Angie's list Guide to
Plumbing

A homeowner's guide to household plumbing from the moment water lines enter your property to the point at which your sewer line carries it away. Learn about water heaters, softeners, how toilets really work and how to sort out the jumble of pipes and hoses under your kitchen sink.

Top Topics

plumbing tips Plumbing Quick Tips
Bathroom drains get clogged with hair, but don't be too quick to pour in chemicals. Instead, try 1/2 cup of baking soda followed by 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Let it work for 20 minutes, then flush with a tea kettle full of scalding water.

Read more about bathroom drains

Plumbing Videos


Do you need a water softener?
  Maintaining your garbage disposal
 

The path of plumbing to your tap

water meter

Main water line

Unless you're on a well, your water comes from municipal water company lines and you're responsible once its on your land. Learn how to find your water meter and the main shut-off valve.

Water softeners

Most homes have water softeners to remove natural minerals from the water. How do they work, and do you really need one?

Water heaters

Do you really need to keep 30 gallons of water piping hot all day while you're at work? Consider a tankless alternative.
 

Kitchen Plumbing

kitchen plumbing

What's under your sink?

Move aside that row of cleaning products and take a look at your pipes. We'll explain how they all work together and what you need to know when something breaks. And uh-oh, are those mouse droppings?

How to unclog a kitchen drain

You might need to get a little dirty, but it could save you a plumber's visit. Learn how to troubleshoot common clogs.

Garbage disposals

You can't put just anything down there. Some food wastes are best thrown in the trash on the composite pile. Learn what not to put in your disposal, how to fix a jam and how to keep your disposal from stinking.
 

Bathroom Plumbing

bathroom plumbing

Toilets

The modern toilet is the product of thousands of years of human experimentation and it works pretty well, except when it doesn't. Learn how to fix common toilet problems.

Bathroom fixtures

It's the smallest room in the house, but crammed with plumbing to meet your every bodily need. Showers, tubs, whirlpools -- even urinals and bidets can be found in the modern bathroom.

Bathroom drains

While grease is the culprit in kitchen clogs, when the clog is in a bathroom you can usually blame your hair.
 

Down the drain

bathroom plumbing

Sewer drains

When something goes down the drain, it's gone for good, but where does it really go and how can you be sure it won't come back?

Septic systems

Houses in rural areas, and even some in cities, are not served by a municipal sewer system and must rely instead on septic systems on the homeowner's property.

Sump pumps

If you want your basement to stay dry, take care of your sump pump and have a backup plan for what to do during an extended power outage.
 

More Plumbing Topics

plumbing emergencies cartoon

How to hire a plumber

When you hire a plumber, especially for a big job for which you have time to plan, make sure you get more than one estimate and that the person you hire is licensed, bonded and insured.

Outdoor plumbing

No, we don't mean outhouses (which aren't technically "plumbing"), but the use of tap water from your household plumbing outdoors.

Plumbing emergencies

It's a holiday and a pipe breaks, spewing water everywhere. Be prepared to handle a plumbing emergency by knowing where to shut off the water and who you can call on holidays and weekends.
 

Plumbing Articles

trenchless sewer installation graphic

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Plumbing glossary

Aerator: A device or screen that mixes air with water. These are often used on faucets to create a smoother flow of water with less splashing.
  • More plumbing terms