A Diy Plumbing Fix that Saved Me Money
Homeowners can save significant money by tackling simple plumbing repairs themselves. This article explores five practical DIY plumbing fixes that can prevent costly water damage and reduce utility bills. Drawing on insights from plumbing experts, these solutions offer easy-to-follow steps for common household issues.
- Clear Main Drain with Inexpensive Tool
- Replace Toilet Parts to Stop Water Waste
- Fix Sink Trap and Fill Valve Easily
- Install Flood Stop to Prevent Water Damage
- Add Vacuum Breaker to Outdoor Faucets
Clear Main Drain with Inexpensive Tool
I once used a $17 drain bladder hose to clear the main drain of an entire apartment building. This saved me from having to pay a $1,200 emergency plumbing bill at 2 a.m.
Two different units reported water backing up into their showers at the same time, which signaled the start of the problem. That's when you know it's not a clog in your house but in the main line. Most owners panic and call a plumber who is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In Mexico City, especially on weekends, they charge three times as much. But I had read about a trick on a property maintenance forum: you connect a high-pressure drain bladder to a regular garden hose and push it deep into the main cleanout. I decided to give it a try.
In less than five minutes, it blasted through years of hardened soap scum and grease. The water drained immediately, like unplugging a sink, and both tenants texted to say the backup was gone. I let the bladder run for 30 minutes to ensure everything was thoroughly flushed, and then I added enzyme cleaner once a week to prevent it from happening again.
Since then, I have one in every building I manage. That one fix saved me the cost of a new washing machine and provided me with the tools I needed to avoid future problems. I keep track of how many times I don't call a plumber, and in one year it was six times, with an average cost of 1,500 pesos per call. You can save more than $500 with just one tool and some courage.
Replace Toilet Parts to Stop Water Waste
Working in construction, I've handled a lot of plumbing fixes on the job, but one of the simplest and most cost-saving DIY repairs I've done at home was fixing a constantly running toilet. It's a small issue that many homeowners ignore, but it can waste hundreds of gallons of water and spike your bill quickly.
In my case, the toilet wouldn't stop running after flushing. The problem turned out to be a worn-out flapper valve and a fill valve that wasn't sealing properly. Instead of calling a plumber, I picked up a universal toilet repair kit from the hardware store for around $20. With a pair of pliers and about 30 minutes of work, I had the whole thing swapped out and working like new. No more constant water flow, no more noise, and I probably saved $150+ in service costs alone.
Another significant repair was fixing broken PVC irrigation lines in my yard. After digging up the area and finding the crack, I used basic couplings, primer, and cement to replace the damaged section. Again, it was under $15 in materials and a big win for avoiding a service call.
Sometimes the simplest repairs have the biggest payoffs if you're willing to dig in.
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Travis is a professional builder and general contractor with decades of hands-on experience. At Tekton Travis, he shares real-world DIY tips and repair advice to help homeowners fix problems quickly and save money doing it.
Fix Sink Trap and Fill Valve Easily
Several years ago, I noticed a slow drain leak in my bathroom sink trap. It was not a big deal, but it could have led to larger issues if I had left it unchecked. I noticed that the P-trap's slip nuts were loose and the gasket had worn out over time.
I shut off the water, unscrewed the nuts with my hands, and took out the P-trap. I wiped the area clean and installed the new gasket from the hardware store for under $5. Once I had the parts back in place and had tightened the nuts, I reactivated the water supply, and the leak was gone. The repair took less than 20 minutes, saving me approximately $150 in plumber's fees.
Yesterday, my toilet tank fill valve was leaking water into the bowl nonstop, wasting water and money. Instead of calling in a professional, I purchased a new fill valve at a hardware store for under $20. I used the installation instructions on the box and had the toilet running like new within half an hour.
Little repairs such as these save me money and keep my house running smoothly. Many homeowners neglect these easy repairs. Spending a few minutes learning about and repairing them makes a huge difference.
Install Flood Stop to Prevent Water Damage
Every property our company flips gets a flood stop on the water heater, and the reason is simple.
Water heater leaks can lead to catastrophic damage that spreads quickly through a home.
In just a few hours, leaking water can destroy wood floors, carpets, and drywall, leaving homeowners with repair bills that can reach $10,000, $20,000, or more.
The flood stop is a $250 device you can install yourself with a little patience and the instructions provided. It senses leaks and shuts off the water right away, protecting the house from the kind of damage that insurance nightmares are made of.
Add Vacuum Breaker to Outdoor Faucets
One of the easiest and most important DIY plumbing upgrades is adding a vacuum breaker (also called a backflow preventer) to every exterior hose bibb.
Most local Plano homeowners don't realize this small $10 part is actually required by Texas property code.
Without it, dirty water from a garden hose can flow backward into your home's plumbing during a pressure drop.
Just screw it onto the outdoor faucet, and you instantly help protect your family's water supply from contamination.
Simple, low-cost, and a smart upgrade.
