There are those who tackle the problems as and when they come and there are those who need to be prepared for emergencies to tackle difficult situations efficiently. In case of plumbing, however, it is always beneficial to be in the latter category. On average, a homeowner will be faced with at least one emergency plumbing situation every year and as the house gets older, the cases may rise. In order to keep yourself prepared to handle small plumbing needs and emergencies, a home should have a kit that has the right tools to help navigate the problem with ease
There are tools for every problem you face and a professional plumber would carry at least 25-30 tools excluding the variants of each with themselves. However, if you are not a plumber then it is illogical for you to have so many tools lying around just for plumbing. The right mix of tools will take care of most of the worries.
The minimum plumbing tools one should keep in the house
Being prepared does not mean one needs a full garage of tools. Having 5 or six tools in your garage will help you overcome most cases and manage extreme cases till professionals arrive. All you need is a bag and the following tools
- Plunger – Used to clear clogs in your drain. The easiest method to clear blocked drainage is to fix the plunger and go for it. Whether it is your shower, sink or toilet, you can use the plunger to clear things up easily
- Wrench – This is one tool that plumbers cannot do without. If you see someone holding this tool, chances are they are a plumber. Wenches do come in a lot of shapes and sizes but a basic wrench with adjustable mouth is all you need for your home kit.
- Pliers – When it comes to tightening or loosening nuts and bolts that are hard to reach, the pliers can come in very handy. It is also used to hold one end for grip and tighten the other using the wrench.
- Putty – If you are looking to replace or remove a fixture then putty will help you achieve the best fit for your fixture. It remains soft even when used for longer durations and does not work like an adhesive hence is easier to remove.
- Sealing Tape / Sealant – Most of the time when there is a crack in the pipes or a hole that seeps, all you need to do is put a sealant on top of it. This prevents any further water damage to the area and you can gain some time before the plumber arrives to help you fix the problem.
The following tool kit will be a bare minimum starter pack for you to be able to deal with the leaking tap, clogged drains, or any such minor plumbing issues and emergencies that you will have to face. It will help you prevent further damage before the professionals arrive and take charge of the situation.
