Plumbing Planning

Prepare for your next plumbing project by discovering our planning ideas & tips.

Plumbing

Best Sump Pumps of 2022

Sump pumps keep your home from flooding by pumping ground water out of your basement or crawl space. Keep reading to learn about the best sump pump options on Amazon. The products listed in this article are available at various home improvement stores and online retailers like Amazon.

By This Old House Reviews Team

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.

5 Types of Plumbing Pipes

In this article, we describe the most common types of plumbing pipes and how they’re used within your home’s plumbing system.

Septic Tank Installation and Pricing

If you live in a rural area or are planning on building a new home in the countryside, you may need a septic system. Read this article to learn more about the process and cost of septic system installation.

What Is a Washing Machine Drain Pan?

A washing machine pan helps protect your home against flood damage resulting from a leaky washer. Read this article to learn more about washing machine pans and how you can install one in your home.

All About Heat-Pump Water Heaters

Save big bucks while taking advantage of the existing heat in your home

The Complete Hot Water Heater Buying Guide

Water heaters are easy to ignore—until they stop working. From size, types, cost, and maintenance read this step-by-step guide to buying a water heater if you're looking to replace yours.

Tankless Water Heaters: What You Need to Know Before You Buy

Tired of running out of hot water? That’s not a problem with one of these compact, ultra-efficient units that heat water as you need it. Here’s what you need to know about choosing, installing, and living with a tankless water heater.

How to Find and Hire a Qualified Plumber

Even small leaks can lead to big repairs. Here’s what you should know before hiring a plumber.

How to Prep Framing Studs for Hinges, Valves and Fixtures | Generation NEXT

Jeff Sweenor shows apprentice Kevin Barker the extra steps he takes to clearly label locations of hinges, valves, fixtures, and studs for his subcontractors

A Safe Septic System for Nearby Waterways

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey walks us through a system that was designed for a home built near a pond and the ocean

How to Identify PVC Pipes and Fittings

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey gives a tutorial on the types of PVC pipes and fittings

Tips for Talking with Your Plumber

A pro's advice on how to help your tradesperson help you

Clogged Backflow Preventer

Richard diagnoses a puddle of water near a boiler

All About Kitchen Faucets

For a quick and easy upgrade in a house's most popular room, nothing makes a bigger impact with less sweat and expense than replacing an outdated faucet

How to Know Whether to Repair or Replace

Everything breaks, eventually. TOH helps you decide if it's worth your time—and money—to bust out the tool kit for a quick fix or start shopping for something new

Bar Sinks

Impress your guests this holiday season with one of these stylish bar sinks, perfect for chilling cocktails, prepping hors d'oeuvres, and cleaning up.

From the Ground Up: Plumbing

A primer on your pipes and fixtures from This Old House plumbing expert Richard Trethewey

How to Glue PVC Pipe

How to weld plastic in seconds