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40 Best Professional Plumbing Tools for All Jobs (With Prices)

Profile picture of Hillary Walters, freelancer writer for Jobber Academy
Hillary Walters
Oct 21, 2024 10 min read
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  1. Jobber Blueprint /
  2. Articles /
  3. Plumbing /
  4. Best Plumbing Tools

Choosing the best plumbing tools can be overwhelming—whether you’re an apprentice building your first toolbag, a journeyman upgrading your van, or a master technician starting your own plumbing business.

Hoping to save some time? We’ve done the legwork for you. In the list below, you’ll find every essential and advanced plumbing tool, including how to use them and how much they cost.

For extra help, download a free plumbing tool checklist to keep track of what you’ve purchased and what you still need.

Find the plumbing tools you need (by category):

  1. Pipework tools
  2. Plumbing wrenches
  3. Tools for clogged drains
  4. Plumbing power tools and specialty tools
  5. Basic plumbing hand tools
  6. Basic supplies to stock in your plumbing van
  7. Safety tools and supplies 
  8. Digital tools to better run your plumbing business

Here’s how to build your plumbing tool kit with everything from basic supplies, to safety equipment, to more advanced gear. As far as pricing goes, here’s what you might expect to pay for all types of plumbing tools:

Plumbing tools by categoryAverage price range (Plan to spend…)
Pipework tools$140–$1,200
Plumbing wrenches$60–$200
Tools for clogged drains$145–$465
Power and speciality tools$3,625–$6,965
Basic hand tools$45–$120
Basic supplies and consumables$39–$225
Safety tools and supplies$50–$130

Pipework tools

Plumbers on the job need to install, repair, and replace different types of piping to fix leaks or clogs. To make sure you’re well-equipped for the task, budget anywhere from $158–$1,200 for these pipework tools:

1. Plastic ($12–$50), copper ($15–$60), and steel pipe cutters ($25–$75)

Used by plumbers for quick, clean, and professional slices or cuts, a pipe cutter is a convenient alternative to a hacksaw.

Buying options:

2. Hacksaw and junior hacksaw ($5–$35)

Hacksaws are manual tools used to cut through plumbing pipes, nuts, bolts, and various other metals. Junior hacksaws are smaller versions that are useful for cutting pipes in small spaces.

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3. Hole saw kit ($40–$200)

Hole saw kits are cylindrical-shaped blades that attach to your power tool to cut perfectly round holes. Use them to cut holes of larger diameters where you can run pipework and wiring or install drainage pipes.

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4. Thread sealing tape ($1–$12 per roll)

Also known as plumbers tape, thread sealing tape is a sealant for threaded pipe joints that don’t have a built-in rubber seal. It also acts as a lubricant for easier disassembly.

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5. Press fitting systems ($25–$3,000)

Used to secure a connection onto a pipe by pressing a seal, press fitting systems are a quick way for plumbers to seal a connection without welding or soldering. The wide price range reflects the difference in individual press pieces versus an entire press fitting system, which is much more expensive.

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Learn how to stand out from the pack with your branding, work vehicles, and tools for the job

Check out a full custom van tour from Terence Chan of Impetus Plumbing. 

Plumbing wrenches

Keep a diverse set of wrenches so you’re prepared to tighten, loosen, and screw all kinds of pipe fittings. Expect to spend $60–$195 on these wrenches:

6. Pipe wrench ($20–$60)

You’ll use a pipe wrench on almost every job to loosen or tighten pipes and fittings. This type of wrench has a toothed jaw that grips the pipe or fitting, making it easier for plumbers to move. Common sizes you may need include 8”, 10”, 12”, 14”, and 18”.

Buying options:

7. Basin wrench ($15–$50)

Also called a sink wrench, a basin wrench is used to turn fasteners in tight spaces that are hard to access with a traditional wrench. You’ll usually use them underneath sinks to disconnect faucets.

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8. Faucet seat wrench ($5–$30)

This L-shaped wrench is used to replace valve seats on sink and tub faucets.

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9. Adjustable wrench ($15–$45)

With its movable jaw, an adjustable wrench lets you torque nuts and bolts of various sizes.

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10. Faucet key ($5–$10)

Also known as sillcock keys, faucet keys are used to open and close outdoor water spigots on commercial and industrial buildings.

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Tools for clogged drains

Clogged drains in sinks, toilets, and showers are among the most common plumbing issues for homeowners.

To quickly and effectively clear clogs for your clients, look for these tools—and budget $145–$465 (depending on the complexity of your plumbing jobs):

11. Plungers ($5–$20)

Have a few different plungers handy, depending on the type of drain you’re clearing. The three different kinds of plungers are a cup plunger, flange plunger, and accordion plunger.

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12. Plumber’s snake ($10–$25)

When a plunger can’t clear the blockage, drain snakes are used to break through the clog. Motorized drain snakes are particularly helpful for more stubborn clogs because they have more power to push through the blockage.

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13. Motorized drain auger ($70–$300)

Drain augers work similar to drain snakes, but with wider and longer hoses that can clear clogs in bigger pipes like a toilet or shower. 

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14. Drain inspection camera ($200-$2,000)

Also called borescopes, drain inspection cameras are used to view the inside of a pipe or drain and identify what and where the blockage is. The more elaborate the camera (and the types of drains it can see), the more you can expect to invest.

Buying options:

Plumbing power tools and specialty tools

If you’ve achieved your plumbing certification, you may find yourself needing specialty and power tools to tackle bigger and more complicated plumbing projects.

Expect to invest and spend a bit more in this category. To start, you might spend between $3,625 and $7,000+ for these specialty tools:

15. Soldering torch ($25–$65)

Also known as plumber’s torches, soldering torches are used to heat frozen pipes or rusted nuts and to solder copper pipes.

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16. PEX plumbing tool kit ($500–$700)

Keep a full range of tools that are designed specifically for PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) piping systems, including a crimping tool, a tubing cutter and a de-crimping tool.

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17. Cordless power drill and drill bits ($100–$200)

Cordless power drills come in handy for all kinds of plumbing work, and plumbers use drill attachments like hole saws and drain snakes.

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18. Hydro jetting machine ($3,000–$6,000)

Use hydro jetting machines to clear grease, sludge, and soap clogged in sewer lines. These machines use high-pressure water to unblock debris.

Buying options:

Basic plumbing hand tools

Hand tools are simple items for making each job easier. If you’re just starting your plumbing business or an apprenticeship, purchase a few of these basics (and budget $45–120 if you’re buying all of them new):

19. Flashlight and headlight ($15–$35)

You’ll need a source of light when working under counters or behind walls. Opt for a headlight when you’re working in the dark for longer periods of time.

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20. Screwdriver set ($10–$30)

Useful for installing or changing plumbing fixtures, make sure to keep a complete screwdriver set in your tool bag.

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21. Stubby screwdriver ($5–$10)

These small screwdrivers are lifesavers when you’re working in hard-to-reach places. The short handle allows you to easily loosen or tighten screws in cramped spaces.

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22. Pliers or plier set ($15–$45)

When nuts or bolts are too small for a wrench to loosen, plumbers use pliers to tighten and loosen them.

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Basic supplies to stock in your plumbing van

Depending on the job requirements, you might use up consumable plumbing supplies (like wire and tape) after a project. To be prepared for every plumbing job or emergency, stock your van with extra basics and consumables ($40–$225 in total):

23. Soldering wire: $5–$25

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24. Soldering paste: $5–$20

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25. Washers and O-rings: $2–$20

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26. Batteries (AA, AAA, 9V): $5–$20

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27. Screws: $3–$30

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28. Butterfly anchors: $5–$25

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29. Duct tape: $3–$15

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30. Sandpaper: $3–$20

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31. Bucket: $2–$25

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32. Silicon grease: $4–$20

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33. Replacement hacksaw blades: $2–$15

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Safety tools and supplies 

Maintaining a safe work environment for you and your client relies on investing in the right plumbing safety tools and supplies for the job. Pick up these safety supplies and make sure you’re using them properly.

34. Gloves ($7–$25)

Pick a heavy-duty work glove to protect your hands from hot elements or sharp surfaces. Plumbing gloves also help you easily grip wet and slippery items on the job.

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35. Knee pads ($20–$40)

Pipework and other plumbing tasks can keep you on your knees for long periods. Knee pads help soften the pressure and save you from serious joint issues down the road.

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36. Heat shields ($15–$35)

When soldering in small or confined spaces, heat shields protect you and your client’s property from potential heat or fire damage.

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37. Goggles ($10–$25)

Whether you’re soldering a pipe or snaking a drain, safety goggles are a must-have to protect your eyes from flying debris and chemicals.

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Digital tools to run a more efficient plumbing business

For your business to be a success, you’ll need more than just plumbing hardware. Invest in these digital tools to make the everyday work of running your business smoother.

38. Plumbing business management software

Plumbing business management software helps you organize and manage your plumbing jobs and customers from the office and the job site. 

Jobber provides on-the-go job scheduling and dispatching, plus automated customer communication and time-saving invoicing tools.

Here’s what else you can do with Jobber as your plumbing service software:

Jobber made everything seamless, and it integrated everything into one system. We could organize all of our quotes, billing, and hourly work so that we could schedule our guys together. Before, it was really frustrating not being able to do that.

Terence Chan Impetus Plumbing

39. Plumbing calculator apps

Speed up your on-the-job calculations with a few handy plumbing apps on your phone or tablet.

Many of these apps are free to download but have in-app purchases for ad-free experiences or extended use. 

40. Accounting software

Plumbing business owners need accounting software to balance their books, track inventory, pay salaries, and make sure their business is turning a profit.

QuickBooks Online is the best accounting software for plumbing businesses of all sizes that need to manage their accounting and bookkeeping better.

Use QuickBooks Online to track income and expenses, financial reports, payroll, accounts receivable, and accounts payable.

Pro Tip: Use Jobber’s Quickbooks integration to keep your data up to date and eliminate double entry.

Remember—even though this list covers everything you need for maintenance work, emergency calls, and everything in between, the best move is to stock up on the essentials. With the basics, you can easily tackle your first few jobs. As your business grows, make bigger purchases to serve more customers and earn higher profits.

Originally published on September 7th, 2023. Last updated on October 21st, 2024.

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