Best Drain Cleaner for Hair, Grease, and Stubborn Clogs
The best drain cleaner depends on your clog type. Compare chemical, enzymatic, and mechanical drain openers for hair, grease, and stubborn blockages.
Plumbing
24 articles
Most household plumbing problems are more annoying than dangerous, and a surprising number are well within reach of a confident DIYer with the right approach. The Plumbing collection covers the common fixes — running toilets, dripping faucets, slow drains, and the shutoff valves everyone should know how to find.
We walk you through each job step by step, starting with where to shut off the water before you touch anything. We are also clear about the line: when a repair involves the main line, the water heater's gas, or anything you cannot isolate, we will tell you to call a licensed plumber rather than risk a flood.
Start with the guides below to handle the everyday leaks and clogs yourself — and to know when not to.
How to Unclog a Shower Drain in 4 Methods
Clear a clogged shower drain fast with the right method for your problem. Ranked by effectiveness: plunger, snake, natural cleaners, or chemicals.
How to Fix an Outdoor Faucet Leaking in 5 Steps
Diagnose and fix a leaking outdoor spigot in 15-30 minutes. Step-by-step repair for drips at the spout, packing nut, or wall connection.
How to Clean a Drain with Baking Soda (and When It Won't Work)
Baking soda clears slow drains and odor but won't touch serious clogs. Here's the honest guide: exact measurements, when it works, and when to call a pro.
How to Fix a Leaking Bathtub Faucet (Spout, Diverter, or Base)
Learn how to diagnose and fix a bathtub faucet leak—whether it's a dripping spout, faulty diverter, or base leak. Step-by-step repair guide with parts list.
How to Fix a Leaky Faucet Cartridge in 7 Steps
Learn how to diagnose and replace a worn faucet cartridge to stop drips. Step-by-step guide with cartridge ID tips and cost breakdown. 15-30 minute fix.
How to Replace a Bathroom Sink Overflow Pipe
Replace a leaking bathroom sink overflow pipe yourself in under an hour. Includes diagnosis steps, gasket replacement, and sink-type variations.
How to Clean Faucet Aerators in 7 Steps
Clean a clogged faucet aerator in 10 minutes with vinegar and a toothbrush. Includes diagnostic test to confirm cleaning will actually fix your water flow.
How to Caulk a Bathtub Properly
Learn to remove old caulk and apply a clean, mold-resistant bead that actually lasts. Step-by-step guide with product recs and when to call a pro.
How to Unclog a Bathtub Drain in 4 Easy Steps
Clear a clogged bathtub drain in 10-20 minutes using a plunger, snake, or household items. Step-by-step guide for hair clogs and slow drains.
How to Replace a Shower Cartridge Valve in 8 Steps
Replace your shower cartridge valve in 30 minutes and save $200+. Fix low water pressure, temperature control issues, and drips with this step-by-step guide.
How to Fix a Kitchen Faucet Cartridge in 30 Minutes
Replace or clean a worn kitchen faucet cartridge for $20-60 instead of replacing the whole faucet. Diagnosis checklist, brand mapping, and step-by-step repair.
How to Fix a Wobbly Toilet Seat in 15 Minutes
A wobbly toilet seat usually needs tightening — but the fix only sticks if you know your hinge type and how tight is too tight. Here's the full repair.
How to Install a Toilet Seat in 15 Minutes
Replace a toilet seat in 15 minutes with this step-by-step guide. Covers compatibility checks, corroded bolt removal, and soft-close installation.
How to Fix a Leaky Kitchen Sink Faucet in 6 Steps
Stop a kitchen faucet drip in 15-45 minutes with $5-$30 in parts. Step-by-step washer and cartridge replacement for two-handle and single-handle faucets.
How to Quiet Noisy Water Pipes
Learn how to diagnose and fix noisy water pipes with this step-by-step guide. Stop banging, knocking, and hissing sounds without calling a plumber.
How to Install a Garbage Disposal in 8 Steps
Learn how to install a garbage disposal safely with this step-by-step guide. Covers tools, safety steps, and when to call a pro for disposal installation.
How to Replace Under-Sink Pipes in 7 Steps
Learn how to replace under-sink pipes including P-traps and supply lines. Step-by-step guide covers tools, costs, and when to call a plumber instead.
How to Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger: 4 Methods
No plunger? No problem. Four proven methods to clear toilet clogs using hot water, baking soda, a drain snake, or a wet/dry vac—with step-by-step instructions.
How to Fix a Leaky Bathroom Sink in 6 Steps
Most bathroom sink dripping repairs cost $5-$25 in parts and take under 45 minutes. Learn how to diagnose and fix the leak yourself with this step-by-step guide.
How to Fix a Running Toilet in 3 Steps
A running toilet wastes 200 gallons daily and costs $25-50/month. Learn how to diagnose and fix the three most common causes in under 30 minutes.
How to Unclog a Drain Naturally Without Harsh Chemicals
Clear slow or clogged drains using safe, non-toxic methods. Step-by-step guide to plunging, baking soda fixes, and when natural methods won't work.
How to Fix a Leaky Shower Head in 20 Minutes or Less
Stop wasting 2,700 gallons a year. Learn how to fix a leaky shower head with tools you already own—usually under $10 and 20 minutes.
How to Replace a Kitchen Faucet in 7 Steps (+ Common Mistakes)
Replace your kitchen faucet in 1–2 hours with basic tools. Step-by-step guide with troubleshooting, tool specifics, and when to call a pro.