All commercial and business establishments require plumbing, which means that every now and then there are plumbing issues such as clogged toilets or sinks, leaky pipes or faucets, and so on. The first instinct is to call for a plumber, but the truth is that many of these can be fixed with the use of basic tools. A janitor or an in-house maintenance crew should be able to handle such problems.
Here are seven plumbing tools that should always be in the toolbox:
- Basin Wrench – This tightens and loosens nuts into the narrow and deep spaces to reach sink faucets, thanks to its (clamp-like) swivel and long shaft.
- Pipe Wrench – This is a heavier tool used for loosening and tightening nuts and fittings. You will need two of these wrenches — one to grip and hold, and another to turn. Protect your fixtures and appliances by wrapping the jaw of the wrench in cloth.
- Adjustable Wrench – This is used for supply lines and compression fittings (or any plumbing fixtures with nuts that are hexagonal in shape). Complete your toolbox with both 6-inch and 10-inch variations.
- Hacksaw – This can cut through plastic and metal pipes, nuts and bolts, screws, and hardware. Keep the blade tense to increase the ability to cut, especially for tough objects.
- Tongue-and-groove pliers – These are used to tighten, loosen, pull, twist, or hold items. Always keep a pair handy — you never know when you’ll need them.
- Thread seal tape – More commonly called “PTFE tape” or “plumber’s tape,” this is used to stop leaks at plumbing connections. It is fairly cheap and can be used on several applications, such as water line connections and showerheads.
- Metal file – This is used to smoothen the edges of metal pipes which have been cut off. Get both a rat-tail and half-round file in your toolbox.
Simple plumbing problems like leaks and clogs often happen — even every day — in residential buildings. Thus, they are more prone to happen in commercial units, since there are more people who come and use the facilities throughout the day. By keeping your business or office properly stocked with all the basic plumbing tools, you can easily handle any minor and uncomplicated plumbing issue.
This list is just the tip of the iceberg. There are tons of other plumbing tools, from basic to advanced. If you encounter a more difficult problem, or if your DIY efforts don’t seem to work — or worse, aggravate the issue — then it’s time to call the pros. We offer professional commercial plumbing maintenance. We cater to businesses in Henderson, Boulder City, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
