardware store.

14. Pipe Thread Tape

This is a type of tape that you can put on threaded pipes before putting them together. It helps to ensure that the threads don’t come apart and ensures that there’s no leaking. You can also use it on pipes that have been threaded or screwed down, like faucets and fixtures.

15. Pipe Thread Sealant

This sealant is like the pipe thread tape, except it works by creating a barrier between the threads of pipes that are screwed together. Once it’s dried, you can’t pull them apart without tearing out the material that’s holding them together.

16. Pipe Strap

This is a type of metal strap that you can use to connect two pipes. It helps to ensure that they remain sturdy and don’t come apart during use.

17. Pipe Clamp

This is a metal clamp that you can use to connect two pipes at the same time. It keeps them sturdy and tight together, and you should always have several on hand.

18. Tube Cutter

A tube cutter will cut through any pipe in your house. It’s inexpensive and can be purchased at any hardware store.

19. Pipe Joint Compound

This compound works to seal pipes together that are threaded or screwed. It’s used primarily by plumbers to ensure that the pipes are easy to install and don’t leak.

20. Grease Trap

A grease trap is a long steel drain trap designed to catch all the grease and debris in your kitchen sink before making its way into the sewer system. You can buy one at any hardware store.

21. Chlorine Bleach

This is a great product to use when you’re trying to remove rust stains or general grime from your bathroom fixtures. It’s cheap and will clean up most stains easily.

22. Brillo Pads

These pads are designed to get rid of tough rust stains and soap scum without damaging the material underneath it. Set it over the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wipe it away with some non-abrasive soap.

23. Lysol Bleach

This is another product that you can use to clean rust stains and grime, and it’s great for cleaning out toilets, floor grout, and even shower heads. Just spray down the area you want to clean with the bleach solution, let it sit for 30 minutes, and then wipe it away with a towel.

24. Teflon Spray

This is a spray applied to pipes and fixtures that helps to prevent leaks and corrosion. It’s very inexpensive, and you can purchase it at any hardware store.

25. Deep Cleaning Cloths

These are great for polishing your fixtures and giving them a nice shine. They’re great for removing fingermarks, dull spots, and even soap scum.

26. Teflon Tape

This type of tape is used in plumbing to wrap around threaded pipes before they are tightened together. It helps to make sure that the threads don’t separate, and the pipes don’t leak.

27. Pipe Oils

This is used in plumbing to lubricate the threads of pipes before they are tightened together. It prevents leaks and corrosion while keeping your pumps, valves, and other plumbing components moving smoothly.

The tools we’ve listed here are all very inexpensive and will help you keep your pipes from leaking, rusting, and working properly. They should be always kept on hand, ready for use should any emergency arise. Also, if you need help in tap repair, backflow prevention, and drain relining and clearing in North Sydney and surrounding areas, contact Reactive Plumbing today. We also offer hot water heater systems.