8 Easy Plumbing Fixes You’re Paying Too Much For By Using A Professional
Plumbing problems can strike fear into homeowners’ hearts, often leading to expensive service calls that drain your wallet. Yet many common issues require only basic tools and techniques that anyone can master. Americans spend an average of $300-500 per plumbing service call, with many of these visits addressing simple problems you could fix yourself. Learning these DIY plumbing skills saves money and empowers you to handle emergencies confidently and avoid water damage while waiting for professional help.
1. Unclogging Stubborn Drains
That slow-draining sink or shower doesn’t necessarily require professional intervention. Before calling a plumber, try a plunger explicitly designed for sinks (different from toilet plungers). For kitchen sinks, remove any food debris from the drain catch first.
Hair is typically the culprit in bathroom drains. Try a simple drain snake tool (available for under $10 at hardware stores) to pull out hair clogs. Alternatively, mix 1/3 cup baking soda with 1/3 cup vinegar, pour it down the drain, wait 30 minutes, and flush with hot water.
Chemical drain cleaners should be a last resort as they can damage pipes over time and create hazardous conditions for future plumbing work.
2. Fixing Running Toilets
According to the EPA, a running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water daily, significantly increasing your water bill. The most common cause is a faulty flapper valve that no longer creates a proper seal.
To fix this, turn off the toilet’s water supply, flush to empty the tank, and inspect the flapper. If it’s worn or damaged, replace it with a new one (typically under $10). Ensure the chain has proper slack—too tight, and the flapper won’t seal; too loose, and it won’t open properly.
Another common issue is an improperly adjusted float. If the float is too high, water continuously flows into the overflow tube. Adjust the float according to your toilet model’s specific instructions.
3. Replacing Leaky Faucets
That dripping faucet isn’t just annoying—it’s wasteful. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a faucet dripping once per second wastes approximately 3,000 gallons annually.
Most faucet leaks result from worn-out washers or O-rings. To replace them:
- Turn off the water supply under the sink
- Remove the faucet handle (usually requires removing a decorative cap and unscrewing)
- Replace the washer or cartridge (bring the old one to the hardware store for an exact match)
- Reassemble in reverse order
This 15-minute fix typically costs under $20 in parts versus $150+ for a service call.
4. Dealing With Low Water Pressure
Before calling a professional for low water pressure, check if the issue affects all fixtures or just one. If it’s isolated to a single faucet, the aerator is likely clogged with mineral deposits.
Unscrew the aerator from the faucet tip, soak it in vinegar overnight, scrub with an old toothbrush, and rinse thoroughly before reattaching. For showerheads, either remove and soak in vinegar or tie a vinegar-filled plastic bag around it overnight.
If pressure is low throughout the house, check your main water valve to ensure it’s fully open, as it may have been accidentally partially closed during other work.
5. Stopping Toilet Tank Leaks
A leaking toilet tank can waste thousands of gallons annually. Add food coloring to the tank to check for leaks and wait 15 minutes without flushing. If color appears in the bowl, you have a leak.
The fix typically involves replacing the flapper valve or adjusting the fill valve. Complete toilet repair kits cost $15-25 and include illustrated instructions. These kits replace all working parts in the tank and typically require no special tools beyond a pair of pliers.
The repair takes about 30 minutes, compared to a $150+ plumber visit, saving you significant money while providing like-new performance.
6. Thawing Frozen Pipes
When temperatures drop, frozen pipes can burst and cause thousands of dollars in water damage. Instead of immediately calling emergency plumbing services (which often charge premium rates), try thawing pipes yourself.
First, shut off the main water supply. Open the affected faucet to release pressure and allow water to flow as the ice melts. Apply heat using a hairdryer, heating pad, or towels soaked in hot water. Never use open flames or high-heat devices like blowtorches.
Work from the faucet end toward the frozen section to prevent pressure buildup. This approach costs nothing beyond your time, compared to $200-300 for emergency service.
7. Replacing a Garbage Disposal
When your garbage disposal stops working, replacement might seem like a job for professionals. However, most models are designed for DIY installation.
New disposals cost $70-150 and come with detailed instructions. The process involves disconnecting power, removing the old unit, installing the mounting assembly, connecting the new disposal, and reattaching plumbing.
For a first-timer, the job typically takes 1-2 hours versus $200-400 for professional installation. Just remember to never work on the disposal without disconnecting power first.
8. Fixing Leaky Shower Heads
A leaking showerhead wastes water and can eventually lead to water stains. The fix is usually as simple as applying plumber’s tape to the threads.
Turn off the water, unscrew the showerhead, remove old plumber’s tape, clean the threads, apply new tape (wrapping clockwise 3-4 times), and reattach the showerhead. If leaking persists, the internal washer may need replacement.
This five-minute fix costs about $2 for plumber’s tape versus a minimum service call of $75-150.
Becoming Your Home’s First Responder
Learning these basic plumbing skills transforms you from helpless homeowner to capable problem-solver. Beyond the immediate financial savings, you’ll gain confidence in handling emergencies and understanding when a professional is truly necessary. Keep a basic plumbing toolkit handy—including an adjustable wrench, pliers, plunger, drain snake, and plumber’s tape—and you’ll be prepared to tackle most common issues.
Remember that water is the enemy of procrastination. Small leaks become big problems, so addressing issues promptly with these DIY fixes protects your wallet and home from extensive damage.
Have you successfully tackled any plumbing repairs yourself? What was your biggest DIY plumbing success or disaster? Share your experiences in the comments below!
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