Bathroom

DIY bathroom repair, step by step

Bathrooms put up with a lot of water and daily wear. A little upkeep helps keep peeling caulk, dingy grout, slow drains and small toilet problems from becoming bigger jobs. Start with what's bothering you, and tackle it before water finds its way behind the tile.

• 26 fixes
• Step-by-step pictures
• When to call a pro

Where to start: Peeling or black caulk is the most common complaint, and recaulking a tub is a one-afternoon job. A tub that drains slowly almost always has a hair clog, which you can pull out with a cheap plastic snake. If the toilet moves when you sit on it, fix the wobble before the wax seal starts leaking into the floor.

Looking for a running or clogged toilet, a leak under the sink, low water pressure or the water heater? Those are in Plumbing.

What are you dealing with?

Moldy or peeling tub caulkWeak shower pressureGrout looks dirtyToilet rocksTub drains slowlyToilet seat slides aroundA floor tile is crackedToilet flush is weakBathroom fan is loud or weakTowel bar is looseShower drain is slow or cloggedWater around the base of the toiletShower head is leakingMold on the bathroom ceilingToilet handle is loose or wobblyWater still comes out of the tub spoutBathroom sink stopper won't stay closedGrout is cracked or missingShower faucet keeps drippingBathtub stopper won't hold waterToilet tank is sweatingShower door leaks at the bottom

Bathroom

Replace a cracked or loose ceramic soap dish

 Hard2–3 hrs, plus 2–4 days curing$15–45

Bathroom

Replace one cracked ceramic wall tile

 Hard2–3 hrs, plus 1–3 days curing$15–40

Bathroom

Remove a hard water ring from a toilet bowl

 Easy30 min, plus soaking$0–15

Bathroom

Toilet bowl water level low

 Easy15–60 min$0–25

Bathroom

Recaulk a tub or shower

 Moderate2 hrs + 24 hr cure$10–20

Bathroom

Fix low shower water pressure

 Easy10 min + soak$2–5

Bathroom

Clean dirty grout without harsh chemicals

 Easy1–2 hrs$5–15

Bathroom

Fix a wobbly toilet

 Easy20 min$0–10

Bathroom

Unclog a slow bathtub drain

 Easy15–30 min$0–8

Bathroom

Fix a loose, wobbly toilet seat

 Easy5–10 min$0–10

Bathroom

Replace a cracked floor tile

 Hard2–3 hrs, plus curing$15–40

Bathroom

Fix a toilet that won't flush all the way

 Easy20–40 min, plus soaking$0–20

Bathroom

Fix a noisy or weak bathroom exhaust fan

 Easy30–45 min$0–20

Bathroom

Fix a loose towel bar

 Easy20–40 min$5–15

Bathroom

Unclog a shower drain

 Easy15–30 min$0–25

Bathroom

Toilet leaking at the base

 Moderate1–2 hr$10–30

Bathroom

Replace a shower head or fix a leaking one

 Easy15–30 min$0–60

Bathroom

Mold or mildew on the bathroom ceiling

 Easy1–2 hr, plus drying$10–40

Bathroom

Loose toilet handle

 Easy10–20 min$0–15

Bathroom

Shower diverter not working

 Moderate30–90 min$15–60

Bathroom

Bathroom sink stopper not working

 Easy15–45 min$0–30

Bathroom

How to regrout tile

 Moderate4–8 hours plus curing$20–80

Bathroom

Shower faucet dripping

 Moderate1–2 hours$15–80

Bathroom

Bathtub stopper not working

 Easy15–60 min$0–30

Bathroom

Stop a toilet tank from sweating

 Easy20–90 min$0–150

Bathroom

Shower door leaking at the bottom

 Easy20–45 min$10–30

Common questions

How often should bathtub caulk be replaced?

Every few years, or sooner if it's peeling, cracked or has mold growing into it. Mold under the surface won't scrub out, so replace it.

Why does my shower have low water pressure?

If it's only the shower, mineral buildup in the showerhead is the usual cause, and a vinegar soak clears it. If every faucet is weak, the problem is further upstream.