Plumbing Maintenance

Our plumbing maintenance tips can help you keep your home cost efficient, safe & cozy.

Plumbing

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.

By Charles Bickford

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 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 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 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 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

Home Finances

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.

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 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 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