DIY Plumbing Repair Tips

Are you new to the world of DIY plumbing repairs? We at Hometalk are here to guide you in this exciting new journey. We have the video tutorials, slideshows, and discussion boards to get you going in the right direction. Read our top, best, and new plumbing repair projects in order to learn from other Hometalkers.

Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger

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Plumbing Repair Tips

Locate the main turnoff source: Make sure you know where your turnoff source is. In times of sudden flooding, turning off your water supply is the best immediate repair.
Look underneath sinks and toilets: A worn toilet flapper or sink cartridge are common causes of leaks. Check regularly and replace when the part is showing wear and tear.
Spot and fix leaky faucets: Turn off the water supply to the leaky faucet. Open the faucet in neutral to relieve water pressure. Disassemble and clean each part.
Maintain your plumbing joints: Tighten joints on water supply lines and waste line fittings, using pipe joint compound if needed. Repeat this process regularly.
Fix toilets without chemicals: Use a plunger first on a clogged toilet, then invest in a toilet snake if the blockage persists. Try to avoid using chemicals.

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Top Projects for Repairing Plumbing

Here are our top plumbing repair projects here. Fix that leak yourself!

Small Guide for Taking Care of Your Home Pipes

Let’s be completely honest here. We all completely forget to take care of the pipes in our homes before it’s too late, and then, when they break down, we complain about it. That’s the truth. If you’re one of those people who simply forget about the pipes in your home, it’s time to change that. The best time to start taking care of the pipes in your home was when you bought your house or apartment. The second best time to start is right now. So, let’s get down and dirty and let’s teach you how to spot small problems before they start becoming big ones.

Gabriella

Common Apartment Problems - How to Be Your Own Handyman

One of the main benefits of renting rather than owning is the fact that when something needs fixin’, a call to the landlord is all that needs to be done! However, sometimes it is much quicker and easier to handle simple repairs on your own — especially if you deal with a very busy property manager who may not have the bandwidth to respond to your problem immediately. Here’s a quick 101 on several basic home fixes even an amateur can handle without assistance.

ForRent.com

How to Replace Shower Faucet Diverters Without Soldering Copper Pipes!

In today’s tutorial you’ll learn how to replace shower faucet diverters using all PEX and Hansgrohe’s iBox.This is one of the best ways to install a new shower faucet.Here’s why:There’s no soldering or sweating copper pipes!!You’ll be surprised at how easy replacing a shower faucet can be using this method.

Home Repair Tutor

How to Tighten a Loose Kitchen Faucet

The hardest part about this fix is getting to it.

ChickFix

Angie's List: How To Caulk Your Shower

There's no expiration date on caulk, but when it begins to peel and turn different colors around your bathtub or shower, you'll know it's time. Luckily, caulking requires just a few tools and materials, making it an easy DIY project for handy homeowners of every skill level.

Angie's List

Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger

This is the coolest trick to unclog a toilet. It's so much cleaner than using a plunger. I can’t promise it will work every time for you, but it worked every time I tried it. All you need is dish soap and hot water.

Shawna Bailey

Removing a Toilet

I'm taking on a remodeling project that has many new challenges involved. This project is the total remodel of a very scary looking main floor bathroom. It has floor to ceiling black tile, a black bathtub, a black vanity and some ther fun surprises. As this is a big project, I'm going to post the components in smaller parts. To start, here is the bathroom at the beginning:

Carol Becker

How to Remove Embarrassing Bathroom Odors, With an "MG"

Here's a overview of how to install Manderley Gates SR/1 "MG" Toilet Odor Venting System

Manderley Gate

How to Install a Farmhouse Drop in Sink.

**I was given products for this project, but the post and opinion are my own.**When we moved in, we needed a new sink, but were not ready to replace the countertops. We loved the style of the farmhouse sink, but most were under mount, until we found the Josephine sink from Sinkology. S

Brooke Cribbs- Cribbs Style

Don't Cut the Concrete Slab - Drill a Tunnel Under It Instead

Problem: 50 year old galvenized pipe is failing, and replacing it requires getting under, over or around a 12 foot wide concrete patio. We decide to go under with a long steel pipe, a sledge hammer, and a garden hose with brass "jet" nozzle.

Rhonda S

Small Guide for Taking Care of Your Home Pipes

Gabriella

Common Apartment Problems - How to Be Your Own Handyman

ForRent.com

How to Replace Shower Faucet Diverters Without Soldering Copper Pipes!

Home Repair Tutor

How to Tighten a Loose Kitchen Faucet

The hardest part about this fix is getting to it.

ChickFix

Angie's List: How To Caulk Your Shower

Angie's List

Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger

Shawna Bailey

Removing a Toilet

Carol Becker

How to Remove Embarrassing Bathroom Odors, With an "MG"

Here's a overview of how to install Manderley Gates SR/1 "MG" Toilet Odor Venting System

Manderley Gate

How to Install a Farmhouse Drop in Sink.

Brooke Cribbs- Cribbs Style

Don't Cut the Concrete Slab - Drill a Tunnel Under It Instead

Rhonda S

Popular Slideshows for Repairing Plumbing

Browse our DIY plumbing repair project slideshows and get to fixing.

Installing a Kitchen Sink in Butcher Block Countertop

We recently renovated our outdated kitchen, which included replacing a tile counter top with butcher block and installing a new single-bowl sink. This may seem like a daunting task, but if you have moderate DIY experience, you can do it yourself.

Clearing a Clogged Sink Drain and Rescuing Lost Jewelry

Ever dropped an earring or contact lens down the sink drain and thought it was gone forever? Chances are high that you can still recover it with this trick, and improve the drainage on your sink while you're at it. Watch the video for more details.

Yes! You Can Instal a New Water Heater!

Last week we got up for work and there was no hot water coming from the shower. When we checked the water heater, we realized that the lower thermostat was basically melted. Luckily, this had tripped the breaker and no damage was done outside of the water heater itself. I was told that I could repair it but my husband and I, both having experienced house fires in the past, opted for a new water heater.

How to Install a Toilet

The first thing you're going to want to do is remove the old toilet. And before you start this project, it's a good idea to put on some rubber gloves. View the full article and video: http://bld.cm/1wKuhVF NOTE: Replacing a toilet is a simple project. If you run into any trouble, make sure you contact a licensed plumber.

Weekend Downspout Repair Project

We remodeled our country cottage about two years ago, and that included finishing off the original concrete basement. We added sheet rock and carpet and boxed in the exposed beams to create a family space that’s an important and integral part of our home. Yet, over time, we realized that if we got a very heavy downpour, a little bit of water would seep into our basement level. We didn’t have the money to sink into totally digging up all around our foundation to waterproof it. Instead, my husband, who is a plumber, took another look around. He noticed that the original clay downspouts were just going directly into the ground, allowing water to pool up and eventually sink down beside the foundation. He worked with a local contractor over the course of a weekend to dig up the original downspouts, install new ones, and redirect them away from the house. We haven’t had an issue with incoming water since.

Replaced Your Toilets Flapper and It's Still Running?

If you have a toilet keeps running even after you've replaced its flush valve flapper try this simple fix.

The Quick and Easy 5 Minute Fix For a Clogged Garbage Disposal

A paper clip once fell into my garbage disposal without my knowledge. The whole thing seized up and I had no idea what was wrong. I feared I would have to buy a whole new disposal...until I figured out this trick. Watch the video for some added tips on how to clean your disposal with things you already have in your kitchen.

How to Install a Toilet in 1 Hour or Less

Today we're going to share how to install a new toilet on a tile floor.Specifically American Standard's one-piece Cadet 3...which is an awesome toilet for small bathrooms.Why should you learn to do this project?Well, for one it'll save you a ton of money. Second, it's good to know how a toilet works.When there's a leak you'll have the ability to fix it and save even more money!!!Let's dive in and see how to replace a toilet on a tiled bathroom floor, we have a ton of great tips.

How to Install a Kitchen Sink

Installing and replacing a kitchen sink is fairly simple, but it's recommended to install the sink with two people. NOTE: This is a drop-in style sink. Other types of kitchen sinks may require different steps. Tools/Materials Needed: Putty knife, silicone caulking, and plumber's putty View full article and video here: http://bld.cm/1wuOPxP

Video :: Repairing a Clay Drain Pipe

recently I repaired a clay downspout leader (that you might see in a garden) similar steps you might use repairing a terra cotta waste water pipe. If youj ever come across this.

Installing a Kitchen Sink in Butcher Block Countertop

Clearing a Clogged Sink Drain and Rescuing Lost Jewelry

Yes! You Can Instal a New Water Heater!

How to Install a Toilet

Weekend Downspout Repair Project

Replaced Your Toilets Flapper and It's Still Running?

If you have a toilet keeps running even after you've replaced its flush valve flapper try this simple fix.

The Quick and Easy 5 Minute Fix For a Clogged Garbage Disposal

How to Install a Toilet in 1 Hour or Less

How to Install a Kitchen Sink

Video :: Repairing a Clay Drain Pipe

recently I repaired a clay downspout leader (that you might see in a garden) similar steps you might use repairing a terra cotta waste water pipe. If youj ever come across this.

Plumbing Repair Videos

Are you looking for DIY instructional videos on how to repair plumbing problems?

How to Remove Embarrassing Bathroom Odors, With an "MG"

Here's a overview of how to install Manderley Gates SR/1 "MG" Toilet Odor Venting System

Manderley Gate

Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger

Shawna Bailey

Clearing a Clogged Sink Drain and Rescuing Lost Jewelry

ChickFix

Hometalkers' Favorite DIY Plumbing Repair Projects

We've collected the best DIY plumbing repair projects for your enjoyment.

How to Install a Toilet in 1 Hour or Less

Home Repair Tutor

How to Install a Kitchen Sink

Holly

Video :: Repairing a Clay Drain Pipe

recently I repaired a clay downspout leader (that you might see in a garden) similar steps you might use repairing a terra cotta waste water pipe. If youj ever come across this.

Building Moxie

Toilet Seat Screwdown

Not exciting, but a quick way to save a $20 Bill.. Works for me..

Lauren

5 Hacks to Use Bubble Wrap Around the House

Let's be honest, bubble wrap isn't just intended for wrapping delicate items and moving. It's also meant for popping! But, did you know there are even more ways to use bubble wrap around the house? Check out these 5 helpful hacks.

Julien K., Hometalk Team

Eliminate Leaking Bathroom Faucets in Less Than 15 Minutes

Seeing water drip from my bath faucet made me take action. Not to mention the wastefulness of seeing water just go down the drain and paying higher water bills. You might think it's hard to fix this type of leak but it's not bad. And you can do it yourself in less than 15 minutes with just a pair of channel locks. Of course it will depend on the type of faucet you have but in most cases the handles can be removed by hand or by unfastening a set screw that holds them in place. You'll need a set of hex wrenches to unfasten set screws. Modern day faucets have cartridges and you can find replacements at hardware stores for $10-15. The cartridge seals tend to break down over time and allow water to drip from the faucet. Some faucets have rubber seats and springs that can be replaced, too. You'll have to look at your particular setup. My latest blog post tackles how to replace a Moen bathroom faucet cartridge that went bad. If you want to learn how to do this yourself and save money click on this link http://www.homerepairtutor.com/repair-leaky-moen-bathroom-faucets/. Do you have additional bathroom faucet repair or replacement tips you'd like to share with the Hometalk community? If so leave a comment :)

Home Repair Tutor

How to Install a Toilet in 1 Hour or Less

Home Repair Tutor

How to Install a Kitchen Sink

Holly

Video :: Repairing a Clay Drain Pipe

recently I repaired a clay downspout leader (that you might see in a garden) similar steps you might use repairing a terra cotta waste water pipe. If youj ever come across this.

Building Moxie

Toilet Seat Screwdown

Not exciting, but a quick way to save a $20 Bill.. Works for me..

Lauren

5 Hacks to Use Bubble Wrap Around the House

Julien K., Hometalk Team

Eliminate Leaking Bathroom Faucets in Less Than 15 Minutes

Home Repair Tutor

Popular Repairing Plumbing Discussions

Take part in the plumbing repair discussion board and put your two cents in.

How can I unclog a toilet?

/> Don10967056

View discussion

How do you unclog a bathtub?

/> Sherry

View discussion

How do I rid the crawl space under my house of ground water?

/> Linda

I have an older double wide on the lowest spot in my neighborhood. All the runoff from the area accumulates in the crawl space underneath my home. It will build up to about 6-8 inches. I have clay soil so the water will not seep into the ground very fast. How do I alleviate this problem?

View discussion

How do I unclog a toilet?

/> Britanna

I think my toilet is clogged, would appreciate advice on how to fix a gurgling toilet, thank you.

View discussion

New Plumbing Repair Projects

Want to read about the new plumbing repair projects on Hometalk? Here you go.

Toilet Seat Screwdown

Not exciting, but a quick way to save a $20 Bill.. Works for me..

Lauren

5 Hacks to Use Bubble Wrap Around the House

Julien K., Hometalk Team

Easy Peasy DIY How To: Fix a Too Cold Anti-Scald Bath Fixture

Shower or bath not getting hot enough? Your hot water tank is fine, so what's the problem? An anti-scald bath fixture may be raining coldly on your parade!

Becky at Flipping the Flip

Cast Iron Sink Restoration Project

We just love cast iron sinks and this one was in great condition for its age. Other than some minor wear and tear from years of service, this sink was in pretty good shape. The question, was; can we restore it and make it more suitable for this kitchen restoration project since white really wasn't going to go with the design plan.

Dream Home Supply, LTD.

Why You Need to Replace Your Shower Head - Every 6-Months!

This is not my opinion, this is the recommendation of medical and scientific experts that have documented a Recommended Cleaning and Maintenance regiment - in response to the serious threat that some disease-causing bacteria can grow in shower heads and infect the lungs of at risk patient groups. Go to the following web article for more details: http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/region/baltimore_city/how-to-clean-the-bacteria-out-of-your-shower The purpose of this post is to inspect and disassemble a shower head that is over 6-months old to determine if there are any signs of the biofilm clusters (bacteria) that the experts are warning us about. I have provided pictures throughout the disassembly process to record the observations. Please note that my readings tell us that the white and pink crust in - and on - the shower head are not "hard water scale" - they are actually biofilm with additional contaminants stuck to its fatty protective layer that create clusters. It is tiny parts of these bacteria clusters that break loose and become atomized into droplets as they are shot out of the shower head. These bacteria contaminated droplets are inhaled right into your respiratory system as you breathe in the shower. Not too surprisingly, my experiment shows first-hand that there are plenty of clear indications of biofilm and bacteria clusters from the outside of the shower head to the very inside of the shower head. Actually, even further because the shower head adapter, the metal shower neck pipe, and the connection hose also showed significant bacteria contamination. I conclude that the experts' recommendation for us to replace shower heads at six month intervals seems completely reasonable. In addition, they recommend a monthly vinegar soak of the shower heads for maintenance. I replaced this hand-held shower head with an inexpensive hand-held shower-head model - since they are basically a consumable now. I feel sorry for people who bought beautiful fancy shower heads and assemblies, because they have a tough choice between their significant dollar investment and breathing bacteria everyday. I hope this information is helpful to you. Stay safe, Matthew

Matthew Gingerella

How to Unclog a Sink Like a Pro

Many of you asked me to do a tutorial on how to unclog a sink. So I put an extensive tutorial together that walks you through this easy fix (it's like you're right in the bathroom with me!!). This is probably one of the Top 10 fixes a homeowner encounters. And the funny part is that I had to unclog my own sink last weekend. What timing. All you need for this project are a Zip It ($3), Drain Auger ($28), channel locks, tupperware container, towel, and 30-60 minutes. Check out my step-by-step video by visiting www.homerepairtutor.com/how-to-unclog-a-sink This tutorial will solve 99% of your clogs and you're always welcome to ask me questions. What plumbing task would you like to tackle but haven't gotten around to yet? Let me know and please share why so that I and the other Hometalkers can help you :) Thanks as always for your feedback and wonderful comments!!

Home Repair Tutor