14 Most Essential Plumbing Supplies

As you probably know, the plumbing systems of commercial and residential facilities are the most crucial part of the building since it works as their heart. So there is a high demand for various plumbing services, and professional plumbers or plumbing contractors should offer assistance with the best quality possible. Plumbers need to have some essential plumbing supplies to provide affordable and high-quality plumbing services. If you want to be a plumber or hire a plumber, it is better to know the vital supplies that will be used in the process.

There are various tools and equipment that can be used for different projects. However, there are essential plumbing supplies that every plumber should use for their projects. It is also necessary to know that this equipment is practical for all types of plumbing services which are:

Wrenches are Essential Plumbing Supplies

When you ask professional plumbers about the essential plumbing supplies, the first tool that comes to their mind is the wrench. There are different wrenches used for plumbing services since every plumbing process requires several twists. The three main types of wrenches are:

  • T-Shaped Basin Wrench
  • Pipe Wrench
  • Adjustable Wrench

Wrenches are the mainstay of essential plumbing supplies, and every plumber should have them on every plumbing service. However, for smaller jobs using pliers can be more efficient.

Faucet Key for Commercial and Residential Plumbing

Faucet keys are small, yet essential plumbing supplies with x-shaped heads, and plumbers use them to open and close spigots and sillcocks.

Hacksaw is Also Essential for Plumbing Services

You can find modern plumbing supplies and tools such as push-fits, but old piping and plumbing systems will always be around. So, it is crucial to have supplies to deal with them. One of these tools is the hacksaw which is used for cutting through all types of materials.

You can cut various materials with a hacksaw, including:

  • Pipes
  • Bolts
  • Nuts
  • Screws

Pipe Cutter

Residential plumbers deal with different plumbing procedures daily, and removing or resizing the plastic pipes is one. So, plumbers utilize plastic pipe cutters to ensure the job is done efficiently and quickly.

Every Plumber Should Have Plumber’s Torch

Since sometimes plumbers need to work in dark places, they need a tool that will give them sight and precision. In most cases, smartphones or simple torches are not helpful. So, there are essential plumbing supplies and tools called plumber’s torch that will allow the plumber to see and work precisely.

No Plumbing Services Can Be Done Without Plumber’s Tape

Since plumbing systems work with water, sealing them is crucial, and every plumber should have sealants in their essential plumbing supplies and tools list. High-quality plumber tapes are sealants that can withstand extreme temperatures, offer form-fitting coverage, and never dry out. So, with long-lasting plumber tapes, you will not go back to the plumbing service place to repair your work after months or weeks.

Press Fitting Systems are Among the Essential Plumbing Supplies

Press fitting systems do one job for plumbers, pressing a connection onto pipes to form a perfect seal. This plumbing tool is quicker than soldering or welding, and it is among the essential plumbing supplies.

Professional Plumbers Have Plungers In Their Essential Plumbing Supplies List

Another essential plumbing tool is the plunger, which you can buy from any hardware store. This heavy-duty tool is essentially used for unclogging pipes and sinks.

Hand Auger for Fixing Plumbing Issues

When stubborn clogs occur in a plumbing system, the plumber will have to use more robust tools such as a hand drill. This handheld tool allows a plumber to force a cable into a drain or sink to break and remove the clogs. Although a hand auger is still a practical plumbing tool, some plumbers currently use a snake machine which is the motorized version and can clear any blockage in the system.

Never Forget Safety Equipment

The first rule for any industrial or residential services is protection and safety. No plumbing tools and supplies list is complete without some safety equipment. Here are some of the safety equipment that any plumber should have during the service.

  • Eye Protection or Goggles
  • Ear Protectors
  • Heavy Duty Gloves
  • Pads for Knees and Elbows
  • Steel Toe Cap Boots
  • Pads and Heat Shields

Screwdriver Sets are Essential Plumbing Supplies

The screwdriver is an underrated but crucial plumbing tool, and it is used for both commercial and residential plumbing services. There are two primary screwdriver types that plumbers use which are:

  • Stubby Screwdriver
  • Flathead Screwdriver

Professional Plumbers Use Borescope for Residential and Commercial Plumbing Services

The borescope is a small camera that has a flexible cable that allows the plumber to see what is inside the pipes. This tool helps the plumber choose the best method for dealing with plumbing issues.

Plumbing Services Management Software

If you want to have a successful plumbing business in 2022, you will need to learn to use computer software to make your job more manageable and precise.

Additional Essential Plumbing Supplies List

Although the list above contains every essential plumbing supply you need, other tools can also be practical for various plumbing systems.

  • Air Testing U Gauge Kit
  • Solder Capillary Lead-Free Wire
  • PVC Pipe Cement
  • Pipe Sealing Cord
  • Flux Brush
  • Silicone Lubricant Grease
  • Drain Test Plug
  • Drain Rod Tool

 

Learn Commercial Plumbing Basics- Fastest Guide

Every commercial plumbing system involves various factors that require professional assistance. Professional plumbing contractors provide services, including installing, repairing, and maintaining large-scale industrial plumbing systems. However, before offering services, plumbers learn commercial plumbing basics and then experience them on real projects. If you want to be a plumber or even a business owner who needs commercial services, it is essential to learn the basics of commercial plumbing.

All commercial plumbing services providers and contractors have higher degree certifications since industrial systems need water and waste to travel through complex systems in large buildings. Additionally, commercial buildings generally have more appliances, resulting in more hot water and pipes for the facility’s scale.

Commercial Plumbing Basics and General Information

There are various types of commercial plumbing systems, and as mentioned before, the demand for commercial services is more than for residential plumbing services. Commercial buildings with complex plumbing and piping are medical centers, offices, shops, restaurants, schools, etc. Since many people spend their time in such buildings daily, the commercial facilities require more water systems.

To learn commercial plumbing basics, you need to know the water systems of a commercial facility.

The Importance of Drains in Commercial Plumbing Systems

The water draining systems in commercial facilities is crucial since they are used frequently. To learn commercial plumbing basics, you need to know what is a good drainage system.

An efficient and functional drainage system should adequately remove the water from the building before commercial plumbing issues commence.

Quantity of Water Lines

The water lines and pipes of the plumbing system in commercial buildings have more quantity than in the residential systems.

Water lines of a commercial facility make sure that water and other liquids travel around or go in and out of the building efficiently. So, these pipes and lines need regular maintenance and inspection to prevent severe damage and issues.

One of the primary challenges that commercial plumbers have is that it is hard to know what exactly caused issues in the system in a short amount of time. This challenge is because of the large number of pipes in industrial or commercial systems.

Hot Water System Requirements

Although residential plumbing systems are smaller than commercial ones, they require to cater to more appliances. Some office buildings may require having instant-hot water heaters in some areas.

In commercial buildings such as hotels where people live or in medical centers, a large boiler room is required. Since in these facilities more people require hot water and people need hot water constantly, occurring problems are more likely.

Learn Commercial Plumbing Basics by Knowing Their Common Issues

As you know now, commercial systems are larger since more people are using water, and this can cause issues. You need to know some common problems to learn commercial plumbing basics. The following are some of the most common issues professional plumbers experience within a commercial facility:

  • Leaks: When Leaking problems occur in commercial buildings, the situation can escalate very quickly. Rotting, molding, and flood damage are some of the outcomes of severe leak problems. This issue will increase the water bills, and the pipes, toilets, and taps will be damaged.
  • Low Water Pressure: When you learn commercial plumbing basics, you know that this problem is caused by tampering with or turning off the water valve. After gaining experience, you will see that clogged pipes and leaks can also affect the water pressure.
  • High Water Pressure: It is essential to learn commercial plumbing basics and identify the source of a high-water pressure issue. This can lead to damaging the main pipes.
  • Smells in Sewage System: Dried-up pipes below the ground can cause terrible smells throughout the building. This commercial plumbing issue can be detrimental to business.
  • Hot Water System Problems: When you learn commercial plumbing basics, you know that these systems are more extensive than residential ones, which are more likely to experience various problems. When you inspect an issue in your hot water system, you need to repair it as soon as possible.
  • Water Back-Up Problem: It is very unhealthy to have back-up water flow in your building. When this occurs, it is better to call a professional plumber and let them handle it.
  • Blocked Drains: The most common plumbing issue in residential and commercial plumbing systems is blocked drains.

 

To learn commercial plumbing basics, it is better to know how you can solve the problems mentioned earlier. So, make sure to read the commercial plumbing issues guide to learn how to solve them like a professional.