Plumbing Equipment Buyers’ Guide

Plumbing issues are part and parcel of living and working in buildings. Leaks, clogs, drips. They happen. When they happen it’s far from fun and it can be costly. For major issues you’re going to need a professional plumber, but you might be able to sort out minor issues and save yourself some money. It’s a good idea to have some essential plumbing tools at hand for those common plumbing concerns that don’t need the professionals. Let’s have a look at the plumbing tools every home should have.

Pipe Cutters

Give a neater and more accurate cut than hacksaws and are safer to use. A built-in reamer removes burrs and rough edges. Buy the right diameter pipe cutter for the pipe concerned.Not advised for plastic piping.

Mini Pipe Cutter

A circular-shaped pipe cutter for work in confined spaces.

Plastic Pipe Shears

To cut Speedfit or HEP2O or similar plastic piping, not copper pipe.

Pipe Benders

To bend copper pope around obstacles, forming angles and curves to assemble a plumbing circuit. Pipe benders  are quicker and cheaper than fittings and avoid the risk of leaks. Size must be appropriate for the diameter of the pipe.

Pipe Cleaning Rods

Flexible metre-long polypropylene rods to screw together to reach blockages in drains and inspection chambers. A range of cleaning heads, such as scrapers, corkscrews and plungers, are available.

Pipe Wrench/Stillson Wrench

Toothed jaws that self-tighten with the application of force. Useful tool for loosening and tightening threaded pipes. Choose the size to suit the application.

Pipe Repair Clip

A rubber-lined collar clamps over a leak, and screws can be tightened to seal the leak, when you need an immediate, but temporary, solution.

Bending Springs

To bend copper pipes using your hands. Insert a bending spring into the pipe and kinks won’t occur. Bending springs vary in size.

Freezing Kit

A temporary ice plug in the pipework so you don’t need to drain the whole system to do plumbing work.

Half Metal File

A simple but essential tool for smoothing and removing burrs from cut copper pipe ends, ensuring a proper fit for joints and fittings.

Welding Torch

Torches for high-temperature welding of steel and brazing of copper. Only use if you are competent in their use.

Soldering Lamp

Low-temperature welding of metals like lead or tin. Easier to handle than a welding torch, but certain precautions are still required to ensure you don’t burn yourself.

Slip-Joint Pliers/ Water Pump Pliers

Long handles having a slip jaw with a sliding pivot offering a wide range of jaw openings. The unique box joint adjusting system facilitates quick and easy one-hand adjustment

Multi-Purpose Pliers

A versatile hand tool for gripping, tightening, and loosening a variety of objects. A must-have for any plumbing kit.

Basin Wrench/Crow’s Foot Spanner

A pivoting jaw to tighten or loosen tap connectors in confined spaces. Different basin wrenches for different applications.

Cranked Spanner

Double-ended wrench for tap connectors.

Adjustable wrench

Choose the right size and length of adjustable wrench.

Hole Saw

A ring-shaped saw blade attachment that is used with a power drill to cut holes in wood, metal, plastic, brick and similar materials before installing plumbing fittings and drainage pipes.

Toilet Auger

The bulb-head has a compression-wrapped inner cable to clear blockages.

Plunger

One of the most recognisable plumbing tools. A suction-based device that dislodges clogs from sinks, toilets, and drains. An inexpensive first line of defense for minor blockages.

Radiator Bleed Key

Releases trapped air from a radiator.

Deburrer

A hand tool used to remove rough edges or burrs from freshly cut pipes, allowing for smooth fitting and preventing leaks.

Drain Cleaner

Manual models are called ferrets and are only used for small diameter pipes. Higher pressures are obtained using spray gun nozzles; these suit larger diameter pipes, such as wastewater pipes. Vacuum pumps operate by suction and can unblock toilets. Small blockages may be dislodged with a plunger.

Spirit Level

Helps ensure that pipes, fittings, and installations are perfectly level and aligned. Essential for professional-looking results.

Screwdriver

A multi-purpose tool for tightening or loosening screws on pipe brackets, fixtures, and fittings. A set with different head types (flathead, Phillips, Torx) is ideal.

Measuring Tape

Simple but vital. Accurate measurements are the foundation of any successful plumbing job. A durable, retractable tape ensures precision when cutting or installing pipes.

Final thoughts

We love our hot showers, running water, flushing toilets and all the modern facilities made possible by plumbing but we don’t like leaks, blockages and overflows. For less common and serious issues, it’s time to call in the professionals and get a plumber. You don’t want to take chances with water damage. For those bothersome but minor plumbing issues a little elbow grease and the right equipment can save the day (and some money, too!).