Plumbing
What to Do When Your Sewer Backs Up
When it comes to sewer backups, it’s always smarter to be prepared. Here are a few tips for handling a sewer backup.
Everything to Know About Frozen Pipes and Why They Burst
In this DIY Smarts, Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey demonstrates how and why frozen pipes burst.
How To Upgrade to a Pressure-Balanced Shower Valve
Upgrade your shower experience with a pressure-balanced valve that maintains a steady temperature and prevents scalding. Read our guide to learn more.
Everything You Need to Know About Plumbing
From when to call a plumber to saving on your water bill, and more, we cover all you need to know about your home's plumbing.
How to Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat without Changing the Wiring
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey replaces an old thermostat with a smart thermostat without replacing the original two wires in the wall.
How to Repair Toilet Tank Components
Toilet issues? Join This Old House plumbing and HVAC expert Richard Trethewey as he explains how to repair toilet tank components.
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 To Fix a Leaky Faucet With Easy to Follow Steps
Read our guide to learn how to fix a leaky faucet step by step, including instructions for different kinds of faucets.
How To Deal with Common Kitchen Plumbing Problems
Kitchen plumbing issues can be a nuisance, but most are easy to fix yourself. Here’s how to handle leaks and clear clogs in your kitchen.
How to Replace Polybutylene Piping with PEX
Polybutylene piping is no longer up to code. Our experts will show you why and how to replace it with new, more durable PEX tubing.
How to Prep Framing Studs for Hinges, Valves and Fixtures | Generation NEXT
Clearly labeling the locations of hinges, valves, fixtures, and studs for subcontractors is an essential step to keep construction efficient.
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
Richard Trethewey’s Cutaways
For decades now, Richard Trethewey has been cleaving plumbing parts in two in order to reveal their inner workings
Is It Time to Upgrade Your Toilet? Read Our Guide to Find Out
If you’re double-flushing or dealing with frequent clogs, it might be time to replace your toilet. Here's what you need to know.
Future House | Smart Water Valve
Watch as This Old House tech expert Ross Trethewey travels to Los Angeles to learn about innovations in 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
How to Maximize Comfort with a Thermostat
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and home technology expert Ross Trethewey discuss improvements to thermostats and how they contribute to comfort in a home
How to Shorten a Gas Pipe to Fit an Oven
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shortens a gas pipe for a homeowner whose new stove does not fit against the wall because it is getting stuck on the pipe
How to Install and Maintain a Water Filter Under the Sink
Installing a water filter under your sink can remove contaminants, sediment, and unpleasant tastes. Read how to install this system yourself in our step-by-step guide.
New Solutions To Unclog Sinks and Keep Them Clear
Explore traditional and innovative solutions to clear a clogged sink in this guide, with tips from TOH plumbing expert Richard Trethewey.
How Plumbing Technology is Advancing
During a visit to IBS 2019, Richard Trethewey gave our Pro2Pro editor a lesson in connecting pex tubing, then explored a new water-monitoring device and high-tech training tool
Prevent Frozen Pipes While You're Away
Leaving town? Turn down the heat…but only a little
How to Install a GPS-Enabled Smart Thermostat
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey installs a thermostat that can be programmed automatically from a smart phone
How to Replace an Old Kitchen Sink With a New One
Give your kitchen a quick update by replacing an old kitchen sink with a new one using our easy to follow guide.
Sneak Peek: Brookline storm water problem-solving
When it rains at our Mid-century Modern House, it pours
How To Adjust Water Heater Temperature
Ask This Old House expert Richard Trethewey shows how to change the temperature on your water heater for safety and energy savings.
Testing the Newest Low-consumption Toilets
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey travels to a plumbing facility in New Jersey to learn about advances in toilet engineering that help save water
Staying Safe with Natural Gas
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and host Kevin O’Connor discuss how gas regulators work and how their malfunction caused gas explosions in Lawrence, MA
Home Inspection Nightmares | Dangerous Deck
Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, general contractor Tom Silva and mason Mark McCullough share some wild code violations submitted to them by home inspectors
How To Work With Gas Pipes
Learn how professionals install gas piping in a home from plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey in our step-by-step guide.
Common Water Heater Questions Answered by the Experts
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shares some tips on maintaining water heaters in Your Home.