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Plumbers are known for their wide set and array of tools, and this is what helps them to fix all your plumbings and leaky faucets. Plumbing is about the expertise and know-how about advanced tools and how to use them to fix common plumbing issues.

Plumbing is not something that you can just pick up like that, and a lot goes behind it. Most plumbers are trained and are highly experienced, and this is why you should call a plumber in lieu of taking matters into your own hands. So, without further ado, let’s get to know the 5 plumbing essentials in our books.

1. Cup plunger

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This is also known as a sink or tub plunger, and it is the most common plumbing tool that most of us have at home. They are usually used to clear clogs in one’s shower, sink, or even tub. It tends to have a rubber cup shape and a wooden handle.

The cup plunger isn’t adequate for plunging toilets, and to plunger a toilet, you need a special type of plunger which is shaped to fit the toilet base. This is known as a flange plunger. However, some flange plungers can be used as your standard cup plunger, that is, if the flange is tucked up inside.

2. Adjustable pipe wrench

It is the quintessential metal plumbing tool that any good plumber ought to have in their toolbox. An adjustable pipe wrench gives you tremendous leverage and grip and was designed to grip round objects like pipes.

It has sharp serrated teeth which dig into the pipe, and it increases the pressure as you turn in. Pipe wrenches usually leave marks behind, and we don’t recommend using them on small or shiny fixtures or even fragile pipes.

Adjustable pipe wrenches are usually used on galvanized steel, iron pipes, or on heavy-duty fixtures that have rough finishes.

3. Sink auger

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This is also known as a canister or drum auger, and it is the ultimate tool for clearing and breaking up clogs in tub drains and your skin. If you have clogs in your toilet, don’t use a sink auger but rather use a closet or toilet auger. This is for sanitary purposes.

It is a flexible stainless steel cab that has a corkscrew tip at the end. How does it work? Well, the cabled coils within a drum canister extend into the drain to reach a clog, and this clears it. The sink auger bends in the drainpipe, which allows the cable tip to penetrate clogs and pull them out.

4. O-rings, faucet packing, and rubber washers

O-rings, facet packing, and rubber washers are real lifesavers in my book. They are primarily used to fix radiators, leaky valves on sinks, and other old or traditional equipment that you might have in your home.

Faucet packing is a wax or graphite-coated string that is wrapped around the valve system. The faucet pack under the packing nuts is used to create a watertight seal, and this prevents any leakage until the pack is too old and used and must be changed again.

While the O-ring and rubber washers are usually sold together in a pack, and the pack contains several sizes and shapes. It is always handy to have one box of o-rings and rubber washers lying around as it might save you a trip to the store in the future.

5. Plumber’s tape

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Every plumber has about 10 of these in their toolbox, and they never end; you just end up buying a new one. Plumber’s tape is one of the essential materials because they help to prevent leaks at the threaded plumbing connection.

Often called Teflon tape, it is a thin white tape that you can wrap around threads on pipes and fitting before twisting them together. It not only adds a bit of lubricant to aid the threading, but it also helps seal the joints together, and this prevents any leak.

It is usually made with PolyTetraFluoroEthylene or PTFE and is usually sold in small rolls. Because of the material used to manufacture it, Plumber’s tape is typically silky in texture.

Plumbing is not for everybody, so if there is a plumbing issue in your home, call a plumber. Sound off in the comments section below and tell us some of your plumbing essentials.

Top 5 Plumbing Essentials
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