Plumbing is an essential aspect of any home, ensuring the smooth functioning of water supply, drainage, and sanitation systems. And to maintain the plumbing system in perfect order at home, you must have some essential tools ready.
It will help you fix minor leaks, clogs, adjust pipe and faucet’s fitting. Thus, these plumbing essentials and tools will make your life easier and hassle-free.
But what plumbing essentials you should keep? Where to get them and what’s their usage? If you are wondering about these questions, continue reading our guideline on 7 plumbing essentials for homeowners. The list includes pipe plunger, pipe wrench, Teflon tape, etc.
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Plumbing Essentials for Your Toolbox
So, you want to maintain your home plumbing setup in perfect condition? If so, you will need to have the right essentials for your plumbing toolbox.
Plunger:
A plunger is a basic yet highly effective tool for resolving common plumbing issues. It is useful to fix clogged sinks, toilets, or shower drains. It consists of a rubber cup attached to a handle.
- Sink Plunger: The sink plunger, also known as a cup plunger, is used for flat surfaces like sinks or flat-bottomed drains. It creates suction when pressed firmly against the drain opening and then pulled back forcefully, dislodging the clog.
- Toilet Plunger: The toilet plunger, also called a flange plunger, features a flange or extra rubber piece at the bottom. This design is specifically tailored to fit the curved opening of a toilet bowl, ensuring a better seal. To use it, place the plunger over the drain hole, press down gently, and then push and pull vigorously to create the suction required to clear the clog.
Pipe Wrench:
A pipe wrench is a heavy-duty tool with serrated jaws. It is commonly used it for gripping and turning pipes, fittings, and other plumbing components. It provides leverage and strength to tighten or loosen connections.
- Direction of Rotation: To tighten or loosen pipes or fittings, remember the basic rule: “Righty-tighty, lefty-loosey.” Turn the wrench clockwise (to the right) to tighten and counterclockwise (to the left) to loosen.
- Proper Placement: Ensure the jaws of the pipe wrench are securely positioned on the pipe or fitting. For better grip and to avoid damaging the surface, place the wrench on the part of the pipe that is closer to the fitting or bend.
Adjustable Wrench:
An adjustable wrench, also known as a crescent wrench, is a versatile tool used for various plumbing tasks. You can use it for tightening or loosening nuts and bolts. It has an adjustable jaw to accommodate different sizes.
- Jaw Size Adjustment: Before using the wrench, adjust the jaw size to match the size of the nut or bolt you are working with. The adjustable jaw should fit snugly to ensure a firm grip.
- Proper Placement: Position the wrench on the nut or bolt, ensuring that it covers as much of the surface as possible. This helps distribute force evenly and minimizes the risk of slipping or rounding off the edges.
Pipe Cutter:
A pipe cutter is a specialized tool used to cut through pipes cleanly and accurately. It is especially useful to replace pipe sections or install new pipes.
- Preparation: Before cutting the pipe, ensure it is clean and free from any burrs or debris. This ensures a smoother cutting process and prevents damage to the cutting wheel.
- Cutting Technique: Place the pipe cutter around the pipe at the desired cutting point, making sure it is perpendicular to the pipe’s axis. Rotate the cutter around the pipe, tightening the cutter’s knob after each revolution. Continue rotating until the pipe is cut through.
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Teflon Tape:
Teflon tape, also known as plumber’s tape or thread seal tape, is a thin, white tape. It is used to create a watertight seal on threaded pipe connections.
- Direction of Application: Apply Teflon tape clockwise around the male threads. It ensures that when the female fitting is screwed onto the male threads, the tape is not displaced.
- Proper Amount: Wrap the tape around the threads several times, ensuring complete coverage. However, be careful not to over-tape, as excessive tape can cause disturb the connection process.
Auger or Drain Snake:
An auger or drain snake is a flexible tool used to clear clogs in drains and pipes. You can reach deep into the plumbing system with the drain snake to remove obstructions.
- Insertion Technique: Insert the auger into the drain or pipe and gently push it forward. Rotate the handle clockwise as you continue pushing to help navigate the snake through bends and traps.
- Retraction: Once the auger encounters the clog, gradually retract it while continuing to rotate the handle. This action helps break up the blockage, allowing water to flow freely.
Plumber’s Putty:
Plumber’s putty is a moldable sealant. You can apply the sealant to create watertight seal around drains, faucets, and other plumbing fixtures. Some points to remember when using plumber’s putty are:
- Preparation: Ensure the surfaces around the fixture are clean and dry before applying plumber’s putty. This ensures optimal adhesion and sealing performance.
- Application: Roll a small amount of putty into a thin rope and press it firmly around the base of the fixture. Ensure complete coverage and remove any excess putty for a clean finish.
Conclusion:
The right plumbing essentials will help you in maintaining the plumbing system better. It will not only make your daily life easy and hassle-free but also increase the longevity of the plumbing items. It will also help you save money since you can fix minor leaks, damages, clogs, etc., with these plumbing tools with a little DIY expertise on plumbing.