Beginner's Guide to Plumbing

Understand your home's plumbing system and learn basic repairs

8 Articles • 60 min read

Master your home's plumbing system. This comprehensive guide covers everything from understanding how your plumbing works to fixing common issues yourself. Save hundreds on plumber calls!

1. How Your Plumbing System Works

The Two Main Systems

Your home has two separate plumbing systems:

Supply System

Brings fresh water into your home under pressure. Water flows through pipes to faucets, showers, toilets, and appliances.

Always under pressure
Hot and cold water lines
Controlled by shutoff valves

Drain-Waste-Vent (DWV) System

Removes wastewater using gravity. Vents prevent sewer gases from entering your home.

Relies on gravity (slopes downward)
Includes P-traps to block sewer gases
Vents extend through roof

Water Heater

Your water heater heats cold water and stores it for use. Key facts:

Tank size: 30-50 gallons (typical)
Temperature: 120°F recommended (default is often 140°F)
Recovery rate: How quickly it heats new water
Lifespan: 8-12 years for tank models

2. Essential Plumbing Tools

Start with these basic tools for most home plumbing tasks:

Cup Plunger

For sinks and tubs ($8-15)

Flange Plunger

Specifically for toilets ($10-20)

Adjustable Wrench

10-inch for most jobs ($15-25)

Pipe Wrench

For larger pipes ($20-40)

Drain Snake

25-foot auger ($15-30)

Basin Wrench

For faucet nuts ($15-25)

3. Finding and Using Shutoff Valves

⚠️ Know Before Emergency!

Locate all shutoff valves BEFORE you have a plumbing emergency. Take photos and label them!

Main Water Shutoff

Shuts off water to entire house. Located:

Where water line enters house (basement/crawl space)
Near water heater
In garage or utility room

How to shut off: Turn clockwise (righty-tighty). May require 1/4 to full turn.

Fixture Shutoff Valves

Small valves under sinks and behind toilets. Control water to individual fixtures.

Turn clockwise to close
Usually oval or round handles
Sometimes corroded and stuck (test them now!)

Water Heater Shutoff

Cold water supply valve on top of water heater. Turn off before working on water heater.

4. Common Plumbing Issues

Issue	Typical Cost to Fix	DIY Difficulty
Running toilet	$5-15 (DIY) / $100-200 (plumber)	Easy
Leaky faucet	$10-30 (DIY) / $150-250 (plumber)	Easy-Medium
Clogged drain	$5-25 (DIY) / $100-300 (plumber)	Easy-Medium
Low water pressure	$0-20 (DIY) / $80-200 (plumber)	Easy
Dripping showerhead	$5-15 (DIY) / $100-180 (plumber)	Easy

5. Fixing a Running Toilet

A running toilet wastes 200+ gallons per day. Here's how to fix it:

Diagnose the Problem

Remove tank lid and set aside safely
Flush and watch the internal mechanism
Identify which part is failing

Common Causes & Fixes

Worn Flapper

Symptom: Water constantly flows into bowl

Fix:

Turn off water at toilet shutoff valve
Flush to empty tank
Unhook old flapper from chain and ears
Take old flapper to hardware store for exact match
Install new flapper (reverse removal)
Turn water back on and test

Cost: $5-10 | Time: 15 minutes

Float Level Too High

Symptom: Water overflows into overflow tube

Fix:

Locate float ball or float cup
Adjust screw or bend float arm downward
Water level should be 1 inch below overflow tube

Cost: Free | Time: 5 minutes

Fill Valve Issues

Symptom: Valve doesn't shut off properly

Fix: Replace entire fill valve assembly ($10-20, 30 minutes) or call plumber

6. Repairing a Leaky Faucet

That drip-drip-drip wastes water and money. Most faucets can be repaired in under an hour.

Identify Your Faucet Type

Compression: Two handles, older style
Cartridge: One or two handles, modern
Ball: Single handle, round cap
Ceramic disk: Single lever, very smooth operation

General Repair Steps

Turn off water at shutoff valves under sink
Close drain or cover with towel (prevent losing parts)
Remove handle (usually Allen wrench or screw under cap)
Take apart faucet, noting order of parts
Take old parts to hardware store for exact replacements
Replace worn washers, O-rings, or cartridge
Reassemble in reverse order
Turn water back on and test

💡 Pro Tip

Take photos with your phone as you disassemble. This helps with reassembly and showing parts to hardware store staff.

7. Clearing Clogged Drains

Prevention First

Use drain strainers to catch hair and debris
Never pour grease down drains
Run hot water after each use
Monthly: Pour boiling water down drains

For Slow Drains

Boiling water: Often clears grease buildup
Baking soda + vinegar: 1/2 cup each, wait 15 min, flush with hot water
Plunger: Create seal, plunge vigorously 20 times

For Complete Clogs

Step 1: Try a Plunger

Fill sink with 3-4 inches of water
If double sink, plug other drain with wet rag
Place plunger over drain, create seal
Plunge forcefully 15-20 times
Pull away quickly to dislodge clog

Step 2: Remove and Clean P-Trap

Place bucket under P-trap (curved pipe under sink)
Loosen slip nuts with channel-lock pliers
Remove P-trap and dump contents
Clean inside with bottle brush
Reassemble and test

Step 3: Use Drain Snake

Feed snake into drain opening
Turn handle while pushing forward
When you hit clog, push through and pull back
Repeat several times
Flush with hot water

❌ Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners

They're harsh on pipes, dangerous to handle, and usually don't work on serious clogs. Stick with mechanical methods.

8. When to Call a Professional

Some plumbing issues require a licensed plumber:

Call a Plumber For:

Major pipe leaks or burst pipes
Sewer line backups
Water heater replacement
Gas line work
Main water line issues
Repiping or major renovations
Persistent problems you can't diagnose
Any work requiring permits
Issues affecting neighbors (apartments/condos)

Finding a Good Plumber

Get 3 quotes for major work
Verify license and insurance
Check online reviews
Ask for references
Get written estimates
Understand their warranty/guarantee

Emergency Plumbing

If you have a plumbing emergency:

Turn off water at fixture or main shutoff
Contain damage with towels, buckets
Call emergency plumber (expect premium rates)
Document damage with photos for insurance

You're Now a Plumbing Pro!

With this knowledge, you can handle most common plumbing issues and save hundreds in plumber calls. Remember: start with simple fixes, take your time, and don't be afraid to call a pro for major issues.