What Is A Basin Wrench And How Do You Use It?

For many people, having to call the plumber is one of the worst expenses, although it is necessary most of the time. Leaky, dropping faucets plague everyone at some point in our homes, and they can be an annoying fix to pay for. However, there are some instances where becoming your own handyman can be a lifesaver, and when it comes to plumbing, there is one tool that you need to have if you’re going to be your own plumber. No, we’re not talking about a plunger — Instead, you’ll want to have a basin wrench handy. What is a basin wrench, you ask? Well, we are here to help you find out. In our article today, we are going to discuss what exactly a basin wrench is, and how to use it for those plumbing mishaps that happen now and again. With that said, let’s get started with our closer look at the basin wrench.

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What Is A Basin Wrench?

If you have ever had to install and/or remove a faucet in a house, you will already know that it is nearly impossible to complete the job with a regular, run of the mill wrench or other tools. This is because the majority of faucets are installed and fastened to the sink by the underside of the basin, in the cabinetry. This is where the basin wrench comes to the rescue. This tool was created in order to complete thus type of work, and honestly, if us the only job that this type of wrench does. The tool itself is specifically designed with a long handle and shaft that allows for the individual to be able to reach into the tight crevices underneath the sink and basin, and to be able to grip and tighten the nuts that are necessary to hold the faucet in place. From first glance, it may seem like a complicated tool to use, but we are going to make seem a bit easier with this mini tutorial in the next section.

How To Correctly Use A Basin Wrench

When it comes to using the wrench itself, the key is to make sure you have it facing the correct way in regard to whether you are removing a faucet or installing one. In order to loosen the nuts holding the faucet, you will want to have the claw of the tool facing the right hand side, and it should be turned counter clockwise. The opposite is done to tighten the nuts of the faucet, the the claw facing the left hand side, and with it being turned the clockwise direction to securely attach the faucet piece. Once you have the claw onto the nut that you are turning, you will use the T-bar that is at the bottom of the shaft to turn the wrench and either loosen or tighten the nuts of the faucet.

For the most part, using a basin wrench is pretty simple once you get the hang of it, but there are some tips and tricks that can help to make things go a bit more smoothly while using it. As we said before, it is crucial to make sure your claw head is facing the correct way — If not, you will never be able to get the right grip on the nuts holding the faucet, and it will continually slip off. You can also use other tools or items along with the T-bar that is on the wrench in order to give you more leverage when trying to turn it. Sometimes, bolts and nuts can become eroded and worn down with time, especially in older fixtures. Having that extra “oomph” can help to make the job a bit less tedious if dealing with a rough faucet.

It may not seem like a completely necessary tool to have in your toolbox, especially if you have no need to fix your faucets in your home. However, if you want to save time and money on those projects when they do arise, having a basin wrench handy may not seem like such a bad idea. As a tool that is in the hands of every professional plumber out there, the basin wrench can make the job under the sink a lot less painful!