Things That Could Completely Change Your Life in a Day

Fixing a sink or toilet

Most problems in your home are best solved by professionals, especially when they involve electricity, gas, or other potential hazards. But when it comes to a clogged toilet or backed up kitchen sink, you can do it yourself.

First, learn how to shut off the water if you’re worried about potential flooding. You can do this at a home’s main water shutoff point or by using the small handles on the fixture you’re working on.

For sinks, you can clear most clogs from the U-shaped section below the basin known as the p-trap. You can usually unscrew this section of pipe by hand, or you can use a large wrench (a pipe wrench). Make sure you have a bucket underneath the piping, as some water (and maybe some less pleasant substances) will spill out. Otherwise, try using a sink plunger.