36 Plumbing Nightmares That Will Make You Cringe
Updated: Sep. 01, 2023
A plumbing problem is no laughing matter—until it's solved. Home inspectors share their favorite plumbing fails.
That’s not PEX
Here’s a perfect illustration of just about everything that shouldn’t be used for plumbing repair. Is that electrical tape? Painter’s tape? ShooGoo? This tops the charts for home inspector nightmares.
Photo: Courtesy of Structure Tech
Mystery leak sealant
That’s a whole lot of plumbers putty. Maybe they should have just fixed the leaks.
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What the wall usually sees
How does a tank get put on backward? Someone needs to read the instructions next time they install a new toilet. It’s not one of the 12 home improvement projects you should never, ever DIY—but maybe it should be!
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Strange brew
Yikes! Time for a water quality test. And maybe look into water softeners.
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P-trap nirvana
This sink drain takes more twisty turns than an Eschar wall hanging. All that’s needed now is a flex pipe at the wall. Then, to make the drain work, just lift the sink out and tilt it… every which way? There are better ways to connect a sink drain.
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When copper and steel collide
It’s called galvanic corrosion, and it can be prevented if you connect dissimilar pipes the right way.
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The drain to nowhere
In order to work properly, a drain actually has to be connected to something.
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Don’t fall for this trap
Maybe this workaround works—maybe it doesn’t. Is the whole system properly vented or not?
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Employees MUST wash hands!
Time is money, and this set up allows for multi-tasking.
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Rough in—Really Rough
We can’t even come up with a theory on what’s going on here. Perhaps some instructions on how to connect a sink drain would be helpful.
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Wine cork plug
This will work until you get to the store for a new pop-up drain assembly. Failing that, maybe it’s time to install a new sink.
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Leaking faucet
It’s a faucet and sprayer all in one. Actually, it’s just one example of what can happen when your pipes freeze. These 10 tricks to thaw frozen pipes (so they don’t burst and wreck your house might help.
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See-through plumbing
This is an example of exactly what flexible plastic drain lines should NOT be used for. If you have this kind of plumbing you better learn to how to clear a clogged sink drain.
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So I asked the plumbing guy at the home center…
This is a perfect install… if flooding your basement is your goal. Wonder why this outdoor sillcock was moved a full foot away from the drain? Here are 35 things every homeowner needs to know ASAP.
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P-trap, not mouse trap
Yikes! There must have been something really tasty plugging up this trap!
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Duct Tape Compression Fittings
What’s weird about this is that it appears that the drain parts are brand new. Installing drain lines and p-traps under a sink doesn’t normally call for duct tape.
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Tank top
Expecting the toilet to grow sideways? More likely, someone broke the top and a right-size replacement couldn’t be found.
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Medusa
Do NOT look this mess in the eye or you’ll turn to stone! Shorter supply lines would look neater, and the water pressure would be better too.
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Sump pump smarts
It may look smart, but there’s a good reason why you can’t run your sump pump discharge into your home’s sewer pipes. This is another example of someone who should study up on the right way to cure a damp basement problem before they start.
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Sock purgatory
Well, now we know where lost socks from the laundry go. They get a second life when duct tape alone won’t do. Don’t miss 88 additional brilliant uses for old socks.
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Custom kids’ shower
After Mom and Dad moved out, the toddlers decided to make the bathroom more user-friendly? These are 11 secrets that contractors wish first-time home buyers knew.
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Porcelain throne for the uninhibited
Now this is one well-ventilated bathroom. What it lacks in privacy it more than makes up for in fresh air, plus the room is pretty spacious, too.
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Rube Goldberg’s basement
This homeowner decided to make it his goal to use every single 2-in. PVC fitting offered at Lowe’s. Can you imagine how many trips to the home center this took?
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Speed bump
Ahhh…the glow of satisfaction from a job well done. Trenching a cement foundation isn’t for everyone, but at least this homeowner did a good job with the PVC connections—without using duct tape.
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Overhead tub spout
Yup. Look a little bit closer. The whirlpool tub fills from the upstairs toilet. Genius!
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Full Body Sprayers
I don’t think this shower would meet the new low-flow requirements, but it does double duty as a nice set of grab bars.
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The Rocky Throne
Does something look unsteady in this photo to you? Not caulking a rocking toilet is one of the 14 toilet problems you’ll regret ignoring.
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Ice cream, anyone?
This is possibly the cheapest, easiest-to-install, urinal on the planet—no water supply lines required. Kids, don’t try this at home.
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Leaking fill valve repair
In a pinch, a recycled party cup will get you buy until you can replace your fill valve with a new kit.
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Plumbing bendy straws
Just because pipes come in all kinds of different shapes doesn’t mean you need to use them all on one job. Don’t overlook the 12 things you should never, ever pour down the drain, especially if you have pipes like these.
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Which problem solver would you choose?
A corner toilet can solve a lot of problems in a small powder room—and it’s probably worth the extra cost. Or you could just recess the wall, like this homeowner did. Discover more ridiculous home improvement fails that will make you cringe.
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Stick shift toilet
Did these old beauties come with a joystick flusher or is this an ingenious repair? Might be time to replace this baby.
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The plumber’s solution
This is all too common: 1. Carpenters place a floor joist directly under a shower clearly marked on the house plans. 2. Plumber goes nuts with a reciprocating saw. 3. Violating the golden rule: Bever, ever cut the top or bottom flanges of your manufactured I-joists.
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Duct tape wall
This is what happens when green board is used on wet walls instead of cement board. The tile is completely falling apart, re-grouting is not an option, and duct tape is not going to save this situation.
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Look closely
And you’ll see an electrical outlet right where it will never be needed. You have to think ahead when you’re roughing in the wiring. Here are 25 things your electricians wish you knew.
Redacted
There are a multitude of things that shouldn’t be put down the toilet. We’ll never know what happened here, but we can guess. Never, ever flush these 12 things down a toilet.
