30 Best Plumbing Tools You Should Have

Professional plumbers are generally good with their hands and technically inclines, but the thing that makes them the best ones is that they know when and how to use the right equipment and tool for the job. This article will introduce the 30 best plumbing tools that most plumbers use for their services.

When it comes to residential plumbing services, experts navigate an array of health hazards, issues, and small spaces to best serve you with a long-lasting plumbing system and solution. This is why hiring a professional plumber for your home services is recommended. If you don’t know how to find an expert, check the link below.

How to Hire a Plumber?

The list of Plumbing Tools and Equipment

First, let’s have a quick look at the best plumbing tools that every plumber should have. We have provided more details on each below.

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Plumbing Wrenches

  • Pipe Wrench for Plumbing
  • Basin Wrench for Home Plumbing
  • Adjustable Plumbing Wrench
  • Faucet Key for Residential Plumbing

Pipe Work Plumbing Tools

  • Hacksaw
  • Tube and Plastic Pipe Cutters
  • Plumber’s Torch
  • Thread Sealing Tape
  • Pliers
  • Press Fitting Systems

Clearing Clogs for Home Plumbers

  • Plumbing Plungers
  • Hand Auger
  • Snake Machine for Plumbing Services

Safety Tools for Plumbers

  • Safety Goggles
  • Gloves for Plumbing
  • Heat Shields and Pads

Other Essential Plumbing Tools

  • Pipe Expander and Fitting
  • Crimpers for Plumbing
  • Screwdriver (stubby)
  • Borescope
  • Plumbing Software and Calculators (for Plumbing Contractors)

Now let’s get to more details about these home plumbing tools.

pipe wrench

The Wrenches that You Should Have in Your Plumbing Tools

No tool or equipment is more associated with residential or commercial plumbing services than the wrench. No plumbing tools list is completed without twists. Experienced plumbers bring different types of wrenches to a job site, including:

Pipe Wrench is the First Plumbing Tool

A pipe wrench is the most oversized wrench that a plumber utilizes for residential plumbing services. Professional plumbers use these heavy plumbing tools to loosen or tighten nuts and other fittings on the pipework.

Plumbers generally utilize two pipe wrenches at once. One is used for holding a pipe in place and the other for rotating the fitting or nut correctly. Pipe wrenches are available in different lengths, and professionals can work with an entire set of these plumbing tools.

Basin Wrench for Home Plumbing

Plumbers use a basin wrench, a T-shaped tool, to work on faucets. This tool has a clamp-like mechanism on one end of its body that allows plumbers to reach narrow and small areas to tighten or loosen the nuts on the faucet. Anyone asking questions about the best tools for plumbers from you, remember to mention basin wrenches.

Adjustable Plumbing Wrench

An adjustable plumbing wrench is used for tightening or loosening hexagonal nuts on your home’s pipes. These plumbing tools come in various sizes; however, pro plumbers often use the 6-inch and 10-inch versions for their services.

Faucet Key

Faucet keys are not traditional tools for plumbing services, but they are a critical part of this list. These are small X-shaped plumbing equipment designed to close or open spigots and sillcocks.

hacksaws are plumbing tools

Pipe Work Tools for Plumbing

Professional plumbers who do plumbing daily have pipes on their plumbing tool list. Modern plumbers utilize various techniques and tools to repair, replace, and install residential plumbing fixtures. Here are some of the essential pipework tools for home plumbing services.

Hacksaw for Plumbing

Although woodworkers and carpenters use saws more than plumbers, professional plumbers have hacksaws with them to cut through various hardware such as pipes, bolts, screws, and nuts. When cutting this hardware, plumbers secure the blades tightly.

Plastic Pipe and Tube Cutters

A plumber who regularly deals with plastic or copper piping will need to replace, remove, or resize them. For this purpose, they need cutters that can cut plastic pipes and tubes.

plumbers torch

Plumber’s Torch for Home Plumbing Services

Many commercial plumbers or even residential plumbers seal metal piping by soldering them. For soldering, plumbers need heat, and plumber’s torches are the best tool.

This plumbing tool is a small, handheld one that allows the plumber to apply a high level of heat in a particular area, soldering and sealing piping for replacements and installations.

Thread Sealing Tape

A plumber’s tape or thread sealing tap is used for patching or preventing possible leaks at the threaded joint connection in your home’s plumbing system. High-quality sealing tapes are resistant to low and high temperatures. Additionally, they stretch for better coverage and never dry out.

Plumbing Pliers

Another one of the plumbing tool that professionals use regularly is plumbing pliers. These tools allow home plumbers to tighten or loosen tiny nuts and bolts that a wrench cannot grip.

Press Fitting Systems

One of the critical things that any plumbing project requires is a secure connection between pipes. Press fitting systems are used to physically press and connect a line while producing a solid connection or seal.

Press fitting systems are essential plumbing tools since they save money and time in the long run. Plumbers can produce connections using these tools in lesser time than it takes to solder or weld pipes.

plumbing tools for clog clearing

Clearing Clogs Tools

In some residential and commercial plumbing issues, the problem is not the piping system, but it is what is inside. Professional plumbers know their way around a severe clog and which plumbing tools they require to keep a home plumbing running smoothly. Here are the sewer machines or clearing clogs tools that plumbing contractors have:

Plungers for Cleaning Clogs

Although most homeowners have plungers in their homes, professional plumbers should also come to services equipped with them. Experienced people are ready with heavy-duty flange and cup plungers that can produce more suction than the standard consumer tool.

Hand Auger Plumbing Tool

A hand auger is a handheld, circular plumbing tool that allows lumbers to drive cables deep down a drain to clear the clogs. You can find various types of hand augers in the plumbing tools suppliers or store near you.

Snake Machine for Commercial and Residential Plumbing Services

Snake machines are essentially motorized and larger versions of a standard hand drill. These plumbing machines are efficient when the clogs are deep or complicated to be removed.

plumbing safety tools

Plumbing Tools for Safety

Although most plumbing services are not associated with danger, experienced plumbers know there can be some threads during the job. So, they use some tools that provide safety and protect the professional by lowering the chances of an accident. Here are some of the plumbing equipment that is used for protection:

Safety Goggles

All professional plumbers closely examine leaks and solder pipes at a close distance, which can be dangerous for their eyes. It is essential to remember that a good plumber is also safe, so they should wear appropriate goggles during their services.

Gloves for Plumbing

Plumbers are exposed to scorching pipes that you can never touch with bare hands. So, they have to use heavy-duty gloves to protect their hands and allow them to grip hot or slippery items without having a problem.

Heat Shields and Pads

Plumbers that deal with soldering during most of their services should utilize safety equipment to protect them. Heat shields and pads help plumbers protect themselves and the environment from heat damage and fire when welding or soldering is required.

modern plumber tools

Other Plumbing Equipment

Although the items above are the best plumbing tools that any plumber should have since technology is growing day by day, the hardware changes with it, and some other plumbing equipment can help plumbers do their job in a better way.

Pipe Expanders and Fittings

PEX pipe expanders and fittings are one of the newest innovations in the plumbing industry. These tools are resilient, flexible plastic piping that offers unprecedented reliability and convenience.

The expander is a drill-like plumbing tool that widens the entry of the pipe so the plumber can insert a metal fitting into it. Since these tools retain the original shape of the tube, after the mouth is closed on the fitting, it creates a perfect seal.

Crimpers for Plumbing Services

Crimpers are critical tools for plumbers who use PEX plumbing systems. However, they can also be used for other types of plumbing systems.

Crimping means joining multiple metal pieces or other materials by deforming one of them to hold the other part.

Screwdriver (Stubby)

Although a stubby screwdriver might sound more fundamental than the other plumbing equipment, you need to have these tools if you want your list to be completed. These plumbing tools can be a job saver when tightening and loosening are necessary for hard-to-reach areas.

Borescope

Most of the current pro plumbers carry borescope to the job site. The borescope is a small camera tethered by a flexible and long cable and is meant to be inserted far down into sewer lines or drains to give a better look at your home’s piping conditions.

Plumbing Business Software and Calculators

Fewer plumber professionals use traditional methods to work out estimates and do calculations. Instead, they use modern technologies and software that make the job way more accessible than it used to be. Some of the software and calculators that plumbers use are:

  • Business Valuation Calculator
  • Flow Rate Calculator
  • Pipe Vol. Calculator
  • Invoice Generator
  • Labor Rate Calculator
  • ROI Calculator
  • Service Business Grader
  • Other Mobile or Tablet Apps (Data Access, Customization, Job Automations, Payments)

5 Standard Residential Plumbing Fixtures

Plumbing fixtures are devices that interact with water and are connected to the residential plumbing system whether it delivers or drains water. Although the main features of home plumbing designs tend to be the same, the design and usage of each fixture will differ. Some are ornamental depending on the fixtures and items, and some are just practical. However, most residential plumbing fixtures have a single purpose.

There are some standard residential plumbing fixtures that you can use in your kitchen and bathrooms. Since suppliers offer fixtures with various styles, colors, and finishes, you can choose and buy them equivalent to your kitchen’s or bathroom’s design.

Residential Plumbing Fixtures for Bathrooms, Kitchens, and Utility Sinks

We can use various types of sinks for washing our hands, dishes, and other items. Each home has several sinks in different portions that are called basins.

Sinks that are one of the most crucial residential plumbing fixtures have one or more faucets that supply cold and hot water. They also have a spray to provide water continuously. Most of our home’s sinks have drains, and some have incorporated soap dispensers.

There are different residential plumbing problems that you should deal with, and one of them is clogged sinks that occur due to debris and gunk that gets trapped in the piping. If you want to learn more about residential and commercial plumbing issues and their solutions, click the link below.

Residential and Commercial Plumbing Problems and Their Solutions

Sink Types that You Can Choose for Residential Plumbing Fixtures

Residential plumbing fixtures suppliers and manufacturers offer various sink types, which are:

  • Self-Rimming Sinks: Generally used for kitchens and are placed into a hole that is cut into the cabinet’s countertop.
  • Undermount Sinks: They clamp under the cabinet countertop, and waterproofing is complicated with them. They are more expensive than other types, but they look modern and contemporary.
  • Solid Surface Sinks: For a better blend between the countertop and the sink, you can order concrete surface sinks made from the same material as the countertop and glued under.
  • Sink with Rounded Rims: These are called Butler sinks and are not suitable for bathrooms. They have a rectangular shape with a rounded rim, and they are generally smaller than the kitchen ones.
  • Stand-Alone Sink: These are often mounted on a leg of a piece of furniture, and it is finished on all sides. These are the most versatile sinks that are perfect for residential plumbing fixtures.

Kitchen and Bathroom Faucets

Faucets are important residential plumbing fixtures that are used in bathrooms and bathrooms. Investing in high-quality faucets is also crucial.

You can choose a pull-out faucet with a spray head that can be pulled straight out of the fixtures rather than requiring separated sprayers.

If you want to install faucets for your residential plumbing fixtures, make sure to get in touch with professional plumbers.

The most common faucet that suppliers offer are:

  • Bathroom sink faucets for residential plumbing fixtures.
  • Bidet faucets
  • Shower and tub faucets.

decorative plumbing fixtures

Toilet Plumbing Fixtures

Toilets are among the standard residential plumbing fixtures, and the waste is transferred to a septic tank or the local sewerage system using the flush system.

Your toilets are the most complex plumbing residential plumbing fixtures with a difficult filling tank that ensures proper waste flow. The most complicated element is the humble toilet lid.

You have various style options for toilets, including modern, traditional, classic, etc. However, modern toilet plumbing fixtures are more energy-efficient and use less water while offering a more powerful flush.

Faucet Cartridges are Residential Plumbing Fixtures

Faucet valves or cartridges are an essential component of any residential or commercial plumbing system. There are four primary types of valves that are used in areas in the faucets where cold and hot water mix and the flow rate is controlled.

The purpose of all types of faucet cartridges is the same, which is to deliver water at the desired temperature and rate. The most common problems with these residential plumbing fixtures are worn-out rubber rings and clogged passages.

Water Filters for Home Plumbing

These residential plumbing fixtures are optional yet practical. Suppose you experience water heater failure or stains on the laundry, damage to water appliances, or a bad water taste. In that case, you should hire a plumber to inspect your plumbing system for the following signs of water:

  • Inefficient water pressure
  • Water spots on the bathroom doors
  • Mineral deposits build up in your showerheads

Thus, you will have to prevent calcium carbonate buildup from inside the pipes with water filters. This is why the filters are crucial residential plumbing fixtures.

 

 

 

Portable Driveway Snow Melting Mats vs. Heated Driveways: Best Comparison

When you wake up in the morning in the middle of winter in Canada after a restful night’s sleep and see multiple inches of snow in your driveway area, it can dampen your mood. It is evident that spending time shoveling the snow is not fun, especially when you know that it will happen again eventually in a few days. This is a problem that many people face in Canada. However, we have a perfect solution for you. Using heated driveways or portable driveway snow melting mats is the solution. But what is their difference? Which one should you buy and use? Which is more cost-effective? Don’t worry. We have all the answers for you.

What are Built-In Driveway Heating Systems?

Installing built-in heating driveway systems beneath the surface of your facility (similar to radiant-in-floor heating) is one of the best ways to create safe driveways during winter for your house.

These snow and ice melting systems are a grid of heating elements or thin tubes that carry a mixture of antifreeze and warm water. These elements are buried under your driveway’s asphalt or concrete to raise enough temperature to melt the snow or ice on your driveway.

There are two main types of built-in driveway heating systems that are available in the market which are:

  • Electric Heating Driveway
  • Hydronic Driveway Heating Systems

Depending on your needs, a professional plumbing company and contractor in Canada will help you decide the suitable system for your driveway.

Electric Driveway Heating

Electric driveway heating systems are the simplest in the market. Installers loosely weave insulated wires into flexible mats and connect them to the household current with a buried conduit.

Professionals can arrange the mats to align with your car’s tires or cover your home’s driveway completely. This modern driveway heating systems feature a range of system-control options. You can use a classic thermostat to turn on when there is snow to a wi-fi-connected phone or device that automatically modulates your driveway’s temperature according to its weather conditions.

Hydronic Driveway Heating System

A hydronic or water driveway heating system is made from loops of plastic tubes that are called PEX. These tubes carry a mix of propylene glycol or antifreeze liquid and water.

The hydronic heating system is heated by the residential boiler that is placed in the garage or basement. The warm mix is pumped through your residential plumbing system.

Unlike the electric heating system that utilizes one source of energy and power, hydronic boilers are versatile and can be electric, oil, solar, gas, or even wood-fired. The versatility of the water driveway heating system allows homeowners to have various options for cost savings.

What is Similar Between Hydronic and Electric Driveway Heating?

The only similarity between electric and hydronic systems is that they range from automatic to manual control options.

Advantages of Built-in Heating Driveway Systems

  • Eliminates snow and ice
  • No more shoveling during winter
  • Saves time and energy
  • Cost-effective solutions

Challenges

  • Installation cost is a bit high
  • In some cases, installing a new driveway will be required
  • Repairing heated driveway systems can be costly

What is Portable Driveway Snow Melting Mats?

Portable driveway snow melting mats are the cheaper alternative to built-in heating systems. These mobile systems are similar to the mats that are used for porches, walkways, and entryways. But they are built to be strong enough to hold the weight of your car.

Unlike the last system that heats the entire driveway, portable ones are installed in parallel lines to melt ice and snow along the tire path.

The heating elements in portable driveway snow melting mats are sandwiched between rubber material. You can plug a portable snow melting system into a standard outlet.

Portable driveway snow melting mats are one of the suitable alternatives for a home or business that doesn’t see a lot of snow during winter.

Advantages of Portable Driveway Snow Melting Mats

  • You will no longer need to shovel your driveway during cold seasons.
  • Portable driveway snow melting mats quickly melt snow.
  • Mobile snow melting systems are easy to move and portable.
  • Cheaper than the built-in driveway heating systems.
  • Using or replacing them is very easy.

Challenges of Mobile Driveway Snow Melting Systems

  • They are installed over the targeted area, and your driveway is not heated thoroughly.
  • Aesthetic problems