No matter how old your home is or how well you take care of it, you’re almost guaranteed to face plumbing issues at one point or another.
While most plumbing work should be handled by a professional, there are some DIY plumbing fixes that can work well for minor plumbing issues.
This guide offers handy plumbing repair tips that can help you avoid inconvenient and unnecessary service calls for simple plumbing repairs.
Easy DIY Plumbing Repairs
It can be hard to know when to call a plumber and when to attempt a DIY repair, but, in general, if it involves a major leak, a stubborn sewer clog, a pipe replacement, or if you aren’t confident that you can complete the repair, it’s best to rely on a professional.
If the problem seems relatively easy to fix, like a dripping faucet or a clogged sink, it may be worth trying a DIY repair first. Here are a few common plumbing problems that homeowners can often handle themselves:
Repairing a Leaky Faucet
A dripping or leaking faucet can be distracting, plus it can stain your sink and increase your water bill. Most faucets use easily replaceable components to seal the valves and prevent leaks, such as washers, o-rings, stems, or specialized cartridges.
To stop the leak, research your faucet, buy compatible parts, and carefully disassemble it to replace the seals. Be careful not to overtighten anything, and use the appropriate tools, such as wrenches or screwdrivers.
Repairing a Running Toilet
A toilet that runs constantly can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day, causing your water bills to skyrocket. Most of the time, this is due to a leaking flapper or flush valve, which lets water run from the tank to the bowl when flushed.
To fix the leak, replace the flapper valve and ensure the chain is adjusted properly so it can fully close.
If the fill valve constantly runs, be sure the float is adjusted properly to shut the valve off when the tank is full or replace the valve if that doesn’t fix the issue.
Repairing a Leaky Showerhead
A showerhead that leaks or drips from the base can waste water and reduce showerhead pressure, making your showers less enjoyable.
To fix the leak, try tightening the showerhead with a pipe wrench or a set of pliers. If you’re worried about scratches, wrap a cloth around the nut.
If that doesn’t fix the problem, remove the showerhead, replace the rubber washer inside the fitting, then wrap the pipe threads with sealant tape and reinstall the showerhead.
Unclogging a Drain
Drains in your kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, showers, and toilets can often accumulate things like hair, grease, soap scum, or toilet paper, leading to clogs.
While minor drain clogs can be handled by the homeowner, if the clog doesn’t clear quickly through DIY methods or if multiple drains are clogged at once, it’s best to call a professional.
For minor clogs, some DIY fixes to try include pouring hot water down the drain or a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. Plungers can also work for toilet or sink clogs, as well as pipe snakes. For toilets, only use a toilet auger that’s designed to protect the fragile porcelain rather than a standard pipe snake.
Adjusting the Water Heater Temperature
If the hot water is too hot or too cold, it’s quite easy for virtually any homeowner to adjust. Simply find the thermostat on your water heater, which should be a dial located near the center or bottom of the tank. It may be covered by an access panel that can be opened by removing a few screws.
Turn it up or down in small increments, then wait about 24 hours to verify that the temperature is to your liking and readjust as necessary. Electric water heaters may have two thermostats, one of each element, and the bottom element should be set to a slightly higher temperature than the upper one.
Best DIY Plumbing Tools
Here are a few essential DIY tools to keep around for plumbing jobs:
- Pipe sealant tape: A thin, non-stick plastic tape that seals and lubricates pipe threads.
- Combination wrenches: Fixed wrenches in common socket sizes for pipe fittings.
- Adjustable wrench: A wrench that can adjust to various fitting sizes with less chance of marring the surface.
- Channel-lock pliers or a pipe wrench: Adjustable pliers or wrenches that can handle medium to large fittings that an adjustable wrench can’t handle.
- Pipe snake: A handheld tool with a crank, a cable, and a specialized head used to dislodge clogs in sink and shower drains.
- Toilet auger: A specialized pipe snake designed to clear toilet clogs without damaging the fixture.
- Plungers: Rubber or plastic plungers in various sizes for your toilets and sinks.
Plumbing Issues Best Left to Professional Plumbers
Some plumbing problems can leave your home vulnerable to water damage, mold issues, electrical faults, gas leaks, or even structural problems if they’re not repaired properly. Always call a professional plumber for:
Sewer Line Repair & Replacement
Any leaks, breaks, or backups in a main sewer line can create quite a mess near your home while jeopardizing your health. The sewer line runs under your home’s foundation, then underground to the municipal sewer main, making finding and repairing any problems quite difficult.
Only a professional plumber will have the equipment necessary to do the job and the experience to choose the best repair options for the situation, such as conventional sewer line replacements or trenchless sewer repairs.
Water Heater Installation & Repair
Water heaters use gas or electricity to heat water, which means only a professional should handle repairs or replacements. Improper service could leave your home or your family vulnerable to natural gas leaks, electric shocks, or water damage.
Pipe Repair & Replacement for Major Leaks
If a leak involves anything more than tightening a connection, fixing a faucet, or replacing a supply line from the wall to a fixture, a professional plumber should be called.
Even small leaks can cause costly water damage and structural damage to your home, and if they’re hidden behind walls, the damage may not become apparent until it’s quite severe.
A professional plumber will have the skills to repair pipes, replace them, or even repipe your entire home, as well as the advanced leak detection services necessary to find and repair hidden leaks.
Schedule Expert Plumbing Services in Phoenix, AZ
When your plumbing issue is a little too much for DIY solutions, count on our team at Bumble Bee Plumbing for fast, professional help with all your home plumbing needs.
We’ve served the Greater Phoenix area since 2011 and have earned the trust of our customers with same-day service, upfront pricing, convenient financing, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Our local company has excellent reviews, and we offer emergency service for all your most critical plumbing problems.
Call us today to schedule plumbing services in Phoenix or surrounding areas.
