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 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.
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.
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 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
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 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.
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.
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.
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 Clean a Toilet Tank
Read this step-by-step guide on how to clean buildup and rust from the inside of a toilet tank.
How to Fix a Leaky Faucet
Learn about 4 types of faucets, what causes a faucet to drip, and how to repair them.
Water Heater Maintenance Tips
Use these 6 easy and inexpensive ways to increase your water heater's efficiency and longevity.
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 Increase Water Pressure on City Water
Here’s how to fix your water pressure if you’re on city water.
Sump Pump Cover
Should it be covered or sealed up to block out radon gas?
How To Fix a Gurgling Toilet
Is your toilet making a gurgling sound? Read on to learn what might be causing the problem.
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 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
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 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 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
How to Drain Pipes for the Winter
Hot tips for avoiding frozen pipes with This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey
Cures for the Creaky House
Those aren't ghosts making a racket in your home—it's just normal wear and tear taking its toll. Check out these remedies for common noises.
Get a Handle on the Kitchen Faucet
Know the name and function of all the parts of your leaky faucet so you can decide whether you can repair it yourself or need to call in a pro
How to Fix a Tub That Won’t Hold Water
In this video, This Old House master plumber Richard Trethewey shows how bathtub drains work, and how to fix them when they don’t.
How to Fix a Running Toilet
In this how-to video, This Old House plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey halts the steady trickle sounds of a broken toilet
Fixing a Leaky Toilet
Put an end to the gurgles, ripples, and hissing.
The Facts On Faucets
How to tell well-made sink, tub and shower fittings from the polished pretenders.
Repair for a Leaky Drain Plug
A quick fix for pop-up plugs that lose their watertight seal