Buying an Older Home? Plumbing Tools You're Going to Need

So, you're buying an older house? Do you have the tools you need to keep your plumbing in good condition? Older homes, especially older plumbing systems, require a lot of maintenance.

If you've been a renter up to this point, you may not own the tools you need to make basic plumbing repairs. The following tools are important to have on hand to keep your home in good condition.

A plumber's auger is similar to a drain snake, except it's powered by hand and turned by a crank. Plumber's augers are useful for clearing clogged drains. They can be used in bathtubs, sinks and floor drains. Using a plumber's auger can help you avoid using chemical drain cleaner.

Keep a gallon of vinegar underneath slow sinks. When needed, pour vinegar and baking soda into each slow drain at night before going to bed. In the morning, flush each drain with hot water.

Vinegar is slightly acidic and will help clean out any organic material clogging the drains. Doing this process periodically will help you keep your drains flowing.

Plungers are especially useful for clearing clogged toilets. To use a plunger, place it in the bowl of the toilet. Fill the bowl with water so the water is over the lip of the plunger. Push the plunger up and down in quick, short bursts. Flush the toilet. If the toilet is still clogged, repeat the process.

A pipe wrench is an extra large wrench with teeth. These tools are useful for basic plumbing repairs because they're large enough to grip pipes. You'll use this tool when disconnecting old pipes and when turning the water supply to a fixture on and off.

Tongue and pliers are similar to pipe wrenches. They open wide and have a toothy grip for twisting pipes. Tongue and pliers open even wider than a pipe wrench, however, and are useful for certain tasks like connecting and disconnecting a drainpipe.

Plumber's tape is a very thin tape that plumbers wrap around the threaded ends of pipes before connecting them to other pipes. Plumber's tape fills the gaps between the two pipes and prevents the connection from leaking.

Plumber's tape is easy to tear, easy to work with, and very useful when hooking up appliances that connect to waterlines. If you plan to install a dishwasher, washing machine, or a refrigerator with an icemaker, you'll want plumber's tape.  

A basin wrench is a wrench with a long handle. Basin wrenches are designed to reach up underneath bathroom vanities and kitchen sinks to connect faucets to waterlines. Basin wrenches are indispensable for faucet replacement because they can reach into tight spaces where hands and other tools often will not fit.

If you're planning to replace a faucet after moving in, you'll likely need a basin wrench to complete the task. If you're not comfortable installing your own faucet, contact a plumber. A good plumber will have the tools needed to make all of your plumbing repairs, installations, and upgrades.

Perhaps the most important plumbing tool you could have for your new home is the phone number for a plumber who offers emergency service. A good emergency plumber can provide crucial services in the event that a pipe breaks, your water heater bursts, or another serious plumbing problem arises.

For more information about how you can take care of the plumbing in your new home, contact Mike's Plumbing. We'll be happy to answer your questions and give you information about how you can take care of an older home.