Plumbing projects that you turn into DIY projects will go much more efficiently and with less frustration if you attack them with the right tools. Plumbing requires a few tools that are more project-specific than some other DIY projects you may attempt. This means that the tools needed for plumbing may not always be the ones found inside your typical home toolbox.
Pipe Wrenches
Pipe wrenches should be available in two sizes if you want to regularly save money by not calling in a professional plumber. These wrenches come in handy during plumbing repair jobs by being used to turn threaded pipes and fittings when one end is anchored. The second wrench is a handy dandy tool to have when you are working with pipes that are not anchored and you need to use one as your anchoring device. A small pipe wrench is recommended unless you are going to need to provide a greater degree of leverage. When leverage is needed, go with a larger sized pipe wrench.
Pipe Cutters
A plumbing tool known as a pipe cutter is equipped with a sharp wheel that allows you to easily and neatly cut through a section of pipe. When shopping for a pipe cutter, look for a model that comes with a built-in pipe reamer. This will save you money over having to buy a separate pipe reamer.
Flaring Tools
Flaring tools are a plumbing tool that comes in two types: the drive-in and the clamp-in. When making plumbing a DIY projects, you will use a flaring tool in association with a flare nuts to make flared joints in copper tubing. Make sure that you put the flare nut on the pipe before shaping, regardless of whether you are using a drive-in or clamp-in tool.
Strap Wrench
If you want to avoid the problem of leaving teeth marks on exposed pipes during your DIY plumbing job, you’ll need to invest in a strap wrench. A strap wrench is equipped with a heavy strap rather than jaws. The strap is wrapped around a pipe and the wrench is then used to feed the pipe back into the slot. The strap is designed to tighten as you pull on the handle.
Basin Wrench
A basin wrench is the perfect tool for when your plumbing job requires you to work within the confines of a tight space. It is also helpful for working behind plumbing fixtures. A basin wrench has a long arm which you can use to reach behind fixtures when you need to loosen or tighten nuts on the water supply tubes.
Spud Wrench
The plumbing tool known as a spud wrench is designed for use on large nuts that you will find on sinks, traps and toilets.
Hacksaw
Many home toolboxes already are equipped with a simple hacksaw, but if you don’t have one and you plan on doing certain plumbing jobs, you’d better buy yourself a dependable hacksaw. The hacksaw is very useful in DIY plumbing work that requires the cutting of metal pipe, copper tubing and plastic pipe. Another very specific plumbing job in which a hacksaw comes in quite useful is for removing the bolts that hold a toilet in place to the floor. When you can’t remove these bolts with a wrench because they are too stubbornly stuck in place, whip out your handy little hacksaw and cut the bolts off.
