Advice on Plumbing and Tools from the Experts

Even for the handiest of men or women there is no denying that choosing the right plumbing tools can, in fact, be an incredibly daunting task. There are so many varying types of plumbing tools at your disposal with even more varying price ranges, each serving a specific and niche purpose. However, starting from scratch doesn't have to be the complicated task that it initially seems to be, and choosing the right tools supplied by plumbers merchants in your area can be as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Making an educated decision on the right tools for the job is an incredibly serious matter, simply because one false move could potentially lead to total disaster, damaging not just your home but yourself as well. Having the right tool and the correct knowledge could be the difference between having a fully functioning sink and a completely flooded kitchen. Below are some of the more basic factors to consider when on the initial look-out for plumbing tools from merchants in your area.

Functionality should be at the top of your list of priorities. It may come across as slightly patronising or like complete common sense, however, make sure you know exactly what you are buying. This is because some tools may be useful for the unblocking of drains, but won't be much use when trying to fix a leaky drain pipe. There is a substantial difference between unblocking a drain and fixing a pipe, so make sure you are double checking that what you are buying is the right tool for the job. It won't be beneficial for you to make a hefty investment in a variety of plumbing equipment that you can't even use.

Plumbing tools come in a wide range of different types. In fact, there are so many varied types of tools with even more varying shapes that it's no wonder people with less experience end up feeling as daunted as they do. For example, you can purchase a plumbing tool called an "auger". The name of this tool may sound familiar to those who use augers on wood or other material to drill holes. However, in this instance, they are used specifically to unblock toilets, drains and sinks. But a toilet auger and a drain auger are two completely different tools altogether and can only function with the former or latter appliance. Complicated, right? It is vital that you ensure you are purchasing the right tool for the job.

With quality comes a cost, but buying the highest quality tools now will more than likely end up saving you money in the future, preventing you from purchasing the same cheap tools over and over again. Heck, even if the quality and cost of your tool aren't of the highest standards if they are looked after properly then they certainly can last you some time. But where plumbing is concerned, it is highly recommended to purchase only quality tools to ensure the success of the plumbing job that needs doing. You definitely do not want to add more damage to a broken toilet because of lower quality tools.

Some of the more complex tools require more substantial experience to ensure their correct usage and to avoid danger. If you feel that you can't use a tool confidently, simply seek advice from plumbers merchants in your area. However, in this scenario, if they deem the job too dangerous or potentially detrimental to an amateur, it may be time to admit defeat and contact the professionals. Trust me, you won't regret it this time. Damaging your plumbing and fittings may be costly and inconvenient, but damaging yourself is another cost altogether.

There is no doubt by now that if you are reading this then you have an irrational fear of calling the professionals to fix your plumbing and other odd jobs around the house. So I imagine that you are still on the look-out for the best expert advice. Some such advice is acknowledging the importance of plumbing maintenance. Dripping taps, blocked drains and hot water issues are a lot of jobs that you may need to fix around the house and could have been prevented with some basic preventative maintenance.

A dripping tap will only get worse over time, so at the first sign of a leak replace the washer immediately. People tightening the tap to stop the drip will only make the leak worse. Over-tightening the tap will cause a break in tap itself and lead to an even more expensive repair job. Where drains are concerned, regularly remove the collections of hair and dirt to prevent the blocking and clogging of drains and pipes. It is also beneficial to pour boiling water down your drains occasionally to loosen up the build-up of scum and dirt.

Using your local plumbing merchants for big home renovations could easily save you some money. Buying your materials and parts from a trusted plumbing merchants in your local area has the potential to save you a considerable amount by doing this separately from your plumber. That's not to say you shouldn't trust your plumber to do this for you. However, you may incur some extra charges for the service.

Speaking of extra charges, you can prevent some of those unexpected price increases by carrying out some preventative measures before your plumber arrives. The less the plumber has to do, such as moving items out of the way and into storage or clearing areas to work in, the less extra charges you will spend on time and labour. However, if he finishes a job early you will still have to pay their full half hour or hourly rate, so make sure there is a backup task so you really get your money's worth.

By now we hope that you have taken on board this expert advice delivered by the professionals before starting any of your own DIY plumbing jobs at home. It is essential for the safety of you and your family and for the longevity of your plumbing and systems that you thoroughly research the job you intend to carry out and make sure all the right tools are being used, and that all the necessary precautions have been carried out. You can save a lot of time and money by using just a few of these tips and tricks in the future.