Archive for the ‘Plumbing Tips’ Category
Keep An Eye On Your Aluminum Pipe Wrench While On The Job
Being an avid tool enthusiast, I like to browse the tool forums about new products, opinions, and perspectives about power tools and hand tools. One thing I’ve noticed people talking more and more about, is tool theft on the job site. There are many reasons this is happening, and some tools are being singled out for one reason or another.
The aluminum pipe wrench is one of these tools that are discussed. The reason the aluminum pipe wrench is being stolen from the job site more and more, is that it’s lightweight and easily slid down a pant leg. Another reason for the aluminum pipe wrench being targeted for theft is that they can get pretty costly depending on their size, and to a contractor this can be a big deal when multiple pipe wrenches have to be purchased to run the business. The aluminum pipe wrench is one of the top lost items in the plumbing industry, so just be mindful of where you leave your hand tools laying around.
It’s often that I see plumbers and do-it-yourself handy men alike at work on the pipes with their hand tools. There is something that I noticed professional plumbers doing with pipe wrenches often that the do-it-yourselfers could benefit from as well.
This simple trick is carrying keeping around pipe wrench sets around the house. Since the pipes around the house can range significantly in size, such as heating pipes compared to tap water pipes, carrying around a pipe wrench set will always be of great benefit. Not only do you have all the pipe wrenches you need when you need them, you don’t have to bother going to the store four times to adjust four separate pipes. Pipe wrench sets can be picked up at any hardware store or online tool store for added convenience, which will also save gas money in your pursuit of quality hand tools.
The pipe wrench was originally created by Solymon Merrik in 1835 which was an enlarged adjustable wrench with a long handle. The patent for one of the most successful hand tools however, was not granted until 1869 to a man named Daniel C Stillson. This is why the pipe wrench is also referred to as the “Stillson wrench”. Stillson went from door to door trying to turn his patent into a success, but to no avail, many doors were slammed in his face.
It wasn’t until Stillson brought the pipe wrench to the attention of Walworth, a company that that had manufactured heating pipes, that the idea picked up momentum. He pointed out that they could use the pipe wrenches to tighten their large bolts on the pipes. It was the particular design of the pipe wrench that allowed for the rocking back and forth motion to assemble the pipe fittings. The pipe wrench functioned by digging the teeth into the soft metal of the pipe which tightened when pressure was applied. The owner of the Walworth’s liked the idea, and after Stillson made a functional prototype, it was a huge success. It’s estimated that Stillson earned over eighty thousand dollars in royalties from his pipe wrench patent before he died.
Today, the pipe wrench is widely used in construction, especially in plumbing. This is why the pipe wrench is also referred to as a plumber wrench. Pipe wrenches are usually available is sizes ranging from 10 inch all the way up to 48 inch face openings. There are two types of materials that are used to manufacture pipe wrenches: steel and aluminum. The particular advantage to using aluminum hand tools, is primarily because they are significantly lighter than steel hand tools. This rule applies even more so for pipe wrenches because they can get quite large in size. Pipe wrenches can be purchased at any large tool franchise, but more conveniently and competitively priced at most online tool stores.
Installing A Faucet With Channellock Pliers
Installing a faucet in your kitchen or bathroom is not a difficult as you may think. All you really need to get the job done is some plumber’s putty, and a pair of Channellock Pliers (preferably slip-joint). Once you grab what you need, we’ll walk you through these simple steps:
- First, check for any markings on the faucet, such as “front” or “back” to make sure you’re putting it on in the correct direction.
- On the top of the sink, apply some plumber’s putty around the holes where the faucet will be installed
- From the top of the sink, place the faucet, so that all of the components go through the appropriate holes.
- Now, from the bottom of the sink, place on the nuts, and tighten them with the Channellock pliers. Make sure that the faucet remains centered in the holes as you tighten.
- Finally, just hook up the water lines, and you’re good to go!
Replacing Drain Traps With Slip Joint Pliers
Here’s a quick step by step tutorial to replace the drain traps in your home kitchen or bathroom sink.
- First, you’re going to want to remove the existing drain assembly. Do not try to re-use any parts. Replace all old parts with new ones to ensure a tight seal when fished with the project.
- Next, insert a tailpiece washer into the wide, or flared end of the tailpiece, then attach it to the sink strainer by screwing on the slip-nut. Remember that the tailpiece can be modified to fit by trimming it with a hack-saw if need be.
- For sinks with two basins, use a continuous waste T-fitting then attach with slip nuts and washers. Be sure that the sloped sides of the washers are facing the pipe treads. Lubricating the washer should help ease it into place.
- Using a slip nut and washer, connect the trap-arm to the drain stub out, also making sure that the sloped side of the washer faces the threaded part of the pipe. The trap arm may also be cut to fit.
- Finally, using slip washers and nuts, connect the trap bend to the trap-arm. This time, the sloped side of the washer should face the trap bend. Gently use a pair of slip joint pliers to tighten all the nuts, and you’re finished!
You can find a pair of slip joint pliers in any hand tools section of any tool store, just make sure you pick up a quality brand like Channellock or Irwin tools. You don’t want the handles falling off during the project. And remember, never use teflon tape on PVC , or plastic pipes or fittings.
When it comes to elbow grease, plumbing is a trade that needs a five gallon bucket. Not being the most experienced plumber in the world, I don’t know nearly every trick in the book. What I do know however, is that using any other pliers besides a pipe wrench to get a stubborn pipe off is some real combat. Because most other wrenches don’t have offset locking teeth, and a long handle, it will be nearly impossible to get any leverage on the wrench, let alone have the gripping power to hold on to the pipe so it will loosen or tighten.
There are some instances when using a pipe wrench is still a back-breaking effort to get off a really stuck-on pipe. Here’s a simple tip that might help you out if you find yourself in this situation. Grab a hollow pipe about 2-4 feet long and about 2-3″ wide and slip it over the handle of the pipe wrench while it is attached to the pipe you’re working on. This is to add leverage to the pipe, so that you will have exponentially more torque. Just make sure the pipe you are using for leverage is still short enough to swing around in the room you are working in.