There comes a time in every household when there’s a plumbing problem. We rely on our plumbing to function perfectly. When it doesn’t, things can break down quickly. That means not only dealing with leaks and clogs but also situations that get in the way of our home’s comfort and hygiene.
Plumbing doesn’t just involve toilets and sinks. Anything that with a water supply in your home counts, too. That means your refrigerator, washing machine, bath, showers, kitchen sinks, and even water heaters. You need all of these to work well to avoid uncomfortable situations and potential structural damage to your home.
Unfortunately, hiring a professional plumber can be expensive. When faced with a long-term problem or losing a lot of money to hire a professional, it’s frustrating. The good news is plumbing might not be as difficult as you think. There are tons of projects that you can tackle, even as an amateur.
Of course, it’s always a good idea to consult a professional. But when in a pinch, you need to make things happen. Here are 40 home plumbing projects you can complete in no time.
1. Repair a running toilet
If your toilet is running and jiggling the handle doesn’t fix it, you might need to do a more intensive repair. For this, replace the valve, which is a cheap and easy DIY project.
If your sink stopper isn’t working properly, you need to unscrew it, followed by removing both the plate and lever. Discard any debris, adjust the nuts to make sure the stopper can rise and fall, and then replace the stopper itself.
Installing a showerhead is one of the easiest DIY plumbing projects you can do. For this DIY project, you’ll need adjustable pliers and some Teflon tape to seal the new shower head.
Since there are many reasons to shut off your home’s water supply temporarily, it’s a good idea to learn how. Although you can shut off individual fixtures, turning the water off to the whole house requires access to the main water line.
There’s nothing more annoying than a leaking faucet. To fix one with a single handle, you may need to replace the disc balls or the rubber seal inside of the handle itself.
A double-handled faucet is trickier since you’ll need to find out which side is leaking. Then locate the worn-out part that’s allowing droplets to escape.
A faucet aerator helps control the water pressure. If the water pressure falls, the aerator may be blocked with debris, meaning it needs to be cleared.
Resealing a tub drain isn’t as difficult as you might think. All you need to do is wipe down any bacteria buildup, then re-caulk the drain to prevent any water from leaking behind the tub or shower wall.
A dripping tub faucet can be as annoying as a dripping sink. Take the faucet apart to find out which part needs to be replaced. Thankfully, replacement parts are easy to find and install.
A P-trap is a section of the pipe located below a sink. If your sink isn’t draining properly, the P-trap might be clogged. You’ll need to take the pipes apart with pliers, clear out any debris, and then reinstall.
Every sink faucet needs to be replaced at one point or another. After shutting off the sink’s water supply, disassemble the sink. After installing the new faucet, make sure it’s properly connected to all supply wires.
To avoid water damage and mildew, it’s important that your tub is properly sealed. Caulking is relatively simple and the process doesn’t take too much time.
Dishwashers save an enormous amount of time and money. Surprisingly, they’re easier to install than you might think. The most difficult part is learning the location of the kitchen’s water hookups.
If you notice bubbling or leaks coming from one water fixture while another is running, your main sewer line could be clogged. You might be able to release the pressure simply by removing the cap from the line in your yard.
If your toilet is running non-stop, you may need to replace the toilet flapper. This is a pretty straightforward repair job — just make sure you shut off the water supply to the toilet first.
Attaching a water filter is a little more intensive, but it’s still something you can do. You’ll need to cut the water supply pipe to attach the filter to it.
A stop-and-waste valve helps drain water from the pipes, which keeps them safe through the winter. To install one, you’ll have to solder it onto existing pipes in your home.
If you’re willing to take on a more advanced plumbing project, installing pipes is one to tackle. However, it takes a lot of careful planning, as well as and digging trenches.
Snaking a drain is a basic skill that everyone should have. The easiest way to do this is by using a toilet plunger, although more advanced tools exist.
No, we’re not talking about THAT kind of debris. The space under the lip of your toilet bowl can become clogged with lime and mineral deposits. Use wire to gently scrape it out. This will keep your toilet in top-working order.
Improperly connected joints can lead to leaks. To tighten them, you’ll need a wrench, pliers, plumber’s compound, and plumber’s tape. These will ensure the joints are fully sealed.
Sometimes, leaks are sneaky, meaning they hide where you can’t easily find them. Looking at your water meter might give you a clue about where you’re losing water.
Any water fixture in your home can leak, including the water heater. For this, you’ll need to turn off the water and power (or gas) to examine the internal fixtures. That way, you can see where the water is escaping from.
Do you want to do some remodeling in your kitchen? Consider moving the kitchen sink as a DIY project. The biggest challenge is properly hooking up the sink and remembering to keep it vented.
If a drain has a stubborn clog, you may need to remove and clear the cleanout plug. For the removal part, you’ll need to use a soldering torch to heat the piping enough.
Having a working garbage disposal is important. If it’s time to replace yours, you can do so without too much effort. You just have to make sure you connect the wires properly.
If you want to run a pipe through a wall, you’ll need to do some minor remodeling. It takes careful planning, but it’s not as difficult as you might think.
Before winter comes, it’s essential to prepare your home for the cold weather. This involves flushing old water out of your pipes so it doesn’t freeze. If that happens, the pipes expand, causing serious damage.
Low water pressure can be frustrating, especially when trying to take a shower. To adjust the pressure, look at the water pressure valve, making sure it’s between 40-65 psi.
Installing a water or ice maker in the fridge is a somewhat easy DIY project. The trickiest part is attaching the fridge to the main water line in the kitchen.
34. Check the water supply connections in the fridge
If your refrigerator has an ice maker, check the water supply connections regularly. This will ensure its working properly and avoid causing damage in the form of mildew.
A garbage disposal should also be cleaned regularly. The way to do this depends on the particular model. But an easy option is to flush it with white vinegar frozen into ice cubes.
Low water pressure is a problem, but high-water pressure can damage internal valves. Check the pressure gauge regularly, making sure it’s between 40-65 psi.
There comes a time in every household when there’s a plumbing problem. We rely on our plumbing to function perfectly. When it doesn’t, things can break down quickly. That means not only dealing with leaks and clogs but also situations that get in the way of our home’s comfort and hygiene.
Plumbing doesn’t just involve toilets and sinks. Anything that with a water supply in your home counts, too. That means your refrigerator, washing machine, bath, showers, kitchen sinks, and even water heaters. You need all of these to work well to avoid uncomfortable situations and potential structural damage to your home.
Unfortunately, hiring a professional plumber can be expensive. When faced with a long-term problem or losing a lot of money to hire a professional, it’s frustrating. The good news is plumbing might not be as difficult as you think. There are tons of projects that you can tackle, even as an amateur.
Of course, it’s always a good idea to consult a professional. But when in a pinch, you need to make things happen. Here are 40 home plumbing projects you can complete in no time.
