What type of pipe is best for home plumbing?

For water supply: PEX is the modern standard (flexible, freeze-resistant, corrosion-proof, easy to install, and affordable at $0.40-$2.00/ft). Copper is the traditional choice (durable, proven track record, but more expensive and harder to install). For drain lines: PVC (white) or ABS (black) are the standard. If you are repiping a house: PEX is the best choice for supply lines (faster installation, fewer fittings, lower cost). If you have existing copper in good condition: no need to replace it (copper lasts 50-70 years).

How do I fix a leaky faucet?

Turn off the water supply valves under the sink. Identify your faucet type: compression (two handles, washer-based), ball (single handle, ball mechanism), cartridge (single or double handle, removable cartridge), or ceramic disc (single handle, disc cartridge). For compression: replace the seat washer ($2-$5). For ball: replace the ball assembly kit ($15-$25). For cartridge: replace the cartridge ($10-$30). For ceramic disc: replace the disc ($20-$40). Most faucet repairs take 15-45 minutes with basic tools (screwdriver, adjustable wrench, pliers).

When should I call a plumber vs DIY?

DIY-friendly: leaky faucets, running toilets, simple drain clogs (plunger or snake), replacing a showerhead, replacing supply lines, and replacing a toilet fill valve or flapper. Call a plumber: sewer line backups, water heater issues, gas line work (never DIY gas), frozen/burst pipes, slab leaks, repiping, and anything involving the main water line or sewer line. Also call a plumber if you are not comfortable with a repair or if a DIY attempt has made the problem worse. The cost of a plumber ($100-$300) is much less than the cost of water damage from a botched DIY repair.

How much does a plumber cost?

Service call/first hour: $75-$200. Hourly rate: $50-$150/hour. Common repairs: faucet repair $100-$250, toilet repair $100-$300, clogged drain $100-$300, pipe repair $150-$500, water heater replacement $800-$2,000. Emergency/after-hours: 1.5x-2x the standard rate. Get 2-3 quotes for larger jobs. A reputable plumber provides a written estimate before starting work.

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Home Improvement

Plumbing Basics Guide: Pipes, Fixtures & Common Repairs

Lumberama Editorial Team, Plumbing & Home Maintenance Specialists Jun 15, 2026 14 min read

Pipe Types

Copper: The traditional standard for water supply lines. Durable (50-70 year lifespan), resistant to bacteria, and recyclable. Comes in three thicknesses: Type M (thin, for residential supply), Type L (medium, for commercial and exposed lines), Type K (thick, for underground). Joined by soldering (sweating) or compression fittings. $2-$8/ft. Being replaced by PEX in new construction due to cost and ease of installation.

PEX (cross-linked polyethylene): The modern standard for residential water supply. Flexible (can be routed through walls with fewer fittings), freeze-resistant (expands slightly without bursting), corrosion-proof, and fast to install. Joined with crimp rings, clamp rings, or push-to-connect (SharkBite) fittings. $0.40-$2.00/ft. Available in red (hot), blue (cold), and white (either). Cannot be used outdoors (UV damage) or for the first 18 inches from the water heater (must transition to copper or CPVC near the heater).

PVC (polyvinyl chloride): The standard for drain, waste, and vent (DWV) lines. White. Joined with PVC primer and cement (solvent welding). $0.50-$3.00/ft. Not for hot water supply (PVC softens at high temperatures). Schedule 40 is the residential standard.

ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene): Black plastic drain pipe. Similar to PVC but joined with ABS cement only (no primer needed). Common in western US and older homes. $0.50-$3.00/ft.

CPVC (chlorinated PVC): A PVC variant rated for hot water supply. Cream/yellow color. Used as an alternative to copper or PEX for supply lines. Joined with CPVC primer and cement. $0.50-$2.00/ft. More brittle than PEX (can crack if the house settles or if pipes are bumped).

Common Repairs

Leaky faucet: Usually caused by a worn O-ring, washer, or cartridge. Compression faucets: replace the seat washer ($2-$5). Ball faucets: replace the ball assembly and springs ($15-$25 repair kit). Cartridge faucets: replace the cartridge ($10-$30). Ceramic disc: replace the disc cartridge ($20-$40). Turn off the water supply valves under the sink before starting. Most faucet repairs take 15-45 minutes.

Running toilet: The three most common causes: a worn flapper (the rubber seal at the bottom of the tank — $5-$10, 5-minute fix), a faulty fill valve (the mechanism that refills the tank — $10-$20, 15-minute fix), or an improperly adjusted float (adjust the float height so the water level is 1 inch below the overflow tube).

Clogged drain: Start with a plunger (use a flange plunger for toilets, a cup plunger for sinks). If plunging does not work: use a drain snake (a flexible auger, $15-$30, available at home centers). For kitchen drains: hot water + dish soap often clears grease clogs. Avoid chemical drain cleaners (they corrode pipes and are harmful to septic systems). For persistent clogs: call a plumber who can use a powered auger or hydro-jetting.

Leaky pipe joint: For threaded connections: tighten or re-wrap with Teflon tape. For compression fittings: tighten the compression nut or replace the ferrule. For soldered copper: the joint must be re-soldered (drain the pipe, heat with a torch, apply flux and solder). For PEX: replace the fitting (crimp ring or push-to-connect). Temporary fix: a pipe repair clamp or epoxy putty until a proper repair can be made.

Essential Plumbing Tools

Adjustable wrench, pipe wrench, basin wrench (for faucet mounting nuts in tight spaces), plungers (cup and flange), drain snake/auger, Teflon tape, plumber's putty, hacksaw or pipe cutter, and a bucket (always have a bucket under the work area).