Top 6 DIY Plumbing Fixes Every Homeowner Should Know

Whether you just moved into your first home or have lived in your house for years, every homeowner should learn a few basic plumbing repairs. While you should leave major issues to the professionals, here are six plumbing problems you can tackle. Read more to learn how to complete these DIY plumbing fixes.

Plumbing Fix #1: How to Shut Off the Water

Knowing how to turn off your home's water is first on every DIY plumbing list. Turning off the water stops leaks and allows repairs, so locate your main shutoff valve now before an emergency hits.

Turn Off All Household Water

Your main water shutoff usually connects near the outdoor water meter. Most meters sit in the ground near the street under a metal or concrete lid, though some reside on one of your home's exterior walls.

Can't find the meter? Call your local utility company for help locating it. Once found, remove the concrete lid and turn the shutoff valve 90 degrees clockwise with a water meter key. An adjustable wrench also works in a pinch.

Some houses have a secondary shutoff valve near where the main water line enters the home, usually in the basement. Use this valve to stop all water in the house.

Read more on how to check a water meter.

Turn Off the Water at Plumbing Fixtures

You don't need to cut water to the whole house to repair a sink or toilet. Simply locate the individual shutoff valves under appliances and turn them clockwise to close. You normally find shutoff valves under sinks or next to toilets.

Bathtubs and showers sometimes lack individual shutoff valves. If your tub or shower has no valve, check the walls or closets behind them for access panels. If no shutoff exists, turn off the water at the main valve.

Plumbing Fix #2: How to Turn Off a Water Heater

Knowing how to properly turn off a water heater can prevent leaks, overheating, and other hazards. It also helps you perform maintenance. Follow these two steps:

Cut power

For gas heaters, turn the gas valve on the unit to "off." Flip the circuit breaker off or remove the fuse for electric heaters.

Stop water flow

Locate the water intake valve on the cold water pipe leading into the tank. Turn this valve clockwise to prevent the tank from refilling.

Our DIY video demonstrates step-by-step instructions for draining a water heater for maintenance.

Plumbing Fix #3: How to Fix a Leaky Pipe

Homeowners can often fix minor pipe leaks using epoxy putty or clamps purchased from hardware stores. However, severe damage requires replacing the pipe.

Fixing with Epoxy Putty

Epoxy putty is an easy, inexpensive way to patch small pipe leaks. Follow these steps:

• Locate the exact position of the leak.
• Shut off the main water supply to your home.
• Thoroughly dry the leaking section of the pipe.
• Knead the two-part putty together and apply it around the pipe's leak.
• Let the putty dry completely before turning the main water back on.

How to Claim the Credit

You can use pipe clamps to squeeze over the leak for temporary fixes. Take these steps:

• Locate the leaking position.
• Turn off the main household water.
• Loosen the clamp screws and place it over the leaking section.
• Tighten the screws so the rubber gasket seals the leak.
• Turn the main water back on and check for continued leaks.

Our guide on PVC pipe repairs has more tips.

Plumbing Fix #4: How to Stop a Running Toilet

Toilets that run constantly waste gallons of water. A faulty flapper valve or setting the water level too high commonly causes toilets to run. Repairing this issue yourself prevents an expensive plumber visit.

Adjusting the Water Level

If the water in your toilet tank fills too high, a small adjustment can fix it:

• Remove the tank lid and set it aside.
• Locate the float rod or screw connected to the float ball.
• Lower the float rod or turn the screw counterclockwise to drop the water line.
• Allow the tank to refill and check if water rises past the overflow tube.
• Repeat adjustments until you get the proper water level.

Replacing the Flapper

A worn-out flapper valve at the base of the tank is another common culprit:

• First, turn off the shutoff valve under the toilet.
• Flush to empty tank contents.
• Remove the flapper valve and discard.
• Detach the chain from the handle lever.
• Install a brand-new flapper valve.
• Re-attach the chain to the handle.
• Turn the water back on and test for proper operation.

Plumbing Fix #5: How to Unclog Drains

Clogged sinks and drains are frustratingly common issues. Before calling a plumber, try these DIY drain-clearing methods:

• Plunge the drain repeatedly to forcefully dislodge the clog.
• Pour a mix of baking soda and vinegar down the drain, let sit for 15 minutes, then flush with boiling hot water.
• Use a wire coat hanger or plastic snake tool to hook and pull up debris.
• For severe clogs, use a chemical drain cleaner.

Check out our drain snake guide for demonstrations of these techniques.

Knowing basic plumbing repairs prevents costly plumber calls. But don't hesitate to hire a pro for complex issues beyond your DIY skills.

Plumbing Fix #6: How to Fix a Dripping Faucet

Depending on the faucet type, a bothersome dripping faucet is an easy DIY fix.

For compression faucets:

1. Turn off the water valves under the sink.
2. Remove the handle cap and screw.
3. Pull off the handle and unscrew the valve.
4. Replace the worn washer.
5. Reassemble in reverse order.

For cartridges and ball faucets, replace the entire cartridge or use a repair kit. Our leaky bathtub faucet repair video has more tips.

Repairing Leaking Cartridge or Ball Faucets:

You can find these types of valves on newer, single-lever faucets. Unlike compression faucets, cartridge and ball faucets have more parts, making them harder to repair.

Watch our video on how to replace a kitchen faucet to learn more.

Learn More About Plumbing

So, Can Homeowners Manage Their Own Plumbing?

While many common plumbing problems like dripping faucets and clogged drains are easy DIY fixes with basic tools, many complex repairs to home water lines or sewers require professional expertise. Even minor fixes to residential leaks require special tools that plumbers have and most homeowners don’t.

Ultimately, a repair's difficulty depends on the specific project. Homeowners who follow instructions and troubleshoot basic issues can likely handle minor plumbing problems. However, major repairs or installations require a licensed plumber's skills and proper equipment. Know your DIY limits.

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