Helpful Plumbing Tools to Keep Around the House        

There are lots of things you can do around the house to make your life easier, and one of those things is to keep the right tools on hand in case of a plumbing emergency. Because while there are many plumbing problems for which you should call in the experts, there are also some fundamental issues and maintenance matters you can take care of on your own, as long as you have these three tools around the house.

A Pipe Wrench

There are six basic styles of a pipe wrench, but the only one you need to worry about is the straight pipe wrench. It’s well suited to deal with most of the underlying plumbing issues you’ll be addressing on your own at home. A medium-sized wrench is your best bet, and with this, you should be able to do

 some straightforward maintenance on your own, including:

Fixing leaks: If you’re having an issue with a leaking pipe that needs to be tightened or replaced, the pipe wrench will allow you to do this quickly and easily. The great thing about this tool is that it lets you apply lots of pressure to the pipe without damaging it, meaning you can loosen and tighten pipe fittings without causing more problems.

Fixing stubborn clogs: Some clogs are just too big to fix with a plunger, and there are some cases (like under sinks in the bathroom, laundry room, and kitchen) where you can physically remove the clog by taking the pipe off.

Finding lost items: At some point in most people’s lives, they lose something valuable down the drain. When this happens under a sink with a P-trap, you can, fortunately, use the pipe wrench to remove the pipe and retrieve the item.

Two Plungers

You may think it seems overkill to keep two plungers on hand, but the fact of the matter is that there are two types of plungers, and each of them is better suited for a different job.

Flange plunger: This type of plunger is slightly smaller than its counterpart is, and is equipped with an inner rubber lip, and these two features make this plunger ideal for forming a seal around a toilet drain opening. Just make sure there’s the right amount of water in the toilet before you go to remove the clog: the ideal is about two inches.

Cup plunger: The cup plunger is a little larger and doesn’t have the extra rubber lip inside. This plunger is best for clogs in the drains of your sinks, tubs, and showers. Again, make sure they’re about two inches of water in the basin before plunging and make sure you plunge in a vertical motion in 15- to 20-second increments.

A Caulking Gun

The great thing about a caulking gun is that it can be used and reused for years without being replaced. You will have to buy new caulk from time to time, but the gun is a one-time purchase. Just don’t make the mistake of thinking that you can use the caulk without the gun because you can’t! A proper caulking job doesn’t take too much time, and in the end, it can save you both time and money, because sealing cracks in your home can prevent hot and cold air loss, meaning you can spend less on maintaining the temperature in your home. Just don’t forget areas like:

• Doors and windows
• Plumbing and wiring fixtures
• Basements and crawl spaces
• Attics

With these tools on hand in your house, you’ll be able to fix minor clogs, leaks, and other plumbing problems at home. But for the major repairs, necessary preventative maintenance, and emergencies, or if you need help with a DIY drain unclogging, call the professionals at Allore’s Plumbing Services LLC  in Stuart, FL at 772-288-0998.