Plumbing Tools
Using the right tools for the right job halves your effort and doubles your results.
Plumbing Tool Kit
There are many tools a plumber needs to do a good plumbing job. While many simple plumbing tasks can be completed with a few common hand held tools, other more complex jobs require specialized plumbing tools, designed specifically to make the job easier.
Whether you’re a professional plumber or a DIY enthusiast, using proper tools allows you to tackle any plumbing project with ease and confidence.
Not just having the right plumbing tools, but knowing how to use them correctly can make plumbing repairs much easier. Always study the instruction manuals to make sure you can handle these tools and devices safely, and maintain them properly.
As the saying goes: take care of your tools and they’ll take care of you. Buy the best you can afford. Good tools will last a lifetime and can be passed down through generations.
From basic hand tools to specialized equipment, here are 10 common tools used widely by plumbers:
- Pipe Wrenches: Essential for tightening and loosening pipe fittings, pipe wrenches come in various sizes to handle different pipe diameters.
- Adjustable Wrenches: Versatile and adjustable, these wrenches are perfect for tightening nuts and bolts in tight spaces.
- Plunger: A must-have tool for clearing clogged sinks, drains and toilets, good plungers are designed for maximum suction power.
- Pipe Cutters: Precision is key when cutting pipes, and high quality pipe cutters deliver clean and accurate cuts every time.
- Tubing Cutters: Ideal for cutting copper and plastic tubing, tubing cutters ensure smooth, burr-free cuts for a professional finish.
- Plumbing Snakes: When plungers won’t do the trick, plumbing snakes can help clear stubborn clogs deep within pipes.
- Pipe Threaders: For threading pipes and fittings, pipe threaders provide smooth and precise threading for a secure connection.
- Pipe Benders: Need to bend pipes without kinking or flattening them? Pipe benders make it easy to create smooth bends for optimal flow.
- Leak Detection Tools: Detecting leaks early is crucial for preventing water damage. Leak detection tools help pinpoint leaks quickly and accurately.
- Pipe Inspection Cameras: Get a clear view inside pipes and drains with pipe inspection cameras. Perfect for diagnosing problems and planning repairs.
87 Essential Tools For Your Plumbing Tool Kit
Acid/Flux Brush
Used to apply flux to copper fittings. Comes with the flux.
Adjustable Locking Pliers
Adjustable pliers with jaws that lock in place to clamp securely on an object.
Adjustable Wrench
Movable jaw allows adjustment of wrench to fit a variety of bolt heads and nuts.
Basin Wrench
Tightens or removes hard-to-reach faucet mounting and coupling nuts.
Bench Vise
Lightweight vice for clamping objects for cutting or assembly.
Blow Bag / Drain Bladders
Builds up water pressure, then releases a burst of water for pushing out clogs in floor drains and waste lines.
Cast Iron Snap Cutter
Allows cutting of tough cast iron pipe.
Caulking Gun
Delivers a bead of sealant or glue from a disposable tube. Caulk seals seams and plugs cavities.
Chalk Line
Used to mark a line out with chalk for cutting or for reference purposes.
Closet Auger
Clears clogs in toilets without damaging the porcelain surface.
Coil Spring Tubing Bender
Fits over copper tubing, allowing bending without crimping the pipe.
Cold Chisel
Marks or breaks hardened metals, such as cast iron pipe.
Combination Square
Used for marking common angles.
Copper Fitting Brush
Deburrs and cleans debris from the interior surface of copper pipe and fittings.
Copper Tubing Deburrer
Deburrs and cleans debris from the exterior surface of copper pipe.
Cordless Reversible 3/8 Inch Drill
Makes it easier to drive screws and fasteners.
Cordless Reversible Screwdriver
Used to drive and remove screws and fasteners.
Diagonal Cutters
Prevents distortion of dryer pipe when cutting.
Drain Snake / Drain Auger
A slender tube with a handle on one end that clears blocked or slow draining waste and drain lines.
Electric Element Socket
Helps when removing the electrical element in a water heater.
Emery Cloth
A very finely gritted cloth, textured like sandpaper. Used to remove burrs and clean debris from copper supply pipe.
Files – Round And Flat
Files made of smooth metal, wood or plastic.
Flame Protection
A fireproof sheet of material – placed between a propane torch flame and a flammable object while soldering.
Flanged Plunger
Folds up into a cup during use, then discharges a forceful burst of water to clear clogs in sinks and toilets.
Flaring Tool
Fits over the end of copper pipe and flares out the end as the screw is tightened. So that the end will seal properly with the gas line fitting.
Flashlight
Useful for dark and hard-to-see places.
Hacksaw
Cuts metal, metal piping and plastic piping.
Hacksaw – mini
Cuts metal, metal piping and plastic piping in hard-to-reach places.
Hammers And Mallet
Drives nails and used for striking metallic objects.
Hand Auger
A handheld device with a crank and a cylinder containing a coiled tube that is fed out by turning the crank to clear clogs.
Handle Puller
Removes stubborn handles without damaging them.
Hex Key / Allen Wrench Set
Tightens and loosens set screws.
Hole Saw
A bit that fits on the end of a power or hand drill for cutting holes in wood.
Inspection Mirror
A telescoping handle with an adjustable mirror at the end that allows seeing into tight spaces.
Keyhole Saw
A handheld saw with a thin, replaceable blade for cutting in tight spaces.
Lead-Free Flux And Solder
Flux cleans the surface of copper pipe. Solder joins the pipe to the fitting with a tight seal.
Level – Carpenter’s
Determines vertical and horizontal level. Used for determining slope of pipe runs.
Level – Line
A level that sits on a string to find slope for running pipe.
LeVel – Plumb Bob
Determines vertical levelling of an object.
Level – Torpedo
A small level that allows easy access to tight spaces. Often comes with a magnetic edge, which makes it a good choice for levelling metal appliances.
Long-Nosed Pliers
Grips wires and small objects while holding them in place in tight spaces.
Miter Box
Cuts pipe while holding it in place for square even cuts.
Needle-Nose Pliers
Grips small objects while holding them in place in tight spaces.
Penetrating Oil
Loosens “frozen” nuts, bolts and threaded pipe by penetrating the threads.
Pipe Joint Compound
Ensures a perfect seal for threaded pipe.
Pipe Wrench
Tightens, loosens and clamps pipes and large fittings.
Plastic Pipe Cement
Solvent that cements plastic to plastic plumbing fittings. Available in all-purpose formulas.
Plastic Pipe Primer
Primer prepares PVC and CPVC plastic pipe for cement when connecting to a fitting.
Plastic Tubing Cutter
Cuts plastic piping with a clean and square cut. Important when seating the pipe in a fitting.
Plumber’s Putty
Provides a watertight seal for fixtures. Make sure the type is compatible with materials and surfaces.
Power Circular Saw
Uses various blades to cut wood and plastic.
Power Reversible 3/8-Inch Drill
Drives screws and fasteners. Drills holes.
PO Wrench
For holding pop-up plugs and drain strainers in place during installation.
Propane Torch
Supplies fuel from a cylinder and through a torch fitting to produce a flame for soldering copper pipe.
Pry Bar
A lever that allows lifting or separation of heavy objects.
Putty Knife
Used to apply putty and caulk to surfaces. Or used to scrape putty and caulk from surfaces.
Ratchet-Type PVC Cutter
Used to cut plastic pipe with a square smooth cut.
Ratchet Wrench And Socket Set
Easily tightens and removes bolts and nuts.
Reciprocating Saw
Cuts wood, metal or plastic with the proper blade.
Retractable Steel Tape Measure
Used to make measurements.
Right-Angle Drill
Drills easily in hard-to-reach places.
Safety Goggles
Protect the eyes from flying particles or splashing fluids.
Scratch Awl
Marks metal by etching the surface.
Seat Dressing Tool
A specialised tool that smooths and resurfaces non-removable seats.
Seat Wrench
A specialised tool designed to reach into the faucet stem to remove or tighten removable seats.
Self-Adjusting Pliers
Provides an instant positive grip for removing or tightening pipe.
Shower Stem Socket
Deep-throated socket used to remove compression stems embedded in shower walls.
Silicone Grease
Lubricates faucet and valve assemblies.
Slip Joint Pliers
The jaws adjust to two settings by slipping from a smaller setting to a larger one.
Slotted And Phillips Screwdrivers
Drives and removes screws by hand.
Small Wire Brush
Cleans debris and mineral deposits from pipe and fittings.
Snake Flashlight
A flexible flashlight that can be wrapped and positioned to direct light into hard-to-see places, freeing hands to work.
Spade Bits
Specifically designed for wood. Used when running pipe through studs or joists.
Spark Lighter
A tool that produces a spark to light a propane torch for soldering copper pipe.
Speed Bits
High-speed bits designed for drilling through metal, wood or plastic.
Spiral Saw
A high-speed cutting tool with a drill-like blade for cutting holes in countertops, drywall and other soft surfaces.
Spud Wrench
Specially designed tool to remove and tighten very large (2 to 4 inch) nuts by grabbing onto the lugs for increased leverage.
Square – Carpenter’s
Used to lay out right angles and check corners for 90 degrees.
Steel Wool
Smooths and cleans metal surfaces. Graded by numerals, with 000 being the finest.
Strainer Locknut Wrench
A specialty wrench with a locking jaw used to remove the basket strainers on a sink drain.
Strap Wrench
Allows a secure hold to remove or tighten pipe or fittings without marring them.
Teflon Tape
A ribbon of Teflon that wraps around threaded pipe, providing a secure seal.
Tubing Cutter
Creates straight, smooth cuts in plastic or metal pipe.
Tweezers
Small hand pliers that grasp, hold and remove small objects.
Utility Knife
Cuts and trims a variety of materials.
Voltage Tester
Checks for voltage across an electrical circuit.
Water-Pump Pliers
A multi-purpose gripping tool with ridged jaws for secure contact. Tape jaws to prevent damage to fragile fixtures.
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