Plumbing Supplies
Guides on the tools, fittings, sealants and small parts a homeowner needs to finish a plumbing job properly. You will find what belongs in a basic home kit and what can be skipped, plus the comparisons that settle recurring questions: Teflon tape against pipe dope against plumber’s putty against silicone, brass against poly PEX fittings, when purple primer is required, and what fitting labels such as MIP, FIP and NPT mean. Buying guides cover wrenches, pipe cutters, crimp tools, torches, insulation, washing machine hoses and outdoor faucet covers, and separate cost articles explain what hiring a plumber involves instead.
Picks are chosen from manufacturer specifications, installation instructions, warranty terms and plumbing code, with attention to fit and to whether replacement parts stay available. No manufacturer pays to be listed. Some links here are affiliate links, mostly to Amazon; if you buy through one the site may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Wilkins 975XL2 Repair Kits
Zurn Wilkins RPZ backflow repair kits by model and size: 975XL2/975XL rubber, standard and complete kits, 975XL3 and 375XL kit numbers.
DEWALT IMPACT CONNECT Pipe Cutters
DEWALT’s IMPACT CONNECT cutters by pipe: copper to 1 in. with sized wheels, PVC/PEX to 2 in., inside PVC to 8 in., and which impact drivers DEWALT lists.
Strap Wrench vs Chain Wrench
When to use a strap or chain wrench and which size: RIDGID and Klein strap wrenches, RIDGID C-12 to C-36 chain wrenches, and RIDGID warranty limits.
PVC Pipe Friction Loss Chart
Charlotte Pipe’s Schedule 40 friction loss at 5, 10 and 20 gpm for 1/2 to 2 in PVC, its 5 ft/s velocity limit, and equivalent feet for fittings.
PVC Flange Bolt Torque
Charlotte Pipe’s PVC flange torque: 10-15 ft-lbs to 1-1/2 in, 20-30 for 2-4 in, up to 75 for 12 in, plus gasket, 10 ft-lb steps and double cure time.
Installing a PVC Union
Charlotte Pipe’s PVC union steps: nut on first, no cement on threads, flush halves, strap wrench only, no sealant, plus Sch 40 and 80 union ratings.
Frozen CPVC Pipe
Charlotte Pipe on frozen CPVC: thaw with heat under 180F, drain below 32F, cut 2 inches past any crack, and cold-weather design rules for PVC and CPVC.
Antifreeze for PVC, CPVC and ABS Pipe: What’s Safe
Charlotte Pipe’s antifreeze limits: glycerin for PVC and CPVC, its freeze chart, propylene and ethylene glycol limits, and the 3 allowed for ABS DWV.
Read more: Antifreeze for PVC, CPVC and ABS Pipe: What’s Safe
CPVC Installation Do’s and Don’ts (No Air Tests, No Foam)
Charlotte Pipe’s CPVC rules: never air test, no spray foam, straps that let pipe move, brass ferrules only to 140F, velocity limits and boiler links.
Read more: CPVC Installation Do’s and Don’ts (No Air Tests, No Foam)
PVC Condensate Drain Lines
Charlotte Pipe on ABS, CPVC and PVC condensate drains: POE refrigerant oils can damage plastic, how to flush coils first, and extra care with CPVC.
PVC Pipe and Sunlight
Charlotte Pipe on UV and PVC: surface-only effect, lower impact strength, unchanged pressure rating, latex paint to protect it, and heat build-up in sun.
PVC Threaded Fittings
Charlotte Pipe’s rules for PVC, CPVC and ABS threads: two turns past finger tight with a strap wrench, tape or paste by size, and a 50% de-rate.
Washing Machine Drain Pan
Choose a washer drain pan by inside size and drain connection. Compare Camco 20788 and Mustee 95/96/98/99, including fit conflicts and extra parts.
Best Backflow Preventers (2026)
The best backflow preventer for a sprinkler system or water service: PVB, RPZ and double check assemblies compared, with install and testing rules.
Best PEX Manifold (2026)
PEX manifolds from maker documents: SharkBite and Viega picks, valved vs open, crimp, expansion or push-fit ports, port count and Georgia code.
Best Sewage Grinder Pump for a Home
Sewage grinder pumps compared from maker documents: when you need one over an ejector, the septic warning, head, pipe size, and Liberty and Zoeller picks.
Plumber’s Putty vs Silicone: Which to Use (2026)
Plumber’s putty or silicone for a sink drain, faucet base, stone counter or ABS tub? Which to use, from Oatey, GE, Kohler, Moen and Blanco sheets.
Best Upflush Toilet for a Basement Bathroom
Upflush toilets compared from the maker manuals: Liberty Ascent II vs Saniflo Sanicompact, Saniplus and Sanibest Pro, with lift, vent and flush rules.
Best Plumbing Tool Gifts for DIYers (2026)
Plumbing tool gifts for DIYers from a licensed plumber: a telescoping basin wrench, a PEX cinch tool and cutter, a plier set and a toilet auger.
Christmas Gifts for New Homeowners: 12 Picks From a Plumber
Practical gifts for new homeowners from a licensed plumber: Wi-Fi leak detectors, a freeze alarm, a real toilet plunger and a water pressure gauge.
Read more: Christmas Gifts for New Homeowners: 12 Picks From a Plumber
Best Heat Tape for Water Pipes: Plug-In vs Self-Regulating
A licensed plumber on heat tape for water pipes: plug-in vs self-regulating cable, how much you need, and the CPSC safety rules that matter.
Read more: Best Heat Tape for Water Pipes: Plug-In vs Self-Regulating
Monkey Wrench vs Pipe Wrench: Which Grips Pipe?
A monkey wrench has smooth flat jaws; a pipe wrench has angled teeth that bite. What each one turns, what each one ruins, and which to buy.
Milwaukee vs RIDGID Aluminum Pipe Wrench: Which Wins
Milwaukee and RIDGID publish the same pipe capacity at the same handle length. A licensed plumber on which wrench to buy, and when cast iron wins.
Read more: Milwaukee vs RIDGID Aluminum Pipe Wrench: Which Wins
Best Water Heater Element Wrench (1-1/2 Inch Sockets)
A screw-in water heater element takes a 1-1/2 inch hex, so a normal socket set will not fit it. Here are the three element wrenches that do.
Read more: Best Water Heater Element Wrench (1-1/2 Inch Sockets)
Sillcock vs Hose Bibb vs Boiler Drain: What Each Means
Sillcock, hose bibb and boiler drain are not three names for one part. A licensed plumber on what each actually is, and which one your job needs.
Read more: Sillcock vs Hose Bibb vs Boiler Drain: What Each Means
CSST vs Black Iron Pipe for Gas: What the Job Calls For
A licensed plumber compares CSST and black iron gas pipe: the bonding rule that splits by product, real capacity numbers, and when to use each.
Read more: CSST vs Black Iron Pipe for Gas: What the Job Calls For
Vacuum Breaker vs Anti-Siphon Valve: Which Do You Need?
Vacuum breaker, anti-siphon valve, check valve or PRV: a licensed plumber on what code actually requires at a hose bibb, and why.
Read more: Vacuum Breaker vs Anti-Siphon Valve: Which Do You Need?
Brass Ball Valve Markings: What 600 WOG and CWP Stand For
WOG, CWP and SWP are three different promises. A licensed plumber reads the markings on a brass ball valve, and the manufacturer data sheets behind them.
Read more: Brass Ball Valve Markings: What 600 WOG and CWP Stand For
Cast vs Wrot Copper Fittings: What Actually Differs
Wrot fittings are pure copper; cast are bronze alloys, some leaded. A licensed plumber on ASME B16.22 vs B16.18 and which one to actually buy.
Read more: Cast vs Wrot Copper Fittings: What Actually Differs
Upflush Toilet vs Sewage Ejector Pump: Which Do You Need?
Adding a basement bathroom? The real question is whether you break the concrete floor. Lift limits, venting, and what each system will accept.
Read more: Upflush Toilet vs Sewage Ejector Pump: Which Do You Need?
Saddle Valves: Why Inspectors Fail Them
A licensed plumber on why saddle valves block and leak, what to fit instead, and how to replace one properly – including what to do if it has to stay for now.
MIP, FIP and NPT: What the Fitting Labels Mean
A licensed plumber decodes the labels on a fitting bin – male vs female, tapered vs straight, which threads take sealant, and why nominal size is not a measurement.
Is Purple Primer Required? What the Code Actually Says
A licensed plumber on why PVC primer is dyed purple, where it is required and where it is not, and the six steps that make a solvent-cement joint hold.
Read more: Is Purple Primer Required? What the Code Actually Says
Brass vs Poly PEX Fittings: Which Should You Use?
A licensed plumber on brass vs PPSU poly PEX fittings — what dezincification actually is, when water chemistry decides it for you, and why the joint matters more than the material.
Read more: Brass vs Poly PEX Fittings: Which Should You Use?
How to Remove a SharkBite Fitting (and Why It Won’t Budge)
A licensed plumber on removing push-to-connect fittings: how the grab ring actually releases, the disconnect tongs worth owning, and what to do when it won’t come off.
Read more: How to Remove a SharkBite Fitting (and Why It Won’t Budge)
Best Pipe Dope (Thread Sealant): What Plumbers Actually Use
A licensed plumber on the pipe dope worth buying — RectorSeal T Plus 2 and Oatey Great Blue — what paste does that tape can’t, and the fittings that need neither.
Read more: Best Pipe Dope (Thread Sealant): What Plumbers Actually Use
Emergency Plumber Cost in 2026: What After-Hours, Weekends, and Holidays Really Add
What an emergency plumber really costs in 2026 – after-hours, weekend, and holiday rates, common emergency repairs, and a licensed plumber’s guide to which calls can wait until morning.
Read more: Emergency Plumber Cost in 2026: What After-Hours, Weekends, and Holidays Really Add
Best Sewage Ejector Pump: A Plumber’s Top Picks for Basement Bathrooms
A licensed plumber’s top sewage ejector pump picks for basement bathrooms, plus how to size and install one the right way.
Read more: Best Sewage Ejector Pump: A Plumber’s Top Picks for Basement Bathrooms
Channel Lock Pliers and Adjustable Wrenches for Plumbing
Plumbing Picks is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Buyable starting pair: KNIPEX Cobra 87 02 250, 10 inch for toothed grip on suitable round work; Crescent AC212VS, 12 inch for hex flats. The Cobra is a 10-inch tool, not a 12-inch substitute by name.…
Read more: Channel Lock Pliers and Adjustable Wrenches for Plumbing
Best PEX Tubing & Fittings Starter Kit for DIYers (2026)
Heads up: some links on this page are Amazon affiliate links — you pay no more, and as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. PEX is the reason a homeowner can now repipe a bathroom in an afternoon, no torch, no solder, no open flame near framing. But walking into the store cold…
Read more: Best PEX Tubing & Fittings Starter Kit for DIYers (2026)
Best Pipe Wrenches and Sizes
A pipe wrench grips round pipe with a floating hook jaw. A licensed plumber’s picks: RIDGID aluminum and cast iron, end, internal, and a size chart.
How Much Does a Plumber Cost? Real 2026 Prices
A licensed plumber explains real plumber costs in 2026 — hourly rates, flat fees, trip charges, and what common jobs actually run — so you don’t overpay.
PEX Crimp Tool
A PEX crimp tool closes copper rings; a clamp tool closes stainless cinch clamps. A licensed plumber’s picks, plus jaw sizes, gauges and calibration.
Best Plumbing Torches in 2026 for Soldering Copper Pipe (Plumber-Picked)
A licensed plumber’s picks for the best torches for soldering copper pipe in 2026 — reliable trigger-start torches that heat joints fast and light every time.
Read more: Best Plumbing Torches in 2026 for Soldering Copper Pipe (Plumber-Picked)
Best Pipe Cutters 2026: Copper Pipe Cutter, PEX & PVC
A licensed plumber’s picks for the best pipe cutters in 2026 — clean, square cuts on copper, PEX, and PVC with the right tool for each material.
Read more: Best Pipe Cutters 2026: Copper Pipe Cutter, PEX & PVC
When to DIY vs Call a Plumber: A Licensed Plumber’s Honest Guide
Plumbing Picks is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. New to this? Start with our complete guide: Essential Plumbing Tools & Supplies Every Homeowner Should Own. Quick answer: DIY the cheap, contained fixes — running toilets, dripping faucets, clogged drains, supply-line and shut-off swaps. Call…
Read more: When to DIY vs Call a Plumber: A Licensed Plumber’s Honest Guide
Essential Plumbing Tools & Supplies Every Homeowner Should Own (Plumber’s List)
The essential plumbing tools every homeowner should own — a licensed plumber’s no-fluff kit for handling common repairs without calling a pro.
Read more: Essential Plumbing Tools & Supplies Every Homeowner Should Own (Plumber’s List)
Teflon Tape vs Pipe Dope vs Plumber’s Putty vs Silicone: Which Sealant to Use
Teflon Tape vs Pipe Dope vs Putty: a licensed plumber compares cost, durability, and ease of use — which to choose for your job and the mistakes that…
Read more: Teflon Tape vs Pipe Dope vs Plumber’s Putty vs Silicone: Which Sealant to Use
Best Basin Wrenches & Plumbing Wrenches for Homeowners in 2026
The right wrench turns an impossible faucet job into a 20-minute one. Here are the plumbing wrenches every homeowner should own.
Read more: Best Basin Wrenches & Plumbing Wrenches for Homeowners in 2026
Ice Maker Plumbing: Best Water Line Kits for 2026
Hooking up a fridge ice maker? Skip the cheap plastic tubing. Here are the safest ice-maker water line kits.
Read more: Ice Maker Plumbing: Best Water Line Kits for 2026
Choosing Plumber’s Putty for Sink Drains and Stone Surfaces
Plumber’s putty seals drains, strainers, and faucet bases. Here’s which putty pros trust — and where you should never use it.
Read more: Choosing Plumber’s Putty for Sink Drains and Stone Surfaces
Best Outdoor Faucet Covers for Winter in 2026 (Prevent Frozen Hose Bibbs)
A licensed plumber’s picks for the best outdoor faucet cover — what actually holds up, what to skip, and how to choose.
Read more: Best Outdoor Faucet Covers for Winter in 2026 (Prevent Frozen Hose Bibbs)
Best Pipe Insulation for Cold Climates in 2026 (Prevent Frozen Pipes)
A licensed plumber’s picks for the best pipe insulation — what actually holds up, what to skip, and how to choose.
Read more: Best Pipe Insulation for Cold Climates in 2026 (Prevent Frozen Pipes)
Best Silicone Sealant for Plumbing and Bathrooms in 2026
A licensed plumber’s picks for the best silicone sealant plumbing — what actually holds up, what to skip, and how to choose.
Read more: Best Silicone Sealant for Plumbing and Bathrooms in 2026
Best Teflon Tape for Plumbing in 2026 (What Plumbers Actually Use)
A licensed plumber’s picks for the best teflon tape plumbing — what actually holds up, what to skip, and how to choose.
Read more: Best Teflon Tape for Plumbing in 2026 (What Plumbers Actually Use)
Best Washing Machine Hoses (2026): Fit and Buying Guide
Compare exact washer hoses by length, fittings and pack size, with Samsung model checks, leak diagnosis and manufacturer replacement guidance.
Read more: Best Washing Machine Hoses (2026): Fit and Buying Guide