Plumbing

Beef up your plumbing skills so you’re ready for anything, whether that’s revamping a bathroom or tackling a plumbing emergency.

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Tankless Water Heater Guide

Tankless water heaters take up much less space than storage water heaters as they heat the water directly. Discover why one of them is best for your home.

9 Handy Plumbing Tips and Tricks

Here are nine of our favorite simple tricks and tips to save you plumbing headaches around the house.


Prevent Water Damage While You Are Away

Water damage from frozen pipes, ruptured washer hoses, leaking supply lines and dripping water heaters costs billions every year. This...


Is Your Water Heater’s TPR Valve Leaking? Here’s What to Do

The TPR valve is a critical safety feature on water heater tanks. A leak could indicate high pressure or a...


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10 Reasons Why Your Toilet Won’t Flush

The toilet is arguably the most important fixture in any home. Failure to flush can be a nuisance, but fortunately,...

Why You Should Be Using Oil in Your Floor Drains

Keep water seal in your floor drains from drying out with a thin layer of cooking oil. It'll keep foul...


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How Does a Water Softener Work? All Your Questions, Answered

Many households throughout the country have hard water. If yours is one of them, let our experts explain why and...

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Can You Put Coffee Grounds Down a Garbage Disposal?

Wondering if you can put coffee grounds down your garbage disposal? We've got you covered.


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What Is CPVC Pipe? Here’s Everything to Know

Learn about this plumbing pipe that's easy to cut and join, requires no special tools and no risky soldering.


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How Do You Stop Condensation on Water Pipes?

Whether you call it pipe condensation or sweating pipes, it's a bigger problem than you might think. Here our experts...


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How to Use a Garbage Disposal Reset Button

Learn how the red reset button on garbage disposals helps prevent overloading and overheating when your unit malfunctions.

What Are Water Hammer Arrestors?

Silence your noisy, rattling water pipes by installing a water hammer arrestor.


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Plumbing With PEX Tubing

PEX tubing is an easy-to-install alternative to copper pipe. Long used in radiant heating systems, flexible PEX tubing is perfect...


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PEX Plumbing Pipe: Everything You Need to Know

PEX piping is the biggest revolution since the flush toilet. Learn what it is and everything in between with this...


Tips for Soldering Copper Pipe

Intimidated by the thought of soldering copper pipe? We've got a collection of pro tips to help out at every...


How To Use Pipe Dope to Prevent Plumbing Leaks

Wondering if you should use pipe dope on your plumbing projects? We explain what it is and when to apply...

A Day in the Life: Jessie Cannizzaro

A master plumber who owns her own business, Cannizzaro talks to Family Handyman about her journey and career.


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Water Pipes Making a Banging Noise? Here’s How to Fix It

The best cure for banging water pipes is a water hammer arrester with a lubricated internal piston. The sealed piston...


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ABS vs. PVC: Which Pipes Are Better?

Follow our expert advice for choosing between ABS and PVC drainpipe. You have to consider your local plumbing codes, material...


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What Exactly Is a Bioswale?

You've likely already seen these planted ditches on the side of the road. Here's how they work.


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Best Pro Tips for Old Plumbing Maintenance

Old plumbing can function just fine with some attention and TLC. Pro plumber Jessie Cannizzaro shares tips on care and...


Finish Dishes in Minutes with an Easy-to-Install Motorized Glass Rinser

Sick of spending hours slumped over the sink? No need to stuff your hands into narrow glasses—this bar glass rinser...


The 7 Best Garbage Disposals to Eliminate Food Waste

Say goodbye to smelly sinks and full trash cans!


How to Build a Wood-Fired Hot Tub

With this DIY hot tub, you can enjoy a relaxing soak right in your own backyard — without electricity.


This Water Sensor Alarm Prevents Flooded Basements (and It’s on Sale)

If you're already investing in your basement with air purifiers and dehumidifiers, don't sleep on the Basement Watchdog...

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10 Apartment Repairs and Maintenance You Can Do Yourself

Unless the lease says otherwise, landlords are responsible for repairs to rental units. Some small jobs, though, are easy enough...


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How to Build a Modern Water Fountain

Create a calming and relaxing environment right in your backyard with this modern water curtain.


Over 15,000 Shoppers Use This Showerhead to Clean Their Showers (and It’s on Sale)

We use showerheads to clean ourselves—why not upgrade to a showerhead that also cleans your bathroom?


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Why Does Letting Your Faucet Drip Prevent Pipes from Freezing?

A slow faucet drip keeps water flowing to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. In extreme cold, it may require...


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A Guide To Pipe Fittings and How To Use Them

If you're doing a plumbing installation or repair, you'll need to buy pipe and pipe fittings. Here's some help figuring...


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Cobra Tools Pistol-Grip Power Drum Auger: How To Use, Pros, Cons & Where to Buy

Don't waste your money on a plumber. Instead try this inexpensive, easy-to-use Family Handyman Approved power drum auger.