Plumbing doesn’t have to be a rocket-science project one should meticulously muck about. Although it’s always advisable to consult your plumber for major plumbing issues and your annual plumbing checks; a good unwritten rule is to always eagle-eye any telltale signs of an underlying plumbing problem. Some examples are leaks and clogs.
Although these plumbing dead giveaways can’t be seen by the naked eye, you have a handful more senses that can feel it. Like for example, turning off your water faucets and listening for running water; if you hear it that means something’s clearly wrong. What about walking barefoot and feeling the floors; if other floor areas are relatively warmer (or colder) than the rest then that means water has piled up underneath the foundation.
Every homeowner can be proactive in dealing with their plumbing system. It can be as simple as tightening loose fittings. Of course, you have to always keep plumbing tools handy-dandy for your do-it-yourself checkups and fixes. Here are some which you should get your hands on.
- WRENCHES
Every homeowner should have different types of wrenches in their plumbing arsenal (also house maintenance in general). Get ahold of a myriad of wrenches, the most common ones are a basin wrench, an adjustable wrench, and a pipe wrench. The basin wrench is a basic plumber’s tool which is used to adjust the nuts and bolts on kitchen sinks and faucets. The adjustable wrench is more versatile than the basin wrench because it can be used on different nut sizes. Lastly, the pipe wrench is an absolute must-have for your DIY plumbing at home. These are mostly as small as 3 inches up to as big as 48 inches, made of cast steel, and are used for heavy-duty adjustments.
- PIPE CUTTERS
While some homeowners might be comfortable with a hacksaw, I would have to say that a pipe cutter usually cuts the mustard (pun intended). Although both tools are equally effective, I guess the difference lies in the efficacy of a clean and even cutting. Needless to say, all tools should be kept sharp and ready to take on copper pipes anytime. So it’s important to sharpen your pipe cutter’s blades to get the desired outcome. And while you’re at it, try to grab the different kinds of pipe cutters that can handle PVC, steel, and soil pipes as well.
- PLUNGER
A go-to for every toilet and kitchen sink blockage, a plunger or a force cup can hack minor blockages. It’s made out of rubber with a cup-like form and a shaft (usually plastic or wood) that’s used for gripping and forcing air into the drain. Once the object is nudged a little bit, it’s now easier to flush it down with water (whatever that object is!). That’s why charlotte plumbers always remind you to never flush things down that may impede the normal flow of your drains. When in doubt, just throw it out!
- AUGER
In the event of plunger failure, always make sure you have an auger close-at-hand. There are two types of augers: a hand auger (drain snake) and a closet auger (toilet auger). Both adopt the same concept but are used for different parts of the house. While a hand auger is used in the tub, shower, or kitchen drains by poking and shoving the objects; the latter is commonly used in toilet clogs. The long hook-shaped metal tubing makes it easy to maneuver the cable in a deep toilet bowl.
- TEFLON TAPE
Otherwise known as a “thread seal tape” or a “plumbing tape”, this is a very reliable DIY plumbing tool that can get your minor issues fixed in a jiffy. The Teflon tape can handle extreme pressure and can put off liquid and gas leakage…temporarily. Also, a plumbing tape is certainly used when pipes are being screwed together. A rule of thumb is to wrap the tape 3 to 4 times around a pipe’s thread and voila, you have just successfully prevented your pipes from possible leaks!
There you have it. Now you can make your toolbox happy by filling it with all the necessary tools for your daily plumbing needs. Nevertheless, if you’re dealing with major plumbing concerns; don’t take matters into your own hands and just call a professional plumber in Charlotte.
