Plumbing Videos
These This Old House videos showcase all of our plumbing projects, how-tos, and designs.
Tips for Controlling Plumbing Emergencies
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains some of the most common plumbing emergencies and how homeowners can handle them.
Common Water Heater Myths Answered
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shares some tips on maintaining water heaters.
How to Replace a Kitchen Sink
Ask This Old House Plumbing and Heating Expert Richard Trethewey explains how to replace a kitchen sink and faucet from start to finish.
How to Replace a Spigot
Ask This Old House Plumbing and Heating expert Richard Trethewey explains a variety of failure points in a hose spigot and demonstrates how to replace one that is damaged beyond repair.
How to Replace an Old Faucet
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows the proper way to replace an old kitchen faucet
How to Install a Pedestal Sink
Plumbing expert Richard Trethewey makes a challenging bathroom renovation task look easy
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 Prevent Frozen and Burst Pipes
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey offers a few tips to keep water from freezing up in your pipes during the winter months.
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes
In this how-to video, This Old House plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey shows various ways to prevent and thaw frozen pipes.
How Does a Siphon Work?
This Old House Plumbing & Heating Expert Richard Trethewey demonstrates how siphons work. Richard shows how siphons are the basic principle that make toilets work, even if the water supply in the house was turned off.
What Can and Can't Go Down a Garbage Disposer
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains what foods should and should not go into garbage disposers.
How to Drain a Water Heater
In this how-to video, This Old House plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey shows a quick and effective way to drain a sediment-filled electric water heater.
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 Repair a 3 Handle Shower Faucet
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey repairs and replaces a leaky shower valve.
How to Install a Combination Boiler and Hot Water Heater
Replace two devices, your water heater and boiler, with a single combi boiler unit that’s more efficient and compact.
How to Unclog a Bathroom Sink
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey reveals the best ways to unclog a slow draining bathroom sink.
How to Fix a Shower Faucet
Learn how to replace an old shower valve with a single handle with This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey.
Reattach an Undermount Kitchen Sink
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey uses undermount sink adhesive to reattach a stainless steel kitchen sink to a granite countertop.
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
Hydraulic Cement for Leaky Basements
Using the right product for patching holes where water seeps in will save you a trip back with a wet vac and a sump pump.
How to Clean a Clogged Shower Cartridge
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey travels to New York City to teach a homeowner how to clean her shower cartridge when it gets clogged.
Testing Smart Automatic Water Shut Off Valves
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey tests two different styles of smart automatic water shutoff valves.
How to Connect Steel Gas Pipes
Looking to connect gas pipes in your home? This Old House Plumbing & Heating Expert Richard Trethewey explains a new method for connecting gas pipes, known as "press-connect."
How to Fix a Leaky Hose Spigot
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains some of the common failure points in hose spigots and how to repair them.
How to Install a Gas Lantern
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey travels to St. Louis to install a gas lantern on an original 1890s home in a historic neighborhood.
How to Install a Pressure-Balance Shower Valve
Maintaining safe shower water temperatures with This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey
Understanding Improvements to Certified PVC Flue Gas Ventilation
Ask This Old House plumbing and HVAC expert Richard Trethewey explains why standard DWV PVC should not be used to vent gas appliances and what should be used instead.
How Flue Gas Venting Is Being Reinvented
Most people can recognize the difference between woods, for example plywood versus cedar. But the same can’t always be said for plastics. Richard takes a deep dive into the plastics being used for gas ventilation, and explains how to find out if the venting in your house is up to code—or past its prime.
Cape Ann Project Heating Plan
Our plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains the general layout of the heating and cooling system in our Cape Ann project
Future House | Smart Water Valve
Ask This Old House home technology expert Ross Trethewey travels to Los Angeles to learn about innovations being made to automatic water shutoff valves
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 Diagnose and Repair a Humid Air Conditioner
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey travels to Orlando to diagnose and repair an HVAC system that is creating way too much humidity