Essential Plumbing Tools Every Homeowner Should Have
Owning a home comes with a few certainties: lightbulbs will die at the worst possible time, your Wi-Fi will betray you mid-Zoom, and, eventually, something in your plumbing will go rogue. But don’t panic—just be prepared.
With the right DIY plumbing tools, you can handle minor plumbing mishaps before they escalate into costly disasters.
A slow drain might only need a plunger, while a stubborn clog might demand an auger to dig deep and break it apart. Knowing which tool to reach for first saves you time, effort, and unnecessary frustration.
Here’s what you’ll need in your arsenal.
Must-Have DIY Basic Plumbing Tools for Home Repairs
Not all tools are created equal. Some are non-negotiable, while others are good to have for extra firepower. We’ve grouped everything by function—so whether you’re unclogging a sink, tightening a pipe, or stopping a rogue leak, you’ll know exactly what to grab.
No digging through drawers, no last-minute hardware store sprints—just quick fixes, done right.
1. Tools for Unclogging Drains & Toilets
(For when water isn’t going where it should.)
Whether it’s hair, grease, or that one time you accidentally flushed something questionable, blockages happen. Luckily, all you need is a few key tools and a little elbow grease and you’ll be OK most of the time.
In the list below, we’re beginning with simple tools for quick fixes, then escalating to the heavy hitters if the problem persists.
Let’s start at the top and work our way down.
Must-Have:
One of the most important DIY plumbing tools for homeowners is a plunger, but not all plungers are the same!
Cup Plunger – The classic. Best for sinks, tubs, and flat surfaces where it can form a proper seal. Press down firmly, then pull up in a smooth motion to create suction and dislodge minor blockages.
Flange Plunger – A plunger built for toilets, featuring an extra rubber flap that fits snugly into the drain. It creates better suction for deeper, more stubborn clogs.
Drain Snake – When a plunger isn’t enough, this flexible metal coil helps clear blockages further down the pipe. Insert it carefully, crank the handle, and twist to break up soap residue, hair, and other debris.
Optional:
Accordion Plunger – A heavy-duty, high-pressure plunger for toilets. More force means more clog-clearing power, but use it carefully—it can be rough on porcelain.
Zip-It Drain Cleaning Tool – A simple, disposable tool for removing surface-level hair and debris in bathroom sinks and showers. Just insert, move it around, and pull. Quick, easy, and mess-free.
Hand Auger – When a drain snake isn’t enough, this manually cranked tool goes even deeper into sink and tub drains, reaching blockages further down. Ideal for tougher clogs that won’t budge.
Toilet Auger – The deepest diver of the bunch. Specifically designed for toilets, this tool extends into the pipes to clear deep clogs that neither plungers nor standard drain snakes can handle. Insert, crank, and work it through until the blockage is gone.
Tools for Tightening, Loosening, and Adjusting Pipes & Fixtures
(For when things need a little more grip.)
Not all plumbing jobs involve clogs—sometimes, things just need to be tightened, adjusted, or, in some cases, taken apart. This category covers the tools that give you control over pipes, nuts, and bolts.
Some of these are must-haves because they handle common fixes, like securing a loose pipe or tightening a faucet connection. Others are nice-to-haves—useful if you’re tackling bigger projects but not essential for basic home maintenance.
Let’s start with the essentials:
Must-Have:
Pipe Wrench – The muscle of the plumbing toolkit. This heavy-duty wrench is designed for gripping and turning larger pipes and fittings. The serrated jaws provide extra grip, making it ideal for tough, threaded connections.
Adjustable Wrench – More versatile than a pipe wrench, this tool is perfect for smaller plumbing tasks like tightening supply lines, securing compression fittings, or installing new fixtures. Its smooth jaws won’t damage surfaces, making it the go-to for delicate work.
Optional:
Basin Wrench – Ever tried tightening a faucet nut under the sink and felt like your hands were designed wrong? This tool fixes that. With its long shaft and swiveling jaw, it reaches into cramped spaces to tighten or loosen faucet bolts.
Tongue-and-Groove Pliers (Water Pump Pliers) – When you need extra grip and leverage, these pliers are a great backup. Adjustable and strong, they’re perfect for gripping oddly shaped or hard-to-reach nuts and bolts. More versatile than a pipe wrench, but not always necessary for basic plumbing fixes.
Hex Keys (Allen Wrenches) – If you ever need to tighten a showerhead, garbage disposal, or certain faucet handles, you’ll likely need one of these smaller tools. They take up almost no space, so it’s worth keeping a set around—just in case.
3. Tools for Sealing and Preventing Leaks
(For when water starts escaping where it shouldn’t.)
Leaks are sneaky. They start small—just a drip here, a trickle there—but left alone, they can wreak havoc on your home.
Sealing leaks properly requires the right DIY plumbing tools—Teflon tape and plumber’s putty being the most essential. These create watertight seals and prevent costly water damage.
This category is all about sealing and securing—keeping water where it belongs.
Must-Have:
Teflon Tape (Plumber’s Tape) – A true plumbing essential. This thin, flexible tape wraps around the threads of pipe connections to create a watertight seal. If you’re installing or replacing showerheads, pipe fittings, or supply lines, this is non-negotiable.
Plumber’s Putty – Perfect for sealing around drains, sinks, and fixtures. It’s soft, moldable, and water-resistant, keeping leaks from sneaking through gaps where hardware meets surfaces. Just press it into place, and let it do its job.
Duct Tape – Yes, it can temporarily stop a small leak, but it’s not a real fix. If you need a quick, emergency patch before calling in a plumber (or grabbing the right materials), this can buy you time. Just don’t rely on it long-term.
4. Tools for Cutting & Replacing Pipes
(For when things need to be removed or resized.)
Sometimes, fixing a plumbing issue means getting rid of the problem entirely—whether that’s cutting away old, damaged pipes or freeing up a jammed garbage disposal.
And with over 50% of U.S. households now having garbage disposals, the need for basic maintenance tools like a disposal wrench is more important than ever.
Hacksaw – When pipes, screws, or bolts need to go, this tool gets the job done. It cuts through metal, PVC, and stubborn fixtures with ease. Just make sure to have extra blades on hand—plumbing work tends to wear them down fast.
Garbage Disposal Wrench – If your disposal suddenly stops grinding and starts humming, there’s a good chance it’s jammed. This small, Allen-style wrench lets you manually rotate the grinding plates, clearing blockages without having to take the whole thing apart. A simple tool that can save you from expensive service calls.
While a hacksaw can help with small pipe replacements, some jobs—like a full boiler changeout—are beyond the scope of DIY fixes. If you’re dealing with an outdated or failing boiler, consider a professional upgrade with expert boiler changeout service.
5. Miscellaneous Must-Haves
(For general plumbing work and emergencies.)
Last but definitely not least—because no matter how fancy your tools are, plumbing without these basics is a bad idea. Some things are just non-negotiable. You don’t want to be catching leaks with your best cooking pot, fumbling in the dark, or handling unknown substances with bare hands.
Must-Have:
Bucket – The ultimate multitasker. Catches leaks, holds tools, bails water, and saves you from using your kitchenware in an emergency. Get one. Keep it handy.
Multi-Bit Screwdriver – Plumbing jobs often require minor disassembly—removing drain covers, tightening faucet screws, or adjusting fixtures. A screwdriver with interchangeable bits means you’ll always have the right tool for the job.
Flashlight (or Headlamp) – Because plumbing problems love hiding in dark, awkward spaces. A flashlight is great, but a headlamp keeps your hands free while you work—which you’ll appreciate when wedged under a sink.
Gloves – Protects your hands from grime, sharp edges, hot pipes, and questionable liquids. If you’re doing any plumbing work, gloves are not optional. Not wearing gloves is one of the frequent plumbing mistakes, especially with non-professionals.
Having the right tools is important, but some plumbing projects go beyond just tightening a pipe or unclogging a drain. If you’re installing a new fixture, water heater, or even a full plumbing system, calling in professionals for new installations services ensures everything is done safely
Stay Safe and Know When to Call the Pros
Having the right DIY plumbing tools on hand means you can tackle the small stuff, but some jobs are best left to the professionals. If you’re facing burst pipes, gas line issues, or anything involving your sewer line, save yourself the stress (and potential disaster) by calling in the experts. Remember, the priority is to stay safe, and minimize the damage to yourself and your neighbors as soon as possible.
Some plumbing jobs require more than just a plumbing tool set… and are best left to the professionals. This is especially true when it comes to heating systems. If your boiler is acting up—leaking, making strange noises, or failing to heat properly—it’s time to call professional boiler repair services.
Whether you're installing, repairing, or servicing your radiant floor heating system in San Francisco contact Ros Plumbing today.