Article Written By: Glenn Tucker
Plumbing and heating disasters always seem to happen at a time when you least expect them to catching you completely unaware and potentially completely unprepared. However, the impact that they can have can be limited significantly but only if you ensure that you have the appropriate heating and plumbing tools. These tools are always handy to have around the home, and a godsend during that time of panic.Here are some of the most important heating and plumbing tools that you just shouldn't be without:Center Plastic Plunger - One of the most basic plumbing tools, a plastic ball plunger such as this is specifically designed to clear blockages that form in toilets using the application of both the vacuum created when the plunger goes down and the force of the water.Center Large Wooden Handle Plunger - Again, another basic plumbing tool, this plunger unlike the plastic ball plunger can be used on sinks, baths and showers. With its rubber cup shaped end, it is probably one of the most instantly recognizable plumbing tools. Ideally one should be present in every home as you just never know when it might come in handy.Center PTFE Tape - Technically known as PolyTetraFluoroEthylene tape, PTFE tape is used on plumbing joint connections to prevent leaks from occurring making it essential as both a plumbing and heating tool. Despite its silky texture, PTFE tape is extremely strong under tension, making it an extremely effective material in preventing not only water leaks, but also gas and air leaks too.Adjustable Wrench - Globally seen as the plumber's tool of choice, an adjustable wrench will allow you get a strong and secure grip on rounded objects such as pipes.An adjustable wrench can be used to tighten nuts, valves and pipe joints again, making it the ideal tool for both plumbing and heating jobs.Pipe Slice Copper Tube Cutter - Copper pipe is commonly used within the home especially in heating. So if you're going to be working with any copper piping you're going to need a tool that can cut the material smoothly.A copper tube cutter does just that, operating using a cutting wheel that puts pressure on the pipe providing a cut with a clean edge.Center Tap Reseating Tool - A tap reseating valve does exactly what its title suggests, it allows for taps to easily be reset back into place. While probably not as common with non-plumbers, a tap reseating tool is considered to be an essential piece of kit for a plumber.Box of Washers - Washers are always useful; as you're not always going to have the advantage of knowing exactly what size washer you require, having an assorted box ensures that you have all bases covered.Although only a few of the tools that will feature in a plumber's toolkit, they are the essentials that can prove to be of great significance in preventing, for example, a small shower leak from becoming a flooded bathroom.
This Article Has Been Published on Sun, 6 Nov 2011 and Read 56 Times