Not all of Stardust’s videos involve DIY hacks. Some, like this one, simply walk viewers through fixing something using a traditional method, as a way to demonstrate that basic DIY isn’t as complicated as many people assume it is.
Here, Stardust breaks down what to do if your garbage disposal is making a loud, unusual grinding noise, starting with unplugging it underneath the sink. “Then you can look inside to see if there’s anything stuck in the sides,” she explains. “Then you can go underneath the garbage disposal and push the reset button.” From there, she shows viewers how to use an Allen wrench and a pair of needle-nose pliers to remove the objects and any water stuck inside.
A PSA on picking the right plunger
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Using the right tool for a job isn’t a hack per se—unless you’ve unintentionally been using the wrong one all along. And, as Stardust gently points out, this is often the case with plungers; more specifically, that some are designed for sinks, while others exist to unclog toilets, and they’re not interchangeable. (Not that you’d want that type of cross-contamination anyway.)
In this video, Stardust shows viewers three different plungers meant for sinks, followed by two types she uses to tackle toilet troubles. “For round toilets, I recommend a flange plunger,” she says. “For elongated toilets, I recommend a beehive plunger for the best suction.”
Place an entry mat under your sink to prevent water damage
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Most residential bathroom sinks are built into some type of cabinet or counter, made to resemble a piece of wooden furniture. Whether yours is made from pine or particle board, you’re going to want to protect the bottom of the unit from water damage.
Here, Stardust notes that while it’s possible to purchase a mat designed specifically for this purpose, they usually cost between $30 and $45. A far more affordable version, she says, is a $5 entry mat with rubber on the bottom that you cut to size yourself. “If there’s a leak or a spill, this will help prevent damage to the wood,” she explains.
Replace a bathtub’s hot water stem
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This is another example of Stardust walking viewers through a repair that seems like it should be intimidating, but is relatively straightforward. Here, she’s responding to a question from a TikTok user about why the water coming out of their bathtub faucet never gets hot, even though neither the shower nor the sink has this issue.
In this particular situation, Stardust determines that there’s a problem with the tub’s hot water stem, and guides viewers through the process of replacing one—starting with turning off the water to the bathroom to avoid a flood.
“Your tub has both a hot water handle and a cold water handle and underneath both of them is their own separate water stem,” she explains. “You can remove a set screw on the handle to reveal the hot water stem. Once you get the hot water stem out, you’re good to go by putting a new one in.”
Clean the aerator to improve a sink’s water pressure
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