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Plumbing
How to Clear a Clogged Bathtub Drain
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows how to fix a slow draining tub
How to Bleed a Radiator
If you have hot-water heat, have you ever found that one or more of your radiators isn’t warming up? Or that only the bottom of a radiator gets hot? Before you spend the money on a plumber, try an easy fix.
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.
The 5 Best Reverse Osmosis Systems (2022 Review)
A reverse osmosis system gives you clean water without relying on tap or bottled water. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best reverse osmosis systems on Amazon to help you find the product that’s right for you and your home. The products included in this article are available at various home improvement stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon.
How To Install a Utility Sink in a Barn
Master plumber Richard Trethewey installs a utility sink in Mark McCullough’s chicken barn.
How to Install a Utility Sink
In this how-to video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey installs a utility sink
How to Fit Copper Pipes
Plumbing & Heating Expert Richard Tretheway shows host Kevin O’Connor several methods for making solid, watertight connections, both with solder and without.
How to Cut and Solder Copper Pipe
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shares some basic pipe-joining techniques
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.
The 5 Best Water Softeners (2022 Review)
Water softeners remove calcium and magnesium minerals from your well or city water. These minerals cause hard water, which can clog pipes and decrease water pressure. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best water softeners on Amazon to help you find the product that’s right for you. The products included in this article are available at various home improvement stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon.
Common Water Heater Myths Answered
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shares some tips on maintaining water heaters.
Celebrating Craftsmanship: Soldering Basics
Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains some general soldering techniques and how to connect water piping.
How to Diagnose Problems with Well Water Systems
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains how a well water pump works and why it could be behind a high electrical bill.
How to Repair Toilet Tank Components
Ask This Old House plumbing and HVAC expert Richard Trethewey explains the failure points in toilet tanks and how to repair them
How to Replace a Kitchen Faucet
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner replace her kitchen faucet.
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.
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 Install a Freezeproof Faucet
Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to protect your exterior faucets from freezing and bursting in the winter.
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 Remove a Bathtub Drain
If you’re looking to replace an old bathtub drain, it’s not difficult to do the job yourself. Read these steps to learn more.
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.
How to Hook Up Washing Machine Plumbing
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey re-plumbs a washing machine.
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.
Got Water in Your Crawl Space? Here’s How to Fix It
If you have water leaking into your crawl space, it’s important to address the issue quickly, as it could have serious effects on your home and health.
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.
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.
How to Move Baseboard Heating
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner by moving a hot water baseboard heater from one side of a room to another.
How to Deal with Common Kitchen Plumbing Problems
Here’s how to fix leaks and clear clogs in your kitchen sink.
Is Your Sump Pump Ready for Spring?
April showers bring May flowers—and up the risk of basement flooding. Follow these steps to ensure your sump pump is primed to keep your lowest level high and dry
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
Tackling Toilet Tank Replacements
The toilet is one of the major water-consumers in the house. This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains how an all-in-one repair kit from Fluidmaster can fix any toilet problem—whether it occurs when flushing, filling, or not in use.