The hope is that you never have a plumbing emergency, experience a burst pipe, or sewage coming back up your drain. You can certainly reduce the likelihood of this happening by paying your local plumber in Sydney such as ontimelocalplumber.com.au to do an annual inspection of your systems. They’ll check the condition of the pipes, look for leaks, inspect your hot water appliance and heating system if required.
In short, they’ll point out issues and potential issues before they happen, allowing you to take steps to deal with the issue before it becomes a problem.
But, even with the best plumber in the world, there is still the possibility that things will go wrong. That’s why every household should have the following 5 plumbing tools.
1. Plunger
Blockages are probably the most common plumbing issue that you’ll face. These can be in the toilet or the sinks. Blockages are the result of things clogging together in your pipes. Soap and hair bind together to create blockages over time, sanitary products, wet wipes, and kid’s toys can also block the pipes. These items don’t degrade, you’ll need to shift the blockage.
The most effective starting point is the plunger.
You should note there are different plungers on the market, it’s advisable to have one for the toilet and one for the sinks. Each plunger is designed to fit over the drain space and create an airtight seal. As you work the plunger up and down you’ll create a vacuum of air in the pipes. This should force any blockage to move, allowing the wastewater to get past and hopefully take the blockage with it.
You should note that slow-draining appliances are a sign that a clog is building, it’s best to deal with it before it completely blocks a pipe.
2. Auger
If the plunger doesn’t work then the auger is your next best friend and essential tool companion. Again, there are several different sizes of an auger, depending on whether you’re dealing with the sink, toilet, or some other appliance.
Augers are pieces of flexible metal that you feed into the drains. These are flexible enough to go through the pipes and around the corners until they meet a blockage. They are then strong enough to be pushed repeatedly against the blockage. The aim is to punch a hole through. This will allow wastewater to drain and may sweep the blockage away.
It should be noted that the only way to confirm a blockage has been removed is to insert a drain camera. These are designed to move through the pipes and highlight any issues.
You can purchase a drain camera yourself or get the professionals to handle it for you.
3. Pipe Wrench
Sometimes the issue is simply a leak. Pipes are under constant pressure and vibrations, they can start to work loose. The pipe wrench fits around the pipe and allows you to turn them, effectively tightening, or loosening the joint. This is an essential tool for releasing the ‘P’ trap under sinks. As this is where most debris collects it can be useful to remove it and clean it occasionally.
This can also be beneficial if you’ve lost a ring or something similar down the drain, it can get caught in the trap.
Alongside the pipe wrench, it’s worth getting a basin wrench that allows you to remove the big nuts holding the pipes to the basin.
A pair of slip-joint pliers can also be beneficial as many plumbing fittings are in awkward spots, These pliers can squeeze in these tiny areas and grip the plumbing, allowing you to tighten it loosen as you deem necessary. These pliers are actually good for bulky pipes and smaller items like nails, making them a useful addition to your toolbox.
4. PTFE Tape
If you’re going to unscrew any joints in an effort to stop them from leaking then you need to have PTFE tape on hand. This tape is soft and sticks to itself, you wrap it around a joint before you screw the joint back together.
This will create a waterproof seal that helps to prevent the joint from leaking. In some cases, this is a permanent repair. In others, you may need to get the professionals in to deal with the bigger issue and prevent the leaks.
Don’t forget leaks can cause a significant amount of damage to your home, aesthetically and structurally. They can also cost you an impressive amount of money, even a slow drip can consume a lot of water.
5. Emergency Plumber Contact
Although not actually a tool you need to know when a problem is too big for you to handle or beyond your remit. In these instances, you’re going to need professional help. You should have the contact number of your local professional handy, this will allow you to call them quickly and easily to get prompt attention.
Don’t forget, if you already use them for your annual inspection they’ll know you’re a loyal customer and know the layout of your plumbing system. That is likely to get you a speedier response.
Of course, it can help to know the location of your valve as you’ll want to shut the water off to the affected area of your home, limiting the damage
Final Thoughts
Plumbing is often taken for granted, after all, you turn on the tap and the water comes out. But, the pipes are often metal and will corrode. Over time this can lead to a multitude of problems and you need to be prepared for any of them. That’s why it’s so important you know where the stop valves are, have some basic tools, and can easily contact a qualified plumber if necessary.
It can make the difference between a flooded home and a fun story to pass on. If you haven’t already got these plumbing tools in your collection it’s time to head to your local hardware store. You never know when they will come in handy.
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