Darren Binns, National Sales Manager of Jefferson Tools, looks at the tools that can help get the job done in the tight spaces heating engineers and plumbers often find themselves in.
Plumbing and heating installers often find themselves squeezed under sinks, navigating the cramped confines of dark airing cupboards or manoeuvring through dusty lofts. However, there are some tools available which can help save you time, money and mess in these smaller claustrophobic areas.
No plumber’s toolkit is complete without adjustable and pipe wrenches, and their importance becomes even more pronounced in tight spaces. These wrenches allow for quick adjustments to their jaw width, enabling a secure grip on nuts and bolts of varying sizes without the need for multiple tools. Imagine a scenario where a plumber is replacing a rusted pipe under a kitchen sink, an area with minimal wiggle room. Here, the adjustable wrench becomes indispensable, adapting quickly to different fitting sizes, thus speeding up the repair process and reducing the physical strain.
Get a grip
Many tool manufacturers have recognised the need for smaller versions of tools for use in tight areas. Jefferson Tools’ stubby combi spanners, for instance, with their short bodies and varied jaw sizes, are tailor-made for reaching bolts in confined spaces. These tools are perfect when working behind toilets or under small wall-mounted boilers, where traditional spanners are too long to effectively manoeuvre. When tightening connections during a radiator installation in a compact bathroom for instance, the stubby combi spanner allows for sufficient torque in a tight spot, ensuring a secure and leak-free installation.
Light the way
Effective lighting is critical and nothing beats the convenience of hands-free lighting in tight spaces. Head torches and neck torches provide focused light directly where it’s needed, be it under a dark sink or in the shadowy corners of a loft during a late-night callout. These lights are indispensable for tasks like inspecting pipe connections for leaks or wiring a new thermostat in a poorly lit hallway cupboard.
Vice and mole grips provide an extra set of hands in scenarios where a secure grip is necessary for cutting or tightening. These tools are particularly useful in loft spaces, where balancing tools, materials and personal safety can become challenging. For instance, when cutting old, non-compliant gas lines in a loft conversion, vice grips can hold the pipe steady, ensuring a clean cut with a hacksaw, thereby preventing potential hazards.
A compact hack saw is another essential tool for tight spaces. Its fine-toothed blade makes it ideal for cutting through metal and plastic pipes where a larger saw could not move.
Take flame
When it comes to installations or repairs involving metal pipes, a reliable gas torch is crucial. Jefferson Tools offers both propane and Mapp gas torches, catering to different heat requirements. Mapp gas torches, known for their hotter flame, are particularly suited for jobs requiring a durable bond, such as soldering copper piping for boiler installations.
The latest innovation from Jefferson Tools includes a high-precision soldering torch accompanied by heat-resistant mats. These tools are designed to enhance safety and efficiency. The torch provides focused heat with adjustable intensity, perfect for detailed work such as fitting small components in a tightly packed underfloor heating system. The accompanying mats protect surrounding areas from heat damage and catch any drips of solder or debris, which is especially useful in finished homes where protecting the aesthetics is as crucial as the technical work.
Clean up
After completing the mechanical work, leaving the site clean is crucial, particularly in residential settings. A 20L vacuum is portable and powerful enough to handle sawdust, debris and even water, making it an excellent choice for post-job clean-up in tight spaces like lofts or basements. This vacuum not only helps maintain professionalism but also enhances customer satisfaction by minimising the clean-up work clients would otherwise have to deal with.
