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If you are a plumber, you will already know that just about anything can come up when you call out. That is why it is so important to have a wide variety of tools to hand, so you are equipped to solve any issue. You are probably already aware of the basics, for instance, a plunger, drain unblocker, and wrench. However, a few extra and not so obvious tools will help you on those trickier jobs.
If you don’t already have these items in your toolbox, we suggest you get stocked up, so you are ready for whatever plumbing task you face.
1. Soldering Torch
If you don’t have a plumbing torch, you miss out on a life-changing tool. They require some practice, and there are a few different types you can choose from, but they will quickly become an essential part of your toolkit. Knowing how to use a torch effectively will help you get high-quality results in less time and with less fuss. They can solder, weld, or braze metal pipework.
2. Borescope
Borescopes or pipe inspection cameras are valuable tools for looking inside pipework. They work by using a digital camera attached to a push rod which is then inserted into the pipes. It enables plumbers to access part of the plumbing system they couldn’t otherwise access, giving them a better gauge of the problem and helping to ensure everything is working correctly.
3. Cordless Tool Charger
You will likely have a few power tools to hand in your kit if you are a pro-plumber. You don’t want to reach for your drill and find that it has run out of battery. This will add time to the job and seriously slow you down. Having a cordless battery pack at the ready will help you prevent this from happening.
4. Copper Pipe Cutter
Copper pipe cutters make cutting a range of different pipe widths easy. They are suitable for new pipe installations and maintenance to existing pipework, such as fixing leaks. If you get a good quality cutter, you can cut any pipe with precision and a professional finish. They save you time and effort instead of using a saw or other alternative cutting methods.
5. Basin Wrench
A basin wrench is a simple tool that can make your life a lot easier, and we recommend it. It helps to tighten or remove nuts on a faucet tailpiece. More importantly, it can reach those places otherwise inaccessible behind the sink. It enables you to fit the faucet before putting the sink in place. It can rotate 180 degrees in either direction to loosen and tighten.
6. Accordion Plunger
Now you’ve heard, and no doubt own traditional cup plunger. This is a great tool and has stood the test of time for professional plumbers and household DIY. However, the world of plungers is evolving, and the accordion plunger is revolutionising toilet unblocking. They are best suited to medium and large plumbing maintenance. It performs the task of a traditional plunger but up to ten times more effectively, saving you time and energy.
7. Head Torch
Plumbing can involve squeezing into dark spaces, so seeing is essential. Low visibility or even trying to hold a hand-held torch while completing plumbing work will slow you down. A headtorch is an affordable and simple solution to this problem. They won’t take up much space in your kit and will provide you with more practicality.
8. Knee Pads
Another essential piece of personal kit is knee pads. If you don’t already have this item, you won’t know what you are missing. Plumbing is hard manual labour, and continuous kneeling on hard bathroom flooring can cause damage to your knee joints over time. Investing in some suitable PPE will help prevent pain and injury, ensuring you can work healthily and efficiently. You can also buy work trousers that have knee pads already included.
9. Swaging Tool
A swaging tool or copper tube expander is a device that works by applying pressure to a piece of pipe to expand it. This enables you to increase a pipe’s diameter to fit over another piece of pipe and form a brazed connection. The swaging tool makes this entire process much quicker and easier and will be a definite asset to your toolkit.
10. Tube Bender
Tube benders are great for altering the shape of stainless steel tubes without changing the interior or exterior diameter. This means that you can add bends into a pipe without affecting the flow rate. It also works without compromising the thickness of the pipe wall, so there is no need to worry about weakening the strength of the pipe.
11. Heat Shield
Heat shields are essential if you are using a soldering blow torch. They will help protect you from causing damage to any of the surrounding areas you are working in. They work by creating a barrier for the flame, which is excellent if you have to solder in a small confined space. Causing damage to a bathroom or kitchen will anger the owner and add unnecessary time to your call out.
12. Crimping Pliers
Crimping pliers are helpful when you need to join together two pieces of metal. They deform the end of each piece to form a connection between the two parts. You can also cut and peel with your crimper, making it a versatile tool in your kit. It helps connect cables quickly and efficiently.
We are sure that if you add these unexpected tools to your kit, you will see an improvement in the speed and quality of your work. When you wonder whether there is an easier way to complete a job, these tools will solve the problem.
If you have queries about any of the tools we supply for your business, then don’t hesitate to give us a call! A member of our team will be happy to answer your questions and offer the best advice.
