Plumbing Tool Maintenance 101: Cleaning and Care Tips

Tools are an important part of every profession, including plumbing. They help plumbers carry out vital operations like cutting pipes, adjusting valves, and preventing clogging. 

Plumbers are also able to move from one job to the other quickly with these tools. That’s why it’s important to maintain them properly. 

Apart from that, maintaining your plumbing tool kit also ensures that you can maintain a professional image. Your professional image will lead to more positive reviews from your customers, allowing you to influence 85% of them.

Not maintaining your tools properly can lead to lost time, poor quality of work, and increased costs. The increased costs will be due to the need to purchase new tools. But you don’t have to worry about this, since you can learn how to maintain your tools with our help. 

Continue reading to learn more.

What Cleaning Routine Should You Follow After Every Plumbing Job? 

You should do the following things after a plumbing job:

Inspect The Tools Thoroughly

Firstly, take a good look at the tools and check for signs of rust or stubborn dust spots. To determine whether a dust spot is stubborn or not, gently rub your thumb over it. If the dust does not come off easily, then it could be a stubborn dust spot. 

As for rust, it will appear in the form of reddish-brown spots. Some other forms of residues include the ones seen in the table below:

Table 1: Types of Residues on Plumbing Tools

You should clean these residues instantly to avoid wear and tear and ensure tool maintenance. 

Clean The Dirt & Residue

Firstly, you should be wearing an OSHA-approved PPE kit. That’s because it will help you comply with regulations by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. After that, you should get a clean cloth and some hot water mixed with soap in a bucket. 

Dunk the cloth gently in this water mixture and wipe your hand plumbing tools, like plungers, and pipe wrenches.

Cleaning them with hand tools will help you remove the grime, debris, and dirt. Once you’re done with that, consider disinfecting them with a mild solution of water and bleach. 

With regard to the residue, you should use the following techniques:

Table 2: Types of Residues on Plumbing Tools

Use Air Compressors 

Since using water or solutions can be damaging to your power tools, you should use air compressors. These tools will use bursts of pressurized air to remove the dirt and debris. You should be careful in directing the stream of this air to avoid potential equipment damage.

Let’s now understand how frequently you should clean your plumbing tools.

What Is the Ideal Deep Cleaning Weekly Frequency For Plumbing Tools? 

Consider the table below to understand how frequently you should clean your plumbing tools:

Table 3: Weekly Deep Cleaning Guide by Tool Type

Once you clean your specialty and basic plumbing tools, you should store them efficiently to prevent further damage.

How To Store Plumbing Tools in Between Jobs to Care for Them? 

You should use a designated toolbox that is clean and dry to store your plumbing toolbox. This will ensure that you don’t leave the tools lying around. In case you don’t have a toolbox, you can use a tool pegboard. 

A tool pegboard has designated slots for every tool, and will help you choose your tools easily as well. Ensure to hang this tool pegboard in a dry, moisture-free area. 

With regards to your battery tools, you should keep the batteries in a dry and dark area. So you can use a locker kept in a dark corner of your office or room, facing away from the sun. That’s because sun exposure can damage the batteries. 

Finally, for your power tools, you should ensure that you wrap the coils in a tangle-free manner to prevent wear and tear. 

By storing the tools in a dry environment, you will be able to avoid the buildup of rust. You can also use special products to ensure rust-free tools. 

Which Products Should You Use to Ensure Rust-Free Plumbing Tools?

Consider the table below to learn more about the products you can use to maintain your specialty plumbing tools:

Table 4: Products To Ensure Rust-Free Tools

While storing your well-worn or new plumbing tools is important, you should not forget to calibrate them as required.

How to Calibrate Power Plumbing Tools to Ensure Longevity and Operational Efficiency?

Some of the different types of power tools used by plumbers include cordless drills, reciprocating saws, and pipe crimping machines.

You should ensure that the tools are calibrated as shown below: 

Table 5: Calibration for Plumbing Power Tools

The Final Word: Keep Your Tools Sharp, Clean, and Reliable 

You should regularly maintain your plumbing tool kit to ensure its longevity and operational efficiency. Maintaining your tools will also ensure that you are able to garner respect and look professional.

However, you should know that what we’ve spoken about above is just the tip of the iceberg. That’s because there are various other cleaning techniques utilized by professionals worldwide.

You can get in touch with us if you would like to know a bit more about these techniques for greater cleaning. Alternatively, we can also provide top-quality tools that you can use for your work.

Need Professional-Grade Tools That Last Longer and Clean Easier?

Shop our durable plumbing tools now!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Are There Any Disadvantages of Using Isopropyl Alcohol for Cleaning Rust?

Ans. While isopropyl alcohol is good for cleaning rust, it can it has the capacity to damage the electric components. So, in case you’re using it to clean, say, a cordless drill, you should be careful.

Q2. Should You Use a Plastic Toolbox to Store Your Plumbing Tools After Use?

Ans. Yes, you can use a plastic toolbox to store your plumbing tools after using them. However, you should ideally go for a steel or metal toolbox since they are more durable than plastic.

Q3. Which Products Should You Not Use When Cleaning Inspection Cameras?

Ans. You should avoid using harsh chemical solvents like benzene when cleaning inspection cameras. That’s because the lens could catch fire.

Q4. How Frequently Should You Clean Your Press Tool?

Ans. You should clean your pipe press tool every day to ensure that it remains in perfect working condition.