Sawdust on the Floor

Beyond the tools that are in the basic tool box, there are a couple of special tools that are required for home plumbing repairs.

Pipe Wrenches :
Every home should have at least two good Pipe Wrenches. I would recommend 12″ as a good size. Two wrenches are required to install a lot of plumbing fitting, one to turn the part and the second to hold the pipe. **

Strap wrench: 
Used to tighten or loosen round objects. Normally sold in a set of large and small sizes. Check the condition of the rubber strap before using, if worn or cracked, don’t use. **

Basin Wrench:
This is special use wrench, used to tighten or loosen the nuts and bolts on a faucet. If you are installing a new sink and faucet, try installing the faucet before installing the sink, much easier.

Adjustable wrenches:
I would recommend that you have a good collection of adjustable wrenches, from the smallest to at least a 16″ wrench. ** Or Slip Joint

Hack saw:
Used to cut copper tubing along with PVC or PVA plastic pipes.

Small torpedo Level:
Used to check the alignment of plumbing fixtures. Also used to check the pitch of drain lines.

Files:
Used to remove burrs from copper tubing and PVC /PVA plastic pipes.

Slip Joint Pliers:
Also known as Channel Locks. Used to secure larger nuts and bolts. **

Wire Brush:
Used to clean the threads of all threaded connections.

Pipe cutter:
Hand held tool used to cut copper tubing.

Miscellaneous Tool Box items:

Teflon Tape:
Used on all pipe threads with the exception of pipes used for Gas lines. These require special tape or special Pipe Dope. **

PVA Cleaner:
Used to clean PVA pipes before you glue them together:

PVC Cleaner:
Used to clean PVC Pipes before you glue them together.

PVC or PVA Glue:
There is a glue for each type of fitting, use the correct one only.

Vaseline:
Used to lubricate rubber seals in faucets, and water valves. Never install a rubber seal dry.

Emory Cloth:
Sand paper used to sand and clean copper tubing after cutting it. You can also use wet sandpaper for this.

Leak detector fluid:
Soapy solution used to check for leaks in gas lines, If you see a bubble, TURN OFF the gas and correct the leak or call the local Gas Company. Immediately. Never use a match to check for leaks in a gas line.

** Included in the Essentials of a Basic Tool Box

There are some electrical repairs that almost every home owner can handle.  The important thing to remember is that there is no substitute for safety.  There are only two logical times when you would ever want to work on a live electrical circuit, one is to check the current draw of the circuit, and the other is when you are troubleshooting a circuit for loss of power. Both of these problems will require some knowledge of electrical principals, and special tools.  In all other cases, please turn off the power to the circuit before you make any repairs. 

Basic Tools for electrical repairs:

Diagonal pliers, also known as Dykes:

Used for cutting electrical wiring. Diagonal Pliers have an insulating cover on the handles, make sure that the covers are in tact. Never use Diagonal pliers that do not have covering, in case you inadvertently cut into a live wire.  **

Linesman’s Pliers:  Used to twist electrical wires together, Linesman’s pliers also have insulated handles.  Make sure the handles are in good condition.

Utility Knife:  Used to cut the insulation coating of electrical wiring.  Have a supply of sharp replacement blades on hand.**

Needle Nose Pliers:  Used for working inside electrical boxes.   Select a sturdy pair.  Check the handles for good insulation. **

Electrical Fish Tape:  Used to pull electrical wiring through electrical conduit, or through the walls.  These come in either 25 or 50 foot lengths.

Fish tape lubricating grease:  Used to lubricate the wiring as you pull it thought the conduit or walls. Non corrosive, will not harm the wiring or electrical devices.

Drywall saw also known as a keyhole saw:  Used to cut into drywall when you want to install a new outlet or switch.

Torpedo Level: Small level used to verify that electrical boxes are installed level.

Wire stripers:  Pliers used to strip the insulation off of the individual wires.

Test Equipment:

Non Contacting voltage detector:  Used to determine the presence of voltage in any AC Circuit.

Digital volt Meter also known as DVM:   Used to measure the voltage in any AC Circuit, AC or DC.  DVM also can be used to measure resistance in household wiring (checking for broken wires)  Can also be used to check the fuses currently used in some electrical devices.

          A less expensive meter is an Analog meter, same capabilities as DVM, but uses a meter on a sliding scale to display voltages or resistance.  A little harder to read then the DVM, can be difficult to read in a dark location.

Clamp On Amperage Meter also known as Amp Probe:  Electrical device used to measure to amount of current flowing through a circuit.  The meter is “clamped” around the wires.  Available as an Analog or Digital meter, Digital meter will have an option to store to maximum current detected which is sometimes very helpful.

          NOTE:  Amp Probes are used on live circuits,  Use proper precautions when working on live or energized circuits.

Circuit breaker detector:  Used when working alone to determine which circuit breaker controls the power to the circuit you are working on.

** Also in the Essentials of a Basic Toolbox