The perks of having tap water at any time in our homes and, at the same time, wastewater drainage are possible thanks to the plumbing system. It is a network of pipes that goes from the local water supplier to the final consumers and brings water of a certain quality and pressure.
The plumbing system will be functional and have optimal performance when it’s properly installed, well-maintained, and promptly repaired. And no matter it’s a regular inspection, system maintenance, or emergency fix, plumbers from https://www.evermoreplumbing.com.au/ get your back. But to provide you with top-notch service, one of the things these experts need is a suitable tool that must not only be fully operative but also adapted to the requirements of the market and modern plumbing industry.
Modern Plumbing Equipment You Need to Know About
By providing excellent service, plumbers not only remain competitive in the market but also gain the customers’ trust. They will turn to them every time they have a plumbing problem. However, no one can keep loyal customers without doing anything to improve their business and service quality.
Technology advances unstoppably, resulting in various innovations and trends that industries must implement. In the case of plumbers, they must constantly invest in their knowledge and work equipment.
The range of plumbing tools is wide, from various wrenches to high-tech gadgets that utilize the most modern technologies. If you’re interested in what tools plumbers use to solve problems with your plumbing system, read on.
All Kinds of Wrenches
Wrenches are an indispensable part of every plumber’s toolbox, whether professionals or DIYers. They are used for unscrewing and screwing, that is, attaching and reattaching nuts that connect different materials. In the case of plumbers, different types of wrenches serve for setting and assembling valves, fittings, hoses, fixtures, etc.
First among equals is the adjustable wrench, mostly used for working with pipes and their nuts and fittings. Then, a pipe wrench or two also have their place in the plumber’s toolbox. These are handy tools for mounting larger pipes – one to keep them in place and another for tightening and loosening.
A basin wrench helps with faucet issues, and due to its shape and claw mechanism, it can easily reach inaccessible screws in narrow pipes. And for plumbing fixtures and some finer details, plumbers usually need a faucet key.
Pliers
Another essential tool for plumbers is a plier. They are used for handling smaller objects because their grip is smaller than that of wrenches, so they’re handy for smaller screws, fittings, and nuts. They come in different sizes and shapes, and plumbing contractors usually have several of these for all kinds of tasks, from joint tightening to bending wires.
Pointy pliers are great for smaller areas and hard-to-reach spaces, and given the small claw, they are suitable for handling smaller objects. And for larger items, there are tongue-and-groove pliers that are adjustable when opened and locked when closed. Plumbers usually have a few of these in different sizes.
Tools for Pipes
When doing more complex plumbing projects like installing or upgrading part of the system, plumbers work with pipes. They can shorten, adjust, bend, and connect all kinds of tubes, all to form a functional network for proper water supply and drainage. And once it’s properly installed, the fixtures and appliances come.
Since pipes are made of different materials (as explained in this source), plumbers need various tube cutters. The working mechanism is simple – plumbers clamp the pipe and cut it by rotating the cutter slightly. In the case of firmer materials and plumbing hardware, plumbers will use a hacksaw, which is a precise tool these days. And in the case of pipe bending, they will use benders to flex tubes.
The cut pipes should be connected or sealed, and plumbers use a torch and a soldering torch for copper pipes. This tool heats and gently melts the material, which enables easier joining. For quick connection of pipes and stopping leaks, there are press fitting systems. Connecting fittings is also possible using specialized tape, which is a good first aid to stop leaks until the plumber detects and removes the problem cause.
Cleaning and Unclogging Tools
Blockages are the problem that plumbers solve most often. And when these are minor, a simple tool like a plunger can solve them fast. If these issues don’t require cutting or removing pipes, but plumbers still have trouble with unclogging, they can use a plumbing snake.
And while manual snakes and augers are still widely used, most plumbing contractors get motorized snake machines and turn unclogging into a routine job. These tools get into tubes and rotate quickly, making it easier to remove more stubborn barriers.
The easiest way to diagnose clogs, besides noticing obvious signs like stain water and an odd smell, is to use a camera. Plumbers utilize handy, small cameras attached to a flexible cable that can pass through drains and pipes without problems. That way, they can have a better insight into what is obstructing your plumbing system.
Safety Gear
Contractors working with plumbing systems know which dangers they face, so they always wear protective gear. There are viable risks of water, gas, electricity, and fire, so plumbers must be particularly careful and protect themselves in the best possible way.
Besides proper safety outfits and footwear, plumbers need protective goggles to prevent eye damage and gloves, as they’ll touch all kinds of stuff inside drains and tubes. They also need a heatshield, which provides excellent protection, especially during soldering and heat exposure.
The Future of Plumbing
Plumbing future will be about environment-friendly solutions for all sorts of problems. For example, tankless boilers can lower water consumption, as well as appliances of high energy rating. Also, dual-plumbing systems can rationalize water consumption, which makes them especially suitable for homes in drought-prone areas.
The demand for plumbing services won’t decrease in the future. Moreover, there’s a big chance it’ll grow because there will be a need for water supply and drainage to go green. Modern construction implies eco-friendliness, meaning that plumbing systems should also meet those standards.
