Plumbing
Touring Richard Trethewey's HVAC Showroom
Host Kevin O’Connor heads out on the road with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey to learn more about his HVAC showroom and educational facility.
Richard’s Passion for Teaching
Join us as we sit down with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey to discuss his passion for teaching and the mentors he’s had along the way.
Understanding the History of Modern Plumbing
In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey tells us about the modern marvel that is plumbing, and why he enjoys it so much.
How to Retrofit Radiant Heating in a Bathroom
In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner install a radiant floor system in their bathroom.
How To Repair a Leaking Shower Valve
When a shower valve in a perfectly preserved original bathroom started leaking, a homeowner reached out to Richard Trethewey for help fixing it.
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.
Best Water Leak Detectors (2024 Guide)
Identify water leaks in your plumbing pipes before they cause major damage. In this guide, we look at today's best water leak detectors.
Filed under:
How to Clean a Faucet Aerator
This Old House plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey shows how to go with the flow by replacing a plugged-up aerator
Why Does My Shower Drain Smell Like Rotten Eggs?
The smell of spoiled eggs doesn’t exactly bring to mind the thought of fresh, clean towels and a relaxing bath time experience. And no amount of candles can truly mask the odor. Luckily, there are ways to rid your bathroom of a shower drain that smells like rotten eggs. These are some of the easiest, most common methods for taking care of the problem.
How to Troubleshoot a Leaky Showerhead
Water coming out of a showerhead every time the tub fills can be annoying. Here’s a helpful way to troubleshoot the issue.
How to Install a Reserve Tank
Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey installs a reserve tank so a homeowner can finally fill their tub with hot water for a relaxing bath.
How to Make Simple Irrigation Repairs
Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey teaches host Kevin O’Connor everything he needs to know to make simple irrigation repairs on his own.
How to Fix a Bathroom Sink Stopper
A stuck sink plug causes a major hassle. Luckily, it’s a DIY that can be taken care of in an hour or two. In this video, we join plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, who shows a homeowner how to fix their bath sink stopper.
How to Install a Vented Microwave
Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey teams up with a local plumber to install a new stove and a vented microwave to exhaust the fumes.
Best Water Softeners (2024 Guide)
Water softeners are filtration systems that remove hard minerals from your water. In this review, I evaluate the best water softeners available.
Understanding Septic Systems
Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey teaches host Kevin O’Connor everything he needs to know about septic systems, how they work, and how to maintain them.
All About Water Storage Tanks
Learn the differences between the common kinds of tanks found in home well-water systems, how they work, and what type you’ll need.
The 5 Best Water Heaters (2024 Review)
You can’t shower comfortably without a hot water heater. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best water heaters on Amazon to help you find the product that’s right for you.
7 Best Tankless Water Heaters (2024 Guide)
Our guide to the best tankless water heaters compares the top models and provides guidance on how you can save space, money, and time.
How to Replace a Tank-Type Water Heater
In this DIY Smarts segment, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner be proactive about their home maintenance by replacing their existing tank-type water heater before it fails.
Understanding Bottle Traps
Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows host Kevin O’Connor how to handle sink drains in tight places.
3 Reasons Water Heaters Fail
Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey gives host Kevin O’Connor an inside look at why a water heater fails.
Easy Solutions for a Damp Basement
Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey teaches Kevin O’Connor what he needs to know about handling wet basements.
Understanding Air Flow in Your House
Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and home technology expert Ross Trethewey explain everything you need to know about balancing airflow within a home.
How to Keep Your Garbage Disposal Running Smoothly
Don’t let improper use and deferred maintenance prevent your garbage disposal from working optimally. Follow these expert tips to learn how to maintain this pulverizing powerhouse, so it stays clean and performs to its potential.
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.
How Much Does Plumbing Cost? (2022 Guide)
Your home’s plumbing works hard to keep your home a comfortable and clean place to live. Usually, it’s well worth hiring a professional plumber to fix problems with pipes, drains, and fixtures.
5 Best Water Test Kits (2024 Guide)
Having safe, clean water is essential for any home. In this review, our Reviews Team researched the five best water test kits on the market today to help you find the product that’s right for your household.
How Richard Trethewey Became a Plumber
This Old House Plumbing and Heating Expert Richard Trethewey tells all about how his career as a plumber started.
How to Plunge a Toilet
With so many plungers in the market, which one is right for your toilet? Learn how to pick out the best plunger and use it properly when disaster strikes in the bathroom.
How to Replace a Tub Drain
In this edition of DIY Smarts, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner with an old 1950s bathtub replace the tub drain assembly when the current one stops plugging the tub.
How to Maintain Your Dishwasher
Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey breaks down all the connections on a dishwasher, how they work, and how to troubleshoot them when they aren’t draining or drying correctly.