The pipe wrench is the iconic plumbing tool, and using it correctly means grabbing the pipe the right way and not crushing what you are turning. The jaw direction is the trick most people miss.
The grip
The wrench's teeth bite when the jaw faces the direction you are turning, so set the wrench with the opening facing into the turn.
The size
Match the wrench to the pipe — a small wrench on a big pipe slips, and a big wrench on a small pipe crushes it.
The backup
When loosening a fitting, hold a second wrench on the other side so you do not twist the pipe behind it.
The care
Pipe wrenches leave marks, so use a strap wrench on finished chrome. rain and older housing stock mean corroded fittings and slow drains show up often In Spokane, a pro reaches for the right tool, not just any wrench.
The slip
A pipe wrench needs a little slack to bite — if it is clamped too tight, it will not grip. The jaw digs in as you pull the handle.
The call
If it will not budge without force, call 888-217-3585 and Spokane Plumber Connect will match you with a Spokane pro.
Plumbing in Spokane: what to know
In Spokane, rain and older housing stock mean corroded fittings and slow drains show up often. Pros in our network know the local quirks and bring the right parts on the first visit.
Across Spokane County — from Airway Heights, Spokane Valley and Medical Lake to ZIP codes like 99201, 99204, 99258 — homeowners deal with the same kinds of issues. The tips above apply locally, and when a job goes beyond a quick fix, a vetted local pro is only a call away.
Need a hand in Spokane?
If a plumbing issue is beyond a quick fix, don't wait for it to get worse. Call 888-217-3585 and Spokane Plumber Connect will match you with a vetted local pro — usually within minutes. Learn more about plumbing help in Spokane.