Plumbing Supplies & Skills

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plumber working on pipes with gloves
16 Common DIY Plumbing Mistakes

Keep water flowing when needed and stopped when not.

water corrosion on a showerhead
Hard Water vs. Soft Water

They're both safe, but they affect plumbing differently.

person working under sink with plumbing tools
How to Get Certified as a Plumber

It's one of the rare futureproof professions.

PEX water lines
How to Thaw Frozen PEX Water Lines

Stop your PEX water lines from becoming your PEX ice lines.

blades of grass with water on them
4 Water Saving Myths

Get the facts to avoid wasting money.

Teflon tape.
How to Apply Teflon Tape Correctly

Teflon tape is used to help eliminate leaks in copper or PVC pipes.

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Troubleshooting a Metering Pump

A metering pump is rather easy to fix, but to troubleshoot the device, it is important to determine if the location of the pump is not the one causing problems. If the pump is installed in a location that exposes it to extreme temperature and moisture conditions, it may be better to re-install it to

girls in a dorm bathroom
How to Tackle Dorm Room Plumbing Nightmares

In a shared dorm, plumbing can quickly become an issue.

Replacing a kitchen sink faucet.
How to Properly Use Plumber's Putty

Plumber's putty is a useful tool in creating watertight seals for your projects.

A person adds foam pipe insulation.
How to Install Foam Pipe Insulation

You could save money on energy bills.

copper pipes
Cast Iron Vs Copper Pipes For Plumbing

Iron is more durable, but copper resists corrosion longer.

PEX tubing/
PEX Tubing Installation: Do's and Don'ts

Installing PEX tubing is easy with these tips.

plastic pipes of different sizes
Working with Polyethylene Piping: Tips and Basics

This plastic variant dates back to the 1930s.

PVC pipes
How to Bend PVC Pipes

You need to know how to bend the pipe.

hand under water flowing from pipe
What Types of Plumbing (PVC, PEX, Metal Pipe) Are Safe for Potable Water?

Make sure it's safe for drinking, cooking, and bathing.

white pipe fittings
Getting Your Pipe Fittings Right

Learn the literal ins and outs.

PVC pipes.
How to Connect a Shut off Valve to a PVC Pipe

A PVC pipe attaches to other plumbing materials.

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The Pipe Primer

If you are a do-it-yourself-er, you may be confused by the varieties of pipe available on the market.

reducing tee connector
How to Use a Reducing Tee

They're often used with ice makers or similar machines.

A busted pipe spraying water.
How to Prevent Plumbing Emergencies

You can’t always avert a plumbing disaster, but you can learn a whole lot of ways to avoid it.

A woman crouching by a sink talking on the phone about a plumbing issue.
Quick Plumbing Fixes to Do Before the Pros Arrive

There are a few things you can do to make plumbing problems less of a nightmare.

The Top 3 Plumbing Issues Best Left to the Pros

DIY plumbing projects have great potential for disastrous consequences.

a bathroom with plumbing tools on the floor and a person fixing a sink pipe
Plumbing Tips and Tricks

Get started with some basic piping knowledge.

a lever on PEX plumbing
How to Install a PEX Temperature Gauge

Get the system up to temp.

a hole in a lawn with an auger pole
What to Consider when Buying a Hand Auger

Hand augers vary in construction, size, and strength.

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How to Install a Ball Valve

If you need to replace a ball valve because it is defective, here is how to do it.

Installing PVC Pipe
Troubleshooting a PVC Butterfly Valve

A PVC butterfly valve is also known as quarter turn.

copper piping
How to Make a Flare Fitting

A flare fitting joins copper piping to a threaded fitting.

aqua colored pvc pipes
How to Repair a Leaking PVC Irrigation Pipe

Leaking pipes can lead to big issues.

PVC pipes.
6 Types of PVC Fittings and Valves

PVC valves are important in piping systems.

Galvanized piping
How to Connect Galvanized Steel Pipe to a Copper Pipe Fitting

When the need arises, make sure to use the proper supplies.

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How to Connect Copper Pipe to PVC

A connection between some copper pipes and PVC pipes requires a special connector.

drain snake
Drain Auger vs Hand Auger

Drain augers clear clogs, hand augers help with digging.

Copper pipes in a row.
How to Use Pipe Joint Compound

Pipe joint compound goes by a couple of different names.

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How to Bend PVC Pipe

A project may require you to bend PVC pipe. By doing this at home, you can save on lots of money.

woman with itchy arm from hard water damage
Hard Water Warning Signs: What To Look For

Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium.

Pipe fittings.
How to Determine Pipe Thread Size for Plumbing Fitting

Pipe thread size isn’t necessarily about physical dimension.

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2 Reasons to Install a Plumbing Access Panel

The main aim of a plumbing access panel is to make plumbing repair jobs easier.

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5 Kitchen Sink Plumbing Repair Tips

When it comes to simple kitchen plumbing repair, you don't have to be an expert plumber.

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Measuring the Wall Thickness of a Pipe

There are ways to measure wall thickness of pipe.