After more than 115 years in the plumbing business, our team has seen it all—from minor leaky faucets to catastrophic burst pipes in the dead of winter. Fall is the perfect time for homeowners in Bethesda and Springfield to prepare their plumbing for the colder months ahead. While professional plumbers like us at G.A. Eberly are always ready to handle the major jobs, having a few key plumbing tools on hand can save you time, stress, and sometimes even a service call.
Put 115+ years of plumbing experience to work for you—schedule your seasonal inspection today.
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Why Every Homeowner Needs Basic Plumbing Tools
A slow drain or a dripping faucet might seem like a minor annoyance, but ignoring these simple plumbing issues can lead to much bigger problems. A small leak can cause water damage, mold growth, and a surprisingly high water bill. A clogged drain can escalate into a full-blown sewer backup.
At G.A. Eberly, we believe in empowering homeowners with knowledge, not just service. It’s part of our commitment that spans over a century of serving our communities. By assembling a basic home plumbing toolkit, you can handle minor fixes confidently and know when a problem requires a professional touch. Think of it as practical, affordable, and guaranteed peace of mind.
The Essential Plumbing Tools List for Fall
Here are the top 10 tools our Master Technicians recommend every homeowner keep in their toolbox.
1. Adjustable Wrench — The All-Around Essential
An adjustable wrench, often called a Crescent wrench, is one of the most versatile tools you can own. Its movable jaw allows it to fit various sizes of nuts and bolts, making it indispensable for plumbing work. You can use it to tighten a loose packing nut on a faucet or loosen the fittings on a supply line.
Pro Tip: Choose a wrench with padded handles for a better, more comfortable grip, especially when working in damp or tight spaces.
2. Basin Wrench — Perfect for Tight Spaces
Have you ever tried to fix a leak under a kitchen sink? It’s a tight spot where standard wrenches won’t fit. This is where the basin wrench shines. Its long shaft and swiveling jaw are specifically designed to reach up behind the sink to tighten or loosen the nuts that hold the faucet in place. As one of our Master Technicians often says, “A basin wrench can save hours of frustration under a sink.”
3. Plumber’s Tape (Thread Sealing Tape) — A Leak Stopper
Plumber’s tape, also known as thread sealing tape or Teflon tape, is a simple yet incredibly effective tool for preventing leaks. This thin white tape is wrapped around the threads of pipes and fittings before they are screwed together. It fills the tiny gaps between the threads, creating a watertight seal that prevents water from seeping out. It’s a must-have for any plumbing job involving threaded connections, like installing a new showerhead or replacing a water supply line.
4. Drain Snake or Hand Auger — Your First Line of Defense Against Clogs
When a sink or shower drain gets clogged with hair and soap scum, a drain snake is your best friend. This flexible tool, also called a hand auger, can be fed down the drain to break up or pull out blockages. It’s a much safer first step than using harsh chemical drain cleaners, which can damage your pipes. However, it’s important to use it gently. If you meet significant resistance, don’t force it—this could damage older, fragile pipes. Knowing when to stop is just as important as knowing how to start.
5. Pipe Wrenches — The Classic Plumber’s Power Tool
For jobs that require serious gripping power, nothing beats a pair of pipe wrenches. These heavy-duty tools are designed to grip round objects like pipes. You’ll typically need two—one to hold the pipe steady and another to turn a fitting. Their toothed jaws bite into the pipe, providing the leverage needed to loosen stubborn, rusted-on connections. Professionals have relied on this classic tool for generations because it simply gets the job done.
6. Deburring Tool — For Smooth, Safe Pipe Edges
When you cut a pipe, especially copper or PVC, the edge is often left with small, rough fragments called burrs. A deburring tool smooths out these edges. Why is this important? A smooth edge ensures a proper, leak-free seal when connecting pipes. It also prevents the burrs from catching debris, which could lead to future clogs. This simple step is crucial for professional-quality installations and repairs.
7. Plumber’s Torch — For Soldering Like a Pro
For homeowners comfortable with more advanced DIY projects, a plumber’s torch is used for soldering copper pipes. Soldering involves using the torch to heat a copper fitting and then applying solder, which melts and flows into the joint to create a permanent, watertight seal.
Important Safety Note: A plumber’s torch produces an open flame and extreme heat. Always work in a well-ventilated area, have a fire extinguisher nearby, and protect surrounding surfaces with a heat shield. If you are not confident in your ability to use a torch safely, this job is best left to professionals.
8. Faucet Key — A Simple Tool That Saves Time Outdoors
A faucet key, or sillcock key, is a four-way tool used to open and close outdoor spigots that don’t have a handle. This is especially important in the fall. Before the first freeze hits Bethesda or Springfield, you must shut off the water supply to your outdoor faucets and drain them to prevent the pipes from freezing and bursting. A faucet key ensures you can operate these spigots easily.
9. Pipe Bender — For Custom Fittings and Clean Installs
While more common in a professional’s toolbox, a pipe bender is invaluable for advanced DIYers. This tool allows you to create precise, smooth curves in copper or other metal piping without kinking or damaging it. Bending a pipe instead of using multiple fittings can result in better water flow and fewer potential leak points. It’s perfect for creating clean, custom new piping installations.
10. Inspection Camera — See What’s Going On Below the Surface
Sometimes, the source of a plumbing problem is hidden deep within your pipes. An inspection camera, which consists of a small camera on the end of a flexible cable, allows plumbers to see inside sewer lines and other pipes. It can pinpoint the exact location of a clog, leak, tree root intrusion, or corrosion without any guesswork. While this is a professional-grade tool, knowing it exists helps you understand what to ask for when facing a persistent plumbing issue. For complex pipe inspections, calling G.A. Eberly ensures you get a clear diagnosis.
Bonus Tools Worth Adding
- Cup Plunger: The classic tool for clearing minor clogs in sinks, tubs, and toilets.
- Tubing Cutter & Spare Blades: Provides clean, precise cuts on copper and plastic pipes.
- Pliers: A set of groove-joint and needle-nose pliers is always useful for gripping, twisting, and holding small parts.
What Is the 135 Rule for Plumbing?
Have you ever heard of the “135 Rule” in plumbing? It refers to a best practice for installing drain pipes. Instead of using sharp 90-degree turns, plumbers often use two 45-degree fittings to create a gentler, 135-degree offset. This sweeping turn helps water and waste flow more smoothly, reducing friction and minimizing the chance of clogs. Understanding basic plumbing design principles like this helps homeowners spot potential issues in their own pipe work. It’s this kind of foundational knowledge, built over a century, that G.A. Eberly brings to every plumbing job, ensuring efficiency and longevity.
The Hardest Thing About Plumbing (And Why Experience Matters)
Having the right tools is a great start, but the hardest part of plumbing isn’t using the tools—it’s knowing when and how to use them safely and effectively. It’s about diagnosing a problem correctly and understanding the long-term consequences of a repair. That’s where experience becomes invaluable. At G.A. Eberly, every job is overseen by a Master Technician. This ensures that every repair and installation isn’t just done fast; it’s done right.
Don’t risk turning a small issue into a bigger problem—call your local experts since 1909.
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When to Call the Professionals At G.A. Eberly Plumbing & Heating
Your DIY toolkit is for minor fixes. For more serious issues, it’s time to call in a professional plumber. Here are some signs that a problem is beyond a simple DIY fix:
- Persistent clogs that keep returning.
- Water discoloration or a strange smell from your faucets.
- A sudden drop in water pressure throughout your home.
- Signs of hidden leaks, like damp spots on walls or ceilings.
- Gurgling sounds from drains or toilets.
- Any issue involving your main sewer line.
Our fully stocked trucks and Master Technicians are ready to provide same-day heating and plumbing solutions, ensuring your problem is resolved correctly the first time.
Schedule your service today—get plumbing and heating done right the first time.
7 Essential Plumbing Tools for Homeowners
Here’s a list of the top plumbing tools every homeowner should have on hand to tackle minor plumbing problems before calling a professional:
- Pipe Wrench (RIDGID 31100 Model 818)
This sturdy and reliable wrench is perfect for gripping and turning pipes or fittings. It’s a must-have for adjusting plumbing components.
Buy it here. - Plunger (Simplehuman Toilet Plunger)
A high-quality plunger is indispensable for clearing clogged drains quickly and efficiently. The Simplehuman model is durable and sleek.
Buy it here. - Adjustable Wrench (Milwaukee 48-22-7508)
Ideal for tightening or loosening plumbing nuts and bolts, this adjustable wrench is versatile and durable.
Buy it here. - Plumber’s Tape (Harvey PTFE Thread Seal Tape)
Also known as Teflon tape, this is essential for sealing threaded pipe connections to prevent leaks.
Buy it here. - Handheld Auger (Dr. Rooter Drain Snake Auger)
Great for clearing minor clogs in sinks, tubs, and toilets, this tool is a lifesaver for blocked drains.
Buy it here. - Basin Wrench (TEKTON 10-Inch Adjustable Basin Wrench)
Specifically designed for hard-to-reach nuts behind sinks, this tool makes faucet repairs much easier.
Buy it here. - Plumbing Snake (RIDGID PowerSpin+)
For tougher clogs in household drains, this manual plumbing snake is an effective tool for homeowners.
Buy it here.
With these tools in your arsenal, you’ll be prepared for most minor plumbing issues at home. For complex plumbing problems or emergencies, don’t hesitate to call the experts at G.A. Eberly for assistance!
Tools Help—But Experience Solves
Building a plumbing toolkit is a smart move for any homeowner. It empowers you to handle small repairs and gives you a better understanding of your home’s systems. But for the complex challenges and for the peace of mind that comes with a job done right, nothing replaces professional expertise.
With over 115 years of family-owned excellence, G.A. Eberly has earned the trust of communities across the DMV. Before the cold weather hits, let us ensure your plumbing and heating systems are ready for winter.
Trust the DMV’s plumbing experts for generations. Stay warm this winter—schedule your heating service today.