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.

More repairing categories

Top Projects for Repairing Plumbing

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

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

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.

Manderley Gate

Clever Home Hacks

Here are some clever home hacks that every homeowner should know.

Mitch Couch

Create a Waterproof Bathtub Wall for Less than $50

Every time I walk into the new bathroom we installed I know there is no way water will get behind the new subway tiles. It's reassuring to know that the bathtub remodeling project we performed was done correctly and will last the test of time. The super important step we took to prevent water damage was to apply RedGard. It costs less than $50 for 1 gallon and is totally worth every penny. To see how we applied it to our cement board visit my blog post http://www.homerepairtutor.com/waterproof-and-crack-resistant-bathtub-walls/

Jeff P

Restoring a Vintage Sink...

When I was planning the renovations here at BannockBurn 1878 I knew I wanted to incorporate some vintage pieces. The house seemed to beg for it! So… many years ago my parents gave us this vintage sink. It was in their attic. They took it out of their kitchen around the time I was born… I will just let you guess when that was! I always thought the drainboard aspect of it was interesting… and quite practical. After much debate about whether or not it was worth the time and effort to try and restore it… We decided to give it a try. I am sharing the whole process and my experience with it over on the blog. So if this is something you have ever considered trying… pop over and get all the details!

Cynthia Weber @ A Button Tufted Life...

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

Turn Chrome Faucets Gold With Rub N Buff

Now that I know I can transform faucets with Rub n Buff – no chrome fixtures are safe in my house! I am not a fan of chrome fixtures for whatever reason. I prefer matte black, or gold fixtures, which I am sure will go back out of style in a few years, but oh well. I like them in my home!

Kylie | livingwiththelamberts

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.

Mary from Real Girl's Realm

Adding a Second Water Line From a Refrigerator to a Coffee Maker

There is a small section of cabinets and countertop next to our refrigerator, the perfect place to create a drink station. Mostly filled with coffee supplies, it also has a basket with our bottle openers and some drink packets and such. The biggest annoyance I had with the drink station, is that in order to make the coffee, we had to pull the coffee maker all the way out to the front edge of the countertop in order to add the water and coffee grounds because of how low the upper cabinets are. We recently had to replace our coffee maker so I took the opportunity to get a slightly fancier one, where the area for the grinds swivels out instead of having to lift the lid up. The other issue was the water, so here is how I made our coffee making process super easy every morning!

Amanda

How To Stop Holding The Toilet Handle Down So It Flushes Completely

A simple and inexpensive adjustment to your toilet so you don't have to hold the handle down for a complete flush.

Manderley Gate

Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger

Shawna Bailey

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.

Manderley Gate

Clever Home Hacks

Here are some clever home hacks that every homeowner should know.

Mitch Couch

Create a Waterproof Bathtub Wall for Less than $50

Jeff P

Restoring a Vintage Sink...

Cynthia Weber @ A Button Tufted Life...

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

Rhonda S

How To Stop Holding The Toilet Handle Down So It Flushes Completely

A simple and inexpensive adjustment to your toilet so you don't have to hold the handle down for a complete flush.

Manderley Gate

Plumbing Repair Videos

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

How to Use Bubble Wrap Around the House: 5 Easy Hacks

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

How to Replace Cartridges to Fix a Leaky Bathroom Sink

My master bathroom sink was leaking and the dripping sound from the leaking water hitting the sink was driving me crazy while I tried to sleep so I decided to find the cause and fix the leaky faucet to get my sleep back! I knew that a leaking faucet was wasting water and energy in my home so once I discovered that the cause of my leak was worn cartridges, I replaced the worn cartridges with new ones that stopped the dripping and made my sink like new!

ChickFix

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.

ChickFix

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

Hometalkers' Favorite DIY Plumbing Repair Projects

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

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

DIY – How to Fix a Cast-Iron Toilet Flange

The best toilet flange is made of hard plastic or metallic alloys. The flange holds the base of your raised toilet to the main drain. If the flange breaks, your toilet will rock unsteadily and poop might also spill all over the bathroom floor. The good news is toilet flange is replaceable. However, the process isn’t easy and requires you to be very dedicated. To repair your toilet flange you could buy the repair rings (covering the entire flange setup) or you can buy the repair plates. Nonetheless in this post I will show you how to repair a toilet flange made out of cast-iron. Usually found on the best flushing toilet in toiletrated blog. Follow the steps keenly for super results.

Cynthiadavisus

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.

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

Housing for House Water Supply Cut Off Valve.

This post is not really a "step by step" of how to do this particular project as much as it about solving a variety of problems, and how - if you let yourself, you can come up with solutions. Our problem: the old cut-off valve to our household water supply had been buried so long that the handle intended for use to turn the supply off in an emergency had completely quit working, so when we replaced the supply line, we needed a way to get to the valve. It had to be big enough to fit a hand into but not so big that it was obtrusive. I didn't know where to start, so I started looking through my various containers to see if I had something that would work as a housing. I came up with a coffee can.

Rhonda S

How to Install a Farmhouse Drop in Sink.

Brooke Cribbs- Cribbs Style

DIY – How to Fix a Cast-Iron Toilet Flange

Cynthiadavisus

Cast Iron Sink Restoration Project

Dream Home Supply, LTD.

How to Replace Shower Faucet Diverters Without Soldering Copper Pipes!

Home Repair Tutor

Housing for House Water Supply Cut Off Valve.

Rhonda S

Popular Repairing Plumbing Discussions

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

Is there really supposed to be standing water in a p trap?

/> Sarah W

I am asking this specifically regarding my upstairs shower, which always has about 2 inches of standing water in the drain. It drains, except for one day when it backed up a little bit. My local Home Depot guy recommended that I treat it with something similar to Drano, but after two treatments, it still has standing water. Another trip to HD and a different guy later, I am told that there should always be some water in the P trap. Can anyone tell me about this?

View discussion

Why does my house smell like sewer every time it rains?

/> Donna R

Here I am again with an "old house" problem! Every time it rains hard my house smells like sewer and I am at a loss as to the cause. I put in a new sump pump, had the septic tank cleaned, and constantly check the two basement floor drains for any back-up, but nothing seems to stop the smell -- it goes away the day after the rain stops! I want to call a plumber, but would really like to have some idea as to what the problem might be before I get someone here so I can feel comfortable about what they say needs to be done. HELP!

View discussion

How do I fix a toilet tank that doesn't fill up?

/> Danielle Segev

Hi everyone, I have an issue with my one toilet, the tank doesn't fill up! I would love to try and repair the issue on my own. Please could all you clever DIYers let me know how I could do this? Here is a picture of my toilet. Thanks so much.

How do I fix a toilet tank that doesn't fill up?

View discussion

Should a toilet tank wobble?

/> Amy Poulton, Hometalk Editor

Can anyone tell me if a wobbling toilet tank is normal and what I can do about it?

View discussion

New Plumbing Repair Projects

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

A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Fix a Running Toilet

If your toilet is making a loud, gurgling sound even when you haven’t recently flushed it, odds are your toilet is running. And there’s no need to call a plumber quite yet: Luckily, a running toilet can be a simple fix and is also a common problem to have, especially with a tank-type toilet.Though you may think you can live with a running toilet, chances are it will start to grate on your nerves and rack up your water bill.Luckily, there are a few quick fixes to fixing a running toilet—if you’re not afraid to stick your hands in your toilet tank (don’t worry, the water is clean in there, but it doesn’t hurt to clean the tank once in a while).

Marilyn Syarto

How to Fix a Wobbly Toilet in a Matter of Minutes

By Alexa EricksonOne of the most, if not the most, essential parts of the home is the toilet. It gets used often, so it’s natural for there to be malfunctions over time. One of the biggest problems you may face as a homeowner is a wobbly toilet.Although a wobbly toilet can be an intimidating issue, the fix can be as simple as tightening the bolts at the base of the toilet, but it may require some shims and caulk as well. Regardless, this is such a common issue, and you can most likely do it yourself. Here’s what you need to know about a wobbly toilet and how to fix it.

Alexa

How to Fix a Leaky Faucet Before It Makes a Dent On Your Water Bill

By Alexa EricksonThe drip, drip, drip sound of a leaky faucet may have been annoying enough for you to seek out this guide. But it’s more than the sound that’s an issue. A leaky faucet will undoubtedly add to your water bill if not dealt with immediately, while also putting your home at risk for extra moisture, ultimately leading to mold and mildew. The end result can be an expensive plumbing project and a home with unhealthy air quality.If you’re dealing with a leaky faucet, don’t ignore it any longer. Instead, follow this guide to fix it now. We’ll outline how to clean every type of faucet—cartridge, ball, compression, and disc—and teach you about the important parts of the faucet, what might be causing the leak, and how to fix it yourself.

Alexa

How to Replace a Toilet Seat Quickly and Easily

By Marilyn SyartoJust like toilet paper, your toilet seat can be an affordable luxury if you choose it well. What makes a great toilet seat? Comfort and fit. Comfort for you and your family, and fit for your toilet. In all seriousness, if your toilet seat is uncomfortable and ill-fitting, it can have some unpleasant consequences on your health and well-being.The good news is that learning how to replace a toilet seat is easier than just about anything you’ve ever tried to DIY in your home. There’s no bad news, unless the toilet seat you choose isn’t right. Use our guide to help you select and install a seat, and you’ll always be in toilet seat heaven.

How-To Guides

How to Fix a Toilet That Keeps Running

Have you ever flushed a toilet, walked away, come back a few minutes later, and still hear the toilet flushing? Well, here’s how to fix a toilet that keeps running.Learn how to stop a toilet from running with these few simple steps. Find out what to do if the toilet fill tube keeps running and what the causes may be.