Buying Guides for Every Water Product

In-depth, unbiased guides that walk you through sizing, technology choices, installation, and total cost of ownership for every water product category.

Faucets

How to Fix a Leaky Delta Shower Faucet: A Step-by-Step Repair Guide

A drip from your Delta shower faucet almost always traces back to a worn cartridge or worn seats and springs. This guide walks the diagnosis, parts, and repair for every common Delta shower trim — Monitor 1300/1400, Monitor 17, Monitor 18, MultiChoice 13/14 Series — so you can stop the drip without calling a plumber.

12 min read · Updated May 2026
Water Heaters

How to Size a Water Heater: First-Hour Rating, Not Tank Size

The number on the side of the tank — 40 gallons, 50 gallons — is not the spec that determines whether you run out of hot water in the morning. The spec that matters is First-Hour Rating (FHR) for tanks, or GPM-at-rise for tankless. This guide shows how to size both correctly for your household, including the math we use ourselves when we replace a heater for a family member.

11 min read · Updated May 2026
Toilets

How to Fix a Running Toilet (Without Calling a Plumber)

A toilet that keeps running after a flush almost always has one of three failures: a worn flapper, a misadjusted fill valve, or a flush valve seat that no longer seals. This guide walks the diagnosis and the fix for all three, with parts that cost $5–$20 and 20 minutes of work.

11 min read · Updated May 2026
Toilets

How to Unclog a Toilet: The Complete Guide (Plunger, Auger, and Without Either)

A clogged toilet has three escalation levels: the right plunger, a closet auger, and a few household items if you have neither. This guide walks all three plus the diagnostic steps to know which one your clog actually needs.

10 min read · Updated May 2026
Faucets

How to Fix a Leaky Faucet: Every Faucet Type, Step by Step

A dripping faucet is almost always one of four worn parts — a washer, a cartridge, an O-ring, or a seat — depending on which of four faucet types you have. This guide walks the diagnosis and repair for all four: compression, ball, cartridge, and ceramic disk faucets.

11 min read · Updated May 2026
Bidets

How to Install a Bidet (Attachment, Seat, or Standalone) — Full Walkthrough

Most bidet attachments install in 15 minutes with just an adjustable wrench. Bidet seats need an electrical outlet but are still DIY-friendly. This guide walks every installation type — non-electric attachment, electric seat, and standalone fixture — plus the rare cases where you need a plumber.

10 min read · Updated May 2026
Water Heaters

How to Flush a Water Heater (and Why You Should Every Year)

A water heater flush removes the mineral sediment that accumulates at the bottom of the tank — sediment that shortens the unit's lifespan, increases your energy bill, and creates that popping sound you might already be hearing. This guide walks the flush procedure for both gas and electric tank heaters, plus the differences for tankless.

9 min read · Updated May 2026