The Best DIY Plumbing Tools to Buy at Bunnings

If you have some DIY plumbing jobs to do around your home during stage 4 lockdown in Melbourne, then here’s a list of the best Plumbing tools you can click and collect from Bunnings Warehouse. This will ensure your job goes smoothly and you don’t cause more damage than when you started.

These are some of the essential tools that all plumbers have in their bag of tricks that you can use at home.

Drain Plunger

A plunger is a universal tool used to unblock drains, sinks, basins, baths, showers and even toilets. They come in many different shapes and sizes but there are only a couple of types that every household should have. See our blog on the 10 Plumbing Tools Every Household Should Have to learn more.

They are mostly used on less complicated blockages but always the first line of defence for all plumbers. It’s definitely worth spending a little extra on a quality plunger that will last a lifetime.

Hand Auger

A basic hand auger is a very handy tool to have in the shed when your drains just won’t clear with a plunger. While a little more difficult to use than a plunger, once you’ve got the hang of it a hand auger will get you out of those slightly more stubborn blockages. These are usually caused by a build-up of hair and soap scum or fat in the sink drain. The action of turning the handle rotates the cable helping the blockage to dislodge to get your drain or sink running again.

Silicone Gun

Leaking gutters, a leaking metal roof or just making your bathroom watertight, using a good quality silicone gun will get the job done. Also used to apply gap fillers when painting and general caulking around the home, a silicone gun is a tool that will be used many times over.

Like all tools, it’s important to buy the best one you can afford. The reason for this is because a good silicone gun will allow you to apply the silicone in an even and no mess manner, leaving you with a clean bead. A cheap silicone gun will leave you with a mess and silicone smeared everywhere.

Hacksaw

Hacksaws are a multipurpose cutting tool used to cut metal, timber and plastic pipes, depending on the blade you have installed. Hacksaw blades are replaceable and come in many different grades to cut different products, so it’s best to keep a few replacement blades on hand as they do deteriorate over time. Blades are easily replaced, but just make sure you have the teeth facing in the forward direction so the blade cuts on the forward stroke.

Footprint Pipe Wrench

These are predominantly used for loosening and tightening plumbing fittings and metal pipes. When a fitting or pipe has no square edges to grab onto, a pair of footprints will allow you to grip the surface needing to be loosened or tightened. Just be mindful that Footprint wrenches have metal teeth that bite into the surface they are attached to, which can damage surfaces so wrapping a rag around the fitting or pipe prior may be a good idea if it is an exposed surface.

Multi Grip Pliers

Easily adjustable in size, Multi Grip Pliers are great for getting a good grip on something small, they come in different sizes and each pair is adjustable in size, so one pair does many jobs. They are especially handy when having difficulty holding plumbing fittings in your hands or using in conjunction with Footprint Wrenches.

These tools are a DIYers dream and a must have as they are useful for so many different DIY projects.

Shifting Spanner

The common shifter is a must have for loosening and tightening nuts and bolts around the home. A shifting spanner will allow you to accommodate various sizes of nuts and bolts within the 1 wrench. By keeping just 2-3 different size shifters in your toolbox you’ll cover most, if not all, nut and bolt jobs around the home and by buying a quality shifter, you’ll save your knuckles.

Heavy Duty Rubber Gloves

Yes, plumbing can be a dirty job, so to keep safe it’s best practise to wear a pair of heavy-duty rubber gloves when unblocking a drain or dealing with a sewer. Sewers can carry harmful bacteria and disease, so when working with it you need to be mindful to keep your hands and skin clean. The easiest way to do this is by wearing PPE, protective gloves and having good hand hygiene - wash your hands with soap and water or use of hand sanitiser if soap and water isn’t available.

Thread Seal Tape

Teflon tape is used on all threaded joints in plumbing and is a must to prevent leaks of all types, including water and gas. There are different products available for use on gas and water pipes and fittings but please leave all gas works to a licensed Plumber and DO NOT attempt this at home.

Keeping a few rolls of general-purpose teflon tape in your toolbox as it will help you on those DIY allowable jobs around the home.

Tape Measure

Last but not at all least is the tape measure, without it it’s pretty much impossible to carry out plumbing jobs around the house.  Plumbers are constantly using tape measures to accurately measure when working with pipes, fittings, and fixtures, to guarantee correct installation. Remember, “measure twice & cut once”, and you’ll avoid costly mistakes.

Need a Plumber in Melbourne?

Always keep in mind that, by law and in the interest of public health safety, there are certain plumbing jobs that should never be carried out by a by a DIYer and only by an expert licensed plumber in Melbourne.

For those Licensed Plumbing jobs call an expert at Essendon Plumbing Services in Melbourne, where here to help 24/7.

Contact Us

Call Essendon Plumbing Services on 1300 193 298 or book online for any plumbing needs.