What are the tools of a plumber? No matter a plumber’s skills and knowledge, a plumber can’t do much without his tool kit. Besides basic tools like: hammer, plunger and flashlight, he also has specialized tools on him. Here is the equipment you will find in the toolbox of an average plumber.

1. Hand auger

We would like to begin our list of plumber tools with a hand auger. You might have heard about the kitchen version of this tool. If you are familiar with the corkscrew used to open wine bottles, you will most probably understand what a hand auger is.

The difference is just in size. While corkscrew fits in the palm, the hand auger is larger and you have to use it with two hands. You want to use this tool to remove deep debris from pipes.

Usually, it replaces the plunger, dealing with clogs of more than half a meter deep. Since the plunger has a shape that doesn’t allow it to slide through pipes, an auger is a solution. Resembling a slim stick, it fits perfectly inside a pipe, going deep down, reaching the most remote debris.

2. Pipe cutter

Sometimes, cutting a pipe is inevitable when linking two pipes, which helps adjusting their lengths. While you can do it with traditional tools, you better try with a pipe cutter, which is specialized for this task.

This tool cuts the pipe smoothly, preventing it from breaking and cracking. Thus, it ensures a perfect connection, reducing leaks, and restriction of flow.

3. Basin wrench

You shouldn’t confuse basin wrench and plumber’s wrench. Though both plumber tools doing the same job, they are a bit different. A plumber’s wrench is indeed a tool specially designed for plumbing works. It is also a part of the toolbox of an average plumber.

Still, when it becomes hard to use, basin wrench steps in. Professionals use this tool to get to hard-to-reach areas where traditional wrench rotation is impossible. This tool requires limited space to rotate.

In this way, the plumber can reach tight spaces to perform installation and removal of basins. It is also excellent for kitchen faucets and other hardly accessible areas that suffer from leaks.

4. Propane torch

Yes, plumbers carry with them propane torch. Why? Well, they use the torch to solder copper pipes. Plumbers use propane torch in combination with fire-resistant fabric to protect the stuff around.

5. Spray bottle

This one is not necessary, but most of the plumbers choose to use it. It seems odd and primitive, but it works great at identifying leaks. The plumbers mix water and soap in the bottle. Then, they spray the mixture on the whole pipe.

Once they’ve covered the suspect areas, they turn on the water. Air will interact with soap, creating bubbles. In this way, you can find even the smallest leaks using this incredibly easy method.

After all, if a plumber doesn’t have a spray bottle on him, he can ask the host for one. But it can be disturbing, so plumbing companies recommend their employees to come with their own bottle.

6. Drain rods

Drain rods aim at dealing with the J-shaped toilet pipe, which is hard to unclog. If you hate using your hand to unblock this pipe, drain rodes are here to help. They connect to each other end-to-end, allowing the plumber to choose the needed depth.

Also, they are pretty flexible and resilient, which means that they don’t break while being bent. In addition, such rods don’t have sharp and spiky ends. They rather have rounded edges that help prevent pipe damage.

7. Protective equipment

No plumber can go on a call without protective equipment. Since plumbing work can involve risky and dirty activities, protection should be on the first place. The safety equipment includes: gloves, goggles, hard hat and first-aid kit. The kid consists of many anti-bacterial agents to sanitize potential wounds.

All in all, the plumber’s kit consists of a lot of tools. Some of them are traditional tools that one can find in any house. Others are specialized plumber’s equipment meant to help the plumber do his work easier and faster.

These include drain rods, basin wrench, pipe cutter, propane torch, a spray bottle, and hand auger. There are also additional accessories that the plumber carries with him for safety purposes. These are fire-resistant fabric, equipment for individual protection, and a first aid kit.