Plumbing
How to Unclog a Sink in 3 Steps
Skip the caustic chemical drain cleaners, and roll up your sleeves
How to Diagnose Plumbing Drain Problems
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey tracks down the source of a clogged drain using some high tech equipment.
How to Install a Whole House Water Filter
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey improves the taste and odor of municipal drinking water with a whole house filtration system that includes a sediment filter and a granulated activated carbon filter
Revisiting Our Hybrid Water Heater Install
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey returns to a home he visited four years earlier to replace a faulty water heater.
A Tour of Antique Plumbing and the Toilet of the Future
Ask This Old House Richard Trethewey examines historic items from the history of his family’s plumbing company and takes a look at the latest toilet technology.
How to Install an Indirect Water Heater on a Boiler
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner install an indirect water heater onto an existing steam boiler to boost the amount of hot water in the house.
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 Diagnose Problems with a Hot Water Heating System
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner figure out why one of her radiators is not working.
The Story Behind Antique Bath Fixtures
Ask This Old House plumbing expert Richard Trethewey gives a history lesson on bath fixtures and 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 Identify and Treat Soft Water
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey answers an email about a shower stained green and why it may be linked to soft water
Read This Before You Buy a Toilet
Keep these key parts and new features in mind on your next toilet shopping trip.
How to Replace a Tank Water Heater
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner replace a tank water heater
How to Replace a Kitchen Sink Strainer
Ask This Old House plumbing expert Richard Trethewey finds a rusty sink strainer in the kitchen and shows a homeowner how to replace it.
How to Safely Treat Water with Lead
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey gives a tutorial on why lead can be found in home drinking water and the best methods to combat it.
All About Heat Pump Water Heaters
Save big bucks while taking advantage of the existing heat in your home. Here’s what you need to know about heat pump water heaters.
How to Repair a Shower Valve Stem
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey fixes a faulty shower valve with new valve stems and seats
How to Repair a Squealing Shower
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner silence a shrieking shower
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
How to Install a House Hydrant
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey installs a house hydrant to replace a leaky outdoor spigot.
3 Quick Plumbing Fixes Under Pressure
What to do before the plumber rescues the day
How a Plumbing Trap Can Lose Water
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains several reasons why a trap may be losing water
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 Choose a Water Filter
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains the many filter options and home water systems available for filtering drinking water
How to Add a Heat Pump to a Water Heater
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey makes heating water more efficient by installing a heat pump
How to Repair a Leaking Toilet
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains what may be causing a leaky toilet and possible solutions
How and Why to Maintain a Temperature-and-Pressure Valve
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains the extreme importance of maintaining your water heater's temperature-and-pressure relief valve
How to Install a Touchless Kitchen Faucet
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner install a new, no-touch kitchen faucet
How to Repair a Noisy Toilet
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey installs a new flush valve
How to Install a Hybrid Gas Water Heater
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows a quiet, efficient way to produce domestic hot water
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 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