Our standards →
Pillar topic

Plumbing: the complete homeowner's hub

Fix leaks, clogs, water heaters, and more

68 guides 6 subtopics 1 calculators 2 featured pros

Most plumbing problems start small — a slow drip, a slow drain, a toilet that runs a few seconds too long. Catch them early and the fix is usually a $5 part and 20 minutes. Wait, and you're calling a plumber on a Sunday. Our plumbing guides walk you through every common homeowner repair, from clearing a clogged drain to swapping a faulty fill valve, with the tools you actually have in your garage. We'll also tell you straight when a job is too big or too risky for DIY.

Hub

Most-read guides

Hand securing a copper water pipe to a wooden joist with a metal pipe clamp and a screwdriver.
Troubleshooting
plumbing

How to Quiet Noisy Water Pipes Hitting Walls

Loud banging or hammering in your walls when you use water is often caused by unsecured pipes, a common issue known as "water hammer" that can be fixed with basic tools.

10 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Hand removing and cleaning a clogged washing machine drain pump filter.
Troubleshooting
plumbing

Washing Machine Won't Spin or Drain? Easy Fixes for Common Problems

If your washing machine isn’t spinning or draining, it’s usually due to a clogged pump filter, a kinked drain hose, or an overloaded machine, all of which are straightforward to troubleshoot.

12 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Person replacing a cartridge in a leaky single-handle faucet
Troubleshooting
plumbing

How to Fix a Leaky Single-Handle Faucet: A DIY Guide

Fixing a leaky single-handle faucet often involves replacing a worn-out O-ring or cartridge, a straightforward DIY task that can save water and prevent further damage.

10 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Homeowner cleaning a dishwasher drain filter to fix a draining issue.
Troubleshooting
plumbing

Dishwasher Not Draining? Easy Fixes for a Clogged Drain

A dishwasher that won't drain at the end of a cycle is a common problem, often caused by simple clogs or blockages that homeowners can fix themselves.

9 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Is Your Toilet Always Clogging? End the Nightmare Tonight.
Troubleshooting
plumbing

Is Your Toilet Always Clogging? End the Nightmare Tonight.

A frequently clogging toilet is a common and frustrating problem, but often has a simple solution homeowners can tackle themselves.

11 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Homeowner using a hairdryer to slowly thaw a frozen copper pipe under a kitchen sink, with a bucket ready for drips.
Troubleshooting
plumbing

The 3 Hidden Dangers of Frozen Pipes (And How to Thaw Them Safely)

Safely thawing a frozen pipe is critical to prevent costly damage, but many DIYers overlook hidden risks and choose ineffective methods.

10 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Hub

Browse by subtopic

Hub

Tools & calculators

Hub

Featured plumbing pros

The FixlyGuide Weekly

Save hours on your next home repair.

One email every Sunday. New guides, the week's top fixes, and a single seasonal maintenance tip you can do in under 15 minutes.

25,134 readers No spam, unsubscribe anytime

By subscribing you agree to receive weekly emails from FixlyGuide.

Hub

More from this hub

Close-up of a residential chimney on a roof during rain, showing potential leak points like flashing and crown.
Troubleshooting
plumbing

The Secret Culprit Behind Your Leaky Chimney (It’s Not Always the Obvious Flashing)

Discover the often-overlooked causes of chimney leaks during rain and how to tackle them with effective DIY solutions and prevention tips.

14 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Homeowner sealing a foundation crack to prevent frozen pipes in a basement.
DIY Guide
plumbing

The #1 Mistake Homeowners Make When Protecting Pipes From Freezing

Preventing frozen pipes is crucial for winter home maintenance. Learn the key mistake homeowners make and how to properly prepare your plumbing for cold weather.

17 min fixIntermediate
Read Guide
Homeowner flushing water heater with a garden hose
Troubleshooting
plumbing

Is Your Water Heater Secretly Draining Your Wallet?

Flushing your water heater annually removes sediment buildup, improving efficiency and extending its lifespan. This guide provides a simple, step-by-step process for homeowners.

12 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Modern white toilet with the tank lid open showing the flush mechanism inside
Troubleshooting
plumbing

Why Is My Toilet Running? 7 Quick Fixes Before Calling a Plumber

A constantly running toilet wastes up to 200 gallons of water a day. Here are the 7 most common causes and how to fix each one yourself in under 30 minutes.

11 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Close-up of a chrome single-handle kitchen faucet with a single droplet of water hanging from the spout
Guide
plumbing

How to Fix a Leaky Faucet (Single-Handle and Two-Handle)

A dripping faucet wastes 3,000+ gallons a year. Whether you have a single-handle cartridge or an old two-handle compression faucet, here's the exact repair — usually under $15 in parts.

12 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Hands repairing a single-handle kitchen faucet, showing removal of the cartridge and O-rings
Troubleshooting
plumbing

The $5 Secret to Fixing Your Drip: Why Single-Handle Faucets Leak (and the O-Ring Trick)

A persistent drip from your single-handle faucet is often caused by worn-out O-rings or seals, a common issue with a simple, inexpensive DIY fix.

12 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Homeowner inserting hex wrench into garbage disposal to fix a jam, beneath kitchen sink
Troubleshooting
plumbing

The 30-Second Fix for a Humming Garbage Disposal (Plumbers Don't Want You to Know)

Before you call a plumber, try these simple steps to unjam a humming garbage disposal in under a minute and save yourself a service call.

10 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Person cleaning a bathroom sink P-trap to remove bad smells
Troubleshooting
plumbing

Your Bathroom Sink Stinks: The 3 Culprits Hiding Inside

A foul odor from your bathroom sink drain is often caused by a buildup of gunk and bacteria. This guide will walk you through simple steps to eliminate the smell.

10 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Visible water staining on a chimney breast inside a home, indicating a leak during rain.
Troubleshooting
plumbing

The Secret Culprit Behind Your Leaky Chimney (It’s Not Always the Obvious Fix)

A leaky chimney during rain can indicate several issues, from simple flashing problems to complex crown damage, requiring homeowners to diagnose and address the root cause to prevent further water damage.

15 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
A sump pump and float switch inside a concrete sump pit, illustrating a common home drainage system.
Troubleshooting
plumbing

The Secret Reason Your Sump Pump Runs When It’s Not Raining

If your sump pump runs constantly even on a dry day, it's not a ghost; it's a sign of a stuck switch, a failed valve, or a surprisingly high water table you need to address.

11 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Homeowner using a hairdryer to safely thaw a frozen pipe in a basement.
DIY Guide
plumbing

Is a frozen pipe about to burst? 3 ways to fix it fast

Safely thawing a frozen pipe can prevent costly damage. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for homeowners to resolve a common plumbing issue without professional help, ensuring your pipes are free-flowing again.

7 min fixIntermediate
Read Guide
Close-up of a residential chimney during rain, showing flashing and potential leak points.
Call a Pro
plumbing

The #1 Overlooked Reason Your Chimney Leaks (It Rots Your Roof!)

Discover the surprising, often-missed culprit behind your leaky chimney and how this common issue can silently damage your home.

11 min fixCall a Pro
Read Guide