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Plumbing guides for homeowners
Plain-English answers to common plumbing problems: what to check first, what is safe to try, and when to call a plumber – independent of any plumbing company or brand.
Start here
Water where it should not be? Start with the emergency guide and shut off the main valve. For everything else, pick the guide closest to your problem below. Every guide lists its official sources, and if you would rather have a plumber handle it, you can request one from any page.
Something is wrong right now
Plumbing emergency: what to do firstWhich problems cannot wait, where the shut-off valves are, and what to tell the plumber.Water heater leaking? What to do right nowA leaking water heater can be a loose fitting, a relief valve doing its job, or a tank that has failed. Shut it off safely first, then find out which.Frozen pipes: how to prevent them and thaw them safelyA frozen pipe can split and flood a home when it thaws. Here is how to keep pipes from freezing, how to thaw one safely, and what to do if one bursts.Sewer backup: what to do, and how to stop it happening againSewage coming up through a floor drain, tub or toilet is a health hazard and usually a blockage in the line from your house to the street. Here is what to do first.Clogged drain: what to try first, and what to avoidMost single clogged drains are hair, grease or soap near the top of the pipe. Here is what to try, what to stay away from, and the signs the problem is deeper.No hot water? What to check before you callNo hot water usually comes down to fuel, a safety control doing its job, or a heater near the end of its life. Here is how to narrow it down safely.Garbage disposal not working? Safe fixes and what not to put in itMost disposal problems are a tripped reset button or a jam – both fixable in minutes, safely, with the power off. Here is how, and what to keep out of it.
Leaks, toilets and water pressure
Running toilet? How to find the cause and stop itA toilet that keeps running or refills on its own is wasting water around the clock. The cause is almost always inside the tank, and you can find it in a few minutes.How to find a hidden water leakA higher water bill or the sound of water running when nothing is on are the usual first clues. Your water meter can tell you in two hours whether you have a leak.Low water pressure: find the cause in 10 minutesLow pressure at one faucet and low pressure in the whole house have different causes. Start by working out which one you have.
Around the house
Sump pumps: how to test one and keep the basement dryA sump pump is the last line of defense for a basement. Most fail quietly, so the time to check yours is before the next big storm.Septic system care: pumping, warning signs and what not to flushHomes outside city sewer lines treat their own wastewater in a septic system. Looked after, it keeps working for years; neglected, it backs up into the house.Hard water and water softeners: what to knowWhite crust on faucets, spotty dishes and soap that will not lather are signs of hard water. Here is how hardness is measured and what a softener does.
Water safety
Lead pipes and lead in water: how to check and what to doHomes built before 1986, especially in older cities, may have lead pipes or a lead service line. Here is how to find out and how to lower your exposure in the meantime.Backflow preventers and testing: a homeowner's guideIf your utility sent a letter about backflow testing, or you have a lawn sprinkler system, this explains what a backflow preventer is and why it gets tested.
Building, remodeling and commercial
New construction plumbing: the stages, inspections and who to hireBuilding a home, an addition or a commercial space? Plumbing goes in at fixed stages, and the building department inspects each one before anything is covered up.Bathroom and kitchen remodel plumbing: permits, pipes and fixturesA remodel is the best chance to fix what is inside the walls. Here is when the plumbing needs a permit, which old pipes are worth replacing, and how to choose fixtures.Commercial plumbing: codes, grease, backflow and permitsRestaurants, offices, shops and apartment buildings face plumbing rules most homes never see. Here are the main ones, and what to ask a commercial plumber.
Choosing and hiring
Tank vs tankless water heater: how to chooseReplacing a water heater is the moment to choose the type. Here is how storage tanks, tankless units and heat pump water heaters differ, using figures from the U.S. Department of Energy.How to hire a plumberEight questions to ask, and how to spot a call-center site posing as a local plumber.
Reference
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Our guides are written for homeowners, without prices that go stale or brand recommendations. Editorial policy.
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