Basic plumbing tools and equipment can save you from the inconvenience of an emergency plumber call. Blend these basic plumbing tools with a little bit of technical know-how and you can easily avoid backups and drain stoppages well before they occur. If you are a do-it-yourself sort of person, there are three very important handy tools that you should have for fixing your water and sewer-related problems. Just remember that simply having these tools on hand does not in any way make you a plumber. Read through the instructions and get familiar with the equipment before the occurrence of any emergency. Always know when you have reached the limit of your technical knowledge and hence, the time to call a professional. Your water and sewer lines will be better for it.
14-Inch Steel Pipe Wrench
Sure, you could just as well buy an 18-inch wrench, but why should you? The 14-inch pipe wrench is quite capable of meeting all of your basic needs. Do not go for a cheap version made of undependable material. Although steel makes the tool heavy, it also makes it very useful when need to wrestle with some stubborn pipes that require a bit of muscle when wrenching. Anything that is not as strong as steel might bend or lose grip. Depending on the vendor you chose, this plumbing tool usually costs between R150 and R300.
25-Foot Drain Cleaner
This tool costs about R1000. Attach to a drill or manually position the 25-foot cable. Search for it among basic plumbing tools that fit drains that measure up to 1.5 inches. This is a very useful tool when there appears to be a clog in the main drain or in the case where the sink’s drain is slowing down considerably. There are some cheap versions available but there is always a compromise on quality when it comes to those sorts of items. If it is possible, purchase the more expensive manual version. The drill attachment is a nice add-on but you really cannot go at full speed in the first place and still keep your lines intact.
Drain Cleaning Bladder
The jury is still out on this tool. It costs less than R200. If it fails to work, you will be faced with a big. On the other hand, when it does work, you will have succeeded in removing a clog in an appliance water line without the need to fiddle with acid or the risk of damaging the smaller lines with the use of a standard drain cleaner. I have had some good luck with this tool. Using it easy, insert it in the clogged line, attach a garden hose and turn on the water. Wait for the high water pressure to wash away the clog. Make sure you read the maximum psi (pressure per square inch) that your drain-cleaning bladder can take. If you go over this limit, the chance of having a mess on your hands increases considerably.
