Sewer Smell in Home? How to Find and Fix the Source
Hit by the stench of rotten eggs when you walk through the front door? Here is a step-by-step troubleshooting guide to track down and eliminate sewer gas smells in your home.
Homeowner Knowledge Hub
#plumbing-maintenance
Articles tagged #plumbing-maintenance.
Leaking Water Heater Pressure Relief Valve? How to Test It
A leaking water heater pressure relief valve can be a sign of a worn-out part or dangerously high pressure. Learn how to safely test and troubleshoot your TPR valve.
Standing Water? How to Unclog Disposal Drains Fast
Staring at a kitchen sink full of murky, standing water? Learn how to safely unclog your garbage disposal using household tools—no chemicals or expensive plumbers required.
Garbage Disposal Allen Wrench Won't Turn? Try This Fix
When your garbage disposal hums and the bottom Allen wrench refuses to budge, you have a severe jam. Learn how to safely break it loose from the top down.
Basement Floor Drain Smell? The Easy 60-Second Fix
A persistent musty basement odor often isn't mold—it's sewer gas escaping from a dry floor drain. Learn how to fix it in 60 seconds with a simple bucket of water.
How to Fix a Dripping Bathtub Faucet (The Simple Way)
Stop the annoying drip and save on your water bill. Learn how to fix a dripping bathtub faucet yourself with basic tools—no expensive plumber required.
Washing Machine Drain Overflowing? How to Clear the Clog
A puddle in the laundry room means your washing machine drain is backing up. Learn how to diagnose the clog, snake the standpipe, and prevent future overflows.
Sump Pump Smells Musty? How to Clean It Before Summer
If your basement still smells musty after running a dehumidifier, your sump pump basin might be the hidden culprit. Learn how to clean and deodorize the pit before summer heat sets in.
Hot Water Runs Out Fast? Check the Dip Tube First
If your water heater suddenly only gives you a 5-minute shower, don't rush to replace the entire tank. The culprit is likely a broken $15 plastic dip tube.
Garbage Disposal Humming But Not Spinning? The Quick Fix
Hearing a menacing hum when you flip the garbage disposal switch? Don't panic. Here is a safe, 3-step DIY fix to unjam the motor using a simple hex key.
How to Keep Garage Pipes From Freezing and Bursting
Exposed water lines in an unheated garage are a major flood risk. Learn how to properly air-seal drafts, install closed-cell insulation, and safely apply heat tape to protect your plumbing.
Low Pressure? How to Adjust a Water Pressure Reducing Valve
Sudden drop in water pressure? Before calling a plumber, learn how to test and adjust your home's water pressure reducing valve (PRV) to restore flow safely.
Dishwasher Standing Water? Check the Air Gap and Loop
Finding an inch of foul-smelling water in your dishwasher is frustrating. Before replacing the drain pump, check your air gap and under-sink drain loop to fix the issue in minutes.
Whole House Low Water Pressure? How to Find the Cause Fast
Frustrated by a sudden drop in water flow? Learn how to troubleshoot whole house low water pressure by checking your main shutoff, PRV, and water meter before calling a plumber.
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Unheated Spaces
Don't let a sudden freeze cause catastrophic water damage. Learn how to identify vulnerable pipes in unheated spaces and protect them with insulation, heat tape, and proper air sealing.
Washer Drain Backing Up? How to Clear the Standpipe Fast
Discovering a puddle behind your washing machine is stressful. Learn how to quickly diagnose a clogged standpipe, clear the blockage safely without harsh chemicals, and prevent future laundry room floods.
Water Heater Runs Out Fast? How to Test the Elements
When a hot shower turns cold after ten minutes, a broken lower heating element is usually to blame. Learn how to safely test your electric water heater elements with a multimeter.
Sump Pump Keeps Running? How to Fix a Stuck Float Switch
If your sump pump keeps running even when the pit is dry, you risk burning out the motor. Learn how to quickly diagnose and fix a stuck float switch or broken check valve before the next heavy storm.
How to Flush Water Heater Sediment (And Get More Hot Water)
Running out of hot water or hearing strange popping noises? Learn how to safely flush sediment from your water heater to restore efficiency and capacity.
Dishwasher Not Draining New Disposal? The Knockout Plug Fix
Did you just install a new garbage disposal only to find your dishwasher backing up with water? Don't panic. You probably just forgot to remove the factory knockout plug.