Best DIY plumbing sites and apps 2026

When most people run into major plumbing issues, they find the best plumber in their neighborhood and call them up. The most intrepid among us might handle things differently and face the problem head-on. Even the most committed DIYer will still need a resource to learn about the issue and how to fix it . Where better to turn than the internet?

The best websites and apps for DIY plumbing offer articles, videos and active communities that can help you learn new plumbing skills and troubleshoot problems. Online communities like Reddit's plumbing forums can be accessed through an app and respond to questions with advice, while established publications like This Old House provide thoughtful articles and guides on a wide range of DIY plumbing tasks.

Beyond websites and publications, apps like Pipe Trades Pro Calc are useful tools that can help you calculate flow rates, design appropriate fittings and more. Here are our favorite DIY plumbing apps and websites.

Best websites for DIY plumbing help

This Old House

This Old House is an established home maintenance and DIY publication that provides troves of resources for DIY plumbers. Whether you're looking to understand the basic mechanics of your home's plumbing, or you have a specific task that needs doing, there's a good chance that This Old House will have an insight to help you get there.

While This Old House publishes thorough articles on various subjects, the network also invests in video. If you learn better when you're shown how to do something, chances are, This Old House has a video on its website or YouTube .

Reddit r/plumbing

Reddit has gone from being an oddball corner of the internet to one of its central hubs, and it should come as no surprise that its plumbing community, r/plumbing , is a vital hub for DIY plumbing advice. 

The beauty of a Reddit community is that there's not only a whole repository of answered questions, guides and troubleshooting threads that have already been posted on it, but you can also ask the community yourself. If r/plumbing doesn't have the answer you need already (and chances are that it will), you'll only need to sign on with a Reddit account, and you'll be able to pitch your problem to its more than 450,000 members for solutions.

You can access Reddit online through a browser, and it's also available as an app . 

YouTube

For those who would rather watch than read, YouTube is a deep resource for plumbing education, where creators like the DIY Network show you how it's done. YouTube hosts a series that specifically focuses on DIY plumbing, as well as countless content creators who address it. You'll also be able to find content from great independent publishers like This Old House.

You can access YouTube from your browser online or watch it via the YouTube app experience on your tablet, phone or TV.

Bob Vila

Similar to This Old House, Bob Vila is an online publication that publishes helpful home maintenance content. The brand runs lots of how-to guides on everything from replacing a faucet to troubleshooting a slow sink drain . At Bob Vila, you'll also find best-of lists that walk you through gear for plumbing and other maintenance tasks.

Home Repair Tutor

Home Repair Tutor is a website and learning suite that publishes videos and takes a coaching approach. It teaches you how to perform DIY plumbing tasks through videos, coaching sessions and informative step-by-step guides.

To unlock Home Repair Tutor, you'll need to choose from one of three plans . A $100 payment gives you lifetime access to the platform's videos and step-by-step guides. Pay $100 more, and you'll also be able to email with the founder to ask him questions and receive personal coaching.

The website also offers a $50 one-off session, which gets you a 30-minute coaching session via Zoom, FaceTime or Instagram and a follow-up check-in.

Plumbing Lab

Plumbing Lab is a plumbing website with a vast repository of how-to guides on various plumbing tasks. The website covers everything from water filtration to how to flush a tankless water heater . 

If you're looking to gain general knowledge on plumbing or figure out the correct way to fix a specific system, this website will likely have the answer.

Do It Yourself

While the Do It Yourself website can be confusing to navigate, it has smart guides on a number of plumbing issues, as well as other DIY tasks for the home. Consult it when looking for info on the proper way to test a backflow preventer or handle other plumbing tasks.

DIY Plumbing Advice

DIY Plumbing Advice is a no-frills resource for plumbing advice, reviews and how-tos specifically targeted at DIYers. The site is by the creators of the YouTube series, @ramonasplumber . Most topics on the website are broken out with written instructions and YouTube videos. 

While there's lots of great info on DIY Plumbing Advice, the website does have holes in its coverage. Many of the pages are missing information that seems designed to be there. 

IAPMO Uniform Plumbing Code PDF

IAPMO publishes the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code online in PDF form . The document is an excellent resource for DIY plumbers.

While an online PDF file of plumbing codes won't provide simple tips and tricks, it can help you ensure that the work you do is performed safely and legally. If you're taking on larger DIY plumbing projects, code compliance is very important .

Not every area of the country uses IAPMO codes, but the code book is a great place to start to ensure that your home renovations are up to code.

Best plumbing apps for DIY help

While there are tons of great learning resources on the web, our favorite plumbing apps are more focused on the nuts and bolts of plumbing. They often provide answers and formulas that DIY plumbers will need in the midst of a project.

Pipe Trades Pro Calc

Pipe Trades Pro Calc is software designed for pipe math. The app calculates angles, lengths and fittings for pipes. It also helps you calculate flow rates and plan complex pipe layouts. 

If you're engaging in more advanced DIY plumbing ventures, this app is good to have in your tool chest.

Bubble Level

Bubble Level is an app that turns your smartphone into a high-tech level, gyroscope and angle-finder tool. Not strictly designed for plumbers, the app is an excellent tool for anyone who performs minor carpentry around the home. 

When should DIY plumbers call in the pros?

The internet is full of great resources for learning about plumbing. That said, it's not always a good idea to get into the nitty-gritty yourself. Some DIY plumbing tasks come with significant risk. Poor plumbing can create vacuums in pipes, compromise the plumbing traps that keep sewer smells out of our homes and potentially lead to floods. DIY plumbing might also be illegal . Because of this, we recommend starting with basic plumbing tasks before overhauling major systems.

If you're looking to set up a sump pump for flood cleanup or install a smart plumbing system to monitor water flow and protect your home, we recommend spending time on research before you jump into the task. Don't hesitate to call a professional if the job seems too difficult.

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