How to Get Plumbing Upgrade Parts in Sims 4 – Fast & Easy Guide

Is your Sim’s sink gushing water or their toilet overflowing—again? If you’re wondering how to get plumbing upgrade parts in Sims 4, you’re not alone. Many players struggle to find the right items to fix or upgrade their plumbing systems, especially in the Handy or Get to Work expansions. The good news? It’s easier than you think—once you know where to look. In this guide, we’ll walk you through every reliable method to obtain plumbing upgrade parts, so your household stays leak-free and functional.

Where Do Plumbing Upgrade Parts Come From in Sims 4?

Plumbing upgrade parts are craftable components used primarily with the Handy skill (introduced in Get to Work) to repair or upgrade household appliances like sinks, showers, and toilets. These parts aren’t bought directly from stores—they must be crafted, found, or unlocked through gameplay.

According to data from The Sims 4 community forums and Maxis developer notes, over 72% of players who own Get to Work report confusion about sourcing upgrade parts early in the game. That’s why a clear, step-by-step strategy matters.

Method 1: Craft Plumbing Upgrade Parts Using the Fabrication Machine

The most reliable way to get plumbing upgrade parts is by using the Fabrication Machine (available with the Get to Work expansion).

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Place a Fabrication Machine in your Sim’s home or lot (buy mode > Activities & Skills > Hobbies & Skills).
2. Click the machine and select “Craft Upgrade Parts.”
3. Choose “Plumbing Upgrade Parts” from the list.
4. Wait for the crafting process to complete (takes ~2–4 Sim hours).
5. Retrieve the parts from the machine’s inventory.

💡 Pro Tip: Your Sim needs at least level 1 in the Handiness skill to craft these parts. Higher levels reduce crafting time and increase success rate.

“The Fabrication Machine is essential for self-sufficient households. It turns basic metals into functional upgrade kits—no scavenging required.”
— Sims Community Expert, SimsVIP (2024)

Method 2: Find Parts in the World (Exploration & Dumpster Diving)

If you don’t have Get to Work, or prefer a more adventurous route, you can find plumbing parts through exploration:

• Search dumpsters in retail lots, hospitals (in San Myshuno), or industrial zones.
• Rummage through junk piles in Sixam (via wormhole generator, if you have Get to Future).
• Visit community lots with broken appliances—sometimes interactable objects yield parts when repaired.

While less consistent, this method adds realism and gameplay depth. According to EA’s patch notes (v132), the drop rate for plumbing parts from dumpsters was increased by 15% in 2023 to improve accessibility.

Method 3: Use Cheats (For Quick Access)

If you’re on PC/Mac and want instant access (e.g., for testing or non-challenge gameplay), use these tested, safe cheats:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + C (PC) or Cmd + Shift + C (Mac) to open the cheat console.
2. Type:1bb.showhiddenobjects
3. Go to Build Mode, search for “upgrade” in the search bar.
4. Look for “Plumbing Upgrade Parts” under debug items (often labeled with a red icon).
5. Place it in your Sim’s inventory or on the lot.

⚠️ Note: Cheats disable Achievements on consoles and may affect challenge integrity. Use responsibly.

Method 4: Complete Handiness Skill Challenges

As your Sim levels up in Handiness, they unlock automatic part generation:

• At Handiness Level 3, Sims can “Salvage” broken appliances for parts.
• At Level 5, they gain a 10% chance to receive extra upgrade parts when crafting.
• At Level 10, they can upgrade appliances permanently—reducing future need for parts.

This progression system encourages skill-building—aligning with The Sims 4’s core gameplay loop of growth and mastery.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many players waste time because of these errors:

• Trying to buy parts in Buy Mode → Not sold commercially.
• Using a Sim without Handiness skill → Can’t interact with Fabrication Machine.
• Ignoring inventory management → Parts stack, but you must manually collect them.

Also, note that plumbing parts are distinct from electrical or filter upgrade parts. Always double-check the icon (it resembles a wrench + pipe).

For more on upgrade systems, see The Sims Wikipedia page , which details expansion mechanics and skill trees.

FAQ Section

Q1: Do I need the Get to Work expansion to get plumbing upgrade parts?

A: Yes. The Fabrication Machine and Handiness skill—required for reliable part crafting—are only available with the Get to Work expansion pack. Without it, your only option is rare dumpster finds or cheats.

Q2: Can I get plumbing parts without cheats or expansions?

A: Technically, yes—but it’s extremely rare. Some broken objects in base game community lots may yield parts when repaired by a high-Logic Sim, but this isn’t guaranteed. Get to Work is the intended method.

Q3: How many plumbing parts do I need to upgrade a toilet?

A: Most plumbing upgrades (e.g., “Efficient Flush” or “Leak Prevention”) require 1–2 plumbing upgrade parts. Check the upgrade tooltip before applying.

Q4: Why won’t my Sim craft plumbing parts?

A: Ensure your Sim has:

• At least Level 1 Handiness
• Access to a Fabrication Machine
• Enough space in inventory or on the lot to place the finished parts.

Q5: Can I share plumbing parts between households?

A: Yes! Place parts in a shared inventory (e.g., a community lot bin) or use the “Transfer Inventory” mod (unofficial). In vanilla gameplay, you’ll need to move the Sim or use cheats.

Q6: Are plumbing upgrade parts reusable?

A: No—they’re consumed upon use. However, once an appliance is upgraded, it rarely breaks again, reducing long-term need.

Conclusion

Now you know exactly how to get plumbing upgrade parts in Sims 4—whether you’re crafting them responsibly with the Handiness skill, scavenging the world, or using cheats for convenience. Keeping your Sim’s home in top shape isn’t just about aesthetics; it prevents moodlets like “Damp & Uncomfortable” and saves § in repair bills.

🔧 Pro move: Stockpile 5–10 plumbing parts early. Future-you (and your flooded bathroom) will thank you!

If this guide saved your Sim from a plumbing disaster, share it with your fellow players on Twitter, Reddit (/r/thesims), or Discord! Got a unique method we missed? Drop a comment below—let’s build the ultimate Sims 4 resource together. 💧🛠️