How much does a plumber cost?

Service call/trip charge: $50-$150. Hourly rate: $75-$200 (average: $100-$150). Common repairs: faucet: $75-$350. Toilet: $75-$200. Drain cleaning: $100-$300. Water heater: $800-$2,000+. Emergency/after-hours: add 50-100% premium. Average plumbing bill: $175-$450 for a typical repair. Tips: get 2-3 quotes for large jobs. Ask about flat-rate pricing (many plumbers quote by the job, not hourly). Check reviews and licensing.

How do I unclog a drain?

Method 1 (plunger): use a cup plunger for sinks. Fill sink with 2-3 inches of water. Plunge vigorously 15-20 times. Works on minor clogs. Method 2 (baking soda + vinegar): pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain. Follow with 1/2 cup white vinegar. Wait 30 minutes. Flush with boiling water. Method 3 (drain snake): insert snake into drain. Turn handle while pushing forward. Pull out the clog. Available at hardware stores ($20-$30). Do NOT use: chemical drain cleaners (Drano, Liquid-Plumr) regularly. They damage pipes over time. They don't work well on major clogs. Bad for septic systems. When to call a plumber: multiple drains clogged (main line issue). Plunger and snake don't work. Recurring clogs in the same drain. Sewer smell from drains.

How do I fix a running toilet?

Most common cause: worn flapper. Fix: turn off water supply (valve behind toilet). Flush to empty tank. Remove old flapper (unhook from overflow tube). Take it to the hardware store to match size. Install new flapper ($5-$10). Turn water back on and test. Time: 15 minutes. Second most common: faulty fill valve. Fix: replace the entire fill valve assembly ($10-$20 kit). Follow kit instructions (30 minutes). Third: float set too high. Fix: adjust the float (turn the screw or adjust the clip). Water should stop about 1 inch below the overflow tube. If none of these work: call a plumber ($75-$200).

When should I call a plumber vs DIY?

DIY (if you are somewhat handy): replace a faucet. Fix a running toilet. Unclog a drain (plunger or snake). Replace a showerhead. Install a new toilet. Replace supply lines or shut-off valves. Call a plumber: main sewer line problems. Gas line work (never DIY gas). Water heater installation. Slab leak. Whole-house repipe. Anything requiring a permit. Low water pressure throughout the house. Sewer backup. Emergency rule: if water is actively flooding and you cannot stop it by shutting off a valve, call an emergency plumber immediately. While waiting: shut off the main water valve.

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Woodworking & Lumber

Plumbing Guide: Common Issues, Cost & When to Call a Plumber

Lumberama Editorial Team, Plumbing & Home Maintenance Specialists Nov 11, 2026 9 min read

Common Plumbing Problems

Dripping faucet: Most common plumbing issue. Usually a worn washer, O-ring, or cartridge. Wastes 3,000+ gallons per year. DIY fix: replace the washer or cartridge ($5-$20 in parts, 30-60 minutes). Professional: $75-$200.

Running toilet: Second most common issue. Causes: worn flapper (most common, $5 part), faulty fill valve, or stuck float. Wastes up to 200 gallons per day. DIY fix: replace the flapper ($5-$10, 15 minutes). Replace fill valve ($10-$20, 30 minutes). Professional: $75-$200.

Clogged drain: Kitchen: grease, food particles. Bathroom: hair, soap scum. DIY: plunger, drain snake ($20-$30), baking soda and vinegar. Professional: $100-$300. Main sewer line clog: $200-$600.

Low water pressure: Causes: clogged aerator (clean or replace, $5-$10). Corroded pipes. Water main issue. Pressure regulator failure. Fix: clean aerator (DIY, free). Replace pressure regulator ($200-$400). Repipe (major: $2,000-$15,000).

Leaking pipes: Causes: corrosion, high water pressure, joint failure, freezing. Emergency: shut off water immediately. Temporary: pipe repair clamp ($10-$20). Professional repair: $150-$500 per leak. Pipe replacement: $200-$1,000+ per section.

Water heater issues: No hot water, not enough hot water, strange noises, leaking. See our separate Water Heater Guide for detailed information.

Cost

Service call (trip charge): $50-$150 (many plumbers charge this just to show up).

Hourly rate: $75-$200/hour (average: $100-$150).

Common repairs: Faucet repair/replace: $75-$350. Toilet repair: $75-$200. Toilet replacement: $200-$500. Drain cleaning: $100-$300. Garbage disposal: $150-$400 (install). Water heater replacement: $800-$2,000+. Sump pump: $300-$600. Pipe repair: $150-$500. Main sewer line: $200-$600 (cleaning), $3,000-$8,000 (replacement). Repipe whole house: $2,000-$15,000.

Emergency plumbing: After-hours premium: add 50-100% to normal rates. Weekend/holiday: $150-$300+ per hour. When to pay emergency rates: active flooding or leak you cannot stop. No water to the house. Sewer backup into the home. Burst pipe.

DIY vs Professional

Good DIY projects: Replace a faucet. Fix a running toilet. Unclog a drain. Replace a showerhead. Install a garbage disposal. Replace supply lines.

Call a professional for: Main sewer line issues. Gas line work (dangerous, requires license). Water heater installation. Whole-house repipe. Any work requiring permits. Anything involving the water main. Frozen pipes (can burst if thawed incorrectly). Slab leaks.