Every guide on Plumbing Picks, grouped by what you are working on. 237 guides and counting — all written and checked by a licensed plumber.
Pro & Prosumer Tools (26)
Written for the trade — press tools, torches, wrenches and the questions that come up on the job.
- Best Copper Press Fittings 2026: Viega, Apollo & Nibco Compared
- Best Deburring Tool for Copper Pipe (and Why the Burr Matters)
- Best Drain Cleaning Machine 2026: A Plumber’s Picks
- Best PEX Cutter: Why a Square Cut Decides the Joint
- Best PEX Expansion Tool (and Why It Only Works on PEX-A)
- Best Pipe Threading Machine 2026: RIDGID 300 & More
- Best Press Tool 2026: RIDGID vs. Milwaukee vs. DeWalt
- Best Professional Plumbing Tools (2026): A Plumber’s Buyer’s Guide
- Best Sewer Inspection Camera 2026: Pro & DIY Picks
- Best Solder and Flux for Copper Pipe (What Actually Holds)
- Can You Press a Wet Line? Yes, With One Limit
- Channel Locks vs Pipe Wrench: Which One, and When (Plumber’s Answer)
- How to Remove a PEX Crimp Ring or Cinch Clamp Without Wrecking the Fitting
- How to Remove a Press Fitting (You Cut It Out)
- M12 vs M18 Press Tool: Which Milwaukee Should You Buy?
- NIBCO Press vs Viega ProPress: Are They Interchangeable? (Plumber’s Answer)
- Press Fitting O-Rings: What Each Seal Is Rated For
- Press Fitting Starter Kit: What to Actually Stock
- ProPress vs. Soldering: A Plumber’s Honest Take
- RIDGID RP 251 vs Milwaukee M12 & M18 Press Tools: Which to Buy
- SharkBite vs ProPress: Which No-Torch System Should You Use?
- Solder a Ball Valve Open or Closed? What Manufacturers Say
- Solder Will Not Flow? The Five Causes, In Order
- Torch Keeps Going Out Mid-Joint? Here Is Why
- Tubing Cutter Cutting Crooked? Why It Spirals and How to Fix It
- Will Channel Locks Scratch Chrome? Gripping Finished Trap Nuts
Pipe Repairs (37)
Copper, PEX, CPVC and cast iron: joining it, fixing it, and knowing which one you have.
- Air Admittance Valve vs Vent: When an AAV Is Allowed
- Ball Valve vs Gate Valve: Which Shut-Off Should You Install?
- Best Frost-Free Outdoor Spigots (Sillcock Replacements) in 2026
- Best P-Trap Replacements for Kitchen and Bathroom Sinks in 2026
- Best Pipe Repair Clamps in 2026 (Emergency Fix for Leaking Pipes)
- Best Push-to-Connect Plumbing Fittings in 2026 (No Soldering Required)
- Best Sump Pump Battery Backups in 2026 (Plumber-Picked)
- Best Sump Pumps in 2026 to Keep Your Basement Dry (Plumber’s Picks)
- Best Under-Sink Shut-Off Valves & Angle Stops in 2026 (Plumber-Picked)
- Best Water Hammer Arrestors in 2026 (Stop Banging Pipes)
- Compression vs Push-to-Connect Shut-Off Valves: Which Should You Use?
- Cost to Install a Sump Pump (2026 Plumber’s Guide)
- Cost to Repipe a House in 2026 (PEX vs Copper, Real Numbers)
- Dielectric Union vs Brass Nipple: Connecting Copper to Galvanized
- Emergency Pipe Repair: How to Stop a Leaking Pipe (Licensed Plumber’s Guide)
- How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Burst or Leaking Pipe? (2026 Guide)
- How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Water Heater? (2026 Plumber’s Breakdown)
- How to Replace a Water Heater: A Plumber’s Step-by-Step Guide (and When to Call a Pro)
- How to Shut Off Your Water Main (and Find Every Shut-Off Before an Emergency)
- How to Thaw a Frozen Pipe Safely (and Prevent It)
- How to Winterize Outdoor Faucets — and the Covers That Actually Work (Plumber’s Checklist)
- Kitchen Sink Leaking Underneath? Causes & Fixes
- Outdoor Faucet Leaking? Frost-Free Spigot Fix
- PEX Crimp vs Clamp: Which Should You Actually Use?
- PEX vs Copper vs CPVC: Which Pipe Should You Use? (Plumber’s Verdict)
- PEX-A vs PEX-B: Which Should You Actually Buy? (Plumber’s Answer)
- Pinhole Leak in a Copper Pipe: Temporary Fix vs. Real Repair
- PVC vs ABS Pipe: Which Drain Pipe Should You Use?
- SharkBite vs Soldered Copper: Which Should You Use? (A Plumber’s Verdict)
- Should You Replace Galvanized Pipes? Signs, Risks & Cost
- Spring Plumbing Checklist: 10 Things to Check After Winter
- Summer Plumbing Checklist (Homeowner Guide)
- Sump Pump Not Working? A Plumber’s Troubleshooting Guide
- Type L vs Type M Copper Pipe: Which Should You Actually Use?
- What Actually Keeps Your Basement Dry When the Power Dies (Battery vs. Water-Powered Backup)
- Why Are My Pipes Banging? Water Hammer Causes & Fixes
- Winterize Your Plumbing: A Licensed Plumber’s Cold-Weather Checklist
Toilet Repairs (39)
Running, clogging, leaking or wobbling — and the parts that actually fix each one.
- 2-Inch vs 3-Inch Toilet Flapper: How to Tell Which You Need
- Best Bidet Attachments in 2026 (Easy Toilet Upgrade)
- Best Bidet Toilet Seats in 2026 (A Licensed Plumber’s Picks)
- Best Toilet Augers in 2026 to Clear Stubborn Clogs (Plumber-Picked)
- Best Toilet Fill Valve Replacements in 2026 (Fix a Phantom-Flushing Toilet)
- Best Toilet Flapper Replacement in 2026 (Fix a Toilet That Runs Every 20 Minutes)
- Best Toilet Handle Replacements in 2026 (Fix a Loose or Broken Handle)
- Best Toilet Plungers in 2026 (What Actually Clears Clogs)
- Best Toilet Seats in 2026 (Easy Upgrade, Big Difference)
- Best Toilet Supply Lines in 2026 (Stop Leaks at the Source)
- Best Toilet Tank Repair Kits in 2026 (Fix Everything at Once)
- Best Toilet Wax Ring Replacements in 2026 (Step-by-Step Plumber Guide)
- Best Toilets in 2026 (A Licensed Plumber’s Picks)
- Bidet Attachment Install: Check These 4 Things First
- Comfort Height vs Standard Toilet: Which Should You Buy?
- Cost to Install a Bidet (2026): Attachment, Seat & Standalone
- Cost to Replace a Toilet in 2026 (Plumber’s Real Numbers)
- Flapper vs Fill Valve: Why Is My Toilet Running? (Plumber Explains)
- How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Running Toilet? (2026 Plumber’s Breakdown)
- How to Fix a Running Toilet: A Licensed Plumber’s Complete Guide
- How to Replace a Toilet Wax Ring (Plumber’s Step-by-Step)
- How to Replace a Toilet: A Step-by-Step Guide
- How to Unclog a Toilet (Without Calling a Plumber)
- Korky vs Fluidmaster: Which Toilet Parts Should You Buy? (A Plumber’s Verdict)
- One-Piece vs Two-Piece Toilet: Which Should You Buy?
- Phantom Flushing: Why Your Toilet Runs by Itself
- Round vs Elongated Toilet: Which Actually Fits Your Bathroom?
- Something Got Flushed Down the Toilet: Will an Auger Get It Out?
- Toilet Bubbling or Gurgling? Causes and Fixes
- Toilet Flange Too Low? Why Stacking Wax Rings Fails
- Toilet Rough-In Size: Measure This Before You Buy
- Toilet Seat Size: Round or Elongated? Measure This First
- Toilet Still Running After Replacing the Flapper? 7 Things a Plumber Checks Next
- Toilet Tank Fills Slowly? Causes & Fixes
- Toilet Won’t Flush? Causes & Fixes (Licensed Plumber’s Guide)
- Water Around the Base of Your Toilet? Causes & Fixes
- Why Does My Toilet Keep Clogging? A Plumber’s Causes & Fixes
- Why Is My Toilet Sweating? Stop Tank Condensation
- Your Kohler Does Not Take a Flapper: Canister Flush Valve Seals Explained
Drain Solutions (34)
Clogs, snakes, cleaners and the drains that keep coming back.
- Bathtub Won’t Drain? How to Clear Standing Water
- Best Bathtub Drain Stoppers in 2026 (Fix a Drain That Won’t Hold Water)
- Best Drain Cleaners in 2026: Safe Picks That Actually Work (Plumber’s Guide)
- Best Drain Snakes for Homeowners in 2026 (Clear Clogs Without a Plumber)
- Best Garbage Disposal Splash Guards & Flanges in 2026
- Best Garbage Disposals for Home Use in 2026 (A Licensed Plumber’s Picks)
- Best Kitchen Sink Basket Strainers in 2026 (Stop Clogs & Leaks)
- Best Shower Drain Hair Catchers in 2026 (Stop Clogs Before They Start)
- Best Sink Pop-Up Drain Assemblies in 2026 (Fix a Stuck Bathroom Drain)
- Clogged Drain or Main Line? How to Tell
- Cost to Replace a Garbage Disposal (2026)
- Cost to Unclog a Main Drain or Sewer Line (2026 Plumber Prices)
- Dishwasher Air Gap vs High Loop: What Code Actually Requires
- Dishwasher Not Draining? Causes & Fixes (Plumber’s Guide)
- Drain Snake vs Drain Cleaner vs Plunger: Which Should You Use? (Plumber’s Guide)
- Enzyme vs Chemical Drain Cleaner: Which Should You Use?
- Garbage Disposal Humming But Not Spinning? Fix It
- Garbage Disposal Leaking? Where It Drips Tells You the Fix
- Garbage Disposal Not Working? A Plumber’s Fix-It Guide (Hum, Jam, or Dead)
- Garbage Disposal Reset Button: Where It Is and When to Stop Pressing
- How Far Can a Trap Be From the Vent? Trap Arm Length by Pipe Size
- How to Unclog Any Drain Without Harsh Chemicals: A Licensed Plumber’s Guide
- No-Hub Coupling vs Fernco: Which One Code Lets You Use
- Sewage Ejector vs Sump Pump: They Are Not Interchangeable
- Sewer Smell in the House? Causes and Fixes
- Sink Draining Slow But Not Clogged? Here’s the Fix
- Sump Pump Check Valve: Why It Short Cycles (and Bangs)
- Sump Pump Discharge Frozen? Thaw It, Then Stop It Happening
- Sump Pump Weep Hole: Why the Pump Runs But Moves No Water
- Trap Primers: When Code Requires One
- What Size Is a Shower Drain? Measure It Before You Buy a Hair Catcher
- What Size P-Trap Do You Need? Trap Sizes by Fixture
- Why Your Main Drain Keeps Clogging
- Zep Drain Defense vs Green Gobbler: Which Keeps Drains Clear?
Faucets & Fixtures (22)
Kitchen and bath faucets, sprayers, cartridges and shower valves.
- Best Bathroom Faucets in 2026 (A Licensed Plumber’s Picks)
- Best Braided Faucet Supply Lines in 2026 (Stop Under-Sink Leaks)
- Best Faucet Aerators for Kitchen and Bathroom in 2026 (Fix Weak Flow in 2 Minutes)
- Best Faucet Cartridge Replacements in 2026 (Fix Drips at the Source)
- Best Hose Bibb Quick Connect Attachments in 2026 (Plumber-Picked)
- Best Kitchen Faucet Sprayer Replacements in 2026
- Best Kitchen Faucets in 2026 (A Licensed Plumber’s Picks)
- Best Shower Arms and Extenders in 2026 (Raise Your Shower Head)
- Cost to Install a Faucet (2026): Kitchen, Bathroom & Labor
- How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Leaky Faucet? (2026 Plumber’s Breakdown)
- How to Clean a Faucet Aerator (Fix Low Flow Fast)
- How to Fix a Dripping Faucet: A Licensed Plumber’s Complete Guide
- How to Fix a Shower Diverter (Tub Spout Leak)
- How to Install a Faucet: A Licensed Plumber’s Step-by-Step Guide
- How to Remove a Shower Head Flow Restrictor (and Should You?)
- How to Replace a Single-Handle Faucet Cartridge
- Kitchen Faucet Hole Size: How Many Holes Does Yours Need?
- Loose, Wobbly Faucet Base? How to Tighten It in 15 Minutes
- Moen vs Delta vs Kohler Faucets: Which Brand Should You Buy? (Plumber’s Verdict)
- Pull-Down vs Pull-Out Kitchen Faucet: Which Fits Your Sink?
- Shower Cartridge Replacement: Symptoms, the Right Part, and the Puller
- Shower Won’t Stop Dripping? How to Replace the Cartridge
Water Quality & Pressure (53)
Hardness, filtration, softeners, water heaters and pressure problems.
- Air Chamber vs Water Hammer Arrestor: Which Do You Have?
- Best High-Pressure Shower Heads in 2026 (Boost Weak Water Pressure)
- Best Shower Head Filters in 2026 (Remove Chlorine and Hard Water)
- Best Smart Water Leak Detectors With Automatic Shutoff (2026)
- Best Tankless Water Heaters in 2026 (A Licensed Plumber’s Picks)
- Best Under-Sink Water Filters in 2026 (Clean Drinking Water Without the Bottles)
- Best Water Distiller for CPAP (2026): A Plumber’s Picks
- Best Water Distiller for Home Use (2026): A Licensed Plumber’s Top 3 Picks
- Best Water Filter Pitcher (2026): A Plumber’s Top 3 Picks
- Best Water Heaters in 2026 (A Licensed Plumber’s Picks)
- Best Water Leak Detectors for Homeowners in 2026 (Prevent Flood Damage)
- Best Water Pressure Gauges for Homeowners in 2026
- Best Water Softeners in 2026 for Hard Water (A Plumber’s Picks)
- Best Whole House Water Filters in 2026 (A Licensed Plumber’s Picks)
- Cost to Install a Reverse Osmosis System (2026)
- Cost to Install a Tankless Water Heater (2026)
- Cost to Install a Whole House Water Filter (2026)
- Gas vs Electric Water Heater: Which Should You Buy?
- Hard Water: Signs, Problems & How to Fix It (Plumber’s Guide)
- How Much Does It Cost to Install a Water Softener? (2026 Plumber’s Guide)
- How Often to Change a Water Filter Pitcher Cartridge
- How to Descale a Tankless Water Heater (Lukewarm? Start Here)
- How to Find a Hidden Water Leak (Before It Wrecks Your Home)
- How to Fix Low Water Pressure & Improve Water Quality (Licensed Plumber’s Guide)
- How to Flush a Water Heater (Plumber’s Step-by-Step)
- How to Increase Water Pressure in Your Whole House
- Is Reverse Osmosis Worth It? + Best Under-Sink RO Systems (2026)
- Low Water Pressure in the Shower Only? A Plumber’s Quick Fixes
- No Hot Water? A Plumber’s Troubleshooting Guide
- Reverse Osmosis vs Water Softener (2026): Why You Might Need Both
- Tank vs Tankless Water Heater: A Plumber’s Honest Comparison
- Under-Sink vs Whole-House Water Filter: Which Do You Need? (Plumber’s Guide)
- Water Distiller vs Reverse Osmosis (2026): A Plumber’s Honest Comparison
- Water Heater Anode Rod: When and How to Replace It
- Water Heater Dip Tube: Running Out of Hot Water Too Fast?
- Water Heater Drain Pan: What It Stops (and What It Doesn’t)
- Water Heater Element Replacement: Which One Failed and What to Buy
- Water Heater Expansion Tank: Do You Need One? (T&P Dripping?)
- Water Heater Leaking From the Bottom? A Plumber’s Diagnosis
- Water Heater Leaking From the Top? Causes & Fixes
- Water Heater Making Noise? Popping & Rumbling Explained
- Water Heater Pilot Light Won’t Stay Lit? Fix the Thermocouple
- Water Heater Repair Cost in 2026 (and When to Just Replace It)
- Water Heater Thermostat or Element? How to Tell Them Apart
- Water Pressure Higher at Night? How to Catch an Overnight Spike
- Water Softener Not Regenerating? Causes & Fixes
- Water Softener vs Whole-House Filter: Which Do You Need?
- What a Water Leak Actually Costs in 31 Major U.S. Cities (2025 Rates)
- Where to Put Water Leak Sensors (Most People Get This Wrong)
- Why Does My Water Smell Like Rotten Eggs? (Sulfur Fix)
- Why Is My Water Bill So High? A Plumber’s Leak-Detective Guide
- Why Is My Water Cloudy, Brown, or Discolored?
- Why Is My Water Heater Leaking? A Plumber’s Causes & Fixes
Plumbing Supplies (26)
The parts bin: fittings, valves, tape, dope, supply lines and hose.
- Best Basin Wrenches & Plumbing Wrenches for Homeowners in 2026
- Best Channel Locks for Plumbing: A Plumber’s Picks
- Best Ice-Maker & Refrigerator Water Line Kits in 2026 (Leak-Free Install)
- Best Outdoor Faucet Covers for Winter in 2026 (Prevent Frozen Hose Bibbs)
- Best PEX Crimp & Cinch Tools in 2026 (Plumber-Picked)
- Best PEX Tubing & Fittings Starter Kit for DIYers (2026)
- Best Pipe Cutters in 2026 for Copper, PEX & PVC (Plumber-Picked)
- Best Pipe Dope (Thread Sealant): What Plumbers Actually Use
- Best Pipe Insulation for Cold Climates in 2026 (Prevent Frozen Pipes)
- Best Pipe Wrench for Homeowners (and Why 14-Inch Is All You Need)
- Best Plumber’s Putty in 2026 (What Plumbers Actually Use)
- Best Plumbing Torches in 2026 for Soldering Copper Pipe (Plumber-Picked)
- Best Sewage Ejector Pump: A Plumber’s Top Picks for Below-Grade Bathrooms
- Best Silicone Sealant for Plumbing and Bathrooms in 2026
- Best Teflon Tape for Plumbing in 2026 (What Plumbers Actually Use)
- Best Washing Machine Hoses in 2026 (Prevent Floods and Leaks)
- Brass vs Poly PEX Fittings: Which Should You Use?
- Emergency Plumber Cost in 2026: What After-Hours, Weekends, and Holidays Really Add
- Essential Plumbing Tools & Supplies Every Homeowner Should Own (Plumber’s List)
- How Much Does a Plumber Cost? Real 2026 Prices
- How to Remove a SharkBite Fitting (and Why It Won’t Budge)
- Is Purple Primer Required? What the Code Actually Says
- MIP, FIP and NPT: What the Fitting Labels Mean
- Saddle Valves: Why Inspectors Fail Them
- Teflon Tape vs Pipe Dope vs Plumber’s Putty vs Silicone: Which Sealant to Use
- When to DIY vs Call a Plumber: A Licensed Plumber’s Honest Guide