Vital Plumbing Gear. An Introduction to the Professional Tools that Plumbers Use All Day Every Day

As experienced plumbers, we know that having the right tool for the job can make all the difference.

That’s why we’re here to talk about some of our go-to professional plumbing tools and what they’re used for.

We’ve gone through our toolbox and picked out a few of our favourites:

• Tackling Clogs: a good snake machine is essential to deal with stubborn blockages in pipes.
• Internal Pipe Wrenches: these special wrench varieties are indispensable for dealing with tricky internal fittings.
• Ratcheting Pipe Threaders Set: this tool set is used to create perfectly sized threads on pipes.
• Thread Sealing Tape: correct use of this tape ensures leak-free connections in pipework.
• Inspection Cameras: these nifty devices let you see into pipes without invasive procedures.
• Hydro Jetting Machines: powerful equipment used to clear even the most stubborn blockages with water pressure.
• Personal Protective Equipment: safety is paramount – ensure you’re well protected when working on any plumbing job.

Mastering these professional plumbing tools will not only make your work more efficient but also enhance the quality of your repairs and installations.

A Closer Look at Plumbing Toolkit Essentials

Plumbing is far from being a one-size-fits-all job.

Different tasks call for different tools, and knowing which one to use can significantly impact the success of your project.

This applies whether you’re dealing with a simple drip, a clogged pipe, or installing an entirely new system.

The above list is by no means exhaustive, but it covers some of the most common tools used by any professional plumber.

Tackling Clogs: Snake Machine Essentials

What are Snake Machines?

A Snake Machine, also known as a drain cleaner, is a tool designed to unclog residential and commercial drain lines. They range from small hand tools to heavy-duty machines.

What Variety of Snake Machines are Available?

Various types of snake machines include hand tools, sink machines, drum machines, sectional machines, rodder machines, and water jetting machines. Each machine caters to particular plumbing needs.

How Can Hand Tools Help?

Hand tools are an excellent choice for easy obstructions in toilets and other drain lines. They offer a practical solution for simple clogs.

Why Choose Sink Machines?

Sink machines are compact yet powerful, making them the perfect choice for sink-related blockages. They offer portability without compromising effectiveness.

What Makes Drum Machines Useful?

The main advantage of drum machines is their high torque. This feature makes them ideal for clearing stubborn obstructions in commercial and residential drain lines.

What are Sectional Machines Best Suited For?

Sectional machines use high-speed cutting actions to drill through obstructions. They’re particularly effective against tougher blockages in your plumbing system.

Why Should I Consider Rodder Machines?

Rodder machines are specifically designed for tackling larger diameter drain lines. These come in handy when dealing with extensive pipe systems.

The Role of Water Jetting Machines?

RIDGID Water Jetting Machines help clear grease, sewage or soap clogged lines. These are highly effective against slimy obstructions that can be tough to get rid of.

What are FlexShaft Machines?

Awaiting answer…

The Importance of Cables and Tools?

Cables and tools are essential additions to your plumbing gear. They’re utilised for specific tasks such as cleaning grease or dealing with root blockages.

Exploring Internal Pipe Wrench Varieties

The internal pipe wrench serves a distinct purpose in the world of plumbing. Primarily, it’s designed to latch onto 1”-2” pipes when you can’t reach the outer surface.

Often used with bath, basin, sink strainers and closet spuds, this tool is versatile and nifty for tricky situations. Its broad accessibility range extends up to 2″ pipes.

A stand-out feature of the internal wrench is its ability to install or extract Schedule 40 nipples. This particular task requires precision, which this tool readily provides.

1. Firm Grip: The jaws of an internal pipe wrench expand by eccentric action, providing secure hold on different sizes of pipes.
2. Variability: With its reversible jaws, it offers flexibility for various sizes, making it indispensable in a plumber’s toolkit.

Remember, selecting the right plumbing tool can significantly ease your tasks and ensure professional results. So consider adding an internal pipe wrench to your box!

Ratcheting Pipe Threaders Set Usage

The Goplus Ratchet Pipe Threader Kit, featured in the video, offers a comprehensive solution for pipe threading. This kit comes with six different dies to cater for various pipe sizes.

• Available dies: The set includes 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″, 3/4″, 1″, and 1-1/4″ dies, accommodating a range of pipe dimensions.
• Proper handling: To use effectively, clamp the pipe securely and ensure the wrench is correctly oriented.
• Safety measures: The user should don protective gloves and goggles to shield themselves from stray metal shavings.
• Clean-up essentials: Using a drop cloth or tray will help contain any spills or debris generated during the process.

In addition to these practical suggestions, lubricating the pipe with cutting oil before threading is highly recommended. This assists in reducing metal wear and facilitates smoother thread cutting.

Equipped with a ratcheting handle, this kit operates on the principle of “righty tighty lefty loosey”. It is a reliable partner for any homeowner looking to do their own plumbing repairs or renovations.

This kit, unfortunately, is currently unavailable for purchase. However, similar products can provide comparable functionality and utility for those needing a ratcheting pipe threader set.

The video guide provides step-by-step instructions on using this kit, addressing potential challenges and offering troubleshooting tips to ensure successful pipe threading every time.

Applying Thread Sealing Tape Correctly

Often mislabelled as ‘Teflon tape’, thread sealing tape, or as we professionals tend to call it ‘plumbers tape’, is utilized for sealing threaded pipe connections that aren’t outfitted with rubber seals.

Choosing the Right Tape

It’s important to pick the appropriate tape for your project. For gas fittings, you should use yellow tape. However, for a water project, white tape is the go-to choice.

Understanding Tape Measurements

A standard plumbers tape measures half an inch in width. For instance, the red package is 520 inches long, while the blue package offers a length of 260 inches.

The Correct Way to Apply

Apply the tape following the direction of the pipe threading – usually clockwise. Start a few threads in, ensuring the tape remains flat. Use your thumb to press the tape to the threads.

Continue wrapping the tape around four to six times, making sure no tape ends up around the opening of the pipe. Then proceed with installing your pipe.

Selecting Tape for Specific Materials

If you’re working with brass or stainless steel, opt for black or grey plumbers tape. This variant is thicker and more suited for these materials.

The application methods stay consistent regardless of your fitting type. Just make sure to choose the right plumbers tape and apply it as illustrated above.

Locating Plumbers Tape

You can find plumbers tape at any local hardware store or big-box improvement outlet. The cost is generally less than a dollar per roll.

Inspection Cameras: Unseen Becomes Seen

One of the truly unique devices in the toolbox of a professional plumber is the inspection camera. But, like any tool, it comes with its pros and cons.

Size vs Light Quality

The DCT412S1 is compact enough to be considered a spy gadget. However, its small size limits the brightness of its LED lights.

Because of this, visibility is confined to your immediate vicinity within the pipe and doesn’t provide a deep view into where you’re going.

Display and Interface

The tool comes with a removable display, useful until you mistakenly pick up the tool by it, causing it to detach.

This inspection tool has a user-friendly interface featuring separate buttons for video and still capture. This is significantly more convenient than models requiring constant menu navigation to select options.

Powering On and Off

A caveat – both the body and monitor must be powered on and off separately, to avoid draining the 12V Max battery.

 

Data Transfer

The lack of a mini-USB port for uploading video or stills from the microSD card to your computer might be an inconvenience for some users.

You can take numerous videos or photos but transferring them requires an additional accessory.

Affordability and Versatility

The Ryobi offers good value at $139 for performing simple tasks such as detecting foreign objects within walls.

However, when it comes to optics, Ridgid’s micro CA-300 stands out among other tested models, though General Tools might win on features.

The micro CA-300 allows for remote video recording when hooked up to a laptop – perfect for two-plumber inspection crews or anyone wanting to store recorded photos or video directly to their PC.

Power Through with Hydro Jetting Machines

The process of hydro jetting involves a special tool known as a jetter. This device carries water, a hose, a nozzle, and an additional apparatus to pressurise the water.

The jetter propels this high-pressure water to eliminate blockages and flush out accumulated debris within your sewer lines.

Hydro Jetting Functionality

During hydro jetting, the plumber introduces a nozzle into the sewer pipe, typically via the cleanout opening. The jetter then sends an intense water blast down the sewer line.

Usually pressurised at up to 3,500 pounds per square inch (psi), this water moves with immense speed and power. It is highly effective at clearing clogs and flushing out debris.

Preparation for Hydro Jetting

Before the hydro jetting process commences, an initial video inspection is carried out. This involves the plumber snaking a compact video camera down the sewer line.

This inspection allows for a clear understanding of where the blockages are and what they contain. Thus, ensuring that the subsequent cleaning process is accurate and efficient.

Hydro Jetting Benefits

Hydro jetting has proven to be very effective. Even stubborn blockages find it hard to withstand the thousands of pounds of water pressure exerted during this process.

In addition, contrary to other methods like snaking, hydro jetting provides a comprehensive clean that leaves behind little residue on pipe walls.

Additionally, hydro jetting is environmentally friendly—using only plain water with no harsh chemicals or enzymes mixed in.

And because it utilizes water rather than chemicals, hydro jetting is also a safe procedure, posing little risk to human health.

Uses of Hydro Jetting

Hydro jetting is used in a variety of sewer-clearing tasks that demand a rigorous, high-powered approach.

Such tasks include scouring pipe walls, flushing out stagnant systems, pulverising oil and fat, clearing debris and mud, breaking up tree roots and removing calcified scale amongst others.

This technique is particularly invaluable in settings like older buildings, restaurants and commercial sewers.

Necessary Personal Protective Equipment for Plumbers

Plumbing can entail various hazards, from unpredictable falls to handling harmful chemicals. Awareness and preparedness can save you from these risks.

Common plumbing dangers include slipping incidents, exposure to toxic substances such as asbestos, lead or biohazards from septic tanks or animal waste.

Additionally, there could be hazards associated with steam, electricity and working at heights. It’s crucial to never underestimate these threats and always be ready.

• Hard Hats: These protect your head in cramped spaces where you might bump into beams.
• Knee Pads & Back Braces: These help prevent injuries during stooping or carrying heavyweight equipment.
• Eye Protection: You must wear these when snaking a drain or soldering to safeguard your eyes against debris.
• Hand Protection: Latex gloves are essential when dealing with caustic materials or heat; heat-insulated gloves are recommended.

Besides, addressing breathable hazards is pivotal. Dust, mold and debris are common in plumbing work.

A face mask in your toolkit helps protect against it along with gas and smoke detectors for detecting harmful fumes.

Maintenance of footing is also critical as slips and falls are prevalent accidents amongst plumbers. Skid-proof work boots can prove invaluable in such scenarios.

Lastly, always remember to examine your gear before use to ensure it’s in working condition. This includes inspecting all of your equipment from snakes and plugs to ground fault circuit interpreters.

Incorporating Online Plumbing Applications

Plumbing applications have become indispensable tools in maintaining an efficient household.

With features that include product categories like Heating / HVAC, Plumbing Supply, Pumps and Valves, they provide a comprehensive solution to all your plumbing needs.

These apps are user friendly and specifically designed to assist homeowners, making it easy to resolve common plumbing issues.

“Online plumbing applications have revolutionised the way we address home maintenance. They are your one-stop-shop for all things plumbing.”

A key product available through these platforms is the Honeywell ST9103A1002 Replacement Electronic Fan Timer for Oil Furnace Applications.

This timer is a quintessential tool for oil furnace applications and can be conveniently purchased from Amazon.com.

Contacting customer service is made simple with details readily available within the apps, providing homeowners with professional assistance when required.

So next time you’re facing a plumbing problem, consider turning to these online applications for effective solutions.

Essential Plumbing Arsenal

Understanding the tools in a professional plumber’s kit can empower you to tackle minor plumbing issues with confidence. From pipe wrenches to plunger, hacksaw, basin wrench, and plumber’s tape, these indispensable tools make our daily tasks effective and efficient. By recognising their importance, you’re equipped with a belter understanding of the trade and how we keep your home’s water flowing smoothly.