Mystery Solved! What Tools Do Plumbers Use to Repair a Toilet?
Plumbers have a lot of tools in their proverbial (and literal) toolbox. Most people would be surprised by the variety of specialty and standard tools used by the plumbing trade for installing something as common as a toilet! There are hundreds of tools for working on a toilet, from plungers to wrenches and everything in between. Keep reading to discover some of the common tools plumbers bring with them on jobs where replacing or repairing the toilet is the task at hand!
Toilet Unclogging Tools

Even plumbers use plungers from time to time. Unfortunately, if the plunger didn’t work for the homeowner, it probably won’t for the plumber, either. Thankfully, plumbers have a large array of tools with which to go at any toilet clogs. One very common tool used to unblock drains, and clogged toilets, is called a plumber's snake. It also goes by other names, such as auger or drain snake, and while it may be common, it is no less important and impressive.
The De-clogging Tool of Choice: Plumbing Augurs
If a plumber has ever snaked the house’s drains, they’ve used a plumbing augur to do it. Augurs have an uncoiled spring at the end of a long metal cable. The cable is snaked or pushed through the pipes, and the tip breaks apart any clogs in the plumbing. Augurs work better than plungers and are the tool of choice for toilet clogs deeper into the plumbing.
Tools for Other Toilet Repairs
Clogs aren’t the only problem homeowners might experience with their toilets. Parts break down, seals deteriorate, and leaks happen. When these problems arise, plumbers have their own set of tools to handle various scenarios. In addition to the following tools, plumbers should always come equipped with their own protective gear as well.
Pipe Wrench
When toilets need removed or taken apart to check the plumbing connections, pipe wrenches are an old go-to to get to the inner workings. The pipe wrench works best on rounded surfaces like plumbing pipes.
Smaller Wrenches
Unscrewing a toilet means using a smaller wrench to remove nuts and bolts. Wrenches are often used to replace broken flanges and valves of toilets, too.
Plumbers Putty
Plumbers putty is used to seal installed plumbing pieces and prevent leaks. It’s frequently used alongside caulk to prevent leaks in toilets, too.
Ceramic Epoxy Sealer
Toilet basins can crack over time. When they do, it may be possible to repair the crack instead of replacing the toilet. A plumbing professional can usually locate the crack and may be able to use an epoxy sealer to close up the crack.
Wax Seals
Wax seals are a common item used by plumbers to repair a toilet. Any time a toilet needs removed or lifted from the ground, a new wax seal will likely be needed. The wax seal prevents unsavory odors and liquids from seeping onto the floor.
Tools for Replacing a Toilet

Replacing a toilet looks easy when a plumber does it, but there are specific tools and a lot of effort required to replace them. Toilets are heavy and usually made of breakable ceramic, so plumbers must be particularly careful when installing the new toilet to prevent any breaks or damages. Plumbers typically carry at least the following items on their toilet installation jobs:
- Paint Scraper: Paint scrapers make removing caulk and old wax rings a lot easier and faster.
- Adjustable Wrenches: Adjustable wrenches are used to remove the old toilet’s nuts and bolts and then tighten down the new toilet’s parts, too. Adjustable wrenches are a great tool to use because they can adapt to any bolt size.
- Flanges/Gasket/Seals/Wax Rings: These are the parts of a toilet that connect the toilet to the floor and prevent leaks from occurring.
- Supply Lines: Supply lines connect the water supply to the toilet. They last quite some time but may need to be replaced depending on their condition and the type of toilet being installed.
- Bucket and Sponge: Unfortunately, water doesn’t drain completely from the toilet before the old model needs to be removed. The remaining water needs to be removed by hand, using a bucket and sponge.
- Waterproof Gloves: Considering the unsavory and unhygienic materials plumbers deal with, it should come as no surprise that a quality pair of waterproof work gloves are a must-have for toilet installations and removals.
There are a ton of tools involved in plumbing, but homeowners can rest assured that an experienced plumbing company will supply their team with everything they’ll need to succeed at their work.
About Green Hills Plumbing
The city of Nashville has been receiving quality plumbing solutions from Green Hills Plumbing for over forty years. Their team has extensive experience in the field and works hard to bring only the best quality products and techniques to their clients. Give them a call today to schedule convenient toilet repair in Nashville, TN!