Although some plumbers use tool belts while they work, there are no specific tool belts designated for plumbers. Because their work involves getting into crawl spaces, a lot of plumbers frown at the idea of a tool belt. Toolboxes, buckets, and pouches are more common amongst plumbers.
Benefits Of A Tool Belt
Even though tool belts are not very popular with plumbers, there are some undeniable benefits to using them. They are:
Time-Saving: with a tool belt, you don’t need to struggle with finding the tools you need. Your tools are well-organized in advance, and you save time that would have been spent in organizing your tool bag or looking for the tools you need.
Work Efficiency: your tool belt functions as a helping hand while you work. It provides every tool you want per time, and this improves your work efficiency.
Comfortable Usage: having a tool belt around your waist means you don’t have to keep bending down to pick up tools from a toolbox. The belts are also made to fit any waistline.
Increased Safety: If you have to go up a ladder, the tool belts are a safe option to use. It has many spaces to keep your tools safe, and there’s no risk of your tools falling out.
What Tools Do Plumbers Carry?
There are several tools needed for a single plumbing job. Whether you are a professional plumber or a homeowner trying out some DIY maintenance, having the right tools is important for a successful outcome. Outlined below are some tools used by plumbers:
Wrenches
Considered the classic plumbing tool, no plumbing kit is complete without it. It is common to find more than one type of wrench in use as a plumber works. There is no all-purpose wrench and the four main wrenches needed for an efficient job are:
The Pipe Wrench They are the largest wrench in the tool kit and are used to loosen and tighten nuts and fittings on pipes. They come in different lengths and are better bought as an entire set.
Because of the marks left behind by its serrated teeth, plumbers do not use them for small, brittle pipes or to remove shiny fixtures.
Pipe wrenches are fitting for heavy-duty fixtures, iron pipes, and galvanized steel.
The Adjustable Wrench: It has an adjustable jaw that tightens and loosens the hexagonal nuts on pipes. They work on tasks that are unsuitable for other wrenches. The 6- and 10-inch sizes are often at hand.
The Basin Wrench: T-shaped and used especially for faucets. With a clamp-like mechanism on one end, they are ideal for reaching nuts and bolts in narrow, hard-to-reach spaces.
Safety equipment
As with all professions, safety is a priority. An excellent plumber pays attention to their safety.
Plumbers have to solder, examine leaks closely, and do other activities that may pose a danger to their eyes. They must wear goggles when necessary.
Plumbers require heavy-duty gloves to protect their hands. An added benefit is the help gloves provide to grip slippery items with ease.
You need decent pads and heat shields for soldering. When soldering, this protects you and the immediate environment from fire or heat damage.
Other Tools
The faucet key: It is X-shaped, small, and not exactly a wrench. When you encounter spigots and sillcocks, use the faucet key to open or close them. Some models on the market include the 1/4″, 9/32″, e.t.c
Pipe cutters: For as long as plumbing involves pipes, pipe cutters will remain vital. A plastic or tubing pipe cutter is easy to cart around and not adjustable.
Its cuts are cleaner compared to those of a hacksaw, and a tubing cutter comes fitted with a deburring tool.
Hacksaw: Plumbers wield hacksaws as well as carpenters. If you just want to cut through a hardy pipe with no care for smooth lines, this is the perfect tool. They can also cut through bolts, screws, and nuts.
Plumbers torch: These little, portable instruments generate the heat needed to melt the solder while sealing copper pipes. To replace or install new copper piping, it carefully applies heat in specified regions to solder the pipes.
They can swiftly reach tight locations where a normal torch cannot.
Pliers: They are everyday plumbing tools used to tighten and loosen nuts and bolts that are too small for a wrench. They are also a good fit in the plumber’s hand for tight spaces.
Thread sealing tape: Also known as “plumber’s tape,” it is made with PTFE (PolyTetraFluoroEthylene). It is thin, silky in texture, white, and is sold in small rolls. This tape is a very versatile lubricating material, and it aids in threading.
It also acts as a thread sealant, and plumbers use it to prevent leaks when two or more pipes are joined. Because it is chemically inert, it is safe to use.
Plungers: Although most homes own a plunger, a plumber should always come with one. There are different plungers for different purposes; drain plunger and toilet plunger.
Rather than using the regular plungers found at home, plumbers use flange and cup plungers. They provide more suction than ordinary plungers.
Hand augers: Clogged drains are a common task for plumbers to handle. A hand auger enables plumbers to push a cable deep down a drain to break clogs apart and clear them. It is circular and handheld.
Metal Files: Files come in various sizes and are used to smooth the sharp edges of cut metal pipes. They can work on many pipes, whether metal or plastic.
The recommended files for plumbers are the rat-tail file and the half-round file. A rat-tail file is round and tapered, while a half-round file has a round and flat surface.
Flashlight: It is an absolute must-have for a plumber. They are effective when a plumber has to work in dark or poorly lit areas. They are sizable and cheap.
Caulk: Plumbers use it as a repairing tool. They can use caulk at the base of the toilet to stabilize it. It can also be a sealing/finishing agent for sinks, showers, and bathtubs, to prevent moisture from entering any gaps.
Bucket: A handy tool in the event of a leak or an unexpected flow of water. Get a durable bucket of reasonable size.
Acid flux brushes: Before soldering copper pipes, the brushes are used to apply acid flux (a cleaner.)
Press fitting systems: They provide a cost-effective way to seal pipes. A pipe is inserted into a fitting socket and they are pressed together by a press-fitting tool.
How Many Tools Does A Plumber Need?
There is no fixed number of tools you should have as a plumber. A variety of tools are necessary for an average plumbing job. These tools range from 10 to 20 in number.
Besides these, you may need specialized tools to make your work efficient. Understanding your job and knowing your level of proficiency determines what tools you will have in your toolbox at any given time.
