Calling a plumber for every small issue can be costly. A slow drain, a dripping faucet, or perhaps even a loose fixture can cost $150 to $300 per visit, and that’s before any parts.
A handful of the right gadgets sitting in a cabinet can handle most of those jobs without a license, a phone call, or a two-hour wait.
In this blog, we’ll run through some of the best plumbing DIY equipment to grab next time you’re at the hardware store.
The Cost of Skipping DIY Repairs
According to HomeAdvisor, the average homeowner spends around $340 on a single plumber’s visit. That number climbs quickly when you factor in multiple callouts per year.
A recent survey by Angi found that U.S. homeowners paid an average of $150 to $450 for common plumbing fixes. Jobs that, with the right gear, most adults can handle in under an hour.
Whereas investing in a basic set of plumbing supplies upfront typically costs between $100 and $200. That’s usually recovered after just one or two avoided service visits.
Pipe Wrench
Every repair kit needs a good pipe wrench. It holds on tightly to round surfaces and threaded pipes, and gives you the extra strength you need to loosen or tighten connections that are just too tight to move with your bare hands.
Most homeowners will do fine with a 14-inch and an 18-inch model. Use one to hold the pipe steady and the other to turn. Aluminum versions are lighter and easier to work with for extended jobs without sacrificing much strength.
Plumber’s Tape
This thin, white tape is one of the cheapest on our list, but also one of the most helpful. You wrap it around the twisty, ridged ends of pipes where they connect, creating a tight seal that keeps water from leaking out of the joint.
It takes about thirty seconds to apply and costs less than $2 a roll. Without it, even a perfectly tightened joint can drip over time. Keep at least two or three rolls in your supply box since it gets used up faster than you’d expect.
Aerator Removal Tool
Over time, mineral deposits and sediment build up inside your faucet’s aerator, slowing your water pressure and sometimes causing uneven spray patterns.
Removing an aerator sounds simple, but faucet designs vary widely. Some aerators are recessed deep into the spout, others are hidden behind decorative covers, and many are tightened so firmly by corrosion that a regular wrench won’t catch them properly.
An aerator removal tool (a small, key-like device designed to fit specific aerator styles) makes this job clean and quick without scratching the fixture’s finish.
Drain Snake (Hand Auger)
Chemical drain cleaners get a lot of attention, but they rarely solve the problem. A hand auger (also called a drain snake) physically breaks up or pulls out the clog rather than just dissolving part of it.
A 25-foot cable model can clear out most clogs you’ll find in bathroom sinks, tubs, and showers. For kitchen drains, a slightly bigger and heavier model with a thicker cable works better because kitchen drains often get blocked by built-up grease.
Unlike chemical options, a snake won’t corrode your pipes with repeated use, and it gets the job done in most cases within minutes.
Adjustable Wrench
Where a pipe wrench grips, an adjustable wrench tightens. This is your go-to for supply line connections, shut-off valves, and compression fittings beneath sinks and behind toilets.
A 10-inch model is the right size for most jobs around the house. What matters is to always pull the wrench toward you when you push down on it (this keeps it from slipping and gives you better control). Also, never use regular pliers instead of a pipe wrench, because pliers can scratch and damage the nuts, making it even harder to work with later.
Cup Plunger vs. Flange Plunger
Most households own a plunger, but many own the wrong type for the job.
* A cup plunger (flat-bottomed) works best on flat surfaces like sinks and tubs.
* A flange plunger has an extended rubber lip that fits into a toilet drain for a better seal.
* Using a cup plunger on a toilet usually fails because it can’t create enough suction.
* Flange plungers can also double as cup plungers by folding the flange back inside the cup.
* Keeping both types on hand avoids the frustration of using the wrong one mid-job
Plumber’s Putty
Plumber’s putty is the go-to material for sealing around drains, the base of faucets, and sink strainers. Even after you put it in place, it stays soft and bendable, which makes it easy to press into the right spot. And if you ever need to fix something later, it comes off easily, too.
Note that it should not be used on plastic fittings or with certain countertop materials like marble or granite, where it can stain. In those cases, silicone sealant is the appropriate substitute. Read the label before applying to any surface you’re unsure about.
Shut-Off Valve Key
If a pipe bursts or a fixture starts leaking, the first thing you do is turn off the water supply. The shut-off valves for sinks and toilets are usually easy to find (just look under the sink or behind the toilet). But the main shut-off valve for the whole house, especially in older homes, may require a water meter key to turn off.
Having one of these on hand means you’re not scrambling during an emergency. They’re widely available at hardware stores for under $15 and are worth every cent when you need one in a hurry.
What to Stock First
If you’re building your repair kit from scratch, here’s what we suggest based on frequency of use:
* Plumber’s tape
* A cup and flange plunger
* An adjustable wrench
* An aerator removal tool
* A hand auger
* A pipe wrench
* Plumber’s putty
* A shut-off valve key
In that order.
Wrapping Up
Buy them bit by bit, build your collection gradually, and you’ll likely save several hundred dollars over the course of a single year while also getting repairs done on your schedule.
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