First things, first, you need to have a trusty container to hold all your required tools and supplies. A water-resistant tackle box should do the trick just fine and will last you a lifetime for all your handiwork needs. The second necessary item is a sizable bucket (~5 gallons). It will help you hold water and capture spillage, among other unexpected uses. Next, a set of thick, all-purpose, and waterproof gloves will help you avoid dirty messes. Finally, a few old towels or rags are an invaluable tool to soak up spills.

Beyond plumbing repair, it is worthwhile to invest in a set of tools. Wrenches are a vital part of any tool kit, helping repair all types of loose appliances and pipes. Simple plumbing issues usually require tightening in some form, so consider an adjustable wrench, it allows you to loosen or tighten almost any valve or pipe. Another important tool, sometimes called hex keys or allen wrenches, allen keys will remove handles on faucets. This handheld tool will always have a hexagonal tip and is used for driving bolts and screws. Allen keys are great for all types of plumbing problems.

The staple of all plumbing tools, the plunger! Plungers can be used to unclog drains and toilets alike. Cupped plungers are typically meant for shower drains and sinks. While flange plungers are specifically designed for toilets.The flange on the plunger inserts slightly into the drain trap to allow maximum suction with each pull or push on the plunger.

If your drain is still clogged after your plunging efforts, the next best thing to use is a snake. Also sometimes called an auger, this device is a metal coil with an attached handle that is used to clear drains that have become clogged. Pushing the snake down a drain will hopefully remove any blockage.

There are two types of tape that you should have in your emergency plumbing kit: duct tape and teflon tape. Duct tape will always be a great household item to have to temporarily seal leaks in drain like, stop water from flowing out of connection joints, etc. Teflon tape, also referred to as plumber’s tape, is used on metal-to-metal thread connections of water lines. Three wraps around the brass threads (where you tighten connecting pieces ) of plumbing will help stop leakage and can make tightening easier. 

Putty, contact cement, and caulk/epoxy are great sealants for many repairs. From a punctured PVC pipe to leaky joint connections that cannot be fixed with teflon tape, putty is the go to temporary solution for most plumbing concerns.