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So you’ve landed the apprenticeship. You start on Monday but don’t know what to bring on your first day. Generally, plumbers carry a toolkit with both common and speciality tools. Impress your boss on the first day by showing up prepared with your very own toolkit. The following is a list of tools that you will sure to use:

An Adjustable Wrench is probably the tool you will use most in the plumbing profession. It is used to unscrew or tighten nuts and bolts and can be adjustable in size. Definitely purchase the standard size but it cannot hurt to have one for smaller projects as well.

Pipe Wrenches are also key in the plumbing field. They grip and turn threaded pipes and pipe fittings, a routine job of a plumber. Be sure to have multiple sizes of this tool as well so you are prepared for multiple pipe sizes.

Rib-joint Pliers turn nuts, bolts, pipes, and fittings. It can also grip objects firmly and is adjustable. Locking Pliers are used to clamp and lock a bolt or pipe in place while you work with other pieces.

Screwdrivers are a basic tool that any apprentice will need regularly. Most frequently, plumbers use this tool to disassemble and reassemble sink fixtures and faucets. Purchase a set of screwdrivers in both styles and in multiple sizes. This is a tool you will get use of not only in your profession but at home, performing personal do it yourself projects.

A Measuring Tape is important to accurately plan your course of action and create orders. You will need to measure the length of pipes and areas where you will be performing installation to be sure that everything will fit properly.

Pipe Cutters are used rather frequently by plumbers and should certainly be a part of your plumbing toolkit. Drain Augers are what are more commonly known as a “snake.” It is a device that removes clogs that cannot be pushed by a plunger. You crank a drain auger to remove the clog. Similarly, a Toilet Auger is also important. It is of the same idea as a drain auger but made for the design of a toilet and will fix clogging issues. Finally, every plumber should have both Toilet and Sink Plungers. Though it may seem like a household basic tool, not everyone will own one and a plunger can easily fix many peoples’ clogging problems.

If you fill your toolbox with these general and specific tools, you are sure to rise quickly in your plumbing apprenticeship. Your tools are your biggest asset as you cannot perform your plumbing tasks without them. So, this weekend, before you start your apprenticeship on Monday, go out and buy these basic tools and impress your new boss with your basic knowledge on the way they work! You are sure to excel and before you know it, you will be a certified plumber yourself!

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