As a homeowner, few things are more frustrating than a leaky pipe or a clogged drain. Plumbing issues can range from annoying drips to major ruptures and floods, but they often share one thing in common – the need for the right repair materials and tools. Having the proper plumbing supplies on hand can mean the difference between a quick DIY fix and an expensive service call.
We’ll explore common plumbing problems, systems, and components so you can identify issues and solutions. With the right knowledge and materials, you can tackle repairs like leaky faucets, low water pressure, noisy pipes, and clogged drains yourself. Read on to ensure you have the must-have plumbing tools and replacement parts so you’re prepared to maintain your plumbing and fixtures with confidence.
Plumbing System Basics
Before diving into materials and repairs, it helps to understand the basic components that make up a residential plumbing system. While layouts vary, most homes have three main parts – the water supply system, the drainage system, and the fixtures.
The water supply brings fresh water throughout the home. It begins at the main water line from the municipality or a private well. The main line branches into hot and cold supply lines running to fixtures like sinks, tubs, and appliances. Supply plumbing uses valves to control flow and pressure.
The drainage system removes wastewater and sewage from the home. Drain lines use gravity to carry waste downstream from fixtures like sinks, tubs, and toilets into the main sewer line or septic system. Vents allow air into the drainage pipes to aid flow.
Fixtures refer to the functional components that deliver and drain water. Plumbing fixtures include sinks, faucets, showerheads, tubs, and toilets. Knowing how to repair fixtures and their parts is an essential DIY skill.
Types of Residential Plumbing Systems
While all homes share the basic supply, drain, and fixtures framework, there are several plumbing system types and layouts.
- Single-stack – One primary vertical drain stack for all fixtures.
- Double-stack – Separate stacks for sinks/tubs and toilets.
- Single-main – One centralized water main branching to fixtures.
- Looped – Main branches into a continuous supply loop.
Understanding your home’s plumbing layout helps trace issues through the system when repairs are needed. Consulting original plans or an inspector can provide insights.
How Plumbing Systems Work
It’s helpful to understand how water enters the home, gets delivered hot and cold to plumbing components, then drains out.
The municipal water line or private well line pressurizes the main water supply line entering the home. This fresh water branches into hot and cold lines. The water heater heats the hot water supply. Shut-off valves control flow to fixtures. Drains use gravity, vents, traps, and waste stacks to remove wastewater.
Common Plumbing Problems
Knowing the most widespread plumbing troubles homeowners face allows you to diagnose issues quickly and have the right gear for repairs. Here are some of the most common problems and solutions:
Leaks
Leaks encompass issues ranging from dripping faucets to burst pipes. Causes include loose joints, cracks, corrosion, freezing, high pressure, and deterioration.
For small leaks, simply tightening fittings may help. Larger leaks require replacing worn washers, seals, and gaskets in valves and faucets. Burst or ruptured pipes need immediate replacement.
Low Water Pressure
Restricted flow at taps can mean clogged pipes but is often due to issues like closed supply valves, faulty pressure regulators, or mineral buildup in showerheads and faucet aerators.
Try opening all valves, replacing regulators, or cleaning/replacing fixtures. For stubborn low pressure, pipe cleaning/replacement may be needed.
Clogged Drains
Slow draining or fully blocked drains are another nuisance. Causes include hair/debris accumulation, grease/soap buildup, roots infiltration, and collapsed pipes.
A good plunger, drain auger, or snaking tool can clear many basic clogs. Severe blockages may require disassembling and cleaning P-traps beneath sinks or opening drain cleanouts.
Noisy Pipes
Clunks and clangs from supply or drain pipes can indicate loose components or water hammer from quick valve closure. Air trapped in pipes causes gurgling.
Tightening fixtures and installing water hammer arrestors limits noise issues. Drain gurgles need venting repairs. In some cases, full pipe replacement is the permanent solution.
Toilet Problems
Common toilet troubles include leaks, clogs, loose components, poor flushing, and constant running. These issues stem from things like flapper failure, mineral buildup, debris jams, valve problems, and broken tank parts.
Replacing flappers, cleaning valves, replacing supply lines, tightening bolts, or new tank parts can address many toilet repair needs.
Essential Plumbing Tools
Having the right tools for plumbing repairs saves time and hassle. Build your DIY plumbing toolbox with these fundamentals:
Wrenches
A set of wrenches gives you grip and torque for tightening and loosening plumbing connections. Must-haves include:
- Pipe wrenches – Adjustable heads grip round fixtures.
- Basin wrenches – Tighten or remove sink drain nuts.
- Tongue and groove pliers – Help grip pipes.
- Monkey wrenches – Versatile for many fittings.
Cutting Tools
Cutting into pipes, tubing, and fittings is often needed during repairs. Useful cutters include:
- Hacksaw – Cuts metal pipes.
- PVC cutter – Slices plastic piping.
- Tubing cutter – Cuts flexible tubing.
- Hole saws – Openings for drains.
Other Essentials
Every plumbing toolkit needs these other basics:
- Torpedo level – Ensure pipes are aligned properly.
- Teflon tape – Seals threaded plumbing connections.
- Plunger – Clear sink and toilet clogs.
- Bucket – Catch and bail water during repairs.
Also equip your toolbox with safety gear like work gloves, eye protection, and dust masks to stay protected during projects.
Supply Lines and Fittings
Smoothly flowing supply plumbing relies on quality pipes and parts. Here are some key materials to have on hand:
Pipes
Common supply pipe materials include:
- Copper – Durable but expensive metal piping.
- CPVC – Rigid plastic tubing rated for hot water.
- PEX – Flexible cross-linked polyethylene pipes.
- PVC – Durable rigid plastic piping.
Ensure you select the appropriate tubing for each supply line’s temperature and pressure.
Fittings
You’ll need access to fittings like:
- Elbows – Change pipe direction.
- Tees – Branch off to another line.
- Couplings – Join two pipes.
- Adapters – Connect different materials.
- Unions – Allow quick disconnects.
Fittings come in many styles like threaded, soldered, and compression. Get the right types for your piping materials.
Valves
Important supply valves include:
- Ball valves – Quickly start and stop water.
- Gate valves – Slowly open/close.
- Pressure regulators – Control high pressures.
- Relief valves – Provide pressure release.
Have valves like curb stops, shutoffs, and drain valves for various supply and drain uses.
Drain Lines and Fittings
Smooth wastewater removal relies on quality drain lines and well-connected components:
Pipes
Typical residential drain pipe materials are:
- PVC – Durable, rigid plastic piping.
- Cast iron – Long lasting but heavy metal.
- Clay – Susceptible to roots and cracking.
Knowing your home’s drain materials lets you get suitable replacements parts.
Fittings
Essential drain fittings/connections include:
- PVC cement – Bonds and seals joints.
- No-hub connectors – Tighten with clamps.
- Couplings – Join two pipes.
- Traps – Hold water to block sewer gases.
Having materials for secure, leak-proof connections prevents issues downstream.
Components
Other useful drain repair parts include:
- Cleanouts – Access points to clear blockages.
- Backwater valves – Prevent sewage backup.
- Floor drains – Allow water flow from washing.
Stocking drain supplies allows you to thoroughly maintain and repair your system.
Plumbing Fixtures
From toilets to faucets, repairing common fixtures is a key DIY plumbing skill. Having the right replacement parts avoids running to the hardware store mid-project.
Toilets
Toilet components that commonly fail and need replacement include:
- Flappers – Seal the flush valve at the tank bottom.
- Fill valves – Refill the tank after flushing.
- Supply lines – Bring water from the wall to tank.
- Toilet seats – Crack or become loose over time.
Keep flapper kits, valves, supply lines, seat bolts, and wax ring seals stocked for toilet repairs.
Faucets
Leaky, dripping faucets often require new cartridges, washers/seals, or valve stems. Keeping spare parts like:
- Cartridges – Control faucet operation.
- Seats/springs – Form watertight seal.
- Stems – Raise/lower valve.
- Gaskets – Prevent leaks.
Allows you to rebuild worn faucet valves and restore smooth performance.
Showerheads and Tubs
Tub and shower repairs may call for:
- Showerheads – Clean or replace clogged heads.
- Tub spouts – Replace leaky or damaged spouts.
- Tub drains – Unclog or replace tub drain assemblies.
- Shower valves – Repair/replace faulty shower mixing valves.
Have parts like seals, washers, and O-rings to fix simple tub and shower leaks quickly.
Sinks
Under-sink plumbing parts worth stocking are:
- P-Traps – Prevent sewer gas from entering.
- Pop-up stoppers – Seal sink drains.
- Supply lines – Connect faucet to shutoff valves.
- Tailpieces – Connect sink tail to drain line.
With spare parts for sinks, clogs and leaks can be addressed without waiting on special order items.
Stocking Your Plumbing Repair Kit
Having the right fundamental plumbing tools and parts on hand saves time, money and frustration when breakdowns happen. Here are some recommended items to include in a plumbing repair kit:
- Assorted PEX, CPVC, PVC fittings – Tees, elbows, couplings, adapters
- Valve stems, washers, O-rings
- P-Trap parts – Tailpiece, slip nut, washers, pipe, union
- Toilet tank parts – Flapper, float ball, fill valve kit
- Faucet washers and cartridges
- Teflon tape, pipe dope
- Brass/steel braided supply lines
- PVC cement and primer
- Plumber’s putty, silicone
Keep your plumbing kit well-organized so parts are easy to find. Evaluate your inventory before major plumbing projects and restock as needed.
Where to Buy Quality Plumbing Supplies
Shop at reputable plumbing supply retailers for the right replacement parts to complete repairs properly. Trusted sources include:
- Local plumbing supply company
- Home improvement store plumbing aisle
- Hardware store with extensive plumbing selection
- Online retailers specializing in plumbing parts
Consult manufacturer websites to find specific parts numbers for your fixtures when needed.
Storing Hazardous Chemicals
Some plumbing products contain hazardous ingredients like solvents, acids, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Always review safety warnings and store chemicals securely.
Keep drain cleaners, primer, PVC cement, solder fluxes, and cleaners in locked cabinets away from children and pets. Use protective gear like gloves and eye protection.
Proper chemical storage and handling makes plumbing projects safer and extends product shelf life.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
While having the right DIY skills and materials allows you to handle many repairs, some plumbing situations do require a licensed pro. Call in a plumber for:
If you have issues like:
- Widespread water damage
- Major leaks
- Faulty water heater operation
- Sewage backups
