#1 Plunger

A plunger is one of the most important plumbing tools for everybody to have on hand. In the event of a clogged drain, a plunger should be one of the first lines of defense. With that being said, it is important to make sure you have the right plunger for the type of drain you intend to use it on. There are several different types of plungers; cup plungers, flange plungers, and accordion plungers are the most common. Cup plungers are designed to unclog flat drains like sinks and tubs, while flange plungers are designed to unclog curved drains like toilets. Accordion plungers are also designed to clear toilet drains. We recommend investing in more than one plunger for a couple of reasons: A) It's more sanitary and B) You will get better suction using the right plunger for the type of drain that is clogged.  

Plunger Operating Tips

If you find yourself reaching for the plunger there are a few things you can do to make your plunging more effective.  

• Run plunger under warm water before plunging. This can help soften the rubber and allow for better suction.
• Make sure the plunger is fully submerged in water in order to get the best suction.
• Plunge in a straight up and down motion.
• Repeat as needed, some clogs will prove to be more stubborn than others. 

#2 Drain Auger

Sometimes you may run into to clogs that are more stubborn than others. In this instance it is a good idea to have a drain auger on hand. A drain auger or snake is basically a cable with a hook or corkscrew like end that is designed to be cranked down the drain to either break apart the clog or grab onto it. There are several different kinds, handheld and electric. Both are effective at clearing a more severe clog. To use simply feed down the drain until you feel resistance, this means you have reached the clog. Once you reach the clog, crank it until you feel it feed freely, this means you have broken through the clog. If an auger isn’t successful at breaking up a clog, then it is time to contact your plumber, a more serious plumbing problem may be afoot. 

#3 Drain Millipede

A drain millipede is another one of the best plumbing tools to have on hand. They are really handy at clearing clogs out of sink and shower drains. One of the worst things for your drains is hair. Hair is one of the most common things that gets clogged in bathroom drains, and it can be a real nuisance. You may notice really sluggish drainage, as more and more hair builds up over time. Drain millipedes are a Godsend for people who suffer from repeat bathroom clogs from hair. A drain millipede is kind of like a pipe cleaner with barbs. You simply feed it down the drain and pull up. The barbs grab onto the hair, and pull it out as you pull up on the millipede. You can pick up a drain millipede at any hardware store. This is an inexpensive way to clear minor bathroom clogs, which can be a real pain. 

#4 Wrench

A wrench is one of the most important plumbing tools, that everyone should have on hand. A wrench is designed to provide grip and mechanical advantage in applying torque to turn an object, like bolts or fasteners. They can also be used to grip objects and keep them from moving. There are several different types of wrenches that you should have; an adjustable wrench and a pipe wrench. Both can come in handy during a plumbing emergency.  

#5 Pliers

Pliers, like wrenches are good plumbing tools to have around. Needle nose pliers can be used to grab onto objects that are small or hard to reach. They can also be used for cutting things like wire. Tongue and groove pliers are also good to have on hand. They are a type of slip-joint pliers that can be adjusted to fit a variety of things.  Plumbing tools are good to have on hand in the event of a plumbing emergency. Even if you need to call a plumber, some of these tools can help alleviate some of the problem and prevent excess damage until your plumber arrives. Some other items you may want to consider having on hand include a roll of plastic to protect your personal belongings and surrounding areas, duct tape which can be used for all kinds of things, including temporarily stopping a leaky pipe, and sand bags in the event of a flood. In the even of a plumbing emergency always proceed with caution. Safety should be a top priority. If you are unsure of the circumstances, evacuate and contact the professionals. To learn more or to schedule and appointment contact Rooter Hero today!