Plumbing Videos

These This Old House videos showcase all of our plumbing projects, how-tos, and designs.

wobbly_toilet
Play

Filed under:

How To Fix a Wobbly Toilet

This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner diagnose and repair a wobbly toilet.
water_softener_x
Play

How to Repair a Water Softener

Learn how to renew an old water softener with This Old House plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey in this helpful video.
drain_xl_0
Play

How to Clear a Clogged Bathtub Drain

This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows how to fix a slow draining tub.
S21 E18, Richard Trethewey helps install a vented microwave
Play

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.
S22 E21: Richard Trethewey takes Kevin O'Connor on a tour of his HVAC showroom
Play

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.
S22 E21: Richard Trethewey demonstrates his 'hand-y' teaching style
Play

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.
Richard gets a tour of a plumbing facility.
Play

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.
richard_kevin_pump
Play

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.
S21 E19, Richard Trethewey discusses irrigation systems with Kevin O'Connor
Play

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.
bathroom, sink, stopper
Play

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.
ASK_1005022AT_0588_2400x1350
Play

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.
A man kneeling down in front of a water heater to work on replacing it.
Play

Everything You Need to Know to Replace a Water Heater

In this DIY Smarts segment, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner replace their old tank water heater before it fails.
bottle_trap_2103_posterframe
Play

Understanding Bottle Traps

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows host Kevin O’Connor how to handle sink drains in tight places.
S21 E1, Richard Trethewey shows how water heaters can fail
Play

Reasons for Water Heater Failure and When to Replace a Heater

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey gives host Kevin O’Connor an inside look at why a water heater fails and when to replace one.
2037_basements
Play

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.
ASK_2033_airflow
Play

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.
ASK_2028_plumbing01b
Play

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.
ASK_2018_plumber_SF
Play

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.
tub_drain_2012_SF_2400x1350
Play

How To Replace a Tub Drain

Plumbing expert Richard Trethewey shows a homeowner how to replace a bathtub drain when his old 1950s tub stops draining properly.
dishwasher_2011
Play

Dishwasher Maintenance: Keep Your Appliance Running Smoothly

In this guide and video, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows how to deep-clean a dishwasher and repair its components.
utility_sink_2008_SF
Play

How To Install a Utility Sink in a Barn

Master plumber Richard Trethewey installs a utility sink in Mark McCullough’s chicken barn.
copper_pipes_2006_SF
Play

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.
soldering_2001_SF
Play

Celebrating Craftsmanship: Soldering Basics

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains some general soldering techniques and how to connect water piping.
spigot_1920_SF
Play

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.
garbage_disposal_ASK1916_SF
Play

Everything You Need to Know to Install a Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals are a tool to help prevent pesky kitchen odors, as well as stop food from going down the pipes. We discuss how to install a garbage disposal.
siphon_1910_SF
Play

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.
faucet_1909_SF
Play

How to Replace a Bathroom Faucet

Need to update your bathroom sink faucet? Watch this DIY Smarts as Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey demonstrates how to replace a bathroom faucet.
Richard Trethewey cleans a clogged shower cartridge
Play

How to Clean a Clogged Shower Cartridge

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey travels to New York City to teach a homeowner how to clean her shower cartridge when it gets clogged.
shut_offTOH
Play

Testing Smart Automatic Water Shut Off Valves

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey tests two different styles of smart automatic water shutoff valves.
Screen_Shot_2020_05_12_at_4.56.10_PM
Play

How to Connect Steel Gas Pipes

Are you having gas piping work done? Learn about a new method professionals use to connect gas pipes from This Old House's Richard Trethewey.
spigot
Play

How To Fix a Leaky Hose Spigot

This Old House plumbing and heating expert, Richard Trethewey, explains some common failure points in hose spigots and how to repair them.
gas_lantern
Play

How to Install a Gas Lantern

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey travels to St. Louis to install a gas lantern on an original 1890s home in a historic neighborhood.
A burst pipe spraying water.
Play

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.