Facebook Pixel
Please select a wishlist

Handy plumbing tools you should have to do a professional job

There are specific plumbing tools you should have in order to do a professional job. It'd be impossible of course to have all the tools you need, because there are just too many.

Having the right tools is essential because the job needs to be done right the first time, and it needs to be compliant. Your reputation as a professional plumber is on the line if a job isn't done correctly.

When you’re starting out in plumbing, apart from the blatantly obvious tools like an adjustable wrench and a plunger, what are some handy plumbing tools you should have to do a professional job?

Plumbing tools you should have on hand

Tools for mixer taps

One of the simpler jobs in plumbing involves tapware. DIYers often change washers themselves, but as a professional plumber, you'll also get call-outs to change washers and tap spindles, along with repairing or installing taps.

When it comes to mixer taps, they require specific tools. A professional twelve-piece mixer tap spindle socket set is a handy option to have to work on mixer taps. With a quality set you have all the deep socket sizes covered. That makes the job a lot easier.

One thing to remember when buying mixer tap toolsets is to get the type that has ratchet handles and includes extension bars.

Tools for bending

Another common plumbing job is bending things. One job could be repairing, extending or laying new piping. In many cases the piping will be copper. This means you'll be using flexible copper piping at some stage which will require bending. Bending is a popular method because you can continue a good flow and there's no joint to leak.

A copper tube bender comes in very handy. It's designed specifically for achieving high-quality bends in flexible copper tubing. The lever action makes the bend perfect, and the outcome is a professional quality job.

Also handy are the copper tube bending springs which you feed through the tube to bend manually over your knee. It's quick, and if you haven't gone overboard and kinked it, the spring comes out easily, otherwise, you may need to twist the spring to get it out.

Copper press tools

Along with bending tools for copper tubing, you need a tool that will join piping and fittings. Copper press fittings are a popular way to join copper tubing and create a tight seal. It's easy, fast, and safe because no welding is required. You just press the fitting to the tube using a specialised copper press tool.

A copper press mini jaw V-profile is one of the tools you can use to achieve this professionally. It's designed specifically for copper press fittings.

You know the drill

Drill

Another aspect to plumbing is drilling holes. This is where you need a reliable high-quality power drill. A portable power drill and battery pack is the most convenient, and professional plumbers tend to have several batteries charged and ready to go, in case one battery dies on them.

When drilling wood, for jobs such as laying concealed piping in a wall, you need a rapid bore wood drill. It makes it easy and fast to drill holes through timber, and having a range of bit sizes gives you the versatility you need for the different jobs and applications.

Another type is a trap drill. These are designed for drilling an inlet in traps for dishwasher installation. They drill and deburr in one action and have a safety stop that prevents over drilling.

Then there's the steel stud drill. These are designed for cutting metal stud work. There are different sizes for different applications, such as drainage vents and overflows in roofing work.

Mirror mirror on the brick wall

A tool you may have completely forgotten about is the handy mirror. If you're doing welding work or an inspection, you can't do it without an inspection mirror with a ball joint. This gives you the added advantage of being able to see your job from all angles.

The ball joint makes moving the mirror around easy and keeps it firmly in place no matter what position the mirror is in. As a result, the job is more thorough, more professional, and done better.

An inspection mirror is one of the smallest tools you'll ever use, but it's a must-have, such as the Plumtool Inspection Mirror Ball Joint All Steel from Plumbing Sales.

Plumbing Sales is your online plumbing supplies store

Plumbing Sales have the largest range of plumbing supplies and professional tools online.

Along with range, you benefit from the lowest prices. Plumbing Sales has been offering the lowest prices for over 60 years. 

Browse and buy online - 24/7.

As a bonus, get free shipping for orders over $300.

For the best range, best quality and best prices on plumbing supplies, the name to know is Plumbing Sales.