What is the Best Wrench for Plumbing? 5 Great Options!

Like carpenters and handymen, plumbers rely on their tools. And they love their wrenches.

It’s amazing that plumbing could even be done centuries ago when today’s wrenches weren’t around. Now, we have more tools than we can possibly use. But I’ve done the homework so you don’t have to. Here are five options for the best wrench for plumbing.

Best Wrench for Plumbing: 5 Options!

Look, the bottom line is that there is no single best wrench for plumbing. The best wrench is the one that works for the job at hand. But there are different styles of wrenches and they all have pros and cons. So let’s review them here.

1. Adjustable Wrenches

If you had a set of both English and metric open-end wrenches, you would need a 50-pound tool bag. But several good adjustable wrenches (also called crescent wrenches) can replace the need for both sets in normal home maintenance and plumbing repairs.

RECOMMENDATION: Before purchasing low-cost adjustable wrenches, try adjusting the jaws. The jaws of high-quality wrenches open and close smoothly without hanging up. We recommend you buy either a single 8-inch wrench or a set of 6-, 8-, and 10-inch wrenches. And all the better if the set includes a 12-inch adjustable wrench for larger pipes.

2. Slip-Joint Pliers

Yes, they’re called pliers. But pliers are really wrenches, right? Not exactly, but we’ll say they are for now. For details, read the “What’s the Difference” section later in this article.

As useful as the adjustable wrench, slip-joint pliers have deep teeth and adjustable jaws to grip odd-shaped objects as well as square and hexagonal nuts and bolts.

Trying to decide which to use? We recommended adjustable wrenches to turn nuts and bolts. Reserve the slip-joint pliers to turn round and odd-shaped items as well as loosely fastened nuts and bolts.

RECOMMENDATION: There is nothing precise about this tool, so buy an inexpensive single 8-inch plier or a set of 6-, 8-, and 10-inch pliers.

3. Groove-Joint Pliers

The logical extension of a slip-joint plier is a groove-joint plier. The groove-joint plier is used more extensively by plumbers than slip-joint pliers.

Instead of two positions, the jaws can be set to slide in any one of five grooves so that the jaws are effective over a considerable range of openings. The long handles nearly touch when the jaws are set in the proper groove so that you can grip them with maximum pressure. Based on that alone, you can see why plumbers utilize groove-joint pliers more often than slip-joint pliers.

RECOMMENDATION: Again, this is not what plumbers call a precision tool. You’ll be fine buying a moderately priced 10-inch model.

4. Locking Pliers

Also known by the original brand name (Vise-Grips), locking pliers are awesome wrenches. The jaws are opened with a knob until they fit around an object. Then the compound-leverage handles are squeezed shut, resulting in a veritable death grip on the object.

The only drawback is that they often leave a lasting impression on whatever they’re attached to, even metal. So don’t use these on pipes or fixtures (like faucets, showerheads, and shower arms) that are in view.

RECOMMENDATION: Buy a brand-name, curved claw, 10-inch model with standard jaws. If you need help, just give that description to your hardware store sales rep.

5. Pipe Wrench

This is the classic plumber’s wrench (in fact, it’s also called a plumber’s wrench). It has become the symbol of plumbers everywhere, and for good reason.

A pipe wrench is a type of adjustable wrench except larger and more durable. It’s used on threaded pipes made of steel and iron. Often, these larger metal pipes are related to drains and sewers.

It has 2 serrated jaws that are adjustable for different-sized pipes. The jaws are like a pitbull, digging in and holding on to the pipe for dear life. This makes them indispensable. What also makes the pipe wrench unique is that it only digs in when turning the wrench in a particular direction.

RECOMMENDATION: We’d love for everyone to have a pipe wrench. I mean, if you like manly tools, this is the one to get. But frankly, you probably won’t do the kind of work that requires it. This is for big projects with big pipes, like those in your main sewer line. Even so, if your budget permits, add this to your list. Even if you never use it, you’ll feel good having it.

The Difference Between a Wrench and Pliers

Most people today use the word “wrench” and “pliers” interchangeably. It’s understandable given how similar they are. But technically there is a difference.

Pliers are designed for gripping, squeezing, and turning objects that have odd shapes. On the other hand, wrenches are made to fit onto regular, more precisely shaped objects like nuts, bolts, fasteners, and tubular pipes.

Final Thoughts

You say pliers, I say wrenches. Whichever it is, the above 5 options are the best wrench for plumbing jobs. Are there others? You bet. But if you purchase the recommended wrenches (or pliers!), you’ll be able to handle nearly every plumbing situation.

Related Resources

• Do you have the right tools for a plumbing emergency?
• 10 essential tools for your first plumbing toolkit (video)
• 17 plumbing safety tips to prevent a disaster

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don’t hesitate to call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need help with your plumbing, especially an emergency that can lead to water damage.

1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.