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Plumbing
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.
How to Replace Polybutylene Piping with PEX
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey travels to Richmond, Virginia to help a homeowner replace her polybutylene piping with conventional PEX.
How to Snake a Toilet
It’s always disheartening to realize you’ve got a clogged toilet that can’t be fixed with a plunger, but the good news is that another simple tool can help you address the problem—a snake or drain auger.
How to Install a Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals are a helpful tool to help prevent pesky kitchen odors, as well as stop food from going down the pipes and causing plumbing issues. Watch as Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey demonstrates how to install a garbage disposal in your kitchen.
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.
Steam Showers: How to Create a Luxury Home Spa Experience
Here’s a guide to installation and costs for a luxury steam shower unit and how to find a dealer.
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.
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.
Read This Before You Buy a Toilet
Keep these key parts and new features in mind on your next toilet shopping trip.
Low-Flow Toilets
A closer look at the anatomy and history of these water-saving commodes.
Preventing Leaks and Losses in the Utility Room
Utility rooms are loaded with pipes and fittings and tanks—and plenty of opportunities for water leaks. TOH plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey meets up with a Travelers forensic engineer to show homeowners what to look for to help prevent leak-induced corrosion that can lead to costly damage down the road.
Preventing Leaks and Losses in the Bathroom
TOH plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey joins a Travelers forensic engineer to point out the likeliest sources of water damage in bathrooms and proactively help prevent leaks that can turn into big losses for homeowners.
Preventing Leaks and Losses in the Laundry Room
TOH plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey speaks with a Travelers forensic engineer about the importance of inspecting your washing machine’s valves and supply lines regularly to help prevent costly leaks and losses in the laundry room.
Preventing Leaks and Losses in the Kitchen
Dishwashers, sinks, disposals, and more—there are plenty of places where leaks can occur in the kitchen. TOH plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey checks in with a Travelers forensic engineer to help homeowners spot trouble before it starts.
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.
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 a Frozen Pipe Bursts
In this DIY Smarts, Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey demonstrates how and why frozen pipes burst.
How to Fix a Leaking Toilet
Here’s why your toilet might be leaking at the base and how to fix it to prevent costly structural damage.
How to Replace a Shower Pan
In this how-to video, This Old House plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey installs a new waterproof shower floor.
How to Stop Your Toilet from Sweating
Dry out your bathroom or install a sweat valve—a little warm water will keep the exterior of your toilets dry all summer long.
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.
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.
Water Heater Maintenance Tips
Use these 6 easy and inexpensive ways to increase your water heater's efficiency and longevity.
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 Remove Air in Water Pipes
If air is coming out of your water pipes, don’t worry, you may be able to easily fix it yourself. Read on to learn how to tell if air is in your water pipes, and how to get rid of it.
How to Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger
Got a toilet clog, with no plunger in sight? Read this guide to learn how to unclog a toilet using only simple household items you probably have at hand.
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 Increase Water Pressure on City Water
Here’s how to fix your water pressure if you’re on city water.