Hey everyone, thanks for swinging by! If you’ve ever stared at a plumbing job site, you probably know the basics—wrenches, pipe cutters, plungers, that stuff. But let’s be real: most plumbers (and DIY folks who’ve been burnt by skipping the right tool) will tell you the “secret sauce” to a smooth, error-free install or repair is the other implements no one talks about. I run a supply spot that focuses exactly on these underrated plumbing tools, so I’ve spent years hearing plumbers rave about the ones that save them hours, or avoid messy callbacks. Today, I’m breaking down the ones you actually need, no fluff, no jargon. Other Implements
First, let’s get clear: “other implements” here aren’t the big hitters everyone already knows. These are the small, specialized ones that fill gaps between standard tools. Let’s start with something I’d bet half of you haven’t used—pipe reamers (specifically, the handheld, spiral kind, not the big drill attachment ones). Here’s the deal: when you cut a PVC or copper pipe, the inside edge is all burrs and rough spots. If you skip that, when you thread on a fitting, those burrs can catch on the O-ring, leak later, or even get dislodged and clog the whole line. A lot of new plumbers skip this step, but seasoned ones swear by it. The handheld ones are tiny, fit in a tool belt, and take 10 seconds per pipe. I had a guy call me last month—he was doing a repipe for a small apartment building—and he said before he used our pipe reamers, he was fixing 3 leaks a week from bad cuts. Now? Zero. That’s the kind of win these tools deliver.
Next up, fitting wrenches (sometimes called “socket wrenches” but not your standard 1/2-inch drive kind). These are different—they have a fixed, square or rectangular socket that’s made to fit tight onto compression fittings, union nuts, or those small metal fittings on water heater connections. Normal adjustable wrenches slip, especially on those soft brass fittings, and you end up scratching the hell out of the surface, which makes the fitting more prone to corrosion later. Our fitting wrenches have a non-marring coating on the jaws, so you get a tight grip without ruining the part. I’ve seen guys use these on water heater drain valves, too—way better than a standard adjustable that would slip and send a stream of hot water everywhere. Pro tip: keep a set of 3 sizes (1/4”, 3/8”, 1/2”) in your truck’s toolbox, because you’ll reach for them every single day.
Wait, let’s not sleep on thread sealant tapes—but not just any tape. We stock PTFE tape that’s rated for gas lines, not water lines. Yeah, that’s a thing. A lot of DIYers grab the first tape they see at the hardware store, but if you use water line tape on a natural gas fitting, it can break down and cause a leak. Our gas-rated tape is made for high-pressure lines, and it’s thin enough to wrap around threads without adding too much bulk. Also, thread sealant paste—for metal pipes that have already been threaded multiple times, so the threads are a little worn. Tape works on new threads, but paste fills in those tiny gaps. I tell plumbers: use tape for copper/PVC, paste for black iron pipes. That’s a rule I’ve had hundreds of guys confirm works.
Now, something that’s not a wrench or a cutter—drain auger handgers? No, wait, hand-held drain augers (sometimes called “plumbers snakes” but the small, 25-foot ones, not the big 100-foot ones for main lines). A lot of people think augers are just for big clogs, but these small ones are perfect for bathroom sinks, shower drains, and even laundry tubs. The key here is the flex: the cable in these augers is coated, so it doesn’t scratch the inside of the drain pipe. I’ve seen DIYers use a coat hanger, and that just gets stuck, then you have to call a pro. Our hand augers are cheap, light, and fit in a tool bag. A regular plumber will keep one in their van for every job—they’re that useful.
Another one I love: pipe clamping tools (specifically, the quick-release kind for PVC pipe). When you’re gluing PVC fittings together, you have to hold them tight for 30 seconds while the adhesive sets. If you let go too early, the joint can shift, and you get a weak spot. A lot of plumbers just use a pair of vice grips, but that leaves marks on the pipe, especially if the pipe is thin (like 1/2-inch PVC for indoor lines). Our quick-release pipe clamps are spring-loaded, fit around any PVC pipe from 1/2” to 2”, and hold tight without damaging the surface. I’ve had a few contractors tell me these cut their prep time for PVC jobs in half—no more holding the pipe with one hand while spreading glue with the other. That’s a game-changer for small crews.
Wait, let’s get to something a lot of people don’t even realize they need: plumber’s putty alternatives. Old-school plumber’s putty works for sink baskets and drain flanges, but it can stain granite or marble countertops, or break down over time if it’s exposed to harsh chemicals (like drain cleaners). We sell a silicone-based plumber’s compound that’s stain-resistant, water-tight, and works on all surfaces—stone, plastic, metal. I had a guy last week who was installing a new vanity with a marble top; he tried regular putty, but it left a faint yellow stain on the edge. Switched to our silicone compound, no stains, and the joint hasn’t leaked in 2 months. That’s the kind of detail that turns a good job into a great one, and these implements make that easy.
Oh, and don’t forget pipe threaders—the manual kind for small pipes, not the power ones. If you’re working on a project that needs black iron pipe, you have to thread the ends to connect fittings. Power threaders are great for big jobs, but they’re bulky and expensive. Our manual pipe threaders are portable, fit on 1/2” to 1” pipes, and let you make clean threads without worrying about over-tightening (which causes cracks). A lot of small plumbing companies can’t justify a power threader, so these manual ones are their go-to. I’ve even had a DIYer buy one for a basement repipe—said it saved him from having to pay a plumber $500 to do the threading.
Wait, let’s make sure I’m not missing any. What about gasket scrapers? When you’re replacing a toilet, you have to take off the old wax gasket, and there’s always residue left on the flange. A regular putty knife is too flimsy, and it can scratch the flange, which causes leaks. Our gasket scrapers have a sharp, angled blade that’s rigid, so it gets all the old wax and putty off without damaging the flange. I’ve seen guys ruin a toilet flange because they used a putty knife—cost them $200 in parts and labor. So these scrapers are tiny, cheap, and prevent that mistake.
Now, let’s talk about why these “other implements” matter. A lot of plumbing jobs come down to small, avoidable mistakes. You cut a pipe without reaming, you get a leak later. You use the wrong tape, you get a gas leak. You skip the gasket scraper, you have to re-set the toilet. These tools aren’t fancy—they’re just designed to fix those tiny problems before they turn into big, expensive headaches.
I know a lot of plumbing suppliers only carry the big name tools, but we focus on these underrated ones because plumbers keep asking for them. We test every implement we stock—we don’t just sell anything. If a pipe reamer gets stuck on a 1” PVC, we send it back. If a fitting wrench scratches a brass union, we don’t keep it. That’s why our customers come back: we only have stuff that works, not just stuff that’s cheap.
Now, if you’re a plumber needing to stock up, or a DIYer working on a big project, don’t sleep on these tools. They’re not the ones that get the Instagram photos, but they’re the ones that make your job go smoothly. If you’re looking to pick up some, or have questions about what you need, feel free to reach out to my team for a procurement chat—we’re here to help, no salesy nonsense, just actual advice based on what plumbers actually use.
Agricultural Implements References:
- Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC). "Specialty Tools for Residential and Commercial Plumbing." National Plumbing Journal, vol. 45, no. 2, 2022, pp. 32-37.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). "Tool Selection and Use for Plumbing Trades." U.S. Department of Labor, 2021.
- American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE). "Under Specialty Tools for Pipe Installation." Plumbing Engineering Handbook, 7th ed., 2020, pp. 189-194.
- National Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (NAPHCC). "Plumbing Tool Best Practices for Reducing Callback Rates." Journal of Plumbing Practice, vol. 12, no. 4, 2023, pp. 51-56.
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