Important Items for DIY Home Plumbers

Many homeowners like to take some initiative and participate in do-it-yourself projects around the house, and plumbing is a common area where they often look. At All Hours Plumbing, Drain Cleaning, Heating & Cooling, we encourage this sort of thing when it’s done safely and carefully – and we’re here to offer some basic tips for the home DIY plumber among us.

In particular, what are some of the essential tools you need to have around to handle certain basic plumbing issues? Here are some tips directly from our plumbers.

Plunger

You want at least one plunger in the home, and if clogs in drains are ever even a minute issue, you likely want more than one. This is because there’s more than one type of plunger, and they work best for different areas.

In most cases, you need to worry about two types: The cup plunger and the flange plunger. The cup plunger is the more traditional version you’ve likely seen, with a basic cup seal that’s best for sinks, tubs or any other area where the drain sits on a flat surface. The flange plunger, on the other hand, has an extra piece of soft rubber at the end of the cup – this is the flange. The flange is perfect for creating a full seal on a curved surface like a toilet, meaning you need to have one around for these areas.

Auger and Snake

In some cases, plungers alone won’t be enough to solve a drain clog issue. An auger is generally used for the toilet, designed to move easily through a toilet drain while pulling clogs out. A snake is more versatile, and can be used in appliances like tubs, showers and sinks.

Duct Tape

Duct tape should be in your home for all types of basic fixes, not just plumbing areas. In plumbing areas, though, it’s great for providing a temporary seal for leaks, as it’s water-resistant and heavy tape.

Wrenches

You need a pipe wrench on hand for tightening or loosening items, but also make sure you have an adjustable wrench that’s a bit more versatile. Both these items will have benefits in areas beyond just plumbing.

For more on important tools for the DIY plumber, or to learn about any of our plumbing services, speak to the pros at All Hours Plumbing, Drain Cleaning, Heating & Cooling today.