Tackling A Plumbing Problem On Your Own? 14 Top-Rated Harbor Freight Finds To Help

If you've started to notice that the cost to hire plumbers and electricians is on the rise, then you may be looking to equip yourself to handle certain home maintenance tasks yourself. By investing in a few choice tools now, you could actually end up saving yourself a significant sum in the long run. What's more, if you shop at Harbor Freight, you can find most of the things you need in one place, and you don't need to spend a fortune to kit out your tool collection for plumbing repairs.

It could be that you're embarking on a remodel of your kitchen or bathroom. Perhaps you have a leaky pipe you need a temporary patch for. Or maybe you simply believe in the power of being prepared. Whatever eventuality your home's plumbing has in store, Harbor Freight probably has a tool for it — and we've pulled together 14 of the chain's best options. These range from caulking guns to adhesives, endoscopes, and more. Each of the below plumbing tools is rated at least 4 stars by more than 90 reviews. You can find our methodology at the end of the article. 

This 2.7-inch Color Compact Digital Inspection Camera from Ames Instruments is ideal for diagnosing plumbing problems in hard-to-reach places. It could be behind a leaky shower wall, or inside a pipe that's started to clog. The compact, water-resistant camera can be fed into awkward spots using the 38-inch-long flexible cable. There's also a 5x zoom function and an in-built light with four brightness settings.

To date, over 675 users have reviewed the camera, and of those, over 57% have given it 5 stars. It's rated 4.2 stars overall, with most users citing their satisfaction with its quality and the 2.7-inch screen's clear imagery. It's praised for its price tag versus name-brand alternatives, too, as well as its compact size, which is useful in tight spaces. "I bought this camera to inspect some plumbing behind a wall and it worked well for what I needed," said one user, who added, "Good for the low cost."

If you need to inspect plumbing problems with a camera, but a tiny screen just won't do, this Digital Inspection Camera from Cen-Tech is designed for such circumstances. If you need a more detailed look at the problem, a video-out cable allows you to hook it up to a larger external monitor. Like the 2.7-inch camera from Ames Instruments, it has a long, 38-inch cable, which makes it easy to feed the waterproof camera behind obstacles. 

To date, over 1,540 users have reviewed the Cen-Tech camera, with more than 60% awarding it full marks. A few cited issues with the display resolution; however, most agreed that it does an excellent job, especially considering the price. Some even compared it to products from big-box brands like Milwaukee. As one user said, "For the price you can't go wrong. Has a very good picture and you can plug it into a bigger screen if you need a more detailed image. I would recommend."

If you need to keep the video from your camera investigation and transport it to a computer or show it to an expert, the Ames Instruments' 3.5 Digital Inspection Camera with Micro SD Card Slot is probably the best option at Harbor Freight. The slot for a micro SD card is ideal for saving your findings. As a homeowner, you can use it to consult the opinion of an expert — perhaps your plumber friend on the other side of the country. It also features a slightly longer cable than the 2.7-inch version (39 inches, instead of 38), while retaining the compact camera head that makes troubleshooting tight areas easy. As a contractor, you could use these to show your clients what you've found. 

So far, more than 290 users have reviewed the camera, including 56% who awarded it top marks. It's praised for being useful in tight spaces and for being built to a high standard. As one user said, "I needed this inspection camera to find a leaking water pipe behind a wall, and only needed to make a small hole to find it. It saved me from making a big hole in the wall. The mini SD card and batteries that came with the inspection camera is a big plus for me."

You probably don't need us to tell you about the various clever uses for super glue around your house. There's a reason it's a staple in the cupboards of households around the world. But did you know that it's also useful in a pinch for home plumbers? HFT's Super Glue Gel sets quickly and comes in a handy 10-pack, so you never end up with a dried-out tube you can't use and no replacement. And while you shouldn't rely on it for a permanent fix, you might find one of these small tubes helps to seal a slightly leaky pipe until a more permanent solution can be applied.

The glue is rated 4.7 stars overall, thanks to more than 700 user reviews. Of those, 80% gave it 5 stars. Users have praised the gel's consistency, which ensures the glue stays where it's supposed to, even on vertical surfaces. It's also praised for the value it offers (the pack is currently $4.99) and for standing up well to moisture. And since it comes with several smaller tubes instead of one large bottle, customers have praised the fact that it eliminates the age-old super glue issue of the nozzle drying out. "Exactly what it says on the tin," said one user. "It bonds fast and strong. Great price, works as it should."

If you're joining pipework as part of a repair or renovation project, you'll want to ensure the connections are watertight, and for that you'll need a roll of thread tape. HFT's Thread Seal Tape works on threaded metal or PVC pipe, and is as useful for water pipes as it is for air and gas lines. The rolls only contain 21 feet of tape, but are affordably priced at roughly $1.50.

Over 1,270 have reviewed the product to date. Over 80% of those gave the tape 5 stars, lending to an overall rating of 4.8 stars out of 5. Many users agree that it does what it promises in the product description by providing a tidy, leak-free seal. It's also praised for its performance given the price (currently $1.49 per roll), which undercuts that of other big box stores without sacrificing quality. "Excellence as expected," said one user, who added, "Great quality and value."

Bauer's 20V Caulk and Adhesive Gun is a fine example of why it's become one of Harbor Freight's most highly-rated brands. It's especially useful for large caulking projects: instead of putting undue strain on your hands, it draws the power required to apply your sealant from a 20V lithium-ion battery. An anti-drip mechanism helps to keep your work area tidy, and a trigger lock feature allows you to safely "pause," for example when your phone starts ringing in your pocket. The tool also has five different speed modes that you can use, depending on the type of sealant you're using. If you're wondering whether Bauer tools like this are worth buying, that can depend on whether you already own a Bauer battery pack, and want to invest in more tools in the brand's ecosystem. While this caulk gun is a super handy tool to have, the battery isn't included, and it costs twice the price of the caulk gun, plus you'll need the charger. 

But if you have Bauer tools already, then this caulk gun is a steal. It's significantly cheaper than models from brands like Ryobi and Craftsman. And just as importantly, 84% of buyers have awarded it top marks. More than 90 have reviewed the product to date, and overall, it's rated 4.7 out of 5. Most praised it for relieving their hands from strain on larger projects. It's also complimented for the anti-drip feature, and for the different modes that make it easy to work with various materials. "This unit is life-changing!" said one user. "It made ALL of my caulking for my bathroom remodel so easy."

If your plumbing job requires only small amounts of caulking, then you may not want to spring for a dedicated power tool. And you don't need to. In fact, for less than $4, you can get this 9-inch Caulking Gun. It's about what you'd expect — an all-purpose, spring-triggered caulking gun — and it works with all types of adhesives and caulks. Provided that it comes in a standard 10.3-ounce cartridge, you can apply it using this gun.

It's rated 4.5 stars overall, thanks to over 1,010 user reviews to date. Of those, more than 74% have given it 5 stars. Most cite its excellent built quality, especially given the modest price tag, and it's widely praised for being easy to use. As one user said, "This gun was a third of the price of other stores and it works great."

Sometimes, it's the simplest tools that make the biggest difference. That's certainly the idea with Caulk Saver's Caulk Tube Plug. It's exactly what it says on the label — a plug designed to make your caulk last longer once it's been opened. It can also be used to plug silicone, adhesive, cement, and even grease. In other words, according to Caulk Saver, if it comes in a tube, this plug will keep it fresh.

So far, those who have bought and used the plug seem impressed. It's rated 4.7 stars overall thanks to 631 user reviews, including 81% who awarded it 5 stars. Most users praised the product for its simplicity, saying that it's paid for itself by preventing unnecessary waste. It's also said to be much more effective than a nail or tape — both common makeshift means of sealing caulk tubes. As one user said, "This is the greatest little invention. It will keep your tube of caulk from drying out between uses. Highly recommended."

T-REX's Waterproof Tape can be a useful addition to the toolboxes for times when you need to temporarily stop a leak. The tape is designed to cope with the wettest conditions, and the brand promises that it will adhere to wet surfaces. It's also made with a super-strong adhesive that T-Rex claims can withstand temperatures between -70°F and 200°F, and stretch up to 700% of its length.

So far, 388 users have reviewed the product, with 72% having awarded it top marks. It's rated 4.4 stars overall, with most buyers agreeing that it's exceptionally sticky, even in very wet conditions. It's proven a lifesaver for some users with emergency plumbing and pool repairs, and it's widely praised for its thick, heavy-duty build. "I used this at the connection point of a drain hose I extended," said one user. "I haven't had a single drop of water get through it."

Pipe nipple extractors allow you to remove busted pipe nipples from your plumbing while avoiding the expense of having to remove the affected pipework and replace it. In other words, they're a useful tool to have in your box. This Pipe Nipple Extractor Set from Pittsburgh features five different-sized extractors to help keep your project moving and your costs down. Each piece is made from durable heat-treated steel with zinc plating. 

Out of more than 400 reviews to date, 75% have awarded the set 5 stars. It's rated 4.5 stars overall, and is hailed widely by users as a time-, money-, and indeed a life-saver. Users seem to love that it works in seconds when other methods fail. "It worked instantly," said one user. "I struggled with a hacksaw blade to cut about an inch of metal pipe from a plastic junction in a tub/shower unit. In desperation I took a suggestion to get the Harbor Freight extractor set. Within 30 seconds ... the broken piece came loose."

If you're soldering copper pipework, you'll first need to clean it to ensure a successful bond. That's what Harbor Freight's 4-in-1 Plumber's Brush is designed to do. It has brush holes in the handle for cleaning the outside of ⅞ inch and ⅝ inch pipes. It also features brushed inserts on either end, for cleaning inside the bores of those same sizes. Steel bristles resist flattening even with heavy use, and according to Harbor Freight's description, the molded handle is contoured for user comfort.

Most users seem impressed with the brush. More than 800 have reviewed it to date, and of those, 75% gave it full marks. It's rated 4.6 stars overall, and earns praise in the reviews from those who appreciate having all the required pipe cleaning tools in one handy piece of equipment. It's also widely praised for its price tag, which is currently less than $3. "Used this tool to repair the bathroom plumbing and it worked great," said one user. "It was less than half the price of a name brand tool at the local big box lumber store and worked just as well."

There are various types of wrenches you might want to add to your toolbox, but if you're plumbing, then a pipe wrench is likely to come in handy. Pittsburgh's 18-inch Aluminum Pipe Wrench is a good option for large projects or repetitive use. In fact, according to Pittsburgh, its aluminum build makes it up to 60% lighter than comparable steel wrenches, which means you're less likely to tire when using it.

Feedback for the tool is overwhelmingly positive. Over 280 have reviewed it to date, and of those, over 77% gave it top marks. It's rated 4.7 stars overall, with most in agreement that its lightweight build makes it easier to use for long periods than comparable steel tools. What's more, despite the tool's light weight, users appreciate that it still allows them to apply plenty of force. "I am completely satisfied with this wrench," said one user. "The weight is a huge improvement over my 40-year-old steel wrenches, especially while working overhead flat on my back in a tight space."

Creating precise threads in your pipework is key to ensuring a leak-proof and secure connection. Central Machinery's ½-inch to 1-inch Ratcheting Pipe Threader Set includes three high-speed alloy steel dies, capable of cutting threads into ½-inch, ¾-inch, and 1-inch pipes. The 16-inch ratcheting handle offers plenty of leverage, and a blow-mold carry case makes it easy to pack up and carry the set to wherever in the house it's needed.

The set achieves an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. This is thanks to more than 360 user reviews, 61% of which awarded it top marks. These include several who said that the tool is great for beginners, especially those working on smaller projects. It's rated as a great tool for use in tight locations, even by professionals, and there are some who've managed to save hundreds of dollars by simply using this tool instead of hiring a contractor. One user, who titled their review "worth every penny," added that the set is "Shockingly good."

Producing smooth and accurate bends in your home's pipework is key to ensuring your water and gas gets around without the risk of leaks. Doyle's Premium Ratcheting Tube Bender Kit can help with this. It features seven color-coded quick-change mandrels and shoes, which, between them, allow you to bend tubing between ¼ inch and ⅞ inch in diameter. It also includes a ratchet mechanism, which should make applying the necessary pressure easy — even on large amounts of tubing. A commercial-grade steel body is made, per Doyle, for optimum durability, and even if it does fail, the product's 100% lifetime guarantee means that you can always get your money back.

With an overall rating of 4.3 stars, it's quite clear that the majority of those who bought the set are glad they decided to do so. More than 120 have reviewed it so far, and of those, 74% awarded it full marks. Some compared it to industry-grade equipment, while others cited appreciation for the kit's comprehensive contents. What really stands out in the reviews, however, are the quality, kink-free bends the tool is capable of producing. As one user put it, "When tight bends in tubing are necessary, I haven't used a better tool for the job."

In order to create this guide, we focused solely on Harbor Freight products that ticked three important criteria. Firstly, each product had to be genuinely useful for a plumbing-related task. Each product also required a minimum rating of 4 out of 5 stars. Finally, to ensure that those ratings represented a fair appraisal of each product's true quality, each product required a minimum of 90 real user reviews.