BLOG The Complete Guide to Plumbing Tools: What Every Homeowner Should Own Mar 12, 2025

When it comes to maintaining your home, understanding basic plumbing can save you both time and money. A significant part of this is having the right tools on hand. As a homeowner, knowing which tools to have in your toolbox is essential for tackling minor plumbing issues.

To begin, every homeowner should own a reliable plunger. It's the first tool to reach for when facing any clogged toilets or sinks. A plunger creates a strong suction, capable of dislodging even the most stubborn blockages without damaging your plumbing system.

Next on the list is a pipe wrench. This tool is invaluable for tightening or loosening pipe fittings. Its adjustable design allows you to grasp pipes of varying sizes securely, ensuring you can address leaks or make adjustments with ease. Many plumbing tasks in older homes require the firm grip that only a pipe wrench can provide.

Another must-have is the plumber’s tape, also known as Teflon tape. It's a simple yet effective solution for sealing pipe threads to prevent leaks. By wrapping this tape around the threads of pipe joints, you create a watertight seal that extends the life of your plumbing connections.

Adjustable pliers are an integral part of any plumbing toolkit. They can grip, twist, and hold onto variously shaped elements around your pipes. Whether you’re dealing with nuts, bolts, or even stubborn drain covers, adjustable pliers provide versatility and strength.

An auger, or drain snake, is essential for homeowners who frequently encounter slow drains or blockages. Unlike a plunger, which can only reach so far, an auger allows you to break up clogs deep in your pipes. This tool can snake around bends and into traps, providing a more thorough cleanout than simpler methods.

For emergency shutoffs, it's crucial to have a water meter valve key or a similar tool to turn your main water supply on or off. In a plumbing emergency, being able to quickly stop the flow of water can help prevent extensive water damage to your home.

A basin wrench is another specialized tool designed to reach areas behind sinks, such as the fasteners that secure faucets. Its swiveling grip makes it easier to operate in cramped spaces, saving you the hassle and frustration of working in tight quarters.

Finally, every homeowner should invest in a good quality pipe cutter. It provides a clean cut on copper and plastic pipes, which is essential when replacing or fitting new lengths of pipe. The precision of this tool ensures that your plumbing repairs are both effective and neat.

Owning this selection of plumbing tools equips homeowners to manage common issues without the immediate need for a professional plumber, although it's always wise to know your limits to prevent exacerbating a problem.

At A Better Plumber, we encourage our customers to consider both regular maintenance and timely repairs as key to avoiding major plumbing issues. Remember, while these tools can resolve minor issues, complex plumbing problems should always be handled by professionals to ensure the safety of your home’s plumbing system. With the right tools and a bit of knowledge, you’re well on your way to maintaining a healthy home plumbing system.