Most people love the idea of owning their own home. Many people look forward to doing those odd jobs around the house and pride themselves on having the right tools to do the job, especially doing their own basic repairs like fixing leaks and unclogging pipes and drains.

Being prepared for those leaky faucets and challenging clogs with the right plumbing supplies can save the homeowner from costly water damage repairs down the line.

Plumbing Supplies Should Be In Every Home

Every homeowner or handyman should have water-pipe repair tools in the home. Although many plumbing problems that can occur with home-ownership should be attended to by a professional plumbing service, simple repairs can be done by the homeowner themselves. One of the biggest causes of frustration when trying to fix a simple water leak or clog is the lack of proper tools.

Basic Plumbing Tools Every Homeowner Should Have

Besides the standard toolkit tools of hammer, nails, screwdrivers and wrenches, here are a few basic tools for doing those household pipe repairs:

1. Plunger-This handy clog remover should be in every home. Toilets can become clogged at any time.

2. Toilet Auger-This is a long, steel cable designed to go down into toilet pipes and manually remove clogs.

3. Hand Auger-This device uses a hand crank and a long cable to remove clogs from shower drains, sinks and drain lines. The hand auger can be used on toilet clogs if the plunger doesn't work.

4. Hacksaw-The hacksaw is used to cut into metal like pipe tubing, screws, bolts and even PVC materials.

5. Metal File-The metal file smooths the sharp, jagged surface of exposed ends of cut pipe.

6. Channel Lock Pliers-These are the most versatile of tools for tightening, loosening, gripping, pulling and twisting almost anything. They are also known as tongue and groove pliers.

7. Tubing Cutter-This tool is used to create a clean, easy cut into metal tubing.

8. Adjustable Wrench-Adjustable wrenches are used for fittings that are shaped like hexagons.

9. 2 Pipe Wrenches- Pipe wrenches are used together, one for holding and the other for turning threaded pipes.

10. Basin Wrenches-These are specially shaped to fit around the odd pipe shapes under sinks.

More experienced handymen also use propane to weld piping and make more advanced home repairs. There are many different types of plumbing tools available in the hardware industry today. Both professional and homeowner-level repairs start with a toolkit of the basics. Being prepared for an unexpected water-pipe leak or clog with the right tools for the job is well worth it.