When you become a homeowner, that’s when the real fun begins! Every home needs to have a toolbox with basic tools for those inevitable small jobs that always come up.
While you don't have to go out and buy a slew of tools all at once, the following are ones that you should plan to add to your toolbox along the way.
1. Plunger
Inexpensive, easy to use, and effective, a plunger is a plumber's best friend — and for good reason. It is often the first thing that you think to grab when you have a clog.
Whether you are using it on your tub, sink, toilet, floor drain, or shower, you want to press down with the plunger to create a good seal then pull sharply upward.
2. Pipe Wrench
A pipe wrench is no ordinary wrench. Its large size and heavy-duty design make it the ideal method of loosening fittings, pipes, and nuts. It is best to go ahead and purchase two of them — one to hold the pipe and one to do the turning.
For most jobs, you'll need either a 14-inch model or a 10-inch one, so buy one of each. While a pipe wrench is invaluable, its serrated teeth could damage fixtures’ finishes.
If you want to maintain sensitive finishes, place a cloth within its jaws when you use it, which will provide a layer of protection.
3. Hacksaw
A hacksaw is a valuable addition to any toolbox as it is versatile and easy to store. You can use it to cut through metal pieces such as bolts, pipes, nuts, screws, and other hardware. It will also make cutting plastic pipe a snap.
Be sure to keep plenty of extra blades in your toolbox too so you are prepared. One trick to help you get more use of it is to wrap a cloth around the loose blade's end and use that as a saw if you are working within a tight spot that offers a limited amount of room.
4. Closet Auger
With its long cable made of rust-resistant steel, a closet auger is the perfect partner for helping you unclog your toilet. Priced at only $14 to $40, it manually powers through even the toughest clogs.
While a well-stocked toolbox is a fantastic start for handling those minor plumbing jobs, any plumbing issues that appear to be more complicated are best handled by a professional plumber.
5. Thread-Sealing Tape
Thread-sealing tape can be a lifesaver (or a house-saver, really) when you need to join together pipes and make doubly sure they fit snugly and don’t leak. It also helps prevent rusting between metal pipes, which can lead to deterioration and drips.
So while it’s not technically a tool, this tape is something you should definitely have on hand.
6. Adjustable Wrench
An adjustable wrench can really come in handy if you ever find yourself needing to loosen or tighten a bolt that you don’t have the proper size wrench for.
Make sure yours can maintain a firm setting so that it doesn’t loosen if you need to use a good amount of torque to get the job done.
7. Drain Auger
Although you may be able to clear some clogs with a plunger or a baking soda-vinegar flush, some clogs can’t be cleared easily and require a more heavy-duty approach. A drain auger (aka a drain snake) is that approach.
This tool has a long, flexible steel cable with a coiled head that’s attached to a drum equipped with a hand crank. You insert the cable into the drain opening, and as you crank the handle, the cable moves further and further into the drain as its coiled head breaks apart solids that stand in its way.
If you want a bit more power, look for an auger with a power drill option rather than one that operates only by hand.
Need a Plumber Near Wisconsin Rapids?
If you’re having plumbing issues you can’t or prefer not to handle on your own, get in touch with our team at Steve’s Plumbing & Heating for help! We’ve proudly provided plumbing repair and maintenance services for central Wisconsin homeowners since 1988 and can fix even the most complicated plumbing problems.
To learn more or schedule services, give us a call today at 715-421-1800 or request an estimate online, and we’ll get in touch!