A basic plumbing toolkit pays for itself the first time you fix a dripping faucet or a clogged drain without a $200 service call. Most residential plumbing repairs are genuinely DIY-able once you have the right tools and understand the concepts.

The Homeowner Plumbing Toolkit

1. Adjustable Wrench (Two Sizes)

The workhorse of plumbing – used for supply line nuts, compression fittings, and packing nuts. Own a 10" and a 6" adjustable wrench. Two wrenches let you hold one fitting while turning another.

→ See our review: Best Adjustable Wrenches – Every Option Reviewed at DIY Arsenal.

Price range: $15–$35 each.

2. Basin Wrench

The one tool specifically designed for the most common plumbing task homeowners tackle – removing and installing faucets. Its long shaft and swiveling jaw reach the mounting nuts hidden behind the sink basin where no standard wrench fits.

→ See our review: Best Basin Wrenches for Tight Under-Sink Work at DIY Arsenal.

Price range: $20–$40.

3. Pipe Wrench (14" or 18")

For galvanized steel pipe, shower arms, and anything that threads together with iron pipe fittings. The self-tightening jaw grips harder as you turn – making it the only realistic option for high-torque pipe connections.

Price range: $20–$50.

4. Plunger – Both Types

Most homes have the wrong plunger. A flat cup plunger is for sinks and tub drains. A flanged (flapper) plunger is for toilets – the extended rubber flap creates a seal in the toilet bowl. Own one of each.

Price range: $8–$20 each.

5. Hand Auger (Drain Snake) – 25 ft

When a plunger doesn’t clear a clog, a hand auger reaches further into the drain to break through or retrieve the blockage. A 25-ft hand snake handles 90% of residential drain clogs.

Price range: $25–$55.

6. Pipe Cutter

For cutting copper or PVC supply lines during repairs or installations. A small tubing cutter makes a clean, square cut in seconds – critical for compression fittings and soldering. Don’t use a hacksaw when a pipe cutter is available.

Price range: $12–$30.

7. Teflon Tape + Pipe Joint Compound

Teflon (PTFE) tape wraps threaded connections to prevent leaks. Pipe joint compound (pipe dope) goes on top for a belt-and-suspenders seal on water supply threads. Keep both in your toolkit at all times.

Price range: $2–$5 for tape | $5–$10 for compound.

8. Drain Camera (for Serious Clogs)

When the snake doesn’t solve it, a drain camera lets you see exactly what’s going on inside the pipe – root intrusion, collapsed sections, or severe buildup – before you call a plumber. Many homeowners share one.

→ See our review: Best Drain Cameras and Sewer Scopes for Homeowners at DIY Arsenal.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I call a plumber instead of DIYing?

Call a plumber for: anything behind the wall (supply lines in walls or floors), main sewer line issues, gas line work, and any situation where the water shutoff doesn’t work. DIY is appropriate for: faucet replacement, supply line swap, drain cleaning, toilet repair, and shutoff valve replacement.

What’s the first thing to do when a pipe leaks?

Shut off the water supply – either the local shutoff under the sink or the main shutoff. Then dry the area, identify the source of the leak, and address it once the water is off. See our plumbing repair guides for step-by-step instructions.

Is soldering copper pipe hard to learn?

It takes practice, but most homeowners can learn to solder copper in an afternoon. The tools needed are minimal – a propane torch, solder, flux, and a pipe cutter. Compression fittings and push-to-connect fittings (like SharkBite) are tool-free alternatives that are even easier for repairs.