Plumbing Wrenches & Spanners

Learn more about plumbing wrenches & tape

Plumbing applications require specialised tools that apply consistent force without distorting pipes or stripping threads. Unlike standard mechanics' tools, plumbing wrenches are engineered with smooth or serrated jaws tailored to specific pipe fittings, including copper, brass, and plastic. 

 

To complement these mechanical tools, professional thread-sealing tapes provide a lubricated, watertight barrier within threaded connections, preventing leaks caused by minor thread imperfections.

 

Equip your toolkit with our trade-quality selection of plumbing wrenches and high-grade thread-sealing tapes. Essential for both routine maintenance and complex installations, our range ensures leak-free joints and secure fittings. Whether you need a heavy-duty pipe wrench for tight grips on steel framework, a specialized basin wrench for restricted under-sink spaces, or standard PTFE tape to seal threaded joints, Travis Perkins provides tools that deliver maximum torque without slipping.

 

Typical uses

 

• Compression fittings: Using smooth-jawed adjustable spanners to tighten compression nuts on copper pipework.

 

• Under-sink repairs: Utilising telescopic basin wrenches to reach and loosen back-nuts behind deep sinks and baths.

 

• Thread sealing: Wrapping male threads with PTFE tape to establish a watertight seal on radiator valves and tap tails.

 

• Heavy iron work: Employing classic Stillson-pattern pipe wrenches to grip and turn heavy-duty iron or steel gas and water mains.

 

How to choose the right plumbing wrenches & tape

Using the correct tool avoids costly damage to fixtures and fittings:

 

• Adjustable spanners: Feature smooth jaws. Ideal for chrome or brass hexagonal nuts, as they will not mar or scratch the finished surface.

 

• Pipe wrenches (Stillsons): Feature hardened, serrated teeth that bite into round pipes. Use these strictly on heavy iron or steel, never on delicate brass or plastic fittings.

 

• Basin wrenches: Feature a swivelling jaw on a long handle, designed specifically to reach up into narrow voids behind basins.

 

• PTFE tape selection: Use standard white thread seal tape for general water plumbing. For gas installations, you must use thicker, high-density gas tape to comply with UK safety standards.

 

Before you order

Before purchasing, evaluate the access space and material of the fittings you are working on. If you are replacing a kitchen or bathroom tap, a specialised basin tool or a wide-jaw stubby spanner will save significant time and frustration in tight cabinet spaces. 

 

Always ensure you have a fresh multi-pack of PTFE tape on hand, as re-using old tape on a disassembled joint will almost certainly result in a slow weep or leak.

 

Explore our range of plumbing wrenches & tape

Browse our full inventory to find the exact jaw capacities, tool lengths, and tape specifications for your next plumbing project. 

 

We stock durable, ergonomic plumbing tools designed to withstand daily use on commercial and domestic job sites. From slim-jawed adjustable spanners that protect delicate brass compression fittings to high-density thread sealants, discover the reliable gear required for a flawless plumbing finish.

 

Order online today to use our convenient Click & Collect service at your local Travis Perkins branch, or opt for direct site delivery to keep your project running seamlessly.