Plumbing & Water Systems

Garbage Disposal Humming But Not Spinning

A humming garbage disposal is usually a good sign and a bad sign at the same time. Good: it often indicates the unit is getting power. Bad: something is stopping the flywheel (the spinning turntable inside) from turning, so the motor just sits there and complains. The fix is often straightforward:...

10 Essential Plumbing Tools Every Homeowner Should Own

If you've ever tried to stop a dripping shutoff valve with a butter knife and pure optimism, welcome. I've been there. The good news is you don't need a plumber’s van full of gear to handle most homeowner-level plumbing problems. With the right handful of hand tools, you can tackle leaks under...

Winterize Your Plumbing: 7 Steps to Prevent Frozen Pipes

If you have ever heard the phrase “it’s not the freeze, it’s the thaw,” plumbing is where that really hits home. Pipes often crack during a freeze , then reveal themselves during the thaw when water starts moving again and finds the weak spot. The good news is winterizing is mostly small, boring...

How to Stop Banging Water Pipes (Water Hammer Fixes)

If your pipes bang like someone knocked on your wall with a hammer right when you shut off a faucet, you are not imagining things. That noise is usually water hammer , and it is one of the most common plumbing complaints in otherwise healthy homes. The good news: you can usually fix it with basic...

Unclog Drains Without Chemicals

I get the appeal. You pour, you wait, the problem goes away. Except when it doesn't, and now you've got caustic liquid sitting in a pipe you still have to work on. Chemical cleaners can damage older plumbing and seals, and repeated use is where the risk tends to climb, especially with corroded...

How to Find and Fix a Leak Under Your Sink

Under-sink leaks are sneaky. They drip into the cabinet, swell the particle board, and leave you with that wonderful “What is that smell?” situation a week later. The good news is most leaks under a kitchen or bathroom sink come from a small handful of places, and you can usually fix them with...

Plumber’s Putty vs. Teflon Tape

If you have ever stood under a sink with a flashlight in your teeth watching a slow drip form, you already know the truth: many “mystery leaks” are really just the wrong sealant in the wrong spot. Plumber’s putty and Teflon tape (also called PTFE tape) are both plumbing staples, but they do...

Why Is My Water Pressure Low?

Low water pressure has a special talent for showing up at the worst possible moment, usually right when you are covered in shampoo. The good news is that most low-pressure problems at a faucet come down to a handful of common culprits, and you can narrow them down without tearing your house apart....

Garbage Disposal Leaking From the Bottom: Diagnose and Fix It

A puddle under the sink has a way of ruining your day fast. When that drip is coming from the bottom of your garbage disposal, you’re usually dealing with a few common culprits: water running down from above (sink flange or mounting ring), a leak at the dishwasher inlet, a drip at the discharge...

Replace a Showerhead and Stop Shower Arm Leaks

If your showerhead is dribbling, spraying sideways, or leaving a mystery puddle on the tub ledge, don’t assume you need a plumber. Replacing a showerhead is one of the quickest wins in bathroom DIY, and leaks at the shower arm are usually caused by dirty threads, not enough thread sealant, or a...

How to Flush a Water Heater

If your hot water has been getting cranky, popping, or running lukewarm faster than it used to, there’s a good chance sediment is building up in the bottom of your tank. Flushing a water heater is one of those “boring” maintenance jobs that pays you back in real comfort: faster recovery, quieter...

How to Fix a Running Toilet

A running toilet is basically a tiny leak that never takes a break. Sometimes it is a constant trickle you can hear at night. Sometimes it is a periodic “refill” every few minutes that makes you think your house is haunted. Either way, it is almost always one of three things: the flapper is not...