Most household plumbing problems fall into one of two buckets: an easy 20-minute fix with basic tools, or a serious issue that turns into thousands of dollars in water damage if you don't get a professional in immediately. The middle ground is narrower than people think. Here's how to tell which is which.
DIY if you're comfortable
- Running toilet , almost always the flapper or fill valve. $15 at any hardware store, 15-minute job.
- Slow-draining sink , try boiling water first, then a plastic drain snake ($5), then an enzyme cleaner overnight. If the clog is within 2 feet of the drain, you'll clear it.
- Leaky faucet aerator or handle , replacement cartridges are $10-30 per brand, YouTube has a video for every fixture made after 2000.
- Replacing a shower head , plumber's tape, two wrenches, done.
- Toilet seat replacement , two bolts.
Call a plumber immediately
- Sewer smell , could be a dried-out trap or a failed vent. If it's persistent or smells like raw sewage, it's a venting problem or a compromised seal. Not DIY.
- Water where it shouldn't be , any visible water on drywall, ceilings, or subfloor. Turn off the main water supply immediately and call. Every hour of continued leak adds $200+ in damage.
- No hot water , a failed water heater can flood the basement if it ruptures, and gas water heaters carry CO risk. Call the same day.
- Sewage backup in any drain , this is a main-line blockage, and pushing harder on it (more drain cleaner, plunging) can make it worse. A pro with a camera and an auger is the only right answer.
- Frozen pipes , warm them carefully with a hair dryer (never a torch). If they've already burst, immediate pro call plus water shut-off.
- Low water pressure everywhere in the house , points to the main supply line, which is not a DIY zone.
- Anything involving gas line , no exceptions. Even if you can smell a tiny gas leak, leave the house and call the utility.
The middle zone: worth calling
These are fixable by a handy homeowner but quickly become expensive mistakes if the install is wrong.
- Garbage disposal replacement (easy if the drain alignment matches; terrible if not)
- Toilet flange replacement
- Replacing a shutoff valve
- Water heater thermostat or element replacement (electric only; gas always pro)
How to save money when you do call
- Have the problem clear before calling: location, how long, what makes it worse. Plumbers charge by the hour; diagnosis time is on you.
- Book on weekdays: evening and weekend rates can be 1.5-2x. Most non-emergency issues can wait until Monday 8am.
- Ask for a flat-rate quote on the work before they start. Reputable plumbers will give one.
- Get the shut-off valve upgrade: if your house has the old gate-valve main shutoff, ask the plumber to swap it for a ball valve while they're there. Next time you need to shut off the water, it'll actually work.
Find a local plumber
Browse ranked plumbers in your area: Wilmington, DE, Philadelphia, PA, Baltimore, MD, Richmond, VA, or plumbers across every city.