Plumbing Maintenance
Our plumbing maintenance tips can help you keep your home cost efficient, safe & cozy.
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How to Keep Your Garbage Disposal Running Smoothly
Don’t let improper use and deferred maintenance prevent your garbage disposal from working optimally. Follow these expert tips to learn how to maintain this pulverizing powerhouse, so it stays clean and performs to its potential.
How to Prevent a Septic System from Freezing
Frozen water pipes are bad enough, but a frozen septic system is worse. Here’s how to avoid this wintertime nightmare.
All About Septic Tanks
While many homes in the United States use municipal sewers, due to factors like location, some homeowners must opt for septic tanks. Read on to learn a few fundamentals of this sewage system.
How to Prevent Flooding in an Upstairs Laundry Room
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains how and why to install an automatic shutoff valve for the washing machine supply hoses.
Home Inspection Nightmares | Untamed Roof
The Ask This Old House crew share more Home Inspection Nightmares with Kevin O’Connor including some wild growth on a roof and chimney and an over-caulked plumbing fix.
How to Clean a Toilet Tank
Read this step-by-step guide on how to clean buildup and rust from the inside of a toilet tank.
5 Ways to Repair PVC Pipes
A busted PVC pipe can cause water leaks or a malfunctioning sink. To help get your sink back up and running, we’ve put together five ways to help you repair PVC pipes.
How to Fix Washing Machine Drain Overflows
Water that pools around your washing machine can be caused by several issues that lead to structural damage within your home. In this guide, we detail steps that you can take to identify and fix this problem.
What Does a Gas Leak Smell Like?
In this article, we’ve compiled important information on how to identify, respond to, and prevent natural gas leaks.
Sewer Line Repair and Replacement
Intact sewer and water lines are essential to a clean and comfortable home. Read on to learn what causes sewer lines to break and how they are repaired or replaced.
How To Fix a Gurgling Toilet
Is your toilet making a gurgling sound? Read on to learn what might be causing the problem.
Septic Warranty Coverage and Costs (2022)
A home warranty can protect your septic system if it unexpectedly breaks down. Keep reading for our top septic warranty coverage recommendations.
How to Increase Water Pressure on City Water
Here’s how to fix your water pressure if you’re on city water.
How to Unclog Any Drain
Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows us every common household drain, and how to unclog them like a pro.
Septic System Guide: How It Works and How to Maintain It
A well-maintained septic system is trouble-free and something a homeowner doesn’t have to think about much. Here’s how to keep it that way.
What to Do When Your Sewer Backs Up
When it comes to bad things like a sewer backup, it’s always smarter to be prepared. Read on for a few tips for handling a sewer backup.
How a Frozen Pipe Bursts
In this DIY Smarts, Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey demonstrates how and why frozen pipes burst.
All About Plumbing
Here’s how to make water work for you.
How to Fix a Leaky Faucet
Learn about 4 types of faucets, what causes a faucet to drip, and how to repair them.
Baseboard Heater Making Noise? Here’s How to Fix It
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner diagnose and solve a baseboard hot water system that makes noise.
How to Snake a Clogged Drain
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows how to clear a stopped bathtub or shower drain
How to Rotate a Toilet
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner rotate a toilet to a more sensible orientation.
How to Fix a Wobbly Toilet
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner diagnose and repair a wobbly toilet
How to Change a Toilet
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey gives some DIY Smarts and shows the basics of changing a toilet.
Why Dishwasher Soap Matters
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey demonstrates what happens when dish liquid is used in the dishwasher instead of dishwasher detergent gel.
How to Get Hot Water with a Recirculating Pump
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains how a recirculation line can save energy, money, and time
How to Maintain a Furnace
Ask This Old House heating and plumbing expert Richard Trethewey explains the best practices for keeping your furnace up and running during the winter
How to Choose and Maintain a Garbage Disposer
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shares some tricks for removing—and avoiding—stubborn disposer jams
How to Fix a Leaky Shut-Off Valve
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows how to quickly and easily fix a faulty valve.
How to Fix a Noisy Faucet
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey quiets a tap that's making a hammering sound
How to Clear Any Clogged Drain
Armed with the right tools and techniques, you can easily unplug stopped-up drains without having to call in a pro SEE OUR FULL THANKSGIVING SURVIVAL GUIDE HERE
Water Heater Maintenance Tips
Use these 6 easy and inexpensive ways to increase your water heater's efficiency and longevity.
How to Drain Pipes for the Winter
These hot tips will help you avoid frozen pipes with This Old House plumbing and heating expert, Richard Trethewey.