Plumbing

DIY plumbing fixes for leaks, clogs and running toilets

A slow drain, a dripping faucet or a toilet that won't stop running can be a good place to start learning home repairs. Many of the fixes here take an hour or less with a wrench, a bucket and a towel. Before you begin, make sure you know where your main water shutoff is.

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

Where to start: If water is coming out where it shouldn't, start by learning where your main water shutoff valve is. For everyday annoyances, a toilet that keeps running is usually a $5 flapper, a dripping faucet is usually a worn cartridge, and a slow sink drain is usually hair and soap near the stopper. Water heater acting up? Check why there's no hot water before you call anyone.

Looking for toilets, tubs or showers? Fixes for a wobbly or leaking toilet, slow tub drains and shower problems are in Bathroom. Dishwashers and washers are in Kitchen & laundry.

What are you dealing with?

Toilet keeps running or refillingFaucet drips when it's offSink drains slowly or not at allNo hot waterToilet is cloggedWater under the sinkPuddle by the water heaterHot water runs out fastPipes frozen, faucet only tricklesOne faucet has low pressureSump pump won't turn onHouse smells like sewerPipes bang when the water shuts offToilet won't refill after flushingKitchen sprayer weak or not workingOutdoor faucet is leakingWater heater is making noiseWater pressure is low everywhereToilet gurglesKitchen faucet wobbles at the base

Plumbing

Cut copper pipe cleanly with a tubing cutter

 Moderate20–45 minutes, plus draining the line$10–30 for a tubing cutter

Plumbing

Toilet keeps clogging

 Easy30–90 min$0–40

Plumbing

Water softener not working

 Easy30–90 min$0–30

Plumbing

Hot water smells like rotten eggs

 Moderate2–5 hours$0–60

Plumbing

Find your main water shutoff

 Easy10–20 min$0

Plumbing

Fix a running toilet

 Easy15–30 min$5–25

Plumbing

Stop a dripping faucet

 Moderate30–60 min$15–40

Plumbing

Unclog a sink without chemicals

 Moderate20–45 min$0–15

Plumbing

No hot water? Start here

 Moderate15–45 min$0–40

Plumbing

Unclog a toilet (without the overflow)

 Easy5–20 min$0–25

Plumbing

Find and fix a leak under the sink

 Moderate20–60 min$0–25

Plumbing

Water heater leaking? What to do

 Moderate15–45 min$0–30

Plumbing

Why your hot water runs out so fast

 Moderate1–2 hrs$0–40

Plumbing

Thaw a frozen pipe safely

 Moderate30 min–2 hrs$0–30

Plumbing

Fix low water pressure at one faucet

 Easy10–20 min$0–10

Plumbing

Sump pump not turning on

 Easy20–45 min$0–30

Plumbing

Sewer smell in the house

 Easy15–45 min$0–20

Plumbing

Pipes banging when the water shuts off

 Moderate30–90 min$0–60

Plumbing

Toilet tank not filling

 Easy15–60 min$0–30

Plumbing

Kitchen faucet sprayer not working

 Easy20–60 min$0–50

Plumbing

Outdoor faucet leaking

 Moderate30–90 min$5–40

Plumbing

Water heater making noise

 Moderate30–120 min$0–60

Plumbing

Low water pressure in the whole house

 Moderate30–90 min$10–60

Plumbing

Toilet gurgling? Find the cause

 Easy20–60 min$0–50

Plumbing

Kitchen faucet loose at the base

 Easy15–45 min$0–25

Common questions

What plumbing repairs can I safely do myself?

Anything on the fixture side of a shutoff valve: toilet parts, faucet cartridges, drain clogs, supply lines and P-traps. Leave gas water heaters, main line breaks and anything inside the walls to a licensed plumber.

What should I do first when a pipe is leaking?

Turn off the water. Use the small valve under the fixture if there is one, or the main shutoff for the house. Then catch the water, dry things out, and figure out the fix.